Traditional fish-shaped lanterns, a centuries-old cultural symbol in east China's Shexian County, have captured the hearts of Chinese netizens with their unique blend of beauty and historical significance.

The fish-shaped lantern-making tradition in Shexian County dates back over 600 years. Locals celebrate the Chinese New Year and other traditional festivals by parades with these lanterns.
Livestreamer Pan Min is dedicated to crafting fish-shaped lanterns. So dedicated indeed, she makes short videos detailing the process to viewers online. Thanks to her, this intangible cultural heritage, rich in Chinese aesthetics and positive symbolism, has gained a keen following on Chinese social media.
"I want to use social media to promote our intangible cultural heritage," said Pan.
The fish-shaped lanterns come in different size and design. In Pan's livestreaming room, many fans often raise questions about cultural heritage. Sometimes these questions can stump her, but she will later research the relevant issues and provide explanations to her followers afterwards.
Although fish-shaped lanterns have become popular in recent years, the deeper cultural significance of the fish-shaped lanterns remains less well-known.
Pan then decided to visit Zhanqi Village in Shexian County, the birthplace of fish-shaped lanterns, to get a more rounded understanding of this tradition.
Pan met her master here and learned how to make the framework of lanterns.
Getting bamboo from the mountain, cutting each of them into several parts, and then splitting those long pieces into very thin strips are the procedures to preparing the material.
Craftsmen will then use these strips to make the frame in the shape of different fish, before carefully wrapping and adhering the paper to the frame.
With Pan's effort, a combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern aesthetics was promoted in this unique intangible cultural heritage.
As night falls, people light the candles or turn on the small LED lights inside the lanterns, wandering through the ancient alleyways or the modern streets, and wishing happiness and good luck for their family.