Ang Pao Goldfish

With the Chinese New Year coming, I remembered that last year, Sis taught us how to make origami Goldfish using ang paos, or red packets. I looked at my archived blogs, hoping to find some instructions, but I only found pictures of the finished pieces. After searching the net for instructions, I decided to blog it down so that I can easily refer to this next year.

In Chinese culture, the goldfish means having an abundance of gold, so it's great to make some to decorate your surroundings during this festive season to welcome in wealth, prosperity and Harmony! Besides, they look SO CUTE!


1. Fold the paper in half downwards to make a triangle. Next, fold in half again horizontally, and unfold right away

2 & 3. Fold the corners down to meet at the bottom tip.

4. Fold the two tips up to meet at the top.



5. Fold the two corners outward just a bit.

6. Fold the front of the bottom corner up, down and up again to form an extra strip at the center of the figure.

7. Fold the bottom of the paper back behind the figure and unfold again to form a crease line

8. Now insert your fingers into the "helmet" and fold it so the two side corners meet. (see insert figure) Cut an opening along the bottom right of the figure. (see yellow lines) Don't cut all the way to the side corner! Cut two small triangles to make the tail flaps.



9. Open up the fish and push the tail inward slightly.

10. Close the fish up and press between the tail and body of the fish to secure the fold. DONE!

String the goldfishes with a red thread and you can decorate your pussy willow...



Hang them around the house...



Or just place them around the table for that festive feel!



UPDATE:
Don't understand the instructions above? I've made a instruction video! Check it out!