The Origins of Chinese New Year

By Theodorus Ng

Chinese New Year has been celebrated for over 3,500 years, with one-sixth of the world’s population participating annually. It falls on a day between January 21 and February 20 — the day the second new moon emerges — as determined by the lunisolar Chinese calendar. Therefore, it is also known as Lunar New Year. While history dates the first official celebration to the Han dynasty, there may be a dark mythological underpinning for its origination and its customs. In Chinese ethnic communities around the world, such piercing folklore has been passed through the ages.

In the onset of the second new moon, following the winter solstice, a beast named 年 (nián; directly translated to “year” in English) would emerge from the mountains or under the sea to ravage villages. It would devour villagers and crops given winter scarcity. One year, the villagers went into hiding elsewhere while a brave old man chose to stay the night and exact revenge on the monster. He hung up red papers and set off firecrackers upon the beast’s arrival. The next day, the villagers came back to unscathed homes. The discovery that Nian was scared of loud noises and the color red, formed the basis for many traditions – red clothes, red lanterns, red spring scrolls, firecrackers, and lion dance performances. The beast never returned, and was eventually captured by a Taoist monk before retreating to a faraway mountain.

The tale of another monster, 祟 (sui), relates more specifically to one tradition: gifting red packets. In Chinese, red packets are known as 红 包 (hóng bāo). More recognizably, in Singaporean lingo, it is called an ang pow (borrowed from the Hokkien dialect).

On the night of New Year’s Eve, Sui would touch the heads of children in deep sleep. Those touched would contract fever the next morning and face cognitive deterioration once they have recovered. A couple who just bore a son in their later years wanted to protect him.

That night, they lit candles and prayed sincerely. The gods sent eight fairies disguised as bronze coins. The couple strung the eight coins using a red string and handed the chain, along with red paper, to their son. They played with their son till very late as he wrapped and unwrapped the coins in joy. When he finally tired himself out, they placed the wrapped coins under his pillow. Later, as the wind blew the candles out and Sui was about to commence his act of terror, the coins shot beams of light through the red paper and scared the monster away! This became the tradition of giving “压岁钱” (yā suì qián). The second word “岁” is a pun, a homonym of the monster’s name, as well as the denotation of age. The phrase, taken as a whole, loosely translates to “Sui-suppressing money” or “age- suppressing money.” This is the money found in red packets which are given by adults and elderly to the younger generations. Overtime, this act has become symbolic of attracting good fortune and blessings.