Chinese New Year's Day is called "Guo Nian" in Chinese, which means "to pass over Nian" or "to overcome Nian".
In ancient times, there was a monster (name) Nian. It had a long head and sharp horns (角). It lived deep in the sea all year round and only (show) up every New Year's Eve to eat people and animals in nearby villages.
Therefore, on the day of New Year's Eve, people would run away to far away mountains so that they would not be hurt the monster. People had lived in fear of this monster until an old man visited the village on one New Year's Eve. The villagers asked (he) to run with them. he said he had a way to deal with the monster and stayed in the village himself. He pasted (粘贴) red paper on every door and lighted candles in every house. Then he wore red clothes and made loud noises by (burn) bamboo. In this way, he (successful) frightened away (吓走) the monster. When the villagers came back, they were (surprise) to find that the village was still in good condition (完好的).
After that, every New Year's Eve, people did as the old man instructed and the monster Nian never appeared again. This tradition (continue) by people nowadays. It has become important way to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.
