What are some Chinese New Year legend stories?

There is also a legend related to the Lantern Festival. It is said that a long time ago, a celestial crane was captured by the earthly people. The Jade Emperor was very angry and decided to send a fire to burn the earth on the 15th day of the first lunar month. However, a kind fairy told the people to light lanterns everywhere on that day. When the Jade Emperor saw the lanterns, he thought the earth was already on fire and so he cancelled the plan. Since then, people celebrate the Lantern Festival by lighting lanterns every year.

Well, here is another interesting Chinese New Year story. In a certain village, there was a very stingy rich man. During Chinese New Year, he didn't want to give anything to the poor. One night, he had a strange dream. He dreamed that the God of Wealth was angry with him and said that if he didn't share his wealth and show kindness during the new year, he would lose all his fortune. When he woke up, he was very scared. So he started to give food and money to the poor in the village. This story teaches people to be generous and kind during Chinese New Year.

In some Chinese New Year stories related to the rooster, the rooster is associated with prosperity. Its bright and colorful feathers are thought to bring good luck and wealth. Families might have rooster - themed decorations during the Chinese New Year. For example, they may have porcelain roosters or paper - cut roosters. These are not only for decoration but also to hope for a prosperous year ahead.

One popular Chinese New Year kids story is about Nian. Nian was a fierce monster that came out every New Year. People were afraid of it. But they found that Nian was scared of the color red, fire, and loud noises. So they started to use red lanterns, set off firecrackers and wear red clothes to scare Nian away.

One interesting story is about the origin of giving red envelopes. It is said that there was a demon who liked to harass children. An old couple found that putting money in red envelopes and giving them to children could keep the demon away. Since then, giving red envelopes has become a Chinese New Year custom. It's not just about the money but also the good wishes for the children.

There is a legend about the Kitchen God. The Kitchen God, also known as Zao Jun, would go to heaven on Chinese New Year's Eve to report on the family's behavior throughout the year. Families would offer sweet foods like malt sugar to the Kitchen God before he left. This was to sweeten his mouth so that he would say only good things about the family to the Jade Emperor in heaven. If the family had been good, they would be blessed in the coming year.

A significant top story is the New Year temple fairs. These fairs are full of traditional handicrafts, delicious local snacks, and various cultural activities. People can experience the strong traditional Chinese culture there. And many families will also clean their houses thoroughly before the New Year, which is believed to sweep away bad luck and welcome a fresh start in the new year.

There's a lovely Chinese New Year story for KS1. Nian was a scary beast. A smart person noticed Nian's weaknesses. Red things and loud bangs scared it. People then decorated their homes with red during Chinese New Year. They also set off firecrackers. This not only chased Nian away but also made the new year a time of celebration. Families would gather, exchange gifts, and have delicious meals, all because they were no longer afraid of Nian.

In 2020, the Chinese New Year also saw many communities coming together to support those in need. There were stories of volunteers delivering food and supplies to the elderly and the less fortunate during the holiday season. This showed the spirit of giving and unity that is an important part of Chinese New Year, even in difficult times.

The Pig in the Chinese New Year zodiac has some cute stories too. Pigs are associated with prosperity and good fortune in Chinese culture. There is a story that a kind - hearted Pig was always helping others in the village. It shared its food with the poor and was very generous. When it came time for the Jade Emperor to choose the zodiac animals, the Pig's good deeds were recognized, and it was included in the zodiac. This shows that kindness and generosity are highly valued in Chinese culture, as represented by the Pig in the zodiac.