Spring Festival vibes are kicking in, and in Xiangshan County, things are getting lit—literally! 🌟🎏 Local craftsmen are busy crafting beautiful fish lanterns, symbols of abundance, prosperity, and fresh starts. The fish lanterns come from the ancient saying \\"nián nián yǒu yú\\" (年年有余), which means \\"May you have surplus year after year.\\" Pretty cool, right?
In this coastal slice of the Chinese mainland, the art of making fish lanterns has been passed down for generations. For the folks here, these lanterns aren't just for decoration—they're a nod to their seafaring roots and a wish for good fortune ahead.
Meet Bao Jiqin, the OG fish lantern maestro. At over 80 years old, Bao has spent decades perfecting this traditional craft. Born in the town of Shipu in Xiangshan, he's been into drawing from a young age and started making carp lanterns early on. After the late '90s, when Xiangshan kicked off its first Fishing Season Festival (think: epic celebration marking the new fishing season after a break), Bao leveled up his designs to include all sorts of marine life—yellow croakers, cuttlefish, you name it! 🦑🐟
To make sure his lanterns are on point, Bao dives deep into books and materials on marine life, nailing the shapes and vibes of real fish. Talk about dedication!
Every year, on the 14th day of the first lunar month, Xiangshan County throws a huge parade. Locals hoist their fish lanterns high and parade through the streets, lighting up the night and welcoming the new year with style. 🏮✨
Reference(s):
Legacy Trails: Illuminating Spring Festival with fish lanterns
cgtn.com
