"The air in Jieyang, a city in Chaozhou, southern China's Guangdong Province, crackled with heat and anticipation as crowds gathered to witness a breathtaking showcase of collective courage to attract prosperity and banish evil spirits and disasters in the year ahead. Footage captured on Sunday, February 1, reveals a thunderous chorus of drumbeats and chants, as a group of local men hoisted a sedan chair, gripping it tightly while moving as one. They charged directly towards bonfires, leaping through them in succession. Before leaping through the fire, these courageous participants splashed water on themselves. The event drew nearby villagers and out-of-town photography enthusiasts eager to witness the spectacle. They gripped the sedan chair tightly, synchronised their steps, and launched themselves through the flames. Sparks erupted around them like fireworks, their silhouettes momentarily illuminated against the orange glow before they landed safely on the other side. The crowd erupted in cheers, yet there was no time for respite. More bonfires awaited them down the path, each larger and hotter than the last. The bearers, their faces streaked with soot and sweat, and with each leap, they not only escaped the physical flames but also symbolically cast off the metaphorical disasters and evil spirits threatening their community. As the final fire was jumped, although the sedan chair bore singe marks, it remained intact, and the bearers collapsed onto the ground. Spectator Yan Lei remarked, "I travelled from Chengdu after hearing about this event from friends online. This time, I brought my camera to capture these folk customs, the vibrant atmosphere, and the festive spirit of Chinese New Year." Yan Lei added, "I feel absolutely exhilarated. This scene embodies the essence of Chinese New Year and is a distinctive hallmark of Guangdong and the Chaoshan region. For me, it's an artistic moment to capture on camera, but for those who leap through the flames, it symbolises their courage and resolve to strive for a better life. It’s truly magnificent!" The ancient fire-jumping ritual is known as ‘tiao huo’ locally. However, in Chaozhou, it is not just individuals braving the flames; the ceremony centres on the group of bearers who carry a sacred sedan chair—typically a statue or representation of a local deity revered by the community—who must navigate the inferno collectively. This tradition is celebrated annually on the 13th day of the first lunar month. The community believes that by carrying their deity through the flames, they purify the god's power, receive direct blessings, and express their collective faith."