Wangmantian Fish Lanterns: A Chinese Aesthetic

🏮Did you know? The fish lanterns of Wangmantian Village in Xitou Town, She County, Anhui Province, are not only a way for villagers to worship their ancestors and pray for peace, but also carry an ancient legend! 🏮According to legend, most of the houses in Wangmantian Village were made of wood, and there was a large stone wall on the mountain to the west of the village. Whenever the sun shone on it, it would reflect like a large fire mirror onto the village, easily causing fires. To solve this problem, the villagers invited a wise man to give them advice. He told them to make fish lanterns in the shape of carp out of bamboo strips and cotton paper, and to carry them along the river in the middle of the village every year during the Lantern Festival to receive the protection of the divine fish and pray for the safety of the village and to avoid fires. This legend adds a mysterious touch to the fish lanterns! 🏮Features and production process of fish lanterns: Wangmantian fish lanterns are made with great care. The fish frame is made of bamboo strips, and the paper is strong and durable cotton paper. The fish lanterns are lifelike, with painted scales on the outside and the word "king" written on the forehead. The large fish lanterns are about 7 meters long and 3 meters high, divided into three sections, with more than 100 candles lit inside. The fish's mouth is also equipped with a fire-breathing device, and it takes more than 20 people to carry it! The small fish lanterns are smaller, but equally charming. 🏮The lantern parade and atmosphere: During the lantern parade, the fish lanterns of the ancestral hall go first, followed by the other fish lanterns. In front, there are large flat lanterns in the shape of kitchen knives to clear the way, and behind them are lions, large gongs and drums, flower lanterns, fish lanterns, and five-grain lanterns. Firecrackers and drums are played along the way, creating a strong festive atmosphere. When the fish lanterns reach the door of each household, firecrackers are set off to welcome them. Finally, the large fish lanterns run on the flat ground, parade out of the village, worship the temple, and return to the ancestral hall. 🏮Lantern parade time and place: The fish lantern festival is usually held from the 13th to the 16th day of the first lunar month in Wangmantian Village, Xitou Town, She County, Anhui Province. When night falls, the fish lanterns gather at the entrance of the Wang ancestral hall, and hundreds of large and small fish lanterns parade through the streets along the planned route. It is definitely a folk feast not to be missed!