The Legend of Nian Monster
Long ago in ancient China, there was a terrifying monster named Nian. Every New Year's Eve, Nian would come to villages to eat livestock and even people. One year, an old man taught villagers that Nian was afraid of the color red, loud noises, and fire. So people put red couplets on doors, lit lanterns, and set off firecrackers to scare Nian away. This tradition continues today.