The beast said to be scared away by red color and fire during Chinese New Year is Nian.
In the popular legend, Nian is a frightening creature that emerges around the start of the lunar year to attack villagers, livestock, and crops. People eventually discover that it fears bright red decorations, loud noises, and flames. These discoveries become part of the familiar imagery of the festival: red couplets and lanterns, drums, fireworks, and firecrackers.
The story also explains the Chinese word 年 (nian), which ordinarily means “year” or “ New Year.” However, the Nian-beast tradition is not securely documented in ancient texts. Written references to the creature appear only in the early 20th century, so scholars debate whether it reflects an older oral tradition or a modern elaboration.
Nian is sometimes confused with the lion or dragon used in New Year performances. Those are festive symbols and parade figures; Nian is the threatening mythological beast that the celebrations are meant to repel.