There is a legend about the origin of the Spring Festival. In ancient China, there was a monster called "Nian" with long tentacles on its head and it was extremely ferocious.
"Nian" lives deep on the bottom of the sea all year round. It only climbs ashore every New Year's Eve, devouring livestock and damaging human lives. Therefore, every New Year's Eve, people in villages and villages help the old and young to flee to the mountains to avoid the harm of the "Nian" beast. One New Year's Eve, an old man came begging from outside the village. The villagers were in a hurry and panic. Only an old woman in the east of the village gave the old man some food and advised him to go up the mountain quickly to avoid the "Nian" beast. The old man stroked his beard and said with a smile: "If my mother-in-law lets me stay at home all night, I will definitely take care of him." Drive away the 'Nian' beast." The old woman continued to persuade, but the begging old man smiled and said nothing. At midnight, the "Nian" beast broke into the village. It found that the atmosphere in the village was different from previous years: at the east end of the village, the old woman lived in her husband's house, with red paper on the door and brightly lit candles inside.
The "Nian" beast trembled all over and let out a strange cry. As he approached the door, there was a sudden "bang bang bang bang" explosion in the courtyard. "Nian" trembled all over and did not dare to move forward. It turns out that "Nian" is most afraid of the color red, fire and explosions. At this time, the door of my mother-in-law's house opened wide, and an old man wearing a red robe was seen laughing in the courtyard. "Nian" turned pale with fright and ran away in embarrassment. The next day was the first day of the first lunar month. People who had returned from the refuge were surprised to see that the village was safe and sound. At this time, the old woman suddenly realized and hurriedly told the villagers about the beggar's promise to the old man. This incident quickly spread in the surrounding villages, and people all knew how to drive away the "Nian" beast. (Legend of the Hakka people)
From then on every New Year’s Eve, every family posted red couplets and set off firecrackers; every household lit up candles and waited for the new year. Early in the morning on the first day of the Lunar New Year, we also visit relatives and friends to say hello. This custom spreads more and more widely and has become the most solemn traditional festival among Chinese people.