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How old is the legend of Nian?
The old Chinese word “Nian” translates to “ripe grains.” This word dates back more than three thousand years to oracle bone inscriptions inscribed with astronomical records during the 14th Century B.C. Shang Dynasty. Before the Gregorian Calendar, a good harvest or the process of a harvest was considered a year.
Where did Nian come from?
According to legend, in ancient China there lived a monster called the Nian, which means “year”, that would attack villages every lunar New Year, eating livestock, crops and even people, especially children. > So, every New Year’s Eve, villagers would have to flee to the mountains to avoid the Nian.
What is the myth of Nian?
One legend is that of Nian, a hideous beast believed to feast on human flesh on New Year’s day. Because Nian feared the colour red, loud noises, and fire, red paper decorations were pasted to doors, lanterns were burned all night, and firecrackers were lit to frighten the beast away.
Is Nian a boy or girl?
Nian
| Name | Nian |
|---|---|
| Meaning | One who Knows |
| Gender | Boy |
| Numerology | 2 |
What was monster Nian scared of?
color red
The terrified people called the beast Nian (年, nian actually is the Chinese word for ‘year’). But by and by the villagers discovered that the monster was frightened by loud noises, bright lights, and the color red.
Is the Nian a dragon?
Long long ago deep down in the sea, there lived a ferocious monster named Nian. The fabled creature appeared as half-dragon, half-unicorn. Legend says that on the eve of every New Year, “Nian” would descend upon the nearby village and devour the grain, the livestock and the townspeople.
How was Nian defeated?
When it was time, they sent in their own four legged beast, and accompanied by the furious beating of drums, cymbals and gongs, and the heavily use of firecrackers, they were able to chase the Nian away.
Is Nian a lion or dragon?
In Chinese mythology, Nian has a shape of lion body and head of a unicorn. Ordinarily, Nian lives under the deep sea; however, it will come out and eats people, cattle and children in each spring around Chinese New Year time.
What is the Chinese New Year dragon called?
Dragon Dance
Dragon dance (simplified Chinese: 舞龙; traditional Chinese: 舞龍; pinyin: wǔ lóng) is a form of traditional dance and performance in Chinese culture. Like the lion dance, it is most often seen in festive celebrations….
| Dragon Dance | |
|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 弄龍 |
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What does Nian eat?
A long time ago, a terrible demon beast called Nian lived in the mountains. Every year the demon would awaken and angrily descend on nearby villages. He would eat all their food, livestock and grain…and if there were any children nearby, Nian would eat them too. The villagers feared the beast and lived in terror.
When did the dragon dance originated?
The dragon dance originated in China but has since spread to countries like Singapore. The history of the dragon dance dates back more than two thousand years to ancient China. It is mentioned in the Hanshu (汉书), a book about the history of the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE).
How did the dragon dance start?
The Dragon Dance originated from the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 24 AD) and the tradition never faded. Originally performed to please the ancestors and to plead for enough rain for crops and hence preventing sickness and hunger, the Dragon Dance has gradually become a cultural activity.