Why do people stay up all night on New Year's Eve? The meaning of staying up all night for different people is revealed

Every New Year’s Eve, we will stay up together as a family to welcome the arrival of the new year. So, why do we stay up all night on New Year’s Eve? What is the significance of staying up all night on New Year’s Eve? Let’s take a look together.

Why do we stay up all night on New Year's Eve?

Staying up on New Year's Eve is not only a continuation of traditional customs, but also a way to express nostalgia for the passing year and hope for the coming new year. Every year on New Year’s Eve, the whole family gathers together, and relatives living away from home must rush back home before New Year’s Eve. Everyone gathers together to eat the New Year’s Eve dinner and then stays up all night to welcome the New Year. On New Year's Eve, we have to light lights, fires and set off firecrackers all night long.

The meaning of staying up all night for different people

1. In ancient times, people stayed up all night to drive away evil plagues and diseases that were harmful to people so that they would not harm the world in the new year.
2. Older people stay up all night to say goodbye to the old year, in order to hold on to the last moments of the year that is about to pass, which means cherishing time.
3. Young people stay up all night to look forward to the new year, and on the other hand to spend time with their parents and elders and prolong their life.

The Origin of Staying Up on New Year's Eve

According to legend, in ancient times, there was a ferocious monster called "Nian". It was cruel by nature and liked to eat meat, from birds and beasts to shellfish and even humans, and its taste changed every day. The eating pattern of "Nian" is that it will eat humans once every 365 days, and it will come to the human world after dark and leave at dawn when the rooster crows. People regarded the night when Nian wreaked havoc as a critical juncture to be endured, and this is the origin of “New Year’s Eve”. Every night on this day, every household would lock their doors, pen their chickens, ducks and geese, and tie up their cattle, sheep and pigs. They would not dare to sleep and would wait for dawn. To kill time and also to give courage, people drink and eat, and this is the "New Year's Eve dinner". Because the blessing or curse of this meal is uncertain, the meal is prepared very sumptuously, and the whole family gathers together to express harmony and reunion. Before the meal, they offer sacrifices to their ancestors and pray for their spirits to protect them and to spend the night safely. The custom of staying up all night on New Year's Eve was gradually formed.