Background of the goldfish paper lantern
The goldfish paper lantern is originally made with red packets. These red packets are given out during Lunar New Year as a form of blessings to children and elderly people. Fish is an auspicious dish during reunion dinner because the word “鱼“ （YU 2）has the same pronunciation as the saying ”年年有余” (YU 2). The saying means being prosperous and have an abundance of wealth such that there is enough food for the next year.
On the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, there is usually a lantern festival. It is commonplace for a riddle to be written on a tag and hung at the bottom of each lantern. We call this “猜灯谜” i.e. solving the lantern riddles.
I saw this goldfish paper lantern being used as an auspicious home decoration during Lunar New Year in Singapore. I thought it would be wonderful for us to do this kindness themed craft activity together. Have a heart of gold: Be Kind-hearted. Let's a goldfish paper lantern and discuss what kindness is and reflect on what it means to be kind and to thank the people who have been kind to us.
Step by step instructions to make goldfish paper lantern
Watch video on how to cut and prepare your papers
Step 1:
Cut out 10 rectangular pieces of paper (cardstock quality of at least 180 gsm) so that the paper is sturdy is enough to hold its shape.
The dimensions of each piece of paper is 8.5 cm x 13 cm.
Dimensions for big fish as shown (red packet paper size): 8.5 cm x 13 cm.
For medium size fish: 6 cm x 9 cm
For small size fish: 4.5 cm x 6 cm
If you have an A4 size piece of paper, the diagram on the left shows you how you would measure and cut your paper to get 4 pieces of 8.5 cm x 13 cm rectangles. You will need 3 pieces of A4 size paper to get 10 pieces of 8.5 cm x 13 cm rectangles.
Fold each 8.5 cm x 13 cm rectangle paper in half and fold all four corners towards centre line.
Watch this video demonstration on how to fold your papers.
Step 2 (Optional):
Mark your papers from 1 to 10 and mark the corners from A to W. Some people may find it easier to just match the corners of the papers labelled with alphabets and stapling the matched corners together. This step is useful if you prefer to pre-mark the papers for young children so that they can match the alphabets. You can choose to skip this step if you prefer to assemble the goldfish paper lantern by following the step-by-step videos or referring to the two-page graphic diagram above. We all have different ways of learning a new craft activity and please feel free to choose whatever you prefer.
Watch video on how to put markings on your papers.
Step 3:
Match the corners of the paper and staple them together. Start from A and work your way down to W。(Optional)
Refer to diagram below for a quick summary and feel free to watch the video instructions to help you assemble your goldfish paper lantern.
Step 2 of marking the corners of the papers is optional. If you would like to go straight into watching each section of the goldfish paper lantern, please watch the following videos below:
For a brief introduction and summary of how to assemble the goldfish paper lantern.
For easy-to-follow detailed short videos on each section of the goldfish paper lantern:
Video 1: How to assemble the fish head.
Video 2: How to assemble fish backside
Video 3： How to assemble fish tail
Video 4: How to assemble fish tail to fish backside
Video 5: How to assemble right side of fish body and attach to fish head. You have the option of tucking the corners in or letting it out so that the fish gets a new fin. Please be consistent for the left and right side of the fish body so that the fish looks balanced.
Video 6: How to assemble other side of fish body and attach to fish head. You have the option of tucking the corners in or letting it out so that the fish gets a new fin. Please be consistent for the left and right side of the fish body so that the fish looks balanced.
Video 7: How to attach fish backside to fish body. You have the option of tucking the corners in or letting it out so that the fish gets a new fin. There are three ways to complete this step.
This video shows the easiest way, which is to let out all the corners out so that the fish gets four new fins. The most difficult way is to tuck in all four corners. Alternatively, you can choose to tuck the top two corners in and choose to let the bottom two corners out so that the fish gets two bottom fins.
Step 4:
Add a tag and string to your lantern so that you can hang it up. Add googly eyes and a shiny golden kind heart sticker to your goldfish. Our theme is “Have a heart of gold: Be kind-hearted”
Video 8: How to add a string with tag to your goldfish to transform it into a paper lantern
Step 5:
If you would like a LED lighted goldfish paper lantern, add a string of mini LED lights to the belly and tail of your goldfish paper lantern. Show our volunteers that you have followed our channel “Kindness Bears” on https://www.ganjingworld.com/@KindnessBears and we will give you a free string of mini LED lights. The LED lights are usually only available if the craft activity is held in the evenings. First come first serve to those who follow our channel.
Video 9: How to create light holes for goldfish paper lantern
Video 10: How to add LED lights to goldfish paper lantern
Video 10a: How to wrap LED lights around goldfish paper lantern
Video 11: Finishing Touch of adding eyes to goldfish paper lantern
