Intermediate Chinese Podcast｜为什么春节这么重要？Story of Chinese New Year | Native Chinese Listening Practice

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TL;DR

Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, is a deeply rooted holiday symbolizing family reunion, hope, and the cyclical nature of life, with traditions evolving from ancient fears of a mythical beast to modern celebrations of togetherness.

Key insights

The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, is a significant holiday in China.

It is a time for family reunions and celebrations.
The holiday has a long history, dating back to ancient times.
Many traditions and customs are associated with the Spring Festival.

The origin of Chinese New Year is linked to a mythical beast called 'Nian'.

Nian was a fearsome creature that would attack villages at the end of winter.
People discovered that Nian was afraid of loud noises, fire, and the color red.
These discoveries led to the traditions of setting off firecrackers, hanging red lanterns, and wearing red clothing.

Spring Festival traditions have evolved over time but retain their core meaning.

While some customs have changed, the emphasis on family reunion and hope for the new year remains.
The act of gathering together, sharing meals, and exchanging blessings signifies the importance of family.
The traditions serve as a reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the promise of renewal.

Key moments

00:02The video introduces the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, and its significance.
00:18The speaker explains that the current year is 2026 and this is the first podcast episode of the year.
00:22The speaker asks how everyone's New Year has been and wishes them a Happy New Year.
00:29The speaker notes that for Chinese people, the real New Year begins after the Spring Festival has passed.
00:37It's mentioned that there is still over a month until Chinese New Year.
00:45The weather has recently become very cold, with the lowest temperature in Guangzhou not exceeding 10 degrees Celsius.
00:53Many people on the streets have started wearing down jackets, and it's even colder in Northern China.
01:01It has even started snowing in Anhui, the speaker's hometown.
01:05This is currently the coldest time of the year.
01:10A few days ago, the speaker's parents came from their hometown.
01:14They came to Guangzhou to spend the winter and prepare for the New Year together.
01:21The festive lights in the community have also been hung up.
01:26The feeling of the New Year, the festive atmosphere, is slowly becoming stronger.
01:33So today, I want to chat with everyone about the Spring Festival.
01:40I want to chat with everyone about how the Spring Festival came to be.
01:46What are the customs of the Spring Festival?
01:49And why is the Spring Festival so important to Chinese people?
01:57Spring Festival, just hearing the word, makes you feel warm, right?
02:05When you hear 'Spring Festival', what's the first thing that comes to your mind?
02:10Is it the red decorations?
02:13Is it all the delicious food?
02:16Or is it the feeling of a family sitting together, warm and cozy?
02:25In China, every year in the last month of the lunar calendar, there's a feeling in the air that the New Year is coming.
02:36Everyone starts to get busy preparing.
02:40The house needs a thorough cleaning.
02:43And you also need to buy New Year goods.
02:46Walking on the street, you'll find red everywhere.
02:53Red lanterns are hung.
02:56Red couplets are pasted.
03:01Behind them, there's a story that spans years.
03:06Now, let's go back in time.
03:10Let's see how the Spring Festival came to be.
03:16A long, long time ago.
03:18There were no cities then.
03:21There was no calendar.
03:23There wasn't even the concept of 'year'.
03:28When winter arrived, life became more difficult for the ancient Chinese people.
03:36The weather was very cold.
03:38The sun set very early.
03:42The nights were especially long.
03:45Food supplies dwindled day by day.
03:48But the wild beasts...
03:50On the contrary, they became more and more daring.
03:54What people feared most was the dark night.
03:59Imagine, back then, there were no electric lights.
04:03There was nothing.
04:05In the long, dark night, it felt like anything could be lurking.
04:10So, people started telling a story.
04:15A story about a monster.
04:19This monster, people called it 'Nian'.
04:23According to legend, it looked very fierce.
04:27It had sharp horns on its head.
04:30Its body was very strong.
04:33Normally, it hid in the deep mountains and old forests.
04:37But on the last night of every year,
04:44It would sneak into the village and snatch things.
04:48It ate the chickens, ducks, cows, and sheep that the villagers raised.
04:56It would even injure people.
05:00So, every year on this day, 'Nian' would come out.
05:09Everyone would hide.
05:11They would close the doors.
05:13They wouldn't dare to sleep all night.
05:16Until one year, on the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, that day was when 'Nian' was about to come.
05:23Everyone was so busy and flustered.
05:27A white-haired old man came to the village.
05:31He looked at everyone and calmly said:
05:35'I can drive away Nian.'
05:38Everyone listened and was stunned.
05:42Someone immediately said: 'Are you crazy? Nian is terrifying.'
05:50Someone else anxiously said: 'You better find a place to hide!'
05:56But this old man just waved his hand.
06:05The sky slowly darkened. In the night,
06:10Nian truly appeared.
06:13It walked to the village entrance, preparing to rush into a house.
06:19Suddenly, it stopped.
06:23Why?
06:25Because it saw a piece of big red wood hanging on the door.
06:33It hadn't reacted yet.
06:35Suddenly, there was a loud noise in the courtyard.
06:41It turned out the old man had lit a fire.
06:45He also threw bamboo into the fire to burn.
06:48As soon as the bamboo burned, it started to crackle and pop.
06:54At this moment, the door opened.
06:57The white-haired old man, wearing red clothes, walked out smiling.
07:04You guess, how did he do that?
07:06Nian, upon seeing red,
07:09Hearing such loud noises,
07:11And seeing the fire,
07:13His whole body trembled with fear.
07:17It no longer dared to stay, turned around, and ran away.
07:21It didn't even look back.
07:23The next day, the sky brightened.
07:27The villagers came out of their caves and found that the village was fine.
07:36Everyone surrounded the old man and couldn't help but ask:
07:40'How did you do that?'
07:43The old man smiled and said: 'Very simple.'
07:47'Nian fears three things the most.'
07:51'What are the three things?'
07:53He said: 'Red, loud noises, and fire.'
08:02From that year on, every year on the last day of the year,
08:08People would do this.
08:10They burned bamboo to make loud noises.
08:16Later, this became firecrackers, which are also called 'bian pao'.
08:23They hung red things at the door.
08:27Then, they wrote characters, and this became the earliest Spring Festival couplets.
08:34A family sits together, stays up all night, watches each other, protects each other. This is called 'Shou Sui'.
08:44And the saying 'Guo Nian' (celebrating the year) was passed down from generation to generation.
08:51Of course, we also know this is a beautiful legend.
08:57But if you think about it, is it really just a story?
09:02Actually, in the cold, dark, and dangerous winter,
09:08People light fires.
09:10Hang red things.
09:13Create loud noises.
09:15On one hand, it's to scare away dangerous wild beasts.
09:21But more importantly, it's to strengthen oneself.
09:26Tell yourself: 'We are not alone.'
09:29'We can get through this together.'
09:35So, you'll find that the earliest Spring Festival customs weren't really for celebration.
09:43But to protect oneself and protect family.
09:49Later, the way of celebrating the Spring Festival slowly changed.
09:54It's not just about driving away the 'Nian' monster.
09:58It's about the lives of ancient people, closely intertwined.
10:03Especially agricultural life.
10:07Imagine, in ancient times, people lived by farming.
10:14There was no calendar, no weather forecast.
10:18Winter was long and cold.
10:22What people did every day was simply to wait.
10:26Wait for what?
10:29Wait for the signal of spring.
10:32Finally, one day, someone discovered:
10:36'Hey, look, the ice on the river has cracked.'
10:43The ground underfoot began to soften.
10:47The wind blowing past didn't seem so cold anymore.
10:53What does this mean?
10:56It means the hardest days of winter are over.
11:01Spring will definitely come.
11:07The days will get longer and longer.
11:10The time the sun appears will get longer and longer.
11:14Plants will slowly sprout.
11:18People know it's time to prepare for planting.
11:22At this important moment,
11:24In China's festive calendar, it's called 'Lichun' (Start of Spring).
11:30For many Chinese people, this moment,
11:33Is the real beginning of the year.
11:39Do you know?
11:39Actually, the early Spring Festival and 'Lichun' have a very big connection.
11:48China has had the concept of 'festive season' for a very long time.
11:51It's not according to our current familiar calendar dates,
11:56But rather the moon, and the changes in seasons.
12:01So, you'll find that the Spring Festival time is different every year.
12:07Sometimes it's in January.
12:10Sometimes it's in February.
12:13Around Lichun, everyone will do something very important.
12:19That is to gather together and prepare for the labor of the new year.
12:25They also take the opportunity to pray for good weather, smooth sailing, and good fortune.
12:36Driving away the 'Nian' monster is no longer the focus.
12:40The focus has shifted to welcoming spring.
12:50So, Spring Festival has transformed from a day of protecting oneself,
12:55To a festival worth celebrating with great joy.
13:02If you look back at those customs,
13:05Aren't they very interesting?
13:08The red used to scare away the monster,
13:10Has now become the color of good luck and happiness.
13:18During Spring Festival, red is everywhere.
13:22Red couplets are pasted on the doors.
13:26Red lanterns are hung in front of the windows.
13:30People wear new red clothes.
13:34There's also an important change.
13:38Originally, it was to stay vigilant and guard against 'Nian'.
13:43But slowly, it changed.
13:46Shou Sui (staying up all night) is to stay awake all night on New Year's Eve.
13:51But now, it's no longer out of fear.
13:55It's for companionship.
13:58A family sits together, cooks, eats, chats, plays games, talks, and laughs.
14:05They wait for the New Year to arrive.
14:12This special dinner is what we now call the 'Nian Ye Fan' (New Year's Eve dinner).
14:18People wish each other well and say nice things.
14:23Hoping for a good start to the new year.
14:28Later, Spring Festival customs became more and more numerous.
14:33Not only are there couplets, firecrackers,
14:38Shou Sui, and eating New Year's Eve dinner,
14:44There's also visiting elders, giving red envelopes to children, and visiting temples.
14:55Now, people often say:
14:58'The current Spring Festival seems too commercial.'
15:02'Some people sigh and say the New Year's flavor has faded.'
15:09Indeed, some Spring Festival customs are slowly disappearing in the cities.
15:16For example, many big cities no longer allow firecrackers.
15:22You rarely hear that crackling sound anymore.
15:27Temples are also not easily seen in the cities.
15:33But have you noticed something?
15:37Whether it's ancient times or modern times, no matter how the form changes,
15:43The most core thing about Spring Festival has never changed.
15:50That is the desire for reunion, love for family,
15:55And the wish for a better life.
16:00This comparison, I think, is quite reasonable.
16:04Because in China, Spring Festival is also such a festival.
16:09No matter how busy you are, no matter how far away you are,
16:14Family should try their best to gather together.
16:20When you mention going home for the New Year, everyone immediately thinks of one word: Chunyun (Spring Festival travel).
16:27Every year before Spring Festival, in every city in China,
16:30You will see this scene.
16:35Train stations are crowded with people.
16:38Highways have very long traffic jams.
16:41Airports are also full of people.
16:45Everyone is dragging their luggage, carrying big and small bags,
16:49With only one direction in mind: going home.
16:52Many foreign friends ask me:
16:55'Is it really necessary to do this?'
16:58'Can't you go back a little later?'
17:01But for many Chinese people, because going home for the New Year is the only time in the year,
17:10They have to work.
17:13They have to go to school.
17:15They have to earn money.
17:18But for many people, Spring Festival is the only chance in the year to press the pause button.
17:29So, you'll find that Spring Festival is no longer just a holiday.
17:33It reminds us: the dark night will end,
17:36The cold winter will pass, and spring will definitely come.
17:41No matter how this year went, good or bad,
17:47The new year is always worth looking forward to.
17:51So, when you go home after the New Year, what do you usually do?
17:56Actually, it's sitting with family,
17:58Eating, chatting, playing games, talking, laughing.
18:03Celebrating the New Year, exchanging blessings.
18:06Speaking of meals, the Spring Festival table is always full.
18:14Every day, it's filled with all kinds of dishes.
18:19There are also snacks, candies, and refreshments.
18:24One big meal, followed by another big meal, almost without a break.
18:31So, many people, after celebrating Spring Festival, will smile and say:
18:36'I've gained a few pounds again.'
18:40Then you might be curious,
18:43Are there any rules for eating during Spring Festival?
18:49Of course, there are.
18:50In Northern China, during Spring Festival, people often eat dumplings.
18:57Look closely at the shape of dumplings.
19:00Doesn't it look like ancient Chinese currency, Yuanbao?
19:06So, eating dumplings is actually hoping for wealth and smoothness in the new year.
19:14In Southern China, many people eat 'nian gao' (New Year cake).
19:18Because the pronunciation of 'nian gao' sounds like 'nian nian you yu' (year after year, there is abundance).
19:23The meaning is simple: life gets better year by year.
19:29So, no matter where you are in China, North or South,
19:33On the New Year's Eve dinner table,
19:35There will definitely be a dish.
19:37What dish?
19:38Fish.
19:40Because the pronunciation of 'yu' (fish) sounds like 'yu' (abundance).
19:45Chinese people often say: 'Nian nian you yu' (abundance year after year).
19:50The meaning is: every year there is surplus.
19:54Life is not tense, and life is abundant.
19:57The heart is also more at ease.
20:01Thinking about the past year, our work and studies were all quite hard, right?
20:09So, New Year is a time when you can relax.
20:15Reward yourself, and reward your family.
20:20Eat something delicious, it's a small ritual.
20:25It makes everyone feel:
20:29'Ah, the new beginning has arrived.'
20:32'Everything will be better.'
20:36We've talked so much. Now let's go back to the original question.
20:41Why is Spring Festival so important?
20:45Because for Chinese people, Spring Festival has never just been a holiday.
20:52It's the longing for home,
20:56It's the comfort for a year of hard work,
20:58And it's the expectation for a new year.
21:03Think about ancient people.
21:05They endured long and cold winters.
21:10In their hearts, there was only one thing:
21:12When will spring come?
21:16And now, we, who have been busy all year,
11:22Are also waiting for the same thing.
21:24Waiting for a moment to stop.
21:29Waiting for a chance to go home.
21:33No matter how times change,
21:37Spring Festival has always been the most important festival for Chinese people.
21:42No matter where you are in the world,
21:45When it comes to New Year, your heart only has one direction: going home.
21:51A family gathers together, eats New Year's Eve dinner, watches the Spring Festival Gala,
21:58And stays up until midnight.
22:01When the clock strikes twelve,
22:05Firecrackers and fireworks sound.
22:10The new year begins with such liveliness.
22:15The way of celebrating the New Year might change,
22:19Life's pace is also getting faster and faster.
22:23But the most important thing about Spring Festival has never changed.
22:28That is the desire for reunion, love for family,
22:33And the wish for a better life.
22:39If you look back and see,
22:42In ancient times, people in the dark night fought against fear.
22:48In agricultural times, they celebrated the departure of winter and the arrival of spring.
22:53And today, families sit together peacefully.
22:59You'll find that Spring Festival is no longer just a holiday.
23:04It reminds us: the dark night will end, the cold winter will pass, and spring will definitely come.
23:14No matter how this year went, good or bad,
23:18The new year is always worth looking forward to.
23:21This is the story of Spring Festival.
23:26Even in this busy and noisy modern world,
23:31Spring Festival still gently reminds us:
23:36Slow down a bit, stop for a moment, and look at the people around you.
23:44May every Spring Festival allow you to feel the warmth of home.
23:51May every new year be full of sunshine and hope.
23:57Okay, that's all for today.
24:01Thank you for listening to the end.
24:01See you next time, bye-bye.