Kelli Harris

Chinese New Year, or Lunar Year, as it is also called, dates back about 3,500 years. Chinese New Year is filled with stories and myths. One of the most popular is about the mythical beast Nian, who ate livestock, crops, and even people on the eve of a new year. To prevent Nian from attacking people and causing destruction, people put out food at their doors for Nian. It’s said that a wise old man figured out that Nian was scared of loud noises and the color red. So, people began putting red lanterns and red scrolls on their windows and doors to stop Nian from coming inside. Crackling bamboo (which in modern times has been replaced by firecrackers) was lit to scare Nian away.