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Why do people put up red couplets for the New Year?

Do you know why red is used for pasting Spring Festival couplets? This is because it is closely related to the folk legend of the ‘Nian Monster’. According to the legend, in ancient times, there was a monster called ‘Nian’ that would come out every New Year’s Eve to harm people and destroy their homes.

It was extremely fierce and brutal, and usually lived deep in the mountains or the deep sea. Every New Year, the Nian Beast would come out to scare people and damage things, making everyone feel it was very fierce and terrifying. Although it looked scary, it was also timid at heart. It was only afraid of the following things: red, fire, and loud noises.

So, on New Year’s Eve, people would paste red Spring Festival couplets on their doors and light lamps to drive away the Nian Monster. Later, pasting red Spring Festival couplets became one of the most important customs of the Spring Festival.

 

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