Chinese legend · 声匠改编 · 4:15
The Legend of Nian
Every New Year's Eve the monster Nian stomps out of the sea. This year an old stranger won't hide, armed with red paper, lamplight and crackling bamboo.
Narrator
Nian the Monster
The Old Stranger
Granny
Xiaoya
The Village ChiefOther languages · 2 languages
About this story
The Legend of Nian is the best-known folk story about how Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, began: a monster called Nian comes out of the sea every New Year's Eve, until people discover it is afraid of red, firelight and loud bangs. The legend is not found in ancient books and became widely told only in modern times; the closest old record is Zong Lin's 6th-century Annual Customs of Jingchu, which describes setting off bamboo crackers on New Year's morning to scare away mountain demons. This version turns the night into a lively village play with a flustered chief, a kind granny and her curious granddaughter.
What it teaches
Clever thinking can beat even a scary problem, and Granny's kindness to a stranger brings the whole village its answer. The story ties together the New Year customs of red couplets, lanterns, firecrackers and staying up late, so it is perfect to tell at the Spring Festival.
Suits
Ages 4–9
Tips for telling it
- Tell it on New Year's Eve, and have your child clap along for every crack and bang.
- Make Nian grumpy and a little silly, so the monster gets giggles rather than tears.
- Afterwards, put up a red decoration together and match each New Year custom to a moment in the story.
Questions people ask
- What is the legend of Nian?
- Nian is a monster that comes out of the sea every New Year's Eve to eat livestock and frighten villages. An old man discovers that it fears red, fire and loud noises, so people began putting up red decorations, lighting lamps and setting off firecrackers every New Year.
- Why do Chinese people use red at New Year?
- In the legend, red scares away the monster Nian. More broadly, red has long stood for luck, joy and protection in Chinese culture, which is why New Year couplets, lanterns and the money envelopes called hongbao are red.
- Is the Nian monster in ancient Chinese books?
- No. Nian is a modern folk tale; the character nian originally meant a ripe harvest. The closest old record is the 6th-century Annual Customs of Jingchu, which describes burning bamboo on New Year's morning to drive away mountain demons.
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