Nian the Monster
Where did Nian live when it wasn’t attacking the village?
In the sea.
What color of clothes did the old man wear to scare Nian?
(bright) Red.
What three things scared Nian away?
Bright colors, lights, and loud noises
What holiday tradition comes from the story of Nian?
Using red decorations, lights, and firecrackers to celebrate the new year
What is the other name for Chinese New Year?
Spring Festival
What did Nian’s head look like?
A Lion's head.
What two items did the old man put around the house before Nian arrived?
Red papers and candles
Where did Nian go after the old man scared it?
Back into the sea
Where did the villagers go before they learned to scare Nian?
To the top of the mountain
In the Chinese lunar calendar, what do people call the day before Chinese New Year? (You can answer in Chinese)
除夕 (Chúxī)
What did Nian eat when it came to the village?
What sound frightened Nian when it came to the house?
A loud cracking noise.
What do the colors, lights, and noises used to scare Nian all have in common?
They are bright and loud
What happened to the villagers after the old man’s plan worked?
They no longer had to run away each year
Which traditional festival snack is made of sticky rice flour and eaten for good luck in the new year? (You can answer in Chinese)
年糕 (Niángāo)
How often did Nian come to the village?
What did the villagers give the old man when he arrived in the village?
Food.
What was the first thing Nian saw that it thought was strange?
Red papers and lights on the house
What time of year did Nian attack the village?
Around the new year
What is the Chinese zodiac animal for the year 2021?
Ox/Cow
What part of Nian’s appearance made it look scary?
It's teeth and horns.
Why did the villagers invite the old man to go up the mountain with them?
So Nian would not eat him
What did the villagers do every year after the old man left?
Scare Nian away with bright colours, sounds and lights.
Who told the villagers how to keep Nian away forever?
The Old Man.
What do people put on their doors to bring good luck for the new year? (You can answer in Chinese.
Red couplets / Spring couplets (春联)