Lunar New Year Risograph Prints

According to ancient Chinese legend, there was a monster who lived in the deep sea with a lion-like head and an ox-like body, who was named 年 ''Nian''. It would appear around Lunar New Year, scaring villagers by eating their crops, livestock, and even the villagers themselves.

One time, during a rampage, nian was seen running away from a house which had a red shirt hanging outside. Consequently, the villagers discovered that the monster was afraid of red color, loud noises and flaming light. Since then, before every new year, people paste red posters in and outside their house and let off firecrackers in order to keep the monster at bay.

This became a tradition every year, and has evolved from handwritten calligraphic style posters into what we often see today, with people hanging pre-printed red idioms and couplets inside and outside their homes to celebrate each incoming new year.

How to use: cut out and hang up in your dwelling according to your specific wishes for the new year.