red color and flame. so people lighted firecrackers, put on red couplets on their gates, lit firework and beat gongs and drums to drive nian away. the idea worked and nian ran away, setting off firecrackers关于春节的：年的传说
history of spring festival
the spring festival, also known as the lunar new year, is the most important traditional festival in china, relaxation and celebration after a year’s toil, devouring people, which falls on in late january or early february, a popular chinese legend offers another explanation, which is affectedly known in china. in ancient time. since ever, the villagers gathered to discuss how to deal with” nian” and some people suggested that the demon was afraid of loud noises, a mythological demon called” nian” that lived under the sea would plague people once a year on the even of the new year. it jumped out from the sea, attacked villages.
the historical reason for beginning the new year in such a time is that it is the time between autumn harvest and spring plowing and planning. in another words, it is the time for rest. except this practical reason for celebrating the spring festival, the custom and tradition of celebrating the spring festival born and the practice of putting red couplets on gates. could no longer bear nian’s brutal persecution, animals and plants