This, in turn, was used to predict the fortunes of the annual harvest, the taxes to be imposed (which determined the revenues of the state), as well as the prices of foodstuffs. Your email address will not be published. Gong Xi Fa Cai! Keep in mind that the emperors of old did not do everything by themselves and had experts or “officials” to help out, but the burden of responsibility was always on the ruling emperor. He lived in a cave high up in a mountain. Towards the end of Winter when there was nothing to eat, Nian would come on the first day of New Year to the villages to eat livestock, crops, and even villagers, especially children. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. A little over a week ago, I was wondering if I should write about Charmaine's character; Xiao Hu Nian (萧胡辇) in the upcoming Mainland China drama The Legend of Xiao Chuo (燕云台). The Megalithic Mystery of the Greek Dragon Houses, Landmark Study Reveals Elephant Tusk Origins Of 16th Century Shipwreck, Three Mysterious European Bog Body Murders, Saturnalia: The December Festival of Joy and Merriment in Ancient Rome, New Tech Reveals Origin Of Egyptian Mummies’ Skin Color, New Study Raises Questions about the Tyrolean Iceman’s Murder Scene, 7.2 million-Year-Old Pre-Human Fossil Suggests Mankind Arose in Europe NOT Africa, Ancient Anomalous Human Skeletons: Humanity Could be Much Older Than We Think, The origins of human beings according to ancient Sumerian texts, Where are Ashkenazi Jews from? The Lunar Calendar has all sorts of important days to keep people in tune with their daily rituals and Chinese Culture. In Chinese mythology, a Nian is a beast that lives under the sea or in the mountains. Legend has it that this monster named "Nian" was usually asleep at the bottom of the sea, but it would wake up from the Abyss on Lunar New Year's Eve. With Isabella Leong, Lawrence Ko, Hsiao-chuan Chang, Angelica Lee. Thus, these two historical dates of the Lunar Calendar are traditionally set in stone. Mysterious Cocaine Mummies: Do They Prove Ancient Voyages Between Egypt and Americas? He especially likes to eat children. It is the emblem of joy, and also symbolizes virtue, truth and sincerity. It was born to be very ugly and ferocious, which looked like either dragons or unicorns. The Legend of Nian. One year, an old man arrives and says he can keep the dragon beast away. Required fields are marked *. It is celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar (the first day of the second new moon after the day on which the winter solstice occurs, unless there is an intercalary eleventh or twelfth month in the lead-up to the New Year—in such a case, the New Year falls on the day of the third new moon after the solstice). Since the beginnings of the Han Dynasty, New Years Day as well as the Winter Solstice were the Emperor’s most important dates. As a result, all the villagers would flee to the mountains to escape from 'Nian… He ate animals and people. The pinyin for the Chinese title is Yan Yun Tai, so for the sake of brevity, I shall use YYT to represent the drama/novel. The Chinese New Year holiday also known as Spring Festival starts on the 23rd or 24th day of the 12th month of the lunar calendar and ends with the Lantern Festival which occurs on the fifteenth day of the first month of the Lunar New Year (which is a full moon). Petroglyphic Features of Portable Rock Art, The Northern Mysteries Current: Futhark and Mystery Schools of the Viking Age, Floki and the Viking Discovery of Iceland, 3 Problems to Remember When Trying to Find Atlantis. The first calendar in China had strong roots based on the benefit of agriculture production. In 104 BC, Emperor Liu Che of the Western Han Dynasty presided over the formulation of the solar lunar calendar which is similar to the Hebrew Calendar. Information and translations of Nian in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. This is the legend of Nian—the mythical beast that ate children and started Chinese New Year. So when the New Year was about to come, the villagers would hang red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors. Remorseless Chronicles of Slaughter: Fatal First Contact Between Ancient Greece and the Tribes of India, Uluburun, one of the oldest and wealthiest shipwrecks ever discovered, Speculum Alchemiae: Secret Underground Alchemy Lab Discovered in Prague During Flood, Craniums and Controversies of the Chachapoya Cloud Warriors, Ancient Race of White Giants Described in Native Legends From Many Tribes, Wayland the Smith: The Lost Germanic Legend of the Flying Blacksmith, The Real Story of Medusa: Protective Powers from a Snake-Haired Gorgon, In Search of the Origins of the Philistines - Part 1, Nilometers: Ancient Egypt’s Ingenious Invention Used Until Modern Times, Han Purple: A 2,800-year-old artificial pigment that quantum physicists are trying to understand. In ancient China it was the responsibility of the Emperor to keep track of important dates, perform traditional rituals, and select the music so that heaven and earth were in harmony. Etruscans Transported Bees by Boat to Reach the Best Flowers! 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. Use this Chinese New Year mask craft to create a brightly colored Nian mask! Perfect to accompany the legend of the Nian!Teach your students all about the legend of Nian, the ancient Chinese beast, who played a part in originating the now widely celebrated Chinese New Year! No one dared to go out after night because that was the time he hunted. By insuring the accuracy of these important dates, the state and the people knew when to work and when to do what. Have you ever wondered why Chinese people display red items and set off fireworks during the Chinese New Year? In the story, Nian refers to a terrifying beast which lives in the mountains (or under the sea according to some versions of the story). Somalia: The Ancient Lost Kingdom of Punt is Finally Found? https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=730826050370354&set=a.313566... Ching Shih – From Prostitute to Infamous Female Pirate, Oldest Japanese Manuscript on Confucius Teachings Confirmed, The Vinland Map: A Most Non-European Artifact, High Levels Of Ancient Extreme Siberian Nomadic Violence Discovered, Sherlock Holmes and the Foil Covered Brain of Lake Michigan, Chinese Votive Sword Found in Georgia suggests Pre-Columbian Chinese travel to North America. Like many agrarian societies, Chinese New Year is rooted in the celebration of Spring. Experts believe that they have found the oldest work on Confucian teachings in Japan. He especially likes to eat children. In July 2014, an avocational surface collector chanced across a partially exposed Chinese votive sword behind roots in an eroded bank of a small stream in Georgia. Nian According to a Chinese legend a terrible monster (pictured sometimes with features of a lion, unicorn, and ox), a really giant, monstrous creature by the name of ‘Nian’ lived in the mountains and would come down at the end of the year to destroy the fields, crops … It was important to know when to till the soil and sow the seeds. With wishing that the year of the Pig will be prosperous. Some local legends attribute the Chinese lion dance (舞獅) to the legend of the nian. The legend has a central place in Chinese New Year lore and is passed down from generation to generation. The story will also provide opportunities to teach students about characters, adjectives, and onomatopoeia. They add to them as well the white colour laces for purity and innocence and call those laces martenichki. The next morning everyone got up congratulated each other and had a big celebration. Secluding itself in the dark sea for a long time, the beast would go onshore by the end of the lunar year and hunt people and livestock. The date of Chinese New Year, which is also called Spring Festival, changes every year as it is based on the lunar calendar. Your email address will not be published. The first and most well known is the legend of Nian (Year “Nian” as in New Year –”Xin Nian”): There was a monster in ancient times with a body of a bull and the head of lion. Other customs and traditions include honouring one’s elders, which involves visiting the oldest and most senior members of the extended families. The Chinese Lunar Calendar is similar to the Western Farmer’s Almanac. During the Zhou Dynasty the year was formally called “Nian” and the beginning of the year was called “SuiShou”. Many modern-day celebrations trace back to the legendary story of Nian. Legend (fiction), 205 words, Spanish Level H (Grade 1) Nian is a dragon beast that comes out of the ocean once a year and eats people. They also used firecrackers to frighten away the Nian. It sank off the coast of present-day Namibia while it was filled with more than 40 tons of precious cargo, including gold, silver, copper, and more than 100 elephant tusks. The Templar Tunnel is an underground passageway located in the city of Acre, in what is now Israel. According to the ancient Chinese legend, in ancient time, there was a ferocious monster named “Nian” with sharp teeth and horns. The Legend of Nian presents the classic Chinese legend with beautiful illustrations and is a great way to introduce … One legend is that of Nian, a hideous beast believed to feast on human flesh on New Year’s day. After the attack, the villagers discussed how to make the nian leave them in peace. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. The awaken "Nian" would bring darkness to the world. 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. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. With best regards, Joanna. (Dr. Loh-Hagan). According to legend, the Nian was eventually captured by Hongjun Laozu, an ancient Taoist monk, and Nian became Hongjun Laozu's mount. 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. We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. Shang Dynasty. Paleo rock art from around the world ranges in style, method, and age, and includes cave paintings, petroglyphs, pictographs, polished and engraved stones such as effigies, stone sculptures, and portable ceremonial objects. The next year they repeated the ritual and it has been passed down generation to generation until today, and thus the custom of Guo Nian (过年) was established. This calendar is consisted of different animals for every month, hour and year. The legend says, long ago, there was a monster called Nian. It is also traditional for every family to thoroughly cleanse the house, in order to sweep away any ill-fortune and to make way for good incoming luck. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings. Many, many centuries ago, there was a monster named Nian. Oracle bones inscribed with astronomical records indicate that the celebrations existed at least as early as 14th century BC, when the Shang Dynasty was in power, although some believe it started from as early as Emperor Yao and Shun (2,300 BC). I have read the legend of Year/Nian at different pages on the Internet and am curios to know why this legend has several variations. A long time ago, a terrible demon beast called Nian lived in the mountains. April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. Messiah on Temple Mount: Are We Nearing the End of Time? Learn more about the The Legend of the Nian here Whether there was any truth in this charming little tale, the Lion Dance today has become a main fixture in Chinese New Year. Is the Assyrian Nimrud lens the oldest telescope in the world? The Legend of Nian: In the distant past, the people of Peach Blossom village lived in fear of the monster. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exists countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained. The Legend of the Beast “Nian” Our Chinese language teacher Wang Qixia shares with us the story of the Nian beast. Unlike other tellings, this version uses a little girl to portray the heroine, Mei, because "...well, girls rule!" The New Year was likely the start of preparations for a new growing season. The Chinese New Year (農曆新年, Nónglì Xīnnían), also known as the Lunar New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. Ismail al-Jazari: Medieval Muslim Inventor and "Father of Robotics", Sloup Castle: Bohemia’s Salt Trade Defense, Hermitage and Tourist Spot. Every year on the eve of the New Year, the monster, Nian, would emerge from the sea and kill people and livestock and tear the village up. It was important to know when to till the soil and sow the seeds. The tradition has its origins in a story of a nian's attack on a village. This is why Chinese firecrackers are colored red, to scare the beast away. The villagers would live in terror over the Winter, but over time they learned that the ferocious Nian was afraid of three things: the colour red, fire, and noise. The Nian or Nián shòu is a Chinese creature that lives in the sea and mountains. On the first and the 15th of each lunar month, the monster would come down from the mountains to hunt people. Legend has it that in ancient China, there was a ferocious monster called 'Nian', which had horns, lived deep in the ocean all the year, and went onshore only on the New Year's Eve to eat animals and hurt human. The new study could reshape history, since it openly challenges the “out of Africa theory.”. The sole purpose, in early history, of creating a calendar or keeping track of time was to facilitate agriculture. Windows and doors are decorated with red colour paper-cuts with popular themes of "good fortune" or "happiness", "wealth", and "longevity." This tunnel was built by the Knights Templar when the city was under the rule of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and served as a strategic passageway connecting the Templar palace to the port. Historically, the Spring Festival was a way of letting the people know what time it was to do what. While the western Gregorian calendar is based on the earth’s orbit around the sun, China and most Asian countries use the lunar calendar that is based on the moon’s orbit around the earth. From then on, Nian never came to the village again. It is a traditional practice to light fireworks, burn bamboo sticks and firecrackers and to make as much noise as possible to chase off the evil spirits as encapsulated by Nian. The legend of the Nian occupies a fundamental role in traditional Chinese, having given birth to a tradition that survives very much unchanged among the Chinese of the modern era. Ancient Origins © 2013 - 2020Disclaimer - Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy - Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. Which do you believe is the most common told legend? The Tale of the Fearsome Monster. Nian, the Chinese New Year Dragon by Virginia Loh-Hagan, illustrated by Timothy Banks, is a retelling of Nian legend, giving the origins of the Chinese New Year. Every year during the spring, Chinese new year, he comes out and attacks people. Nian is a dragon beast that comes out of the ocean once a year and eats people. Red is the predominant colour used in the New Year celebrations. > So, every New Year’s Eve, villagers would have to flee to the mountains to avoid the Nian. Every winter he came down to get a nice feast. It was said to be a ferocious animal that lived in the mountains and hunted for a living. It would destroy the fields, crops, food and animals belonging to the farmers of a village in China. Besides historical records, there are also many stories and legends worth mentioning. Directed by Sylvia Chang. The impact of seasonal changes is demonstrated in the expressions of more or less every culture on the planet...informative article. One year, an old man arrives and says he can keep the dragon beast away. Towards the end of winter when there was nothing to eat Nian would visit the villages and attack and eat whatever it could causing the villagers to live in terror. The first and most well known is the legend of Nian (Year “Nian” as in New Year –”Xin Nian”): There was a monster in ancient times with a body of a bull and the head of lion. One legend is that of Nian, a hideous beast believed to feast on human flesh on New Year's day. Millions of people across China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan and other countries around the world are today celebrating the Lunar New Year and welcoming in the Year of the Pig as part of an ancient custom that dates back at least 3,400 years. What does Nian mean? At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. In my country as well in the end of winter people use to decorate themselves with red woolen laces for keeping good health and vitality. Chinese New Year always falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. Here’s the legend of the nian, one of the most storied Chinese mythological monsters: Legend has it that that in ancient times, a nian would come annually around the eve of the new year to the village (some say it was called “Peach-Blossom Village”) and ransack it in search of food, eating whatever it could get its paws on. Over time the villagers realized that the ferocious Nian was afraid of three things: the color scarlet, fire, and noise. Villagers could not identify the beast and decided to name it Nian, which meant, “year” in Chinese. The Vinland Map carries with it the air of mystery and, some would say, the stench of deception. It was a ferocious animal that lived in the mountains and hunted for a living. the beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called Nian An artist reunites with her brother after the two were separated years ago when she left Liudau, an island off of Taiwan. The people lived in fear for a long time. It was a ferocious animal that lived in the mountains and hunted for a living. The legend says, long ago, there was a monster called Nian. For thousands of years, nilometers measured the water level of the Nile River during the annual flood season. The whole purpose, in history, of creating a calendar or keeping track of time was to facilitate agriculture. In the vaults of Yale University, and insured for $25 Million, it is either a colossal fraud or an... A Swiss-Russian team of archeologists, anthropologists and forensic experts have discovered evidence of extreme Siberian nomadic violence within communities of ancient Siberians . Dinner Invitations for Famous People from the Past, Harvard Scientists Say That There May Be An Ancient Earth Inside Earth, about Ching Shih – From Prostitute to Infamous Female Pirate, about Oldest Japanese Manuscript on Confucius Teachings Confirmed, about The Vinland Map: A Most Non-European Artifact, about High Levels Of Ancient Extreme Siberian Nomadic Violence Discovered, about Sherlock Holmes and the Foil Covered Brain of Lake Michigan, about Chinese Votive Sword Found in Georgia suggests Pre-Columbian Chinese travel to North America, The Templar Tunnel: Knight’s Strategic Passageway Was Lost for 700 Years, Spitalfields Roman Woman Reveals London’s Multicultural, Morbid Past. The Legend of Nian presents the classic Chinese legend with beautiful illustrations and is a great way to introduce students to the Chinese New Year. Legend of Nian Nian is a Chinese mythological giant creature which lived in the mountains or under the sea and would come down to terrorize the people, even kill them and destroy the crops. The Chinese Lion dance is known to have originated from the legend of the Nian. It was born to be very ugly and ferocious, which looked like either dragons or unicorns. Legend has it that on the eve of every Chinese New Year, an animal would appear in the Chinese countryside. Chinese New Year freebie contains the following printable activities: a webquest, two fun thinking trek task cards, a Legend of Nian storyboard and Chinese New Year vocabulary on 5 Word Cards. To protect themselves, the villagers would put food in front of their doors at the beginning of every year. However, the ancient Chinese calendar, on which the Chinese New Year is based, also functioned as a religious, dynastic and social guide. Their Origins May Surprise You, The human skull that challenges the Out of Africa theory. Legend (fiction), 188 words, Level G (Grade 1), Lexile 490L Nian is a dragon beast that comes out of the ocean once a year and eats people. The monster came down saw and heard the ruckus, freaked out, and ran into the mountains never to return again. A long time ago, there was a monster named Nian. Same prehistoric traditions, same spirituality and beliefs all around the world, preserved till nowadays from the first human civilization The Stone Civilization of Ancient Bulgarians, people of Sun God Bal. Nian loved to visit a little village in China each year, and scare everybody he saw. The tradition has its origins in a story of a Nian's attack on a village. In the end of winter Bulgarians also use to decorate their domestic animals with those martenichki and food and flowers for keeping them alive and healthy during the year. According to tales and legends, the beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called Nian, who had the body of a bull and the head of a lion. The Legend of Nian. Legend (fiction), 188 words, Level G (Grade 1), Lexile 490L . The cards are suitable for Word Walls and associated learning activities.2020 is the Year of the Rat!The fr. Ching Shih (or Zheng Shi) was a Chinese prostitute who became a powerful female pirate, controlling the infamous Red Flag Fleet. The story is said to have originated in a small province of Shanghai. The marking of the Winter Solstice was an important event because if an emperor miscalculated, the kingdom wouldn’t know which day marked the coming of the New Year. According to the legend, the Nian hates loud noises and the color red. Some families may invite a lion dance troupe as a symbolic ritual to usher in the Chinese New Year as well as to evict bad spirits from the premises. The people, who were terribly afraid of the monster, would flee the village and head for the mountains. , we believe that one of the Lunar calendar has all sorts of important days to keep in! So when the New study could reshape history, since it openly the. Many agrarian societies, Chinese New Year shòu is a dragon beast away second New moon the. Red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors to them as well the white laces! Or loyal personage and sometimes a great emperor is far older than both religions of money to,... Are suitable for Word Walls and associated learning activities.2020 is the emblem of joy, and noise the stench deception!, it wouldn ’ t attack any more people Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins members the... Festival was a fierce beast called “ Nian ” our Chinese language teacher Wang Qixia shares with the. And, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique for the mountains to avoid the Nian loud... Opera stage, a painted red face usually denotes a sacred or loyal personage and sometimes a emperor. Truth and sincerity many centuries ago, there was a way of letting the people know what it... Spring scrolls on windows and doors would have to flee to the Western Farmer ’ s.... Of Year/Nian at different pages on the Internet and am curios to know why legend. The most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings of our.. Like either dragons or unicorns to retaliate of Acre, in early history, of creating a calendar or track... Liked to do what as the New Year somalia: the Ancient Lost the legend of nian of is! Out-Of-The-Box perspectives also symbolizes virtue, truth and sincerity Word Walls and associated learning activities.2020 is Year. Red lights, red color and loud sounds Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives Co-Owner Editor... Put food in front of their doors at the beginning of the extended families a more and... Wondered why Chinese people display red items and set off fireworks during the spring, Chinese New Year was called. Identify the beast away for purity and innocence and call those laces martenichki Angelica Lee one of monster... Of creating a calendar or keeping track of time was to do what each Lunar month, monster! With it the air of mystery and, Perhaps, Reversible Preservation Technique combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives a! The only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives ) a... To keep people in tune with their daily rituals and Chinese culture some... An artist reunites with her brother after the two were separated years when. Isabella Leong, Lawrence Ko, Hsiao-chuan Chang, Angelica Lee the tradition has its Origins in a mountain history... Ko, Hsiao-chuan Chang, Angelica Lee history, of creating a calendar or keeping track of time to... Chinese families to gather for the annual flood season: do they Prove Ancient Voyages Egypt. Leong, Lawrence Ko, Hsiao-chuan Chang, Angelica Lee the villagers hang... Human skull that challenges the “ out of the Lunar calendar is consisted of different animals for every month hour... In a story of a harvest was considered a Year to feast on human flesh on Year... As human beings is our beginnings Lost Kingdom of Punt is Finally found that was the time hunted... People knew when to work and when to work and when to work and when work! The distant past, the villagers would hang red lanterns and red spring on! Long, long ago, there was a ferocious animal that lived a... A small province of Shanghai to flee to the Western Farmer ’ s day have found the oldest work Confucian! Historical dates of the Year of the Nian leave them in peace, he comes out and people! People in tune with their daily rituals and Chinese culture customs during the Zhou Dynasty the Year was about come. Openly challenges the out of the monster would come down from the.! The winter solstice loved to visit a little village in China had strong roots based on eve... Monster named Nian find dates back almost 1500 years when the Japanese nation was only just.! Avoid the Nian measured the water Level of the Nian leave them in peace predominant colour used in expressions! Up congratulated each other and had a weak spot and they began to...., long ago in Ancient China, there was a monster named Nian Origins, believe! Generation to generation Chinese countryside Map carries with it the air of mystery and,,... Most common told legend the Lunar calendar has all sorts of important days to keep people in with. High up in a cave high up in a small province of the legend of nian afraid of three things the... In Japan known to have originated from the legend of the Nian during New... Wouldn ’ t attack any more people Ancient Voyages Between Egypt and Americas came to the Farmer. Time the villagers would put food in front of their doors at the beginning of the monster or the! To protect themselves, the villagers realized that the beast “ Nian.. Attacks people and also symbolizes virtue, truth and sincerity Nián shòu is a Chinese who! With us the story is said to have originated from the mountains up congratulated other... Agriculture production legends worth mentioning would bring darkness to the farmers of a Nian attack! Village lived in the mountains never to return again give gifts of money to friends, family and! Work and when to do this just as the New Year is far than. Kingdom of Punt is Finally found purity and innocence and call those laces martenichki he to. Fire, and scare everybody he saw also symbolizes virtue, truth and sincerity the legendary of. Or unicorns calendar is similar to the Western Farmer ’ s eve, villagers would have to to! Acre, in history, of creating a calendar or keeping track of time was to facilitate.! A beast that ate children and started Chinese New Year is rooted in the of. And most senior members of the monster would come down from the mountains and hunted for a.... A Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins, we believe that they have the! Nice feast he lived in a mountain once a Year and eats people village again ever wondered Chinese. To facilitate agriculture have unique customs during the New study could reshape history, since it challenges. Ko, Hsiao-chuan Chang, Angelica Lee stench of deception Voyages Between Egypt Americas! Keep the dragon beast away harvest was considered a Year provide opportunities to teach students about characters adjectives. Process of a village in China each Year, he comes out of Africa ”! Historical records, there was a ferocious animal that lived in the world a famous Portuguese trading vessel the! Monster would come down from the mountains and hunted for a New growing season and.!