Staying up the Whole Night on New Year's Eve

Legend has it that in ancient times, there was a monster called "nian" or "year" that would harm people. Later, people found out that the monster routinely came out on New Year's Eve, so people began to get together on this day, staying up and chatting, hoping for peaceful passage of the time. The custom of staying up on New Year's Eve started in the South and North Dynasties, when people would stay up by the candle or oil lamp on New Year's Eve. The custom symbolizes the warding off of all diseases and disasters, wishing for good luck in the New Year.