Welcome to Layue: The Twelfth Month 🎉
Did you know that in the Chinese mainland, there’s a special month called Layue? It’s the twelfth month of the traditional Chinese calendar. This month is full of exciting traditions and fun activities leading up to Chinese New Year’s Eve!
Family Reunion Dinner 🍽️
On Chinese New Year’s Eve, families come together for a big reunion dinner. Everyone wears bright red clothes, and homes are decorated with glowing red lanterns. Red is a special color that brings good luck and happiness!
Staying Up Late to Welcome the New Year 🌟
One of the coolest traditions is staying up all night! But why do they do that? It’s not just for fun—they’re keeping an old legend alive.
The Legend of Nian: The Fearsome Monster 🐲
Long ago, people believed in a monster called Nian (which means “year” in Chinese). Nian would come out on New Year’s Eve and scare everyone in the village!
How to Scare Away a Monster 🎆
To protect themselves, people discovered that Nian was afraid of bright lights, loud noises, and the color red. So they lit up their homes, made lots of noise with drums and firecrackers, and wore red clothes!
Traditions That Continue Today ✨
Even though people don’t believe in Nian anymore, these fun traditions continue. Families stay up late, enjoy fireworks, and celebrate together to welcome the new year with joy and good luck.
Join the Celebration! 🎊
Now you know why staying up late on Chinese New Year’s Eve is such a big deal! Do you have any special traditions for the new year? Let’s celebrate together!
Reference(s):
Staying up late, a time-honored tradition to welcome the New Year
cgtn.com
