Nian

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Southern Chinese lion dance portrays the Nian

For other uses, see Nien Rebellion.

In Chinese mythology, a Nian (traditional Chinese: 年獸; simplified Chinese: 年兽; pinyin: nián shòu) is a beast that lives under the sea or in the mountains. Once each spring, on or around Chinese New Year, it comes out of hiding to attack people, especially children. The Nian is sensitive to loud noises and afraid of the color red.

1 Traditions
2 In the Lion Dance
3 See also
4 Image gallery
5 Nian in Popular Culture
6 External links

[edit] Traditions

The Chinese New Year traditions of decorating in red, exploding firecrackers, and performing a lion dance were originally used to scare the beast away. Some people display Chinese couplets on red banners to prevent the Nian from returning. Numerous other traditions such as wearing red clothing or handing out red envelopes are also designed to protect against the Nian.

The Chinese word for year is the same as the name of this beast. A phrase for celebrating Chinese New Year, guo nian (traditional Chinese: 過年; simplified Chinese: 过年; pinyin: guò nián) means the passing of the beast.

[edit] In the Lion Dance

A lion dance is a traditional dance usually performed by martial artists or acrobats. One or more performers hold up a large costume beast with a distinctive head, and one or more human characters will dance around the beast. Although these dances are commonly called lion dances, the beast portrayed is often not a lion. In northern China, it may be a Rui Shi (traditional Chinese: 瑞獅; simplified Chinese: 瑞狮; pinyin: ruì shī) or Fu Dog. In the south of China, it may be a nian. The Cantonese lion dance is sometimes a reenactment of the legend of Bu Dai taming the Nian.

[edit] See also

Imperial guardian lions (also known as a Fu Dogs), typically stationed at entrances to important places. Note that Nian (horned) and the guardian lion (hornless) are different creatures.
Pixiu similar beast but with wings.
Qilin combining elements of fish, lion, deer, and ox.
Luduan another beast with a single horn.