The origin of years and blessings

The origin of "Nian": According to ancient legends, during the Spring Festival, a wild animal named Nian, also known as "Xi", often appears in winter. People call this animal Nian or Xi, and Nian comes and goes once a year. This day is called "New Year's Day" and New Year's Eve in China is called "New Year's Eve" (except Xi). Nian beast "Xi" is very fierce and walks around the house in the middle of the night to eat people. In order to avoid Nian beast, the ancestors of Yanhuang reunited with their families and sat together to resist Nian beast. Because Nian beast comes and goes once a year, the ancestors of Yanhuang have explored the tricks of struggle in countless struggles. Nian beast is fierce, but he is afraid of red, fire and loud noise. So every household sticks red Spring Festival couplets at the door, lights bonfires and sets off firecrackers at the door. Nian beast was too scared to enter the house when he saw the red couplets posted on other people's doors. On New Year's Eve, every household sticks red couplets at the door, lights bonfires at the door at night and hangs red lanterns at the door. On New Year's Eve, children walk and play with lanterns at night to scare away the New Year. People dance dragons, play lions and set off firecrackers, which is very lively. On New Year's Eve, the whole family gathered around the table for dinner. Because Nian beast appears in the middle of the night, people eat one when they are young to supplement their physical strength. After eating jiaozi, people will be refreshed and have endless strength. They can fight Nian beast for a long time, so Nian beast won't dare to go into the house and eat people easily! On New Year's Eve, every household was frightened and quarreled all night. In the early morning of New Year's Day, all China people, old and young, get up at 5 o'clock to greet the old people and children at home, that is, to pay a New Year call. So after getting up, first of all, in the yard, I offered incense to God and kowtowed for three times, thanking God for protecting myself from the Nian beast and praying for the wish of the coming year. Then greet the parents and other elderly people at home. The younger generation should kowtow to the elders to pay New Year greetings, express their gratitude to the elders for protecting themselves from the Nian beast, and greet the elders with peace. On New Year's Day, after greeting your family, greet your family elders. Finally, I will pay a New Year call to my neighbors, who are estranged from each other in the order of generations, so as to live in peace. On New Year's Eve, a year of animals has passed, everyone is laughing, and everyone is safe.

The word "Fu" is a traditional custom in the Spring Festival. Like firecrackers, Spring Festival couplets and New Year pictures, it has become a symbol of the Spring Festival. It places people's longing for a happy life and wishes for a better future. According to Wu Meng of the Song Dynasty, "Scholars of all ages, sweeping doors, cleaning families, changing door gods, hanging Zhong Kui, nailing peach charms, sticking spring cards and offering sacrifices to ancestors." In this paper, "Tiechun Brand" is the word "Fu" written on red paper, so it can be seen that the custom of pasting began at least in the Song Dynasty.