Juniper
Lanterns Over Bridge
Chinese New Year has long been a season of togetherness, blessings, and traditions passed unostentatiously from one generation to the next. In celebration of this enduring spirit, Kwai Chai Hong presents its 2026 Chinese New Year art installation,
Guardians of Legacy(十二福星), a cultural showcase inspired by the traditional Cloth Tiger (布老虎).
A beloved form of folk art, the Cloth Tiger (布老虎) was traditionally handmade by parents or grandparents as an expression of love. They are gifted to children as a symbol of protection, carrying wishes for safety, courage, wisdom, and good health. Drawing from this deeply rooted tradition, Guardians of Legacy(十二福星) introduces twelve Zodiac Guardians, each representing a unique blessing (祝福) that reflects enduring values of care, resilience, harmony, joy, and prosperity.
“In many Chinese families, expression of love between parents and children is rarely spoken aloud, instead it is deeply felt through actions and sacrifices,” said Zeen Chang, Co-Founder of Kwai Chai Hong. “As we grow older, we begin to understand this quiet form of love, instilling in us a strong sense of duty and sacrifice to honour our parents or elders, a value of demonstration known as filial piety. Guardians of Legacy emphasises this traditional virtue of showing the same protection, care, and appreciation towards them in return.”
“As we celebrate the appreciation of protection and care for our loved ones, the collaboration with guardian Malaysia added a meaningful layer to this year’s installation,” said Zeen. “Long recognised as a trusted advisor for wellness in Malaysian households, guardian reflects a modern expression of the same intention behind the Cloth Tiger — to safeguard loved ones through unostentatious and consistent care.”
“As a home-grown pharmacy, health and beauty retail chain established in Malaysia nearly six decades ago, Guardian has been a pioneer in serving the evolving health and well-being needs of our communities,” said Priscilla Wu, Managing Director of guardian Malaysia. “We believe wellness is shaped by everyday care – through small, thoughtful acts, genuine understanding, and being present at every stage of life. For generations, guardian has been a trusted wellness advisor for Malaysians by offering reassurance, guidance, and care in both big and small moments. This collaboration reflects our enduring relationship and ongoing commitment to supporting the well-being of families across the nation. As we celebrate decades of care, we look forward to continuing this journey of wellness together.”
She added, “This Chinese New Year, we are honoured to collaborate with Kwai Chai Hong to celebrate our shared heritage, community, and care. It is a meaningful opportunity to give back, and to continue supporting initiatives that uplift the communities we are privileged to serve.”
(From left to right) Kwai Chai Hong Co-Founders Terrence Liew and Zeen Chang; Managing Director of guardian Malaysia, Priscilla Wu; Artist and Co-Founder of Kwai Chai Hong, Javier Chor; and Kwai Chai Hong Co-Founders Coco Lew and Wee Ho
Guardians of Legacy (十二福星)
Conceptualised by Kwai Chai Hong Co-Founder Javier Chor, Guardians of Legacy (十二福星) features twelve Zodiac Guardians presented as sculptural figures of varying forms, poses, and scales, with the lead Guardian standing over 7 feet tall. Each guardian embodies a distinct blessing (祝福), collectively forming a visual narrative of protection, care, and heritage within the historic laneway.
“What inspired me about the Cloth Tiger is that no two are ever made the same,” said Javier. “Each one carries different motifs and well wishes, shaped by a parent’s hopes for their child — for protection, peace, health, and fortune. That idea of personalised care stayed with me. Over time, Cloth Tigers evolved into cloth animals that represented each child, much like how our Zodiac becomes a lifelong guardian. Guardians of Legacy grew from that belief — that love and protection are expressed through thoughtful gestures, crafted uniquely for the one they are meant to watch over. This is what each of the twelve Zodiac Guardians at Kwai Chai Hong represents.”
The Guardians of Legacy (十二福星) installation will be open to the public from 30 January to 8 March, daily from 9am to 12am.
Blessings Parade (接福 · 传福)
As part of Guardians of Legacy (十二福星), the Blessings Parade brings the spirit of protection and care beyond the art installation and into the streets. Inspired by the tradition of the Cloth Tiger, the parade invites the community to receive blessings and pass them on from health and well-being to harmony, fortune, and joy; continuing the cycle of care across generations. The Blessings Parade(接福 · 传福) will take place on Saturdays, 31 January at 7PM and 7 February at 11AM, departing from the gates of Kwai Chai Hong.
Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s historic Chinatown, Kwai Chai Hong is a cultural laneway dedicated to celebrating heritage, art, and community through contemporary storytelling. Come celebrate the Chinese New Year at Kwai Chai Hong with your loved ones and be sure to check out the 10 amazing eateries in the area!
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