Chinese New Year is a centuries-old holiday, dating back to when some of the first agrarian societies celebrated the cycle of seasons, which is why it is also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year. This year, January 28th will mark the beginning of the Year of the Rooster.
There are several legends about the beginning of the Chinese New Year, and they all include a beast called the Nian (which translates to "year").
The Nian lived in the mountains, and towards the end of winter, (when it was particularly hungry) it would come into the villages to devour livestock, crops, and children. The villagers were helpless to stop the Nian until they discovered that the monster feared loud noises, fire, and the color red.
So the next winter, they lit firecrackers and decorated their homes with red lanterns, flowers, and scrolls. The Nian never came to their village again, and the anniversary of "the passing of the Nian" is celebrated, without fail, every lunar new year.
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