This week marks the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Chinese New Year is celebrated across the world and commenced this year on February 1.
2022 is the Year of the Tiger, a sign that represents strength, courage, vitality, confidence, and optimism.
The concept of the Chinese New Year is based on an ancient myth. Legend has it that the Chinese once fought a ferocious and gigantic monster named Nian, which means ‘year.’
One version of this story suggests that the Chinese village people were too scared to face this monster, Nian. However, a brave boy from the village was exasperated due to the village’s monster’s havoc. He risked his own life to save the village from this menace and was successful in his strategic attempt. The victory of the good people of the village against the evil monster marked a new beginning.
One of the many traditions associated with the Chinese new year is the importance of the color red. The red color has its ties with the underlying Chinese myth about the monster Nian.
It was believed that the monster Nian was afraid of bright colors like red, and that is one of the things that people used to get rid of him.
Another thing Nian was scared of was loud noises. Fireworks are often used as part of the Chinese New year festival.
