What is Nian?
[[File:Song Nian Mountain landscape.jpg|thumb|335x335px|Song Nian Mountain, where nians are said to live.]] A '''''nian''''' ( 年獸) is a [[mythology|mythological]] creature from the [[Chinese mythology]]. According to Chinese legend, a fierce beast called Nian terrorized villages on the last day of the lunar year. Villagers fled to the mountains each year to escape it, until an old man promised to drive it away. On that night, the old man used firecrackers and red clothing to scare Nian off, revealing himself as a celestial being. The villagers then adopted customs like hanging red decorations and setting off firecrackers, leading to the celebration of Lunar New Year’s Eve.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Legend of the Beast Nian – Origins of Chinese New Year|url=https://www.confuciusinstitute.ac.uk/the-legend-of-the-beast-nian-origins-of-chinese-new-year/|access-date=2024-10-09|website=Confucius Institute for Scotland|language=en-GB}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} {{stub}} [[Category:Legendary creatures]] [[Category:Chinese mythology]]