Ancient China Art - Transforming Fish Bones to Phoenix

Amazing Chinese Art - Transforming fish bones into Phoenix !

This report was carried by the national Chinese newspaper some years back about the art of transforming fish bones into a phoenix. The "artist" is none other than my dear 93-year mother, Madam Tan Hua Heang, who hails from China. She learnt the art from her mother before migrating to Malaysia when she was still a young lady some 70 years ago. Inspite of her age, she still remembers the steps to make the transformation:

The fish head is first put in boiling water for about 15 minutes and taken out to separate the meat and skin from the bones. The bones are then soaked in soapy water for 30 minutes to rid of the fishy smell before air dry for 1 hour. Then, using a fine needle, any remaining meat between the bones are taken out and the bones are ready to be assembled together. What is most amazing is that no thread nor glue is required to do the assembly. The bones are fitted together as if the fish bones are specifically created for this purpose! Simply amazing.

I intend to make a video to share with the world and to archive this fast disappearing ancient Chinese Art.