Nian is a creature in Chinese mythology
Legend has it that in ancient times in China there was a very ferocious beast named Nian. It lives on the seabed all year round, and on New Year's Eve, it comes ashore to kill animals and harm people. There are many descriptions of this creature, such as how some sources claim it resembles a flat-faced lion with a dog body and large incisors or a large horn on its head. Other authors describe it as being larger than an elephant with two long horns and many sharp teeth. Some people even describe it as a monster with long tentacles, sharp teeth, fierce and ferocious eyes. Nian's weaknesses are sensitive to loud noise, fire, and a fear of red.
Legend:
This year's New Year's Eve, the people of Taohua Village were helping the old and young to take refuge in the mountain. An old begging old man came from outside the village. He saw him with a cane in his hand and a pouch with his arms in his pocket. Some of the villagers sealed windows and locked doors, some packed their clothes, some drove cattle and drove sheep, and people everywhere shouted horses, a scene of panic in a hurry. At this time, who still cares about the begging old man. Only an old woman in the east of the village gave the old man some food and persuaded him to go up the mountain to avoid the "Nian" beast. The old man grinned and said, "If the mother-in-law lets me stay at home overnight, I will drive the "Nian" beast away. "The old woman took a closer look and saw that he was so beautiful, full of spirit, and extraordinary. But she continued to persuade, begging the old man to laugh without saying a word. The mother-in-law had no choice but to leave her home and went to the mountain for refuge.
At midnight, the "Nian" beast broke into the village. It found that the atmosphere in the village was different from previous years: the old woman's house at the east end of the village, the door was posted with red paper, and the house was brightly lit by candles. "Nian" the beast shook all over and screamed strangely. "Nian" glared at her mother-in-law's house for a moment, then screamed and rushed over. As he approached the door, there was a sudden "bang, bang, bang, bang" sound from the courtyard, and "Nian" trembled all over and dared not move forward. It turns out that "Nian" is most afraid of red, fire and explosion. At this time, the mother-in-law's house opened wide, and an old man in a red robe in the courtyard was laughing. "Nian" was shocked and fled in embarrassment.
The next day was the first day of the first lunar month, and the people who had returned from the refuge were surprised to see that the village was safe and sound. At this time, the old woman suddenly realized that she hurriedly told the folks about her promise to beg the old man. The villagers rushed to the old woman’s house and saw red paper on the door of her mother’s house, a pile of unburned bamboo in the yard was still blowing up, and a few red candles in the house were still glowing... To celebrate the auspicious coming, the crazy folks changed their clothes and hats one after another, and went to their relatives and friends to say hello. This incident spread quickly in the surrounding villages, and people knew how to drive away the "Nian" beast.
📚 Explore more of the Mystical Creatures series here: Dive into the Enchanted Realms of Mythology
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