Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy Lunar New Year 2008! This is a significant event for billions of Chinese people around the world. The story goes when an ancient monster long time ago known as "Nian" which means "The Year" in Chinese often attacked and killed many villagers in China. Nobody could stop the hideous beast but to just run away fearing their lives.
Then one day, an ancient wise sage appeared to the villagers and was told that "Nian" was about to attack again. The wise sage came from the deep forests in China and he thought he might want to test and defeat the beast to save the lives of many. So, true to the warning, "Nian" attacked one night.. This time, the villagers have the wise sage with them, who immediately jumped to action. He rode his horse and fought with the beast. Fortunately, he was able to trick the beast into his forest where he was stronger there and eventually defeated "Nian".
The wise sage came back to the villagers and told them that "Nian" has been defeated and will not trouble the villagers again. But, he warned that during every lunar new year, the villagers must put up red banners and lanterns on their houses. They must also light firecrackers and perform lion dances. These, he said, would frighten the beast away and will therefore not attack them. The wise sage found out about this after defeating "Nian".
Where is "Nian" today? It was said that the beast still remained in the deep forest under the guard of the wise sage. But sometimes, the beast do escape....
