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Nian
The beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called Nian, who had the body of a bull and the head of a lion. It was said to be a ferocious animal that lived in the mountains and hunted for a living. Towards the end of Winter when there was nothing to eat, Nian would come on the first day of New Year to the villages to eat livestock, crops, and even villagers, especially children. To protect themselves, the villagers would put food in front of their doors at the beginning of every year. It was believed that after the Nian ate the food they prepared, it wouldn’t attack any more people. The people learned Nian was afraid of three things: the colour red, fire, and noise. So when the New Year was about to come, the villagers would hang red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors. They also used firecrackers to frighten away the Nian. From then on, Nian never came to the village again. According to legend, the Nian was eventually captured by Hongjun Laozu, an ancient Taoist monk, and Nian became Hongjun Laozu's mount. After Nian was captured, everyone had a big celebration and the ritual involved in banishing him was repeated the following year, and so the ritual was passed down from generation to generation and the custom of celebrating New Year with firecrackers, noise, and the colour red has persisted to this day.
The ferocious animal that lived in the mountains called the Nian has arrived to eat all the food we prepared, stop it and get the firecrackers!
Nian by billie eyelash August 16, 2018
Related Words
nian
She’s a shy and nice person with a little bit of toxic personality in her. Wears glasses too. A little judgy sometimes. But once you get to know her, there’s no ‘Shy’ word in her dictionary anymore.
Nian
Nian is a very observant boy who tends to appear as if he knows everything, which is somehow true. His emotions are hard to read, almost appearing as if he doesn't have any emotions at all, but that is not the case. He is a deep person who is good at listening to others. His blunt way of telling the truth can either comfort you or make you rethink your existence.
I like Nian.
Nian by whiteandblue May 14, 2022
Nian
Nian by Vampirediariesfan May 3, 2021
Tzyy Nian
: Hey! That guy we met yesterday was handsome but he was an absolute clean freak!
: Yeah, he is basically Tzyy Nian.
: Yeah, he is basically Tzyy Nian.
Tzyy Nian by NobleThrone November 22, 2021
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Word of the Day on October 7, 2026