Why do people in Taohua Village help the elderly and children take refuge in the mountains every New Year's Eve?

According to legend, in ancient China there was a monster called "Nian" with long tentacles on its head and it was extremely ferocious.

"Nian" lives deep on the bottom of the sea all year round, only climbing ashore every New Year's Eve to devour livestock and harm people.

Therefore, every New Year's Eve, people in villages and villages help the old and young to flee to the mountains to avoid the harm of the "Nian" beast.

On New Year's Eve this year, people in Taohua Village were helping the elderly and young to take refuge in the mountains. An old man begging came from outside the village. He was holding a cane, a bag on his arm, his silver beard was flowing, and his eyes were like bright stars.

Some of the villagers sealed the windows and locked the doors, some packed their bags, some drove the cattle and sheep, and everywhere people shouted and horses neighed, creating a scene of rush and panic.

At this time, who still has the heart to take care of this old man begging.

Only an old woman in the east of the village gave the old man some food and advised him to go up the mountain quickly to avoid the "Nian" beast. The old man stroked his beard and said with a smile: "If my mother-in-law lets me stay at home all night, I will definitely drive the "Nian" beast away."

The old woman took a closer look and saw that he was a boy with fair hair and a strong spirit. However, she continued to persuade the beggar and the old man smiled and said nothing. She had no choice but to leave her home and go up the mountain to seek refuge.

Entering the village, it found that the atmosphere in the village was different from previous years: the door of my mother-in-law's house at the east end of the village was covered with red paper, and the house was brightly lit.

He screamed and rushed over. As he approached the door, there was a sudden "bang bang bang bang" sound in the courtyard. "Nian" was trembling all over and didn't dare to move forward. It turned out that "Nian" was most afraid of red, fire and explosions.

At this time, the door of my mother-in-law's house was wide open, and I saw an old man in a red robe laughing loudly.

The villagers were very surprised that they were safe. At this time, the old woman suddenly realized and hurriedly told the villagers about the beggar's promise. The villagers rushed to the old woman's house and saw a red paper on the door of her house and a pile of unburned bamboo in the yard.

There was still a banging sound, and a few red candles in the house were still glowing... The overjoyed villagers put on new clothes and hats to celebrate the auspicious arrival, and went to the homes of relatives and friends to say hello.

The news spread quickly in the surrounding villages, and people all knew how to drive away the "Nian" beast. From then on, every New Year's Eve, every family posted red couplets and set off firecrackers;

In the morning, people also visit relatives and friends to say hello. This custom spreads more and more widely and has become the most solemn traditional festival among Chinese people.