Nian

A ''nian'' () is a beast in Chinese mythology. Nian live under the sea or in the mountains. The Chinese character ''nian'' more usually means "year" or "new year". The earliest written sources that refer to the ''nian'' as a creature date to the early 20th century. As a result, it is unclear whether the ''nian'' creature is an authentic part of traditional folk mythology, or a part of a local oral tradition that was recorded in the early 20th century. ''Nian'' is one of the key characters in the Chinese New Year. Scholars cite it as the reason behind several practices during the celebration, such as wearing red clothing and creating noise from drums and fireworks.

Modern legends

Once every year at the beginning of Chinese New Year, the ''nian'' would come out of its hiding place to feed, mostly on people and animals. During the winter, when food was scarce, it would raid villages, eating the crops and sometimes the villagers themselves - particularly their children. Several accounts describe its appearance, with some claiming that it resembles a flat-faced lion with the body of a dog and prominent incisors. Other authors described it as larger than an elephant with two long horns and many sharp teeth. The weaknesses of the ''nian'' are purported to be a sensitivity to loud noises, fire, and a fear of the color red.

Some local legends attribute the Chinese lion dance () to the ''nian''. The tradition has its origins in a story of a ''nian's'' attack on a village. After the attack, the villagers discussed how to make the ''nian'' leave them in peace. Since it was discovered that the beast was afraid of the color red, people put red lanterns and spring scrolls on their windows and doors. They would also leave food at their doorstep in a bid to divert it from eating humans.

The traditions of firecrackers, red lanterns, and red robes found in many lion dance portrayals originate from the villagers' practice of hitting drums, plates, and empty bowls, wearing red robes, and throwing firecrackers, causing loud banging sounds to intimidate the ''nian''. According to this same myth, it was captured by Hongjun Laozu, an ancient Taoist monk, and became his mount.

Ancient sources

Various aspects of cultural practices relating to Chinese New Year are part of the ''nian'' legend. These cultural practices are recorded in ancient texts, though none of them refer to a creature called ''nian''.

The ''Erya'' records that the character ''nian'' () was first used to mean "year" during the Zhou dynasty, replacing terms used in previous eras. The ''Shuowen Jiezi'' records that the character ''nian'' meant "ripeness of grains" and was composed of the character "''he''" (, rice plant) and "''qian''" (, indicating the sound) and quotes the '' Chunqiu,'' which uses it in the sense of a great harvest.

The attributes of the ''nian'' creature in the modern legend, of fear of noise and fire, correlate with ancient legends relating to the use of firecrackers to drive off ape-like creatures in the mountains called ''shanxiao'' (), first recorded in the ''Shanhaijing''.

The practice of sweeping and cleaning at the start of the year is recorded in Zhou dynasty sources as intended to ward off plague spirits, and the practice of using music and drama to receive gods and ward off plague spirits is recorded from the same era. The creature's role in the celebration of the Chinese New Year is highlighted by the way the Chinese call this holiday ''Guo Nian'', which means "pass over ''nian''" or "overcome ''nian''."

See also

* Chinese mythology in popular culture
* Dragon
* ''Three Delivery'' (animated show where the ''Nian'' appeared in an episode)
* Yule Goat

References

{{Chinese New Year

Chinese legendary creatures
Holiday characters