Traditional fish-shaped lanterns find new life in E China's Anhui

Fish-shaped lantern parades were held in the ancient villages of Zhanqi, Wangmantian and Yuliang in Shexian county, Huangshan city, east China's Anhui Province, on Feb. 1. As the Chinese New Year approaches, each parade of traditional Huizhou fish-shaped lanterns strengthens the festive mood.

A Huizhou fish-shaped lantern performance draws crowds of tourists in Shexian county, Huangshan city, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo/Shi Yalei)

The Huizhou fish-shaped lantern is among the most enduring and best-preserved New Year customs in the Huizhou region, now mostly concentrated in Huangshan city. Its symbolism of blessings and good fortune has made it a cultural sensation. Today, most fish-shaped lantern performance teams across China trace their roots to this region.

In Zhanqi village, the fish-shaped lantern parade has become the most beloved New Year tradition. The Huizhou fish-shaped lantern parade is more than a folk performance; it embodies clan bonds and preserves the memory of home, said Zheng Dongjiao, head of Zhanqi village's fish-shaped lantern performance team.

"Now the fish-shaped lantern parade has become a regular performance. Tourists come to touch the fish-shaped lanterns to dispel worries, which not only brings vitality to the village but also boosts villagers' incomes through lantern-making and operating B&Bs," Zheng said.

"The fish-shaped lanterns carry the reverence and hopes of the entire village. From selecting bamboo strips to the parade rituals, every step follows rules passed down through generations," said Wang Huawu, a fish-shaped lantern designer in Wangmantian village.

According to Wang, a standard large fish-shaped lantern can reach up to 7 meters in length and requires more than 20 people to carry during parades.

Today, seeing fish-shaped lanterns in Shexian county has become a popular activity among tourists. The county has formed a professional performance team of nearly 1,000 members, incorporating sports and dance into fish-shaped lantern performances and creating themed stage productions that now tour regularly across China.

The county has also promoted the industrialization of fish-shaped lantern cultural products by producing themed short dramas and developing more than 500 products inspired by fish-shaped lanterns, including stationery, tea sets and sachets. Fish-shaped lanterns are integrated into cafe and B&B designs, serve as backdrops for travel photography, and even appear as virtual scenes in mobile games.

Photo shows a scene of a Huizhou fish-shaped lantern performance in Shexian county, Huangshan city, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo/Shi Yalei)

Yue Shan, a researcher at Anhui University, believes the popularity of Huizhou fish-shaped lanterns stems from the connection between deep cultural heritage and contemporary needs.

They are rooted in Huizhou culture and embody the sentiments of blessing and clan solidarity, Yue said.

The county has closely integrated Huizhou fish-shaped lanterns with rural tourism, offering diverse experiences such as nighttime tours, DIY lantern-making and educational programs, transforming visitors from spectators into participants.