It originated from the activities of offering sacrifices to gods and ancestors throughout the Shang Dynasty. During Yu Shun's reign, Shun ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor. On the first day of the first lunar month, he led his men to worship the god of heaven and earth. Since then, people have regarded this day as the beginning of a year. This is the origin of the Lunar New Year.

Custom:

Sacrifice a stove, sweep the dust, go to the market, put up Spring Festival couplets, and observe the New Year.

Legend:

According to legend, there was a monster named Nian in ancient China, with long tentacles and a ferocious face.

Nian lived on the seabed for many years, and climbed ashore every New Year's Eve, devouring livestock and killing people.

Therefore, every New Year's Eve, people in the village fled to the deep mountains to avoid the harm of the "Nian" beast.

On New Year's Eve this year, people in Taohua Village were taking refuge in the mountains when an old beggar came from outside the village. He was leaning on crutches, carrying a bag on his arm, with elegant silver whiskers and staring at Matthew.

Some villagers sealed windows and locked doors, some packed their bags, some herded cattle and drove sheep, and people shouted hisses everywhere, which was a scene of panic. At this time, who still has the mind to take care of this begging old man?

Only an old woman in the east of the village gave the old man some food and suggested that he go up the mountain quickly to avoid Nian beast. The old man smiled and said, "If my mother-in-law lets me stay at home for one night, I will definitely drive Nian beast away.

The old woman looked at him carefully in surprise and found that he was handsome, energetic and different. But she continued to persuade and begged the old man to laugh without saying a word. My mother-in-law had no choice but to leave home and take refuge in the mountains.

At midnight, Nian beast broke into the village. It found that the atmosphere in the village was different from previous years: the old woman at the east end of the village had red paper on her door and the room was brightly lit.

The beast Nian trembled and let out a long whistle. Nian stared at her mother-in-law's house for a while, then screamed and rushed over. When we were near the door, there was a sudden explosion in the yard, and Nian trembled and dared not go any further.

It turns out that Nian was most afraid of red, fire and explosion. At this time, my mother-in-law's door was wide open, and I saw an old man in a red robe laughing in the hospital. "Nian" was frightened to disgrace and fled in confusion.

The next day was the first day of the first month, and the people who came back from refuge were very surprised to see that the village was safe and sound.

At this time, the old woman suddenly realized and quickly told the villagers the promise of begging for the elderly.

The villagers flocked to the old woman's house, only to find red paper on the door of her mother-in-law's house, a pile of unburned bamboo still exploding in the yard, and several red candles still glowing in the house. ...

In order to celebrate the auspicious arrival, ecstatic villagers put on new clothes and hats one after another and went to their relatives and friends' homes to congratulate and say hello.

The story soon spread in the surrounding villages, and people all knew the way to drive away the "Nian" beast.

Since then, every year on New Year's Eve, every family has posted red couplets and set off firecrackers. Every household has a bright candlelight, so it is better to wait for the New Year.

In the early morning of the first day, I want to say hello to my relatives and friends. This custom has spread more and more widely, and has become the most solemn traditional festival among the people in China.

Ancient poems:

The first day of the lunar month

Wang Anshi

Except for the one-year-old in firecrackers,

The spring breeze brought warmth to Tusu,

Thousands of families are dying,

Always trade new peaches for old ones.

New Year's Eve

Wen Tianxiang (Southern Song Dynasty)

Dry kunkong, years go to the church;

The end of the road is stormy, and the poor side is full of ice and snow.

Life disappears with the years, and the body is forgotten;

There is no such thing as killing Su Meng. It's still early at night.