Anhui's 600-year-old fish lanterns cast ancient light at WIPO

A copyright-focused exhibition opened on July 8 at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) headquarters in Geneva, where the fish-shaped lanterns in Wangmantian village, Xitou town, Shexian county, Huangshan, East China's Anhui province, emerged as a radiant cultural icon.

These 600-year-old treasures - bamboo-framed and paper-scaled - weave Huizhou's time-honored craftsmanship with contemporary artistry. Symbolizing abundance, they have long enlivened Lunar New Year celebrations, now captivating global delegates with vivid colors and profound cultural resonance on the world stage.

People attend a fish lantern parade in Wangmantian, a village in Huangshan, Anhui province. [Photo/Huangshan Daily]

Beyond their aesthetic allure, they embody Huangshan's "heritage plus copyright" vision. Over 300 registrations spanning crafts, creative products and tourism have nurtured remarkable growth: the 2025 Spring Festival received 4 billion online views, driving a 458 percent surge in travel bookings and reaching an annual turnover of 5 million yuan ($694,000) in creative product sales.

Visitors are drawn to the exquisite design and unique cultural charm of the fish lanterns. [Photo/Huangshan Daily]

This WIPO debut illuminates Huangshan's commitment to breathing new life into traditions through innovation. It stands as a testament to how ancient craftsmanship, safeguarded by intellectual property, can bridge cultures - letting Anhui's legacy shine globally while fueling rural vitality.