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Long ago in the mountains, there lived a horrible demon creature named Nian. Every year, on the first day of the year, the creature would awaken and descend upon the village. He would eat all the grain and livestock. And if there were any unfortunately children stuck outside, they would disappear.
For years, villagers lived terrified and locked themselves in on New Year’s Day. One day, an old man visits them and says there are so many of you, and only 1 dragon. He definitely cannot eat all of you? However, they still were afraid. So for many moons, this old man kept riding the dragon starving him, the dragon was so tired, he’d just sleep after the ride.
Eventually, the old man said, I can’t do this forever, I have other duties to tend to. He was one of the Chinese Gods. He let the villagers in on a secret- the dragon was easily scared of the colour red, loud noises and strange creatures. So he advised them to hand red signs on every door, burst firecrackers through the day and for kids to wear demon, dragon, mythical creatures masks to scare away Nian. He never returned again.
In Chinese, the word for New Years is Guo Nian. Literally translated it means to "pass over Nian" or "overcome Nian". That is exactly what the villagers did.
This is the story of Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival. It’s the most important 7 day holiday in Chinese culture where families unite. Chinese expats from everywhere in the world travel back home to be with their family.
Popular greetings are 新年快乐 xin nian kuaile! And 恭喜发财！gong xi fa cai
Lots of food is made and the week is spent visiting family and friends. Lamps and lanterns are lit, red decorations are hung all around and money is given out in red envelopes for good luck.
We have also previously shared a post on this festival with

Chóngyáng jié (pronounced as chhong yang G eh!) is popularly called the Double Ninth Festival in China. It is a traditional holiday that falls on the ninth of the ninth month in the lunar calendar.
Chong in Chinese means double. While yang is the symbol of masculinity depicted by number 9. On this day, since the date is 9/9 it is celebrated as double ninth festival.
In 1989, the government of China also declared this as the Senior’s Day after which all government units, organisations and streets communities organise autumn trips for retired personnel. Younger generations will bring elder ones outdoors for travels or send them gifts. Some may go pray at graves.
In one of the myths, it is said that a devil inhabited the Nu River in the Han Dynasty which caused disease to spread in neighbouring villages. A father to a young man named Hengjing died because of the devil’s magic after which he went through great ordeal to learn swordsmanship to kill the devil and disease. He carried dogwood and chrysanthemum wine and on the ninth day of the ninth month, led villagers who each were holding the same dogwood and chrysanthemum, and climbed the nearest mountain. At noon, when the devil came out of the river, he stopped because of the fragrance of dogwood and chrysanthemum wine. At this very moment when the dragon was uncomfortably distracted, Hengjing took out his sword to fight the devil and won.
Since then, the customs of climbing mountains, drinking chrysanthemum wine and holding dogwood on this festival became popular.
People also eat cake 糕 gao as it is a homophone of 高gao which means height.

端午节 Duānwǔ jié (pronounced as: dwan woo G eh) is also known as the Double Fifth Festival because it falls on the 5th day of the 5th month in the lunar calendar.
This festival has long standing traditions in China.
This day is celebrated to commemorate one of China’s greatest patriotic poets to ever have lived, Qu Yuan (340-278 BC). Two other greats in Chinese history, Wu Zixu and Cao E also died on the same day.
Qu Yuan was exiled by the king and drowned himself in shame in the river rather than see his country being conquered by the State of Qin. Such was his love for his country.
Legend has it, this is why dragon boat races started. When villagers of neighbouring towns heard of this, they rushed in boats to find him. They also took rice dumplings and threw it in water to feed the fishes as bribe to spare his body. Ever since, the main food consumed on this festival are those sweet rice or savoury dumplings wrapped in dry leaves, 粽子zongzi pronounced as zong zuh
Other traditions include wearing perfume pouches that are said to protect us from evil. People also hang Chinese Mugwort and Calamus both of which are plants used in herbal medicines in China which help prevent diseases and bring good luck.
This is also a three day holiday in China and neighbouring Asian countries with prevalent Chinese influence.
Highlights of this day are going out and watching dragon boat races which are now a sport an annual event especially in southern regions.
This year, this festival will be held on June 7-9.