- The Story of Nian

One night Nian intruded into the village again and saw the red color and fire at
every door and heard a thunderous sound. It was frightened and retreated to
the mountains. From then on it dare not come out again. After the night was
over, people gave congratulations to each other. They put up red lanterns and
drank liquor and wine at feasts to celebrate their victory. There is a legend about
the origin of "year". In ancient times, our ancestors were subject to the threat of
a most ferocious animal called 'Nian' (year), which lived on various
kinds of animals. To celebrate the great victory people of every family would
paste red paper couplets on the door panels, light red lanterns, beat gongs and
drums, let off fireworks and firecrackers all through the night.

Early next morning they would greet each other happily. In winter where food
was scarce in the mountains, 'Nian' would intrude the villages
to eat human beings and beasts of burden. People were frightened and on
tenterhooks. People fought against Nian for many years, and they found Nian
was afraid of three things: red color, fire and sound. Therefore, in winter people
hung a piece of red peach wood at the door, lighted a pile of fire at the gate,
beat gongs and drums heavily to make a loud sound, without sleeping
throughout the night.