The Spring Festival, the grandest festival celebrated by the Chinese nation, is a witness to the transmission of generations of culture and historical precipitation. It has a long origin, contains a variety of stories, and has become a shining pearl in the treasure house of traditional Chinese culture.
Legend has it that in ancient times, there was a fierce beast named "Nian", which would haunt the world at the end of each year, bringing disaster and disease. It was found to be afraid of red, fire, and loud noises. Therefore, they began to paste red couplets and set off firecrackers to drive away the "year". These customs have evolved into the traditional way we celebrate the Chinese New Year today.
The history of the Spring Festival can be traced back to the first sacrifice of the year in the Xia and Shang periods. "Erya Shitian" records: "Xia is said to be old, Shang is said to be worshipped, and Zhou is said to be a year." This reveals that the year-end and New Year celebrations existed as early as the Three Generations period. The name Spring Festival was officially adopted after the Xinhai Revolution to adapt to the Gregorian calendar system, and the Lunar New Year was named Spring Festival.
In addition to traditional customs, there are also many interesting stories circulating during the Spring Festival. For example, the habit of eating dumplings is said to have originated with the medical saint Zhang Zhongjing. He invented a noodle dish called "Jiao'er", which contains mutton, chili peppers and medicinal herbs, to help the people suffering from the cold, which is the predecessor of today's dumplings.
The custom of sticking the word Fu upside down originated in the Ming Dynasty. Legend has it that Zhu Yuanzhang once wrote a blessing for a poor family, but he was hurriedly pasted down, but the people thought it was auspicious, so this practice became a custom.
The history of the Spring Festival not only tells about the customs, but also reflects the life of the ancient society and the aspirations of the people. The dragon and lion dances during the Spring Festival are not only entertainment, but also a symbol of praying for the peace of the country and the people in the coming year. Gatherings of relatives and friends and exchange of New Year visits reflect the traditional virtues of Chinese in attaching importance to family harmony and interpersonal feelings.
To sum up, the historical stories of the Spring Festival are an important part of Chinese culture, which not only let us understand the customs of the Spring Festival, but also let us appreciate the charm and far-reaching influence of traditional Chinese culture. With the development of the times, the form of celebration of the Spring Festival continues to evolve, but the cultural significance and historical value behind it remain unchanged and continue to be inherited and carried forward in the new era.
Nowadays, when we enjoy the warmth and joy during the Spring Festival, we should also recall those ancient and beautiful historical stories, which are like a bridge connecting the past and the future, making the Spring Festival more rich and meaningful.