The Origin of Chinese New Year

06/02/2024 4 min

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Episode Synopsis


Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, has its origins in ancient myth and tradition. Legend has it that in ancient times, a mythical beast called Nian would come on the first day of the lunar New Year to devour livestock, crops, and even villagers, especially children. To protect themselves, the villagers would put food at their doors to appease Nian or would light fireworks to scare it away. Over time, these practices evolved into the lively customs we see today, including the use of firecrackers, dragon and lion dances, family gatherings, and the giving of red envelopes containing money for good luck. The Chinese New Year celebration symbolizes the start of a new lunar year and is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and traditions.