Have you ever thought about turning a real fish into a piece of art? 🐟🎨 In Xiangshan, a coastal county in Ningbo, east China’s Zhejiang Province, kids and artists are doing just that!
What is Fish Rubbing?
Fish rubbing is an ancient tradition that started with fishermen. A long time ago, they didn’t know how to make fancy paper cutouts or write pretty calligraphy for the Spring Festival couplets (special red decorations for the Chinese New Year). So, they came up with a creative idea! They used ink from cuttlefish and spread it over real fish. Then, they’d press red paper on top to “print” the fish’s shape. How cool is that?
From Tradition to Art
Today, fish rubbing has become a wonderful form of art. Instead of just black ink, artists use colorful dyes to capture every tiny detail of the fish, from the shiny scales to the delicate fins. They’re even using eco-friendly vegetable dyes to help the environment! 🌿
Connecting with the Sea
Fish rubbing isn’t just about making pretty pictures. It’s a way for people to show their love and respect for the sea. By creating these artworks, they celebrate the close relationship between coastal communities and the ocean.
Kids Getting Creative
Lu Shenggui, a local artist, loves teaching fish rubbing to children. He often visits a nearby kindergarten where kids use their imagination to make amazing fish prints. They have so much fun turning fish into masterpieces! 🧒🎨
Would you like to try fish rubbing? Maybe next time you see a fish, you’ll think about the art hidden in its scales!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
