During this month, I am going to write a series of Chinese New Year posts from making lanterns, zodiac, Feng Shui to Chinese culture. This is my first blog post of my Chinese New Year series. Look out for the rest of the posts! Today, I am going to use Ang Pow (red packets) to make a Fish Lantern. So what is an Ang Pow? It is a red envelope/packet that contain a monetary gift which is given during Chinese New Year or special occasions like weddings or birthdays etc. They are called Hong Bao (红包) in Mandarin or Ang Pow/Bao in Singapore Hokkien or Lai See in Cantonese. Click here to read more about it.
To make this, you will require:
- 6 rectangle ang pows / red envelopes (approx. 7.6 cm by 11.5 cm)
- Scissors & ruler
- Stapler & staples
- 50 – 60 cm red string
- 1 Chinese knot tassel
Part 1: Making the Fish Tail – Use 3 Ang Pow
Fold the ang pow into half horizontally, fold one corner on one side of the ang pow and then fold in half again.
Repeat the same on the other side, like an aeroplane. Now fold the other two ang pows in the same way.
Now to join them altogether, use the stapler to staple as show on the picture. This will be the fish tail.
Part 2: Make the Fish Body – Use 3 ang pows
Fold the ang pow into half horizontally. Then fold all four corners but leave a 3mm gap on the side. This will be the mouth of the fish. Repeat the same with the other two ang pows.
Now staple all three ang pows’ corners (the one with the gap) together as shown.
You can see the opening of the fish mouth.
Cut out 4 (any) corners to use to make the fish fin.
Part 3: Connect the fish to it tail
Staple right side of the ang pow to one side of the tail, follow by left side of the ang pow on the other side of the tail.
Part 4: Put up the Fish Fin
Insert two triangle corners together and staple it on the top of the fish.
Next insert one triangle corner to the left side of the fish and repeat the same for the right side. You can see it quite clearly on the top view of the fish.
Part 5: Finishing touch
Lastly, staple the red string on the fish fins and the Chinese knot tassel on the bottom. Open up the tail to complete the fish! Now you can hang it up!
Hope you like this beautiful fish! Don’t forget to check out the rest of my Chinese New Year crafts!
P/S: Updated photos on Jan 2023.
I love all your Ang Bau/Pow “how to ” posts and plan to try making some with my daughters. Thank you!
x
I not only love what you’ve done with the red packets but also shown me them. I always assumed they were just red and never realised they could/would have pictures on them (I guess it makes sense when they are for children).
JD will love this. We’ll try it for sure
Ah, that’s brilliant! I love them. I suppose you could use postcards or paper instead?
Wow – defo looks like something me and my daughter would like to try. Prettty sure we’d just end up with paper planes though – you’re so clever!
I wouldn’t be able to do this but you make it look so easy!
These are amazing – not sure I would have the patience though lol
Great paper skills! I also like the idea of exposing different cultures to F so the red envelope on Chinese New Year is a great thing to share with him x
These look fun and a great way to recycle the red packets!
aww these look so cute, I’m rubbish at making things like this though! x
That looks great, a little tricky for me, but looking forward to the rest of your Chinese New Year posts
These look great! Fun to try with the kids
These look amazing, what a brilliant thing to make!
These look fantastic. I am going to give them a go with the boys
Wow, it’s very beautiful, but I think I’d cheat and buY them if I had to make a few! I look forward to learning more about the Chinese new year x
Wow you are very creative – something that i lack! They look amazing. Happy new year.
I had never heard of these, but they look great!
Wow they look fabulous. What lovely, clear instructions x
They look great! Very detailed instructions though I’m not sure I would have the patience!