The Spring Festival, the most solemn traditional Chinese folk festival, marks the beginning of the lunar calendar's first month. Its origins can be traced back to the Shang Dynasty （circa 1600-1100 BC） when people offered sacrifices to gods and ancestors to ward off evil spirits. Over time, this ritual evolved into a celebration of the lunar cycle's renewal.

One of the most enduring legends is the story of the "Nian" monster, a fearsome creature that would devour people at the end of each lunar year. The people created a lion dance and loud noises to scare away Nian, which eventually became a part of the festival's traditions. This myth symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the hope for a peaceful new year.

The festival's name "Spring Festival" reflects its timing in the lunar calendar, which usually falls in the spring but is called "Lunar New Year" in Chinese. The celebration lasts for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival. Today, it is the most important holiday in China, symbolizing reunion, joy, and the beginning of a new cycle of life.