According to ancient Chinese mythology, more than 3,500 years ago, a ferocious beast would awaken from its slumber at the bottom of the sea on the first new moon of the lunar calendar. Each year, the horned creature with the head of a lion and the tail of a dragon called Nian 91裸聊视频� translating to 'year' in English 91裸聊视频� would terrorize villages. Ravenous, the creature would decimate livestock, devour crops, and destroy everything in its wake.

One day, an old travelling man visited a village awaiting Nian91裸聊视频檚 coming. Warned by villagers, the man decided to stay and face the creature instead of hiding with the rest of the villagers in the nearby mountains. 

Readying against the beast, he dressed all in red, and lit up red lanterns as well as bamboo sticks. That night, when Nian arrived, it cowered in fear back in darkness at the sight of the glowing red hue surrounding the village and the loud noises coming from crackling bamboo. 

When the villagers returned the next morning, they were astonished to find the old man alive and their homes untouched. Celebrating this triumph, villagers began wearing red, hanging red lanterns, and setting off firecrackers to ward off Nian on the last day of the year. 

Over time, this tradition spread across China and beyond, giving rise to the Lunar New Year.

Melissa Karmen Lee, CEO of the Chinese Canadian Museum, explained the origins of this holiday are likely practical, beginning with farmers welcoming spring.

Unlike the Western Gregorian calendar, China and other Southeast Asian countries use the lunar calendar, based on the moon91裸聊视频檚 cycle, to determine the New Year. Usually falling between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20, the celebration starts on the first new moon and ends 15 days later on the first full moon.

Though it happens during winter, the Lunar New Year, popularly known as the Spring Festival  91裸聊视频� or Lantern Festival 91裸聊视频� marks the beginning of the new lunar year and symbolizes a new start, said Lee.

This year, it will be observed between Jan. 29 and Feb. 12. 

Since the exact origin of the tradition is not documented, some scholars believe the celebration began during the Shang Dynasty (160091裸聊视频�1046 BCE). 

Despite its nebulous start, the festival evolved over the centuries, adding numerous symbolic traditions along the way, Lee explained.

Notably, firecrackers were introduced during the Tang Dynasty (61891裸聊视频�907 CE), following the invention of gunpowder. 

During the Song Dynasty (96091裸聊视频�1279 CE), people began giving money as gifts in red envelopes, known as hongbao. It has been, and still is, customary for married family members to offer these lucky envelopes to (unmarried) children.

A century later, during the Ming Dynasty (136891裸聊视频�1644 CE), Chinese dumplings were introduced due to their symbolic shape, resembling gold and silver ingots called yuanbao, which were used as currency in Imperial China.

As traditions evolved, the Lunar New Year spread across Asia through trade, cultural exchange, and Chinese immigration, Lee said. Today, it is celebrated in countries like Vietnam, Korea, Cambodia, Singapore, Myanmar, Thailand, and diasporas around the world. Over a quarter of the Earth's population observes this annual holiday, including millions of Asian Canadians.

Centred on family and togetherness, this one- to two-week celebration brings loved ones under one roof to connect over feasts, laughter, and good times, where 91裸聊视频渘o work gets done,91裸聊视频� Lee said.

And if you noticed snake plushies and decorations filling store shelves lately, Lee explained it's all tied to the Chinese New Year.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, which follows a 12-year cycle, each year is represented by a different animal, all embodying unique personality traits. This year, Lee noted, is represented by the snake, which symbolizes agility, adaptability, prudence, and transformation.

Another key component of the Lunar New Year is the emblematic parade, held on a day during the celebration, depending on the culture.

In Victoria, home to Canada91裸聊视频檚 oldest Chinatown, and North America91裸聊视频檚 second oldest, the parade has been hosted by the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club for the last five decades. 

Sourcing their influence from southern Guangdong Province, the parade will feature lion and dragon dancers, said the club91裸聊视频檚 spokesperson Daniel Low. In this traditional dance, performers mimic the movements of lions and dragons beneath a long costume, which is believed to bring good luck and fortune.

This year91裸聊视频檚 procession will take place on Sunday, Feb. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., starting at the 500 block of Fisgard Street, with more than 8,000 attendees expected.

Low, who has been part of this tradition for 30 years, encourages anyone who has never seen the parade to experience the 'exhilarating' event.

91裸聊视频淲e as the community want to share our culture with everybody of all diversities, regardless of genders or beliefs,91裸聊视频� said Low. 91裸聊视频淲e want to share our culture, and it's all about food, noise, dance, and colours. 

91裸聊视频淐hinese New Year for me means coming together with the family to eat, celebrate, have fun, laugh, and drink.91裸聊视频�

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