Lion dance costume, which may have partially inspired the story of the Nian Shou
Origin
Nian Shou[a] (lit. "year beast"), or simply "Nian," is a canid or felid-like creature associated with Chinese New Year. The story of the Nian Shou gives a mythical, non-historical explanation for the common traditions of Chinese New Year.
Nian is first attested in the 1933 text Diary of Old Shanghai Tales by Sun Yusheng,[b] specifically the Seasonal Social Customs chapter.[c] Within the text, which was compiled from folk traditions, a story is told of the writer seeing a scroll of the Ziwei[d] star hanging on the wall, along with a locked-up, man-eating, dog-like creature painted on a pillar. Some would say it is the Tiangou[e] star, others would say it is a beast called Nian. Nian is described as being locked away by the Ziwei star, unable to wreak havoc on the people, and thus hanging scrolls of the star was considered customary.[1]
In contemporary folklore, Nian is said to come out on the night of Chinese New Year's Eve to eat people, but is easily scared away by fireworks, lanterns, and the colour red; this, along with the lion dance, form the common traditions during Chinese New Year.[2]
Design
Nian Shou resembles traditional Chinese depictions of lions. Additionally, it is also given various fish-like features.
Increase Attack by 29.1%. When Using a skill on a foe, inflict Festival of Destruction for 2 turns. The first time that foes inflicted with Festival of Destruction take Fire damage, inflict Fearsome Flames. Also, 50% chance to inflict Burn for 2 turns. Fearsome Flames: For 2 turns, increase damage taken by 8%.
Year-End Harbinger IRequires Overclock 1
Increase Attack by 29.1%. When Using a skill on a foe, inflict Festival of Destruction for 2 turns. The first time that foes inflicted with Festival of Destruction take Fire damage, inflict Fearsome Flames. Also, 50% chance to inflict Burn for 2 turns. Fearsome Flames: For 3 turns, increase damage taken by 8%.
Year-End Harbinger IIRequires Overclock 2
Increase Attack by 29.1%. When Using a skill on a foe, inflict Festival of Destruction for 2 turns. The first time that foes inflicted with Festival of Destruction take Fire damage, inflict Fearsome Flames. Also, 75% chance to inflict Burn for 2 turns. Fearsome Flames: For 3 turns, increase damage taken by 8%.
Year-End Harbinger IIIRequires Overclock 3
Increase Attack by 29.1%. When Using a skill on a foe, inflict Festival of Destruction for 2 turns. The first time that foes inflicted with Festival of Destruction take Fire damage, inflict Fearsome Flames. Also, 75% chance to inflict Burn for 2 turns. Fearsome Flames: For 3 turns, increase damage taken by 12%.
A beast from Chinese mythology that appears on Lunar New Year's Eve. It is said to attack villages, eating crops, livestock, and even children. It fears loud noises and the color red, resulting in the tradition of people letting off firecrackers and decorating their houses with red cloth and lanterns to ward them off.
Nian Shou was a major part of the Dancing with the Happy-Go-Lucky Lions event. After defeating Nian Shou, the protagonist retrieves its power as his new Persona.
Nomenclature
Names in Other Languages
Language
Name
Meaning
English
Nian Shou
Japanese
年獣Nenjū
Nian Shou (lit. "Year Beast")
Simplified Chinese
年兽Nián shòu
Nian Shou (lit. "Year Beast")
Traditional Chinese
年獸Nián shòu
Nian Shou (lit. "Year Beast")
Korean
년수Nyeon Su
Nian Shou; Hanja rendering of 年獸Nyeon Su.
Gallery
Nian Shou on artwork for Dancing with the Happy-Go-Lucky Lions' login bonus
English
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean
Nian Shou on artwork for Dancing with the Happy-Go-Lucky Lions' login bonus
Graphic from Dancing with the Happy-Go-Lucky Lions
Nian Shou in its Larimar Yearbeast form from Dancing with the Happy-Go-Lucky Lions
Nian Shou in its Amber Yearbeast form from Dancing with the Happy-Go-Lucky Lions
