The Nian Beast

Why We Set Off Firecrackers

A New Year monster fears red, fire and noise, giving origin to spring couplets and firecrackers.

The beast Nian rises from the sea at year’s end to devour people and cattle, until the villagers learn it fears the color red, the glare of fire and the crash of noise. They hang red couplets, set off firecrackers and keep watch through the night; when dawn comes they greet one another with “guo nian” — having passed the beast. The legend strings the New Year’s customs into a single story of fear conquered by light and sound.