NIAN

Nian is the pinyin transliteration of the Chinese character 年, which primarily means "year" in the sense of a calendar year and, by extension, related notions such as the age of a person. In modern Mandarin, nián appears in many time-related terms and phrases, including xīnnián (New Year) and niánlíng (age). The character is a basic element of the Chinese calendar and daily language.

Beyond its time-related meaning, Nian also refers to a figure in Chinese folklore. The Nian is described as a ferocious beast that lived in mountains or the sea and would come down to terrorize villages at the end of each lunar year. To scare it away, people used loud noises, red color, and fire. Over time these practices coalesced into the customs of the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, such as fireworks, red banners, lanterns, and dragon or lion dances. Descriptions of Nian vary by region and source, and there is no single authoritative version.

Cultural significance: The Nian legend is one of the folkloric explanations for why the festival is held at the turn of the lunar year and for the associated customs. The Chinese New Year is also known as Chun Jie (Spring Festival); its rituals blend timekeeping, agricultural heritage, and traditional storytelling, with the Nian motif often cited as an origin story for some festive practices.