Animal-shaped lanterns light up end of Chinese New Year celebrations

A dazzling array of lights and colour lit up the Hong Kong Cultural Centre piazza and foyer on Friday night as the city celebrated the Lantern Festival.

This year’s theme was “Chinese Lanterns: An Enduring Heritage,” co-organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office (ICHO). It featured animal-shaped lanterns, including pandas, peacocks, and koi fish, that symbolise prosperity, strength, and good fortune.

At 7 pm, a two-person youth group from the Boys’ and Girls’ Club Association of Hong Kong Mei Foo Children and Youth Integrated Services Centre performed classic songs including Jace Chan's “Born to Be Different”, “People Life, Ocean Wild” from Mayday at the installation for around half an hour.

“I feel that this year’s Lantern Festival is a combination of traditional and modern cultures,” said Chloe Yang, 29, a primary school teacher from mainland China.“These lanterns present a modern twist on traditional paper-craft skills, and the animal theme is also very appealing to me,” she added

“As a tourist, I am glad to see Hong Kong placing so much emphasis on Chinese culture and bringing it to different people with fun and lively animal symbols,” Yang said.

Local paper-crafting Master, Mo Cheuk-kei, was invited by ICHO to make one of the lanterns with the theme of  “Glittering Fish – Lanterns with Abundant Blessings,” according to the programme details from LCSD.

The lanterns designed were based on traditional New Year paintings in which two little lions play with fish on a pond while holding fortune sticks to pray for the New Year.

“I come here to watch the wonderful lanterns every Lantern Festival, and this year's vivid animal lanterns that symbolize China were a big surprise,” said Lau Sui San, a 64-year-old retiree.

“I am happy that Hong Kong has so many cute and beautiful animal lanterns to celebrate Chinese New Year,” said Joseph Chui, 75, a retiree who has moved to mainland China.“They are full of Chinese good wishes and so lovely that I cannot stop taking pictures with them,” Chui said.

“Since Hong Kong serves as an international centre, I believe these installations let foreign visitors witness the beauty of our traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritage of paper crafting,” Chui said.

As night fell, all the lanterns began to glow brightly, and the two peacock lanterns nestled in the centre attracted a lot of people queuing up for photos.

Li Ha, a 36-year-old administrator, said that the emphasis on paper-crafting during the Lantern Festival every year enables both locals and outsiders to learn about Chinese traditions.

“I think the animal-shaped lanterns would attract families to come, and it’s a good chance to let the younger generation know more about our traditional paper-lantern culture,” Li said.

“Compared to lantern riddles, these paper lanterns with cute animal shapes are more suitable for families since children can learn about them,” Li said.

“This paper-crafting skill is a very specialised tradition, and I hope this tradition will be passed on. That’s the reason I took my son here,” said Sandy Hui, a 36-year-old primary school teacher.

“Intangible heritage is a matter of concern to all,” Yang said.

“I hope that more young people will enjoy such intangible heritage. I believe if we want to pass down the tradition of paper-craft art, we need to add new vitality and modernity,” Yang said.

Chinese New Year Lantern Carnival is one of the events of the Spring Festival Gala 2025, a series of activities that celebrates the Chinese New Year with a rich tapestry of Chinese traditions.

The Carnival will be held from Feb. 7 to 12. Entrance is free.