Nian
Nian are ancient, evil spirits[2] that arrive on Shing Jea Island at Canthan New Year. They are traditionally thought to ruin the festival and bring bad luck to the populace in the coming year if not chased away. In order to scare them off, Canthan citizens often don red attire and light fireworks as these are thought to scare the creatures away[3], as the nian seem to be immune to both normal weapons and magic.[4] Depictions of them are feared by some Shrine Guardian kits.[1]
History[edit]
The nian are malevolent creatures that menaced Canthan New Year 250 years ago.[3] At some point, several nian managed to nearly ruin the Canthan New Year celebrations and caused bad luck the following year.[5] In the late 16th century CC, a group of Canthans formed who seemed to support the nian's goal of ruining the festival, calling themselves the "Knights Who Say Nian". They became a well-known threat at Canthan New Year and stole red dye from Johai Sohn that was needed to ward off the beasts. However, the dye was retrieved and the Knights defeated by the Hero of Cantha.[6]
With the movement of the seat of power from Raisu Palace to the Shing Jea Monastery, two nian statues were sculpted at the Imperial Overlook.[1] It is unknown if their attempts to disrupt Lunar New Year festivities have continued up to the modern era.
Gallery[edit]
Guild Wars concept art.
- Mount skins
A nian with blurple accents.
A blazing nian.
A yellow-maned nian with a bushy tail.
A Canthan nian.
A dark-maned nian.
An alabaster-maned nian.
A glacial nian.
An electricity-infused nian.
A nian originating from Kinya Province.
A green-glowing nian.
A blue nian with black stripes.
A mane-less nian with a spiked tail.
An orange-striped nian.
Trivia[edit]
- Nian (Simplified: 年兽, Pinyin: nián shòu) are legendary creatures from Chinese mythology. They are said to come around the Lunar New Year and are traditionally scared of fireworks.
See also[edit]
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The Guild Wars Wiki has an article on Nian. |
- Related mounts
Canthan Nian Warclaw Mounts Pack
Battle Horn Nian
Blazing Nian
Brushtail Nian
Dark Hunter Nian
Divine Predator Nian
Heavenly Thunder Nian
Luminous Warlord Nian
Shoal Slayer Nian
Spinetail Nian
Tiger Soul Nian
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Spiritual Childcare
- Hint: Fears Nian statues.
- ^ New Nian Concept Art Wallpaper "These paintings both depict a nian, one of the strange spirit creatures that bring bad fortune to the Canthan New Year's Festival [...]"
- ^ a b The Scribe: February 15 2007 issue
- Unfortunately, ancient evil creatures arrive each year to disrupt the event as well. The nian must be driven off lest they ruin the festival and bring bad luck to the populace in the coming year. To scare the Nian away from the celebration, Canthan citizens don red attire and light fireworks, as loud noises and the color red are the only known ways to drive off these foul creatures. Special fireworks will be available to festival attendees during the event to help repel the Nian.
- ^ The Big Bang
- Coordinator Tahyaa: The noise from the fireworks is the only way to defeat the nian, as they are immune to weapons and magic.
- ^ Coordinator Tahyaa
- ^ The Knights Who Say Nian
