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Q: Does anyone know what each day of Spring Festival stands for ?
For many, as normal in Western countries, on New Year's Eve we gather to wait for the New Year. In some countries, twelve grapes are eaten as the midnight bells chime, a brindis and a hug and kiss to dear ones. But that's about it.
I have been told that here the festivity spans almost one month, with first preparations, then the celebration and afterwards, on each specific day you do (or can not do) specific things, ending with Lantern Festival two weeks after.
Could someone familiar with all details give a brief rundown of the whole thing for the benefit of others here ?. Thanks.
Check it out here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year#Festivities
The new year listed on Wikipedia is pretty spot on, but they forgot the most important thing!
THE NIAN!
The Nian is a huge monster that lives in the mountains (or under the sea, depending on region) that comes out and attacks people on Chinese new year. Especially children.
It's afraid of the color red and loud noises however, so this is why people wear red clothes, put red banners outside of their doors, and light off loud firecrackers (especially at midnight on the 23rd this year - often right in their doorways - even of apartment buildings) to keep the Nian away during it's peak attack hours.
