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Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) is the oldest traditional festival in China, but a few people concern the origin and story behind the holiday. Many existing customs and activities of the festival actually can be traced back to a popular story of the Monster Nian, which helps to explain why and how the festival is celebrated. The Chinese character nian more usually means "year" or "new year". The earliest written sources that refer to the nian as a creature date to the early 20th century. As a result, it is unclear whether the nian creature is an authentic part of traditional folk mythology, or a part of a local oral tradition that was recorded in the early 20th Chinese New Year's Day is called Guo Nian (过年) in Chinese, which can mean 'celebrate (a new) year' or 'overcome Nian'. The character 年 (Nián) could mean a 'year' or 'the monster Nian'. In ancient times, there was a monster named Nian (年, or Nianshou 年兽) with a long head and sharp horns. It dwelled deep in the sea all year round and These practices have evolved over time, blending ancient beliefs with modern festivities, creating a rich tapestry of cultural expression during the New Year celebrations. VI. Symbolism of Nian in Chinese Culture. Nian transcends its role as a mere monster; it symbolizes the perennial themes of good fortune and renewal in Chinese culture. Learn how the ancient Chinese people created the Lunar New Year's Eve to ward off the sea monster Nian with red items, firecrackers and lights. The Confucius Institute for Scotland shares the story and its cultural significance. The Chinese New Year holiday also known as Spring Festival starts on the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends with the Lantern Festival which occurs on the fifteenth day of the first month of the Lunar New Year (which is a full moon). The old Chinese word “Nian” translates to “ripe grains.” New Year customs like setting off firecrackers and writing couplets on red paper were allegedly inspired by the legend of nian (VCG) Another version of the legend states that the monster was actually known as 夕 (xī), and nian was a minor god dispatched by the Kitchen God to deal with xi by using firecrackers and bands of red silk. This is The Nian is a legendary creature rooted deeply in Chinese mythology, often depicted as a fearsome beast that emerges at the dawn of the Lunar New Year. This mythical entity has become a symbol of fear and tradition, playing a pivotal role in the festivities leading to the New Year celebrations. The Nian continues to hold a place in popular culture, appearing in various films, literature, and art forms. Its image has been commercialized, becoming a mascot for Chinese New Year celebrations worldwide. This visibility has helped to educate younger generations about the Nian, ensuring its legacy is preserved. For this reason, the Nian dance is performed annually on Chinese New Year's eve, and because the dance, now known as lion dance is thought to be so helpful or auspicious or both, it is performed on a lot more occasions. Now you know the reasons why Chinese New Year has many loud fire crackers, bright fireworks and red lanterns, lion dance Celebrate Lunar New Year with traditional and modern Chinese desserts, from almond cookies that promote good fortune to candied fruit that re-creates a popular street food. Anyone can use a little The stories date back thousands of years. Read on to learn of a few popular and interesting Chinese New Year myths. The Monster and New Year’s Eve. In ancient times, there was a monster named Nián (年). It usually lived at the bottom of the sea and would come up once a year to feast on animals and humans. Read more: Every Chinese zodiac year from 1900–2031 (full chart and by zodiac sign). Ben Ming Nian (Zodiac Birth Year) Maybe you think your zodiac year, or ben ming nian (本命年), will be lucky. Why is the celebration also called "Guo Nian"? "Nian”is the Chinese word for year. In folk culture, the Spring Festival celebration is also called “Guo Nian” (meaning “passing a year”). In a Chinese New Year story, “Nian” is a fierce and cruel monster which eats livestock and kids, but it is scared of red color and cracker sound Do you know Why Chinese New Year is Celebrated?Long long ago, there was a ferocious monster named "Nian" with sharp teeth and a horn. It lived deep down in t New Year Sweet Rice Cake (红糖年糕), or nian gao, is a welcome sight during Chinese New Year and a must-have dish. Nian gao 年糕（高) symbolizes progress, advancement, and growth.Nian Gao is also a popular gift to give when visiting family and friends during the holiday. Nian is a creature from Chinese mythology that is often associated with the Lunar New Year. According to legend, this beast lived under the sea or in the mountains and would come out during the New Year’s Eve to hunt people and livestock. However, the villagers eventually discovered that Nian was afraid of loud noises, Chinese New Year: More than Just a Celebration. Chinese New Year is a vivid and dynamic celebration, enriched by the presence of the Nian. Its legend serves as a reminder of the resilience and unity of the community. So, as we welcome the Chinese New Year, remember the Nian, and the customs formed to keep this fearsome beast at bay. Preparing for the Lunar New Year. The phrase Guo Nian, meaning “celebrating the new year” in Chinese, evokes warm feelings of family reunions. In China, the Lunar New Year is marked by Chun Yun, the world’s largest human migration, as millions travel to reunite with their families weeks in advance.
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