Chinese New Year is undoubtedly the most important celebration for Chinese around the world.

This 15-day festival is usually welcomed in the month of January or February; marked by the ancient Chinese lunar calendar. Each New Year is represented by one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac cycles and 2024 will be the year of the Dragon.

As Chinese communities across the world begin their celebration, Astro Ulagam did to some research to find the exact reason to why Chinese New Year is celebrated.

The Story behind Chinese New Year



According to ancient tales and legend, the Chinese New Year celebration was born out of fear.

Long ago in the mountains, there lived an evil mythical beast known as the ‘Nian’. In Chinese, Nian actually means ‘’Year’’.

On the first day of every year, the Nian would descend upon a village, eat all the grains and livestock and then attack the villagers especially the children.





The villagers lived in fear and stayed in door on this night to protect their family. One day, right before the beginning of a new year, a wise old man visited the village and informed the villagers that the Nian is easily scared as it feared loud noises and the colour red. To protect the children, he advised them to wear faces mask and carry lanterns.





The villagers took the old man’s advice and from then on, the Nian never returned to the village. In Chinese, the term for New Years is "Gua Nian" which translates to the "passing of the Nian".

Henceforth, it has become a tradition for the Chinese to hang red coloured decorations and to welcome the New Year with a display of fireworks.

In conjunction of this festival, Astro Ulagam wishes everyone a happy prosperous Chinese New Year!!



Picture Credit: E republic, virtual Malaysia and Weebly