Why do we stay up until 12 o'clock on New Year's Eve? The origin of staying up on New Year's Eve

The last day of the year is called "Sui Chu" and the night of that day is called "New Year's Eve". Since ancient times, there have been customs such as staying up all night on New Year's Eve, posting door gods, Spring Festival couplets, New Year pictures, and hanging lanterns. So, why do we have to stay up until 12 o'clock on New Year's Eve? What is the origin of staying up all night on New Year’s Eve?

Why do we have to stay up until 12 o'clock on New Year's Eve?

Because we have to stay up all night. In the past, the traditional way of staying up all night to celebrate the New Year was to stay awake until dawn the next day. People were afraid that they would be captured by the "Nian Beast" if they fell asleep, so the habit of keeping watch was left behind. In order to avoid the Nian monster, people would close the doors early on the night of the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month before it got dark, and would not dare to sleep, waiting for dawn. To kill time and to give themselves courage, they drank. Only on the morning of the first day of the new year, when the Nian beast no longer came out, did people dare to go out. When people met each other, they bowed and congratulated each other, feeling lucky that they had not been eaten by the Nian beast. In modern times, many people usually set off firecrackers and go to bed at 12 o'clock.

The meaning of staying up all night during the Spring Festival

There are two meanings of staying up all night during the Spring Festival. For the older people, it is to bid farewell to the old year and cherish time; for the young people, it is to protect the health of their parents. Since the Han Dynasty, there has been a tradition of staying up all night on New Year's Eve. People drink and chat happily, enjoying family time together, and putting a perfect end to the old year as the new year approaches.

Why do we have to wait until midnight to set off firecrackers on New Year's Eve?

According to legend, a long time ago, there was a monster called "Nian", also known as the Nian beast. It would stir up trouble and harm people during the New Year. People were very scared, so they beat gongs and drums to scare away the Nian beast and to boost their courage. Later, firecrackers were invented and replaced the beating of gongs and drums, and also served to express joy at a good harvest. In the past, people would put a piece of red paper around children to ward off evil spirits due to the fear of the Nian monster. Later, this custom was changed to giving children small coins wrapped in red paper. This represented a good harvest and made the children happy to accept them. The name of the gift was changed to “lucky money”. At the same time, red paper was posted on the door, which later evolved into pasting door gods and couplets.

After the Chinese New Year, it is the beginning of a new year. We have to "welcome the New Year" and plan our life and production for the new year. We celebrate in advance that the new year will be smooth and prosperous. Naturally, we have to set off firecrackers to celebrate. The ancient poet Wang Anshi wrote in "New Year's Day": "Amid the sound of firecrackers, the year is gone, and the spring breeze brings warmth to the wine. In thousands of households, the sun is bright, and people always replace the old charms with new ones." Look at the time, "bright day", which means when the sky is just getting light. In ancient times, people believed that dawn was the beginning of a new day, so they would set off firecrackers at dawn on the first day. In modern times, people's tools for observing time have greatly improved, such as pocket watches and clocks. They know that a new day begins after midnight, so firecrackers are set off to welcome the New Year on the 12th day of the New Year's Eve - a "good start".