When I was a child in Taiwan, my parents would put me and my two sisters in the car and we’d drive to visit my grandparents for New Year’s Eve. The number of journeys made by people in China in 2017 for the New Year was nearly three billion, in what’s thought to be the world’s largest annual human migration.
During the holiday, millions travel to reunite with their family members. The Lunar New Year is now the most important annual festival in China and in many other Asian countries. The color red became associated with ensuring good luck and banishing bad luck, so besides displaying decorations of that hue, celebrants began wearing red clothing and giving out red envelopes. In fact, Nian, the name of the monster in the legend, is the word that the Chinese use for “year” (年). Many people still believe that lighting firecrackers and fireworks will scare away the evil spirits of the past year and celebrate the coming of the new year. That legend is why Chinese people started causing explosions on the eve of the New Year and hanging up red-paper signs. After gunpowder was invented 2,000 years ago, firecrackers replaced bamboo. He told them, “As long as you place these red banners on your door frames and light firecrackers on New Year’s Eve, Nian will never attack you.” The old man then rose in the air like a feather blown by the wind, and the villagers realized that he must have been a fairy … The villagers returned the next morning, and to their surprise, the old man was safe and sound.
When the bamboo heated up, the air sealed in its hollow chambers expanded, and produced an explosive “Boom!” The noise startled the monster, and he ran away, never to be seen again. He tossed bamboo sticks into a bonfire that he’d prepared earlier. He went on, desperate for a late-night meal. The energy radiating from the talismans made him dizzy, but he was too hungry to care. But before he could enter, he saw three red banners that had been hung around entrance and he paused. He approached the door, licking his lips, ready to pounce on the poor victim inside. That night, the monster came to the village and saw candlelight shining in the window of one house. I have a secret weapon to help fight this thing.” Although she let him stay at her house, she departed with everyone else. She was skeptical, but the beggar said, “Just leave it to me. The old man said, “If you let me stay in your house for one night, I can promise you that the monster will never come back again.” However, one kind old lady gave him rice and urged him to flee with the rest of the village. He was a stranger, and the people were too busy running away to tend to him. As the residents of a village were packing up for their escape one year, an ancient man visited, begging for food. People lived in fear of him, and they’d board up their houses before going somewhere to hide. His favorite things to eat were children and livestock. Every year, before the spring arrived, Nian would emerge from his den and hunt for prey. Once upon a time, there was a fearsome monster called Nian (年, pronounced Nián). If you’re ever wondered “Why firecrackers? What do those red signs say?” these traditions are tied to an ancient Chinese legend. For people in many countries around the world, it’s a time for annual family gatherings that feature special gifts and meals … and more firecrackers. The Lunar New Year is a joyous, noisy winter holiday - its days are filled with parades, bright red signs and banners with good-luck messages, and firecrackers. Stocksy A warm look at the Chinese legends and rituals of one of the most important festivals in the world, as shared by entrepreneur and Chineasy creator ShaoLan Hsueh.
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