Origin of Nian

One of the most famous legends is 'Nian' (year), an extremely cruel and ferocious beast that the ancients believed would devour people on New Year's Eve. They found that Nian was afraid of three things: red color, fire and sound. People began to hung a piece of red peach wood at the door, lighted a pile of fire at the gate, beat gongs and drums heavily to make a loud sound, without sleeping throughout the night. One night Nian intruded into the village again and saw the red color and fire at every door and heard a thunderous sound. It was frightened and retreated. From then on it dare not come out again. After the night was over, people gave congratulations to each other.

Chinese New Year

Also known as the Spring Festival, is the most significant festival for ethnic Chinese around the world. The date of the new year is determined by the lunar/solar calendar rather than the Western (Gregorian) calendar. Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. Chinatown is a popular destination during this period.

Kitchen God’s Day
Traditionally the Spring Festival actually begins its course a week before the Chinese New Year, with the practice of offering a sacrifice to the Kitchen God, known in China as either Zaowang or Tsao Wang. It is said that the Kitchen God, located near the kitchen stove, is in control of a family's fortunes and misfortunes. It is believed that the Kitchen God will return to heaven the next day and report on the deeds of each family during the previous year to the Jade Emperor. On the night of the Kitchen God’s departure, thanking him for his presence during the previous year by giving him a farewell offering of sticky cake and sweets. These offerings are to please the Kitchen God so that he will only talk about the good deeds of a family. A good report will bring luck; a negative one, misfortune. People also hope that the sticky cake will seal the Kitchen God's mouth so that he will tell no tales. At the end of the ceremony the old portrait of the Kitchen God is burnt and a new one is put up. This tradition is no longer popular in cities now.
Lucky Character
Because it is the Spring Festival, we have a "spring" () sign, which hangs on the wall inside and outside on the front door to New Year's Day. "Spring" also means "leftovers or remains". We expect to have an abundant supply of food, so that the leftovers can also be for next year. In addition to sign, another common word, , which means "good luck" or "fortune" can be hung on the door. These two signs are hung upside down because "upside down" () sounds the same as , which means "to arrive". So we hang them both upside down to welcome "spring" and "good luck" to arrive into our homes. They are usually written by brush on a diamond-shaped piece of red paper.
Nian (Con't)

To celebrate the great victory people of every family would paste red paper couplets on the door panels, light red lanterns, beat gongs and drums, let off fireworks and firecrackers all through the night. Early next morning they would greet each other happily.

Generation after generation, the tradition of observing the conquest of Nian is carried on. The term "Guo Nian", which means "Survive the Nian" became "Celebrate the Year" and the word "Guo" in Chinese means both "pass over" and "observe".