Staying Up Late on New Year's Eve

The tradition of staying up late to see New Year in originated from an interesting folk tale. In ancient China there lived a monster named Year, who was very

ferocious.

Year always went out from its burrow on New Year’s Eve to devour people. Therefore, on every New Year’s Eve, every household would have supper together. After

dinner, no one dared go to sleep and all the family members would sit together, chatting and emboldening each other.

Gradually the habit of staying up late on New Year’s Eve is formed. Thus in China, “celebrating the Spring Festival” is also called “passing over the year (guo

nian)”. However, now there are less and less people in cities who will stay up late to see New Year in.