A pollack in white cotton, scattered with small flowers in red, yellow, pink and blue, a green stem under each, and a single black bead for an eye. A length of twisted white silk thread wraps the middle and runs up to a ring clasp. The fabric is cut from printed yardage, so the flowers land differently on every fish and no two carry the same arrangement. The dried pollack bound in silk thread and hung by the door, aengmagi myeongtae (액막이 명태), is still a standard gift at a Korean housewarming or a shop opening: the fish keeps bad luck outside. This one is soft and light, 15.5cm nose to tail and about 19cm counting the loop, so it hangs from a door handle, a hook, a shelf edge or a bag strap. Cotton throughout, so it washes: cold water, on its own. Wash in cold water, separately. Do not bleach or tumble dry.
