Red lanterns are hung in the courtyard, welcoming the swallows and celebrating spring.
Tips
culture
A literary set phrase rather than a dictionary headword. Swallows returning from the south are a canonical early-spring signal in Chinese poetry (cf. Liu Yuxi's 旧时王谢堂前燕). 迎燕 echoes the parallel 迎春 (welcoming spring).
usage
Not found in standard modern dictionaries; appears mostly in classical poetry, seasonal essays, and brand names. In everyday speech 迎接燕子归来 is more natural.
