Legend says, long ago, there was a monster called Nian. It was thought to look like a mix between a dragon and a unicorn. On the first and the 15th of each lunar month, the monster would come down from the mountains to hunt people. People feared the monster and locked their doors early before sunset on the days of its coming.
There lived an old wise man in a village. He thought it was the panic in people that made the monster so bold and furious. Thus the old man asked people to organize together and to conquer the monster by means of beating drums and gongs, burning bamboo, and lighting fireworks for the purpose of making large noises to threaten the hateful monster. When he told people about the idea, everybody agreed on it.
On a moonless and freezing cold night, the monster, Nian, appeared again. But this time the people burst out a frightening attack of loud noises and flashing lights and chased the monster. They chased the monster until it fell down with exhaustion. Then the people jumped up and killed the evil monster. Savage as the monster was, he lost in the end under the efforts from the cooperation of people.
Since then, people have kept the tradition by beating drums and gongs, and lighting fireworks at the coldest day in winter to drive the imagined monsters away and to celebrate the victory over it. Today, Nian refers to the New Year's day or the Spring Festival. People often say "Guo Nian," which means "live the festival." Furthermore, Nian also means "year." For an example, the Chinese often greet each other by saying "Xin Nian Hao," which means "Happy New Year!" Xin means "new" and Hao means "good."
|
