The Nian and the New Year
Chinese folklore says the New Year's red decorations and firecrackers began as a way to scare off a monster called Nian.
What was reported
In a popular Chinese legend, the Nian was a beast that came out of the sea or the mountains every New Year's Eve to eat crops, livestock and even villagers. One year an old man stayed behind, decorated the doors in red, lit fires and set off crackling bamboo, and the beast fled.
Since then, families have hung red decorations, set off firecrackers and stayed up late to welcome the new year. The phrase guo nian, 'passing the year', is still used for celebrating the festival.
Explanations offered
Historians think the legend was told to explain customs that are much older, linked to driving away bad luck and welcoming the new season. Nian also means 'year', which is part of the story's charm. It's told to children across the Chinese-speaking world.
- When
- Every Lunar New Year
- Where
- Across China
- Witnesses
- Chinese tradition
- Status
- Legend
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.