Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival is celebrated yearly by the Chinese annually. But not many know the origins of Chinese New Year and the significance of celebrating it.

Photo credit: storyvillegirl

The myth once mentioned that “Nian” (year in Chinese) was actually the name of a beast that started to attack the villagers the night before the New Year begins. The beast hid in the village and began attacking them when it was dusk.

The beast was very popular because of its huge mouth which is big enough to swallow a bunch of people in a bite. The villagers were always terrified when yearend arrived.

One fine day, a godsend old man came to rescue the villagers. He told the beast to eat the other beasts instead of devouring the innocent villagers. From then onwards, the beast was gone and the villagers led a peaceful life. The villagers started to paste red paper decorations on windows and doors every year as advised by the old man to prevent the beast from coming back as they believed the color red is feared by the beast.

For this reason, “Guo Nian” which literally means survive the year, is celebrated every year with red decorations and firecrackers. Up to this day, the tradition is still in practice, but many have no clue why red decorations and firecrackers are used during Chinese New Year.

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