Speaking of the historical origin of New Year's Day, there are many versions. One of them is that: In the era of Yao and Shun over 4,000 years ago, Emperor Yao was diligent and served the people, doing many good things for the common people, and was very beloved by the people. However, his son was not capable, and he did not pass on the throne to his son, but instead to Shun, who had virtue and ability.
Yao said to Shun: "You must be sure to pass on the throne well, so I can rest in peace after my death." Later, Shun passed on the throne to Yu, who had made great contributions in controlling the floods. Yu also cared for the people and did many good things for them, and both were greatly loved by the people. Later, people took the day when Shun, the emperor, sacrificed to heaven and earth and honored Emperor Yao as the beginning of the year, and called the first day of the first month "New Year's Day" or "Yuanzheng". This is the ancient New Year's Day.
In ancient times, each dynasty held celebrations and rituals on New Year's Day, such as worshipping various deities and ancestors, writing door couplets, hanging spring couplets, writing "Fu" characters, dancing dragon lanterns, and the people gradually formed activities like worshipping gods and ancestors, pasting Spring Festival couplets, setting off firecrackers, staying up late, having a reunion dinner, and many other "social activities" for entertainment and celebration. The Jin Dynasty poet Xin Lan once wrote a poem titled "Yuanzheng": "Yuanzheng opens the festival, joy starts from here. Everyone toasts with a cup of longevity, young and old share the happiness." It describes the scene of celebrating New Year's Day.

The origin of the words "New Year's Day" is quite significant in our country. In the minds of ancient Chinese people, "Yuan" means the beginning, and "Dan" means morning. According to historical records, as an important festival, in Chinese history, "New Year's Day" had many names, such as Yuanri, Yuanzheng, Yuanchen, Kai Nian, Yuanchun, Shangri, Huasui, etc. However, among these names, "New Year's Day" is the most commonly used and the longest lasting. The "Yuan" in "New Year's Day" refers to the beginning, meaning the first. Any number's beginning is called "Yuan"; "Dan" is a pictographic character, with the top "Ri" representing the sun and the bottom "Yi" representing the horizon. "Dan" means the sun rises slowly from the horizon, symbolizing the start of a day. People combined the two characters "Yuan" and "Dan," which led to the extension of the first day of the new year. Due to the different longitudes around the world, the time is also different, so the date of "New Year's Day" varies.