A CASCADE of red lanterns, rhythmic drumbeats and symbolic pageantry swept through Petaling Street as traders and visitors came together to celebrate an early arrival of the Year of the Horse, turning the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown into a lively corridor of culture and community.
The centrepiece of the celebrations was the Blessings Parade, which saw six giant inflatable horse guardians making their way through the narrow streets yesterday, drawing crowds of onlookers and curious passers-by.
The Star reported at the head of the procession was the Horse Guardian, towering at more than 2.1 metres, accompanied by other guardians in varying forms, poses and sizes, each adorned with motifs that were explained to the public along the route.
Three Gods of Prosperity joined the parade, offering blessings to the crowd as it moved through the area.
As the procession wound its way through Chinatown, excited children followed closely while onlookers cheered, stopped to pose for photographs and, in some cases, slowed their vehicles to capture the moment.
“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, was conceived to reflect the idea that care and protection are repaid with respect and gratitude.
Chang said the inspiration was rooted in Asian cultural expressions of affection, which are often subtle rather than overt.
“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, or “little ghost lane”, a well-known alley in Petaling Street celebrated for its curated wall art depicting scenes of bygone eras.
Her collaborator and lead designer, Javier Chor, said the guardian figures were inspired by reinterpreting traditional symbols of protection in a contemporary form.
“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,” Chor told The Star.
“That sense of personal care and intention is what we wanted to translate into the guardians.”
Among those caught up in the festivities were French business owners Jean Dupont, 34, and his wife Claire Dupont, 32, who stumbled upon the celebration while exploring the area.
“We heard music playing and people cheering. It felt like we had walked into a festival by accident,” Jean said. - February 8, 2026
