Candy inlaid with Chinese character "Ma" gains popularity ahead of Spring Festival in China

A staff member makes character-inlaid candies in Qimen County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 13, 2026.

As the Spring Festival approaches, inheritors of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, an intangible cultural heritage in Qimen County, are getting busy as this specialty sweet is highly sought for during the festival.

The making process of the candy includes boiling sugar, grinding powder, stirring, compacting, making inlaid characters, stretching sugar bar and slicing. Because the character embedded in the center of the candy always carries auspicious meanings, such candy is very popular during festivals.

Candies inlaid with Chinese character "Ma," referring to the horse, are the most popular now, as this Spring Festival will usher in the Year of the Horse. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Jin Huimin, an inheritor of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, observes syrup thickness in Qimen County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 13, 2026.

As the Spring Festival approaches, inheritors of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, an intangible cultural heritage in Qimen County, are getting busy as this specialty sweet is highly sought for during the festival.

The making process of the candy includes boiling sugar, grinding powder, stirring, compacting, making inlaid characters, stretching sugar bar and slicing. Because the character embedded in the center of the candy always carries auspicious meanings, such candy is very popular during festivals.

Candies inlaid with Chinese character "Ma," referring to the horse, are the most popular now, as this Spring Festival will usher in the Year of the Horse. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

Character-inlaid candy cubes are pictured in Qimen County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 13, 2026.

As the Spring Festival approaches, inheritors of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, an intangible cultural heritage in Qimen County, are getting busy as this specialty sweet is highly sought for during the festival.

The making process of the candy includes boiling sugar, grinding powder, stirring, compacting, making inlaid characters, stretching sugar bar and slicing. Because the character embedded in the center of the candy always carries auspicious meanings, such candy is very popular during festivals.

Candies inlaid with Chinese character "Ma," referring to the horse, are the most popular now, as this Spring Festival will usher in the Year of the Horse. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

Staff members make character-inlaid candies in Qimen County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 13, 2026.

As the Spring Festival approaches, inheritors of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, an intangible cultural heritage in Qimen County, are getting busy as this specialty sweet is highly sought for during the festival.

The making process of the candy includes boiling sugar, grinding powder, stirring, compacting, making inlaid characters, stretching sugar bar and slicing. Because the character embedded in the center of the candy always carries auspicious meanings, such candy is very popular during festivals.

Candies inlaid with Chinese character "Ma," referring to the horse, are the most popular now, as this Spring Festival will usher in the Year of the Horse. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

A character-inlaid candy maker makes sesame filling in Qimen County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 13, 2026.

As the Spring Festival approaches, inheritors of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, an intangible cultural heritage in Qimen County, are getting busy as this specialty sweet is highly sought for during the festival.

The making process of the candy includes boiling sugar, grinding powder, stirring, compacting, making inlaid characters, stretching sugar bar and slicing. Because the character embedded in the center of the candy always carries auspicious meanings, such candy is very popular during festivals.

Candies inlaid with Chinese character "Ma," referring to the horse, are the most popular now, as this Spring Festival will usher in the Year of the Horse. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

A staff member makes character-inlaid candies in Qimen County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 13, 2026.

As the Spring Festival approaches, inheritors of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, an intangible cultural heritage in Qimen County, are getting busy as this specialty sweet is highly sought for during the festival.

The making process of the candy includes boiling sugar, grinding powder, stirring, compacting, making inlaid characters, stretching sugar bar and slicing. Because the character embedded in the center of the candy always carries auspicious meanings, such candy is very popular during festivals.

Candies inlaid with Chinese character "Ma," referring to the horse, are the most popular now, as this Spring Festival will usher in the Year of the Horse. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

A staff member makes character-inlaid candies in Qimen County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 13, 2026.

As the Spring Festival approaches, inheritors of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, an intangible cultural heritage in Qimen County, are getting busy as this specialty sweet is highly sought for during the festival.

The making process of the candy includes boiling sugar, grinding powder, stirring, compacting, making inlaid characters, stretching sugar bar and slicing. Because the character embedded in the center of the candy always carries auspicious meanings, such candy is very popular during festivals.

Candies inlaid with Chinese character "Ma," referring to the horse, are the most popular now, as this Spring Festival will usher in the Year of the Horse. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 13, 2026 shows character-inlaid candies in Qimen County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province.

As the Spring Festival approaches, inheritors of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, an intangible cultural heritage in Qimen County, are getting busy as this specialty sweet is highly sought for during the festival.

The making process of the candy includes boiling sugar, grinding powder, stirring, compacting, making inlaid characters, stretching sugar bar and slicing. Because the character embedded in the center of the candy always carries auspicious meanings, such candy is very popular during festivals.

Candies inlaid with Chinese character "Ma," referring to the horse, are the most popular now, as this Spring Festival will usher in the Year of the Horse. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

A staff member displays character-inlaid candies cubes in Qimen County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 13, 2026.

As the Spring Festival approaches, inheritors of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, an intangible cultural heritage in Qimen County, are getting busy as this specialty sweet is highly sought for during the festival.

The making process of the candy includes boiling sugar, grinding powder, stirring, compacting, making inlaid characters, stretching sugar bar and slicing. Because the character embedded in the center of the candy always carries auspicious meanings, such candy is very popular during festivals.

Candies inlaid with Chinese character "Ma," referring to the horse, are the most popular now, as this Spring Festival will usher in the Year of the Horse. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)