The custom of setting off firecrackers in the Spring Festival originated in the Han and Wei Dynasties. The book Tales of Jingchu Years in the Northern and Southern Dynasties contains: "On the first day of the first month, chickens crow and firecrackers are set off in front of the court to ward off evil spirits." It is said that in ancient times, people living in mountainous areas often suffered from cold and heat diseases, which were considered as evil spirits at that time. Therefore, for one year's safety, they burned bamboo with fire on the first day of the Lunar New Year, making a loud noise and driving Shan Gui away. Because the original fireworks were burning bamboo, they were called "firecrackers". The legend of setting off firecrackers in the Spring Festival is to drive away the "Nian" beast and pass it on from generation to generation. On the southeast coast of ancient times, people were often attacked by a fierce beast called Nian. Every New Year's Eve, "Nian" will emerge from the sea and break into nearby villages, hurting people and swallowing livestock. People call it "Nian Beast". Before New Year's Eve, people will hide in the mountains to avoid the "Nian beast". On New Year's Eve, people in the village went out to avoid the "Nian Beast" again. At this time, a sick old man escaped from the countryside came to the village. He was taken care of by an old woman in the village and got food and clothes. The old man heard the story of "Nian Beast" and promised the old woman to help them drive away in return. He covered the courtyard door of the old woman's house with red paper and lit many fires. At this time, "Nian Beast" came to this village again. Seeing that there was no light in other homes, he came to the old lady's yard and saw a light inside, so he pushed the door and went in. Just then, the old man lit the bamboo in the yard, made a "crackling" sound and beat the copper basin with a spatula. "Nian Beast" saw the red light all over the yard, heard the sound of "scratching", and suddenly trembled with fear and fled in confusion. Since then, it has never appeared again. When the villagers heard about this incident, they were ecstatic and put on new clothes one after another, decorating and congratulating each other. People get up early to set off firecrackers. It is said that this move is to expel "Mandrill". Mandrill is said to be a fierce one-horned ghost in ancient mountains, but it is most afraid of noise, so people scare it away with the explosion of burning bamboo, and then make it out of paper tubes, also known as firecrackers or firecrackers.