The story of Nian is an important part of Chinese folklore. Nian, a fearsome beast, would come down from the mountains every New Year's Eve to terrorize villages. It was big and powerful, with sharp teeth and claws. The villagers were very scared and would hide in their homes. One year, an old man discovered that Nian was afraid of loud noises, bright lights, and the color red. The villagers used firecrackers, red lanterns, and drums to scare Nian away. Since then, these traditions became a vital part of celebrating the Chinese New Year, symbolizing protection and good luck for the coming year.
年的故事是中国民间传说中的重要部分。年是一个可怕的野兽，每年除夕之夜会从山中下来，恐吓村庄。它又大又强壮，有着锋利的牙齿和爪子。村民们非常害怕，会躲在家中。一年，一位老人发现年害怕响声、明亮的光和红色。村民们用鞭炮、红灯笼和鼓声来吓走年兽。从那时起，这些传统成为庆祝中国新年的重要部分，象征着保护和来年的好运。
Challenging Vocabulary Words：
1. Folklore /ˈfoʊk.lɔːr/ 民间传说
2. Fearsome /ˈfɪr.səm/ 可怕的
3. Terrorize /ˈter.ə.raɪz/ 恐吓
4. Villagers /ˈvɪl.ɪ.dʒərz/ 村民
5. Firecrackers /ˈfaɪrˌkræk.ərz/ 鞭炮
6. Lanterns /ˈlæn.tərnz/ 灯笼
7. Symbolizing /ˈsɪm.bə.laɪ.zɪŋ/ 象征
8. Protection /prəˈtɛk.ʃən/ 保护
Reading Comprehension Questions and Answers：
1. Who is Nian and what did it do in Chinese folklore?
- Nian is a fearsome beast in Chinese folklore that would come down from the mountains every New Year's Eve to terrorize villages.
2. How did the villagers discover a way to scare Nian away?
- An old man discovered that Nian was afraid of loud noises, bright lights, and the color red, leading the villagers to use firecrackers, red lanterns, and drums to scare it away.
3. What is the significance of the traditions used to scare Nian in the celebration of the Chinese New Year?
- These traditions, like using firecrackers, red lanterns, and drums, have become a vital part of celebrating the Chinese New Year, symbolizing protection and good luck for the coming year.