The origin of the Lion Dance at Chinese New Year is thought to have started through a legend handed down through the generations. According to the legend a mythical beast called a Nian (meaning year in Chinese) would come and attack villagers at the same time every year. The villagers asked for the help of a great colourful lion spirit, who came and drove the Nian away with much noise. The following year the people were left defenseless as the lion was away defending the Emperor's Palace. The people improvised and created a false lion out of cloth and bamboo along with noisy firecrackers to drive the Nian away. This was so successful that every year since then the lion dance is performed to frighten away evil spirits and bring luck in with the New Year.