It was wonderful to return from three weeks in the US to the explosion of red and gold decorations around Singapore. These two colors represent luck and prosperity and are a must for the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday. In addition to the usual decorations – paper cut outs, couplets, and firecrackers – one may also find this time of year red-colored bedding, shoes, socks, and underpants. All are to be displayed – or worn – to ensure good luck in the New Year.
But when did red become lucky in Chinese culture? I was long ago enlightened as to the significance of gold, which is the color of ancient Chinese currency, but why red? After nearly a decade of living among Chinese, I finally got my answer on Wednesday when I joined a walking tour of Chinatown. Our local guide, Diana, shared with me a story I had never heard before. It was the tale, so she claimed, from which nearly all traditions associated with Chinese New Year were born. I was so pleased to have found the key to unlock these many mysteries that I feel compelled to share it with all who are interested. So here it is:
Over fifteen hundred years ago, there lived a ferocious monster, Nian, who would kill, terrorize and generally wreak havoc among Chinese villages each winter. People became ill, couldn’t sleep – or worse -during this difficult time of year.
Finally, the people of one village consulted a sage, who lived in the mountains. He confirmed their worst fear: the monster would appear each year when a certain constellation appeared in the sky. The wise man advised the villagers to treat Nian as they would any beast they did not want around. He instructed them to make fires and noise to frighten their unwanted visitor away. He also promised to warn them when the constellation was due to return.
True to his word, the following year, the sage advised the people that Nian would soon arrive. The villagers built fires around the village and amplified their brightness by hanging red outside their homes. People of all ages banged pots and pans to make as much noise as possible, but it was not enough. So they filled pieces of bamboo with gun powder and ignited them. Every man, woman and child was recruited to scare the beast so that he would pass their town without stopping. And so he did.
To this day, “Guo Nian” or “Chinese New Year” in Mandarin, also means, “The beast has past.”
If you want to learn more about Chinese New Year customs and traditions – as viewed through the eyes of a foreigner – please stay tuned. There are more stories and tips to come.
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