PETALING JAYA: A sea of red lanterns, drumbeats and galloping symbolism transformed Petaling Street into a festive corridor as traders and visitors ushered in an early Year of the Horse while celebrating culture and community spirit.
The Blessings Parade, where six giant inflatable horse guardians made their way through the iconic Chinatown, was the star of the show yesterday.
Leading the procession was the Horse Guardian, standing at over 2.1m tall, accompanied by other guardians in varied forms, poses and sizes. Each carried distinct motifs explained on-site.
Three Gods of Prosperity, that were part of the procession, offered blessings to the crowd.
As the parade made its way through Chinatown, it drew excited children and cheering onlookers. Many stopped to pose with the towering figures, while some motorists slowed down to snap photos.
“We wanted to bring back the parade because last year’s fish lantern parade brought smiles to everyone and created a strong sense of joy and festivity,” said organiser Zeen Chang.
The parade, themed Guardians of Legacy, reflects the idea of care being repaid with respect and gratitude.
“In Asian cultures, we never show our love out loud. It’s not dramatic. So we thought it would be fun to revive the cloth tiger because what is just a toy to a kid, actually has so much meaning behind it,” she said.
Chang is also a co-founder of Kwai Chai Hong, meaning “little ghost lane”, a famous alley in Petaling Street, known for its specially-curated wall art depicting scenes from the past.
Her collaborator, Javier Chor, who is the mastermind behind the designs, said he drew inspiration from reinterpreting traditional protective symbols into modern forms.
“It’s not just a toy. It means something to the parents who want to protect their child. I believe there is a hidden guardian in everyone. That’s why I wanted to expand the cloth tiger concept for every zodiac sign,” said Chor.
“That sense of personal care and intention is what we wanted to translate into the guardians.”
By chance, French business owners Jean Dupont, 34, and his wife Claire Dupont, 32, found themselves in the middle of the celebrations while exploring Petaling Street.
“We heard music playing and people cheering. It felt like we had walked into a festival by accident,” Jean said.
