In ancient China, people called the first day of the calendar "元旦 (Yuándàn)". "元 (Yuán)" means "beginning" or "start" and "旦 (dàn)" means "day." The character "旦 (dàn)" is composed of "日 (rì)" and "一 (yī)". "日 (Rì)" is the Chinese character for the sun and "一 (yī)" represents the horizon. It means the sun gradually rising from the horizon. Therefore, "元旦 (Yuándàn)" refers to the beginning of a new day, which indicates the first day of the year.

元旦 (Yuándàn)

Additionally, there is an ancient Chinese legend about the New Year.

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Sì qiān duō nián qián de shíhou,

四千多年前的时候，

About 4000 years ago,

Yǒu yíwèi huángdì Yáo, tā wèi rénmen zuòle hěnduō hǎoshì, hěn shòu àidài.

有一位皇帝尧，他为人们做了很多好事，很受爱戴。

Emperor Yao was greatly adored by his people for his achievements.

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