chinese Legends, chinese new year, dragon dance, nian, nian monster, traditional chinese culture

Nian: A Lunar New Year Story

There is a legend as to why during the Chinese New Year Festival doors are decorated with Chinese couplets on red paper, people wear red clothing, firecrackers are set off, and families make dumplings because of Nian. The legend started about 4,000 years ago, when there was a vicious monster known as Nian 年兽 (pronounced ...

Emma Lu

The Nian monster.

As Chinese New Year Approaches, Learn Some Lunar Calendar History

The moon has been the source of legends and stories for thousands of years. It is the largest visible body in our night sky, but among all of its aesthetically pleasing qualities, the moon — together with the sun — has served as an important tool for timekeeping in Chinese history. And they still do today, especially for ...

Hermann Rohr

The moon phases for eight days.

Chinese New Year Rituals

Like many traditional Chinese festivities, Chinese New Year is rich in customs and rituals. Among the different Chinese dialect groups, there are many similar and different Chinese New Year rituals for celebrations, though much of these rich traditional cultures, rituals, and customs have been diluted in mainland China since the Cultural Revolution. However, in many ...

Nspirement Staff