In the ancient east there is a legend of a beast known as “Nian” with a fierce appearance and the strength to move mountains.

在古老的东方，传说有一兽名叫“年”，形状狰狞，力拔山兮。

At the end of each year, it would emerge from the depths of the sea or the heart of the forests, descending upon the villages to devour livestock and bring harm to the people.

每逢岁末，它便自深海或山林踏云而来，吞噬牲畜，荼毒人间。

The villages gripped by terror, would take the young and old into the mountains to hide from the beast's wrath.

村民们惊恐，携老幼躲藏于深山，以避兽害。

However, a wise person discovered that the creature feared the color red was terrified of fire and was startled by loud noises.

然而一智者发现，此兽畏惧红色，害怕火和响声。

Thus at the start of the new year， people began to set up defenses using red couplets，fiery red lanterns and the constant crackling of firecrackers.

于是，新年伊始，人们以红对联，火红灯笼和爆竹声，构筑起一道道屏障。

The “Nian” beast fled ，never to trouble the human world again .

年兽遁形，自此不复人间行。

Ever since then during the Spring Festival whether in cities or the countryside， every household would decorate with lights and set off firecrackers both to celebrate the new year and to ward off evil spirits and welcome good fortune.

此后，每逢春节，无论城乡，家家户户张灯结彩，鞭炮齐鸣，既庆祝新春又驱邪迎祥。

This tradition has become a shared memory for the children of Huaxia, ingrained in their veins and passed down to this day.

这一传统，成为华夏儿女共同的记忆，融入血脉，流传至今。

The “Nian” beast is not only a symbol of the festival but also an emblem of courage and wisdom.

年兽，不仅是节日的符号，更是勇气和智慧的象征。

It reminds us that in the face of adversity, we should not flee, but rather devise clever strategies to turn danger into safety.

它提醒我们，面对困难，不应逃避而应智取妙计，化危为安。

This is the profound lesson bestowed upon us by the legend of the “Nian” and it is the wisdom of life that we practise with each spring festival.