Pujiang fish lanterns shine at Saudi International Handicrafts Week

Visitors hold up Pujiang fish lanterns at Saudi International Handicrafts Week. [Photo/WeChat account: jinhuafeiyi]

Fish lanterns from Pujiang county in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, drew a lot of attention from Nov 13 to 26 at the third edition of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week, also known as Banan, in Riyadh.

The event features multiple representative projects of China's intangible cultural heritage from provinces like Anhui, Sichuan, and Guangdong. As representatives of Zhejiang's heritage, 16 exquisite fish lanterns crafted by inheritors Zhang Biwu and Huang Yunzhou stood out for their distinctive charm.

Each lantern carries nearly eight centuries of historical and master craftsmanship: from the precise bamboo frameworks to the vibrantly painted auspicious patterns, every step follows traditional methods.

These lanterns embody blessings such as "abundance year after year" and "carp leaping over the dragon gate" which symbolizes a transformative leap to success, while demonstrating exquisite Chinese folk artistry.

These Pujiang fish lanterns were presented through an integrated "dynamic demonstrations and static exhibition" model, in which artisans manipulated the lanterns to recreate classic scenes such as "swimming fish" and "leaping the dragon gate", captivating audiences.

Staff also introduced visitors to the techniques and cultural meanings through images and physical exhibits, offering them deeper insights into Pujiang's folk traditions.