What is the origin of New Year's Eve?

According to legend, in ancient times, our ancestors were threatened by one of the fiercest beasts. This beast is called Nian. It catches all kinds of animals as food. In winter, when food is scarce in the mountains, it will break into villages and hunt people and animals, and the people will be in a state of panic all day. People have struggled with Nian for many years and found that Nian is afraid of three things, red color, fire and noise. So in winter, people hang red boards on their doors, light a fire at the door, stay up all night and knock at the door. That night, "Nian" broke into the village, saw that every household had a red fire, heard a deafening noise, and was so scared that he ran back to the mountains and never dared to come out again. As the night passed, people congratulated each other and celebrated the victory by decorating, drinking and feasting.

To commemorate this victory, every family will stick red paper couplets on their doors, light lanterns, bang gongs and drums, and set off firecrackers and fireworks at this time of winter. At night, vigil all night; The next day, I congratulated each other early in the morning. This has been passed down from generation to generation, and it has become a "New Year".

Custom:

Traditionally, on New Year's Eve, the whole family must get together for a New Year's Eve dinner, also known as a stove. Originated from the ancients regardless of age, all around the stove to eat. Members of the family must wait until the whole family arrives before they can move chopsticks, and they must also set bowls and chopsticks for the family who can't go home for a reunion dinner, which means family reunion and happiness. After the New Year's Eve, there is a custom of keeping the New Year's Eve. The family got together and sat around the fire, talking about old things and new things, talking about good wishes and hopes for the new year, so they stayed up all night.