when the lion prance too
2007-08-02 00:18:23 · 9 answers · asked by miracle2speed 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
Bamboo stems filled with gunpowder that were burnt to create small explosions were once used in ancient China to drive away evil spirits. In modern times, this method has eventually evolved into the use of firecrackers during the festive season. Firecrackers are usually strung on a long fused string so it can be hung down. Each firecracker is rolled up in red papers, as red is auspicious, with gunpowders in its core. Once ignited, the firecracker lets out a loud popping noise and as they are usually strung together by the hundreds, the firecrackers are known for its deafening explosions that it is thought to scare away evil spirits. See also Myths above. The lighting of firecrackers also signifies a joyous occasion and has become an integral aspect of Chinese New Year celebrations.[1]
2007-08-02 00:27:36 · answer #1 · answered by ghouly05 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I heard that it's because the loud noise the firecrackers make is supposed to scare off ghosts and evil spirits from entering the house during the new coming Chinese year...I personally do NOT believe in it but you asked "according to legend" so that's what I read...
2007-08-02 00:32:23 · answer #2 · answered by DecemberSpirit 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's to scare off the evil spirits starting from the beginning of the year. If the beginning of the year has no evil spiritd, then the rest of hte year will be lucky. The lion/dragon dance serves the same purpose, too.
2007-08-02 20:30:21 · answer #3 · answered by Sammie_SPN 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is to scare away "kwei" ("gui" in Cantonese) for the year. What one does on New Year's Day sets the pace for the coming year. I lived in San Francisco's Chinatown for years, and I know many Chinese people. Some of my lovers have been from China and Japan.
2007-08-02 03:31:18 · answer #4 · answered by miyuki & kyojin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was used to scare away the dragon during an eclipse. People were so scared they started to take pots, pans and everything to make as much noise as they could to chase the dragon 'swallowing' up the sun.
Another version is that an evil dog used to hunt down humans once a year and it was fabled that it was afraid of loud noises. Because of this every year on the same date (CNY) Chinese people make as much noise as they can (firecrackers, etc etc.)
Jenova.
2007-08-02 00:28:09 · answer #5 · answered by Jenova 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
well according to our chinese culture, the sound produced by firecrackers was used to chase off a kind of monster which we named it as "nian" .
more information here http://www.shanghailocalguide.com/resources/festival/index.asp
2007-08-02 00:26:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
to cast away bad spirits... and have goodluck on the way of the year...
2007-08-02 22:18:31 · answer #7 · answered by razelffy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to scar away evil spirits
2007-08-02 01:35:19 · answer #8 · answered by chin 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I dunno, some people just like to make noise I guess.
2007-08-02 01:27:47 · answer #9 · answered by Erica R 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋