The origin of the Spring Festival
According to reports, it is said that in ancient China there was a monster called "Nian" with long tentacles on its head and it was extremely ferocious. "Nian" lives deep on the bottom of the sea all year round, only climbing ashore every New Year's Eve to devour livestock and harm people. Therefore, every New Year's Eve, people in villages and villages help the old and young to flee to the mountains to avoid the harm of the "Nian" beast.
On New Year's Eve this year, people in Taohua Village were helping the elderly and young to take refuge in the mountains. An old man begging came from outside the village. He was holding a cane, a bag on his arm, a silver beard flowing, and eyes like Long star. Some of the villagers sealed the windows and locked the doors, some packed their bags, some drove the cattle and sheep, and people were shouting and neighing everywhere, creating a scene of rush and panic. At this time, who still has the heart to take care of this old man begging. Only an old woman in the east of the village gave the old man some food and advised him to go up the mountain quickly to avoid the "Nian" beast. The old man stroked his beard and said with a smile: "If my mother-in-law lets me stay at home all night, I will definitely drive the "Nian" beast away." The old woman was shocked and looked closely, and saw that he had white hair, a childish face, a strong spirit, and an extraordinary bearing. But she still continued to persuade, and the old beggar smiled and said nothing. The mother-in-law had no choice but to leave her home and take refuge in the mountains.
At midnight, the "Nian" beast broke into the village. It found that the atmosphere in the village was different from previous years: at the east end of the village, the old woman lived in her husband's house, with red paper on the door and brightly lit candles inside. The "Nian" beast trembled all over and screamed strangely. "Nian" glared at her mother-in-law's house for a moment, then screamed and rushed towards her. As he approached the door, there was a sudden "bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang," explosion in the courtyard. Nian was trembling all over and didn't dare to go any further. It turns out that "Nian" is most afraid of the color red, fire and explosions. At this time, the door of my mother-in-law's house opened wide, and an old man wearing a red robe was seen laughing in the courtyard. "Nian" turned pale with fright and ran away in embarrassment.
The next day was the first day of the first lunar month. People who had returned from the refuge were surprised to see that the village was safe and sound. At this time, the old woman suddenly realized and hurriedly told the villagers about the beggar's promise to the old man. The villagers rushed to my mother-in-law's house. They saw red paper on the door of her house, a pile of unburned bamboos in the yard were still popping, and a few red candles in the house were still glowing... They were delighted. To celebrate the auspicious arrival, the crazy villagers put on new clothes and hats one after another, and went to the homes of relatives and friends to say hello. This incident quickly spread in the surrounding villages, and people all knew how to drive away the "Nian" beast.
From then on every New Year's Eve, every family posted red couplets and set off firecrackers; every household lit candles and watched the New Year's Eve. Early in the morning on the first day of the Lunar New Year, we also visit relatives and friends to say hello. This custom spreads more and more widely and has become the most solemn traditional festival among Chinese people.