Red is the color commonly worn during Chinese New Year to scare away evil spirits. It is also associated with joy, prosperity, celebration, and auspiciousness, so its use extends far beyond clothing.
The protective explanation comes especially from the legend of Nian, a fearsome creature said to emerge around the New Year. In the story, villagers discover that Nian fears red, fire, and loud noises. They respond by wearing red garments, hanging red lanterns and spring couplets, and setting off firecrackers or drums.
Red also has a linguistic association with good fortune. In Mandarin, the word for red, hóng, is connected in festival symbolism with prosperity and success. Red therefore appears on decorations, envelopes, paper cuttings, lanterns, and gifts. The Nian story is folklore rather than a historical account, and traditions vary across Chinese communities; nevertheless, red remains the conventional quiz answer for the color believed to repel evil and attract good luck during the festival.