Seeing red on the door

During the olden day of the Chinese community, on the side of each main door of the houses, there would be a row of Chinese characters written on a piece of red paper. How did this practice come about? According to the folklore tales, Chinese ancestors originally painted the door with red paint to ward off the monster (so called Nian).

How bout this - the middle east version:

Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. (Exodus 12:22)

Perhaps Chinese ancestors were influenced by Old Testament's Exodus story. Or maybe the story carried its way thru the Silk Road. Whatever it is, new year is the time for appreciation and thankfulness to the Lord for blessing us.

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