In Ma Yau Tong village, visitors encounter an extraordinary sight: a collection of exquisitely crafted Chinese unicorns displayed in neat rows within the village office's reception room. From the open space behind, the rhythmic sounds of drums and gongs drift through the air as the village's Chinese unicorn team runs through their regular practice drills. Historically, Chinese unicorn dancing was an exclusively male domain—women were forbidden not only from dancing with this mythical creature but even from touching it. Times have changed. Chinese unicorn dancing has shattered these gender barriers, and female team members are now commonplace. Female Chinese unicorn craftmasters, however, remain extraordinarily rare. Chu Tsui-yan, born and raised in Ma Yau Tong with a lifelong love for Hakka unicorns, may well be the world's first female Chinese unicorn craftmaster. 

The Difficult Path to Apprenticeship

Chinese unicorn dancing has deep roots in Hong Kong's Hakka villages. The ancient text Shuowen Jiezi describes the creature: "The Chinese unicorn is a benevolent beast with the body of an elk, the tail of an ox, and one horn." Yet Chinese unicorns take different forms across regions. At Beijing's Summer Palace, they sport two horns, protruding mouths with whiskers, and a majestic bearing. Hakka unicorns in Hong Kong, by contrast, typically feature a single horn, prominent forehead, and compact mouth—creating a distinctly endearing appearance.

Hakka people revere the Chinese unicorn as an auspicious creature, believing its presence heralds joy and celebration. Chinese unicorn performances grace festivals, weddings, birthday celebrations, and housewarming ceremonies. Growing up steeped in this tradition, Chu Tsui-yan developed a profound connection to these creatures. "As a child, I'd get so excited whenever the village held a Chinese unicorn dance," Chu recalls. "I desperately wanted to join in, but women could only watch from a distance—we weren't allowed to touch the Chinese unicorn." Years passed before women gained permission to participate in Chinese unicorn dancing. When villagers eventually asked her to repair a Chinese unicorn, she encountered one up close for the first time and discovered its intricate internal structure.

Chu's career had spanned hairstyling, makeup artistry, and dental assistance—all requiring skilled handwork. Yet repairing a damaged Chinese unicorn proved far beyond her experience, leaving her initially overwhelmed. This challenge, however, would reshape her life's direction. "Seeing the framework beneath the Chinese unicorn's exterior revealed incredible complexity," she explains. "The techniques and materials were impossible to manage alone, so I decided to seek formal apprenticeship."

Chinese unicorn craftmasters were already scarce, and traditional prejudices compounded Chu's difficulties. A master rejected her outright because of her gender. Through her uncle Cheng Koon-chiu—himself a Chinese unicorn dancer—she finally secured an apprenticeship with So Ma-din in 2017.

So, then in his seventies, harbored significant doubts about accepting a female apprentice. He questioned whether her enthusiasm would endure, wrestled with the traditional "males only" mindset, and worried about physical demands. "My teacher spoke candidly," she remembers. "He'd taught only male apprentices before, and eight out of ten never finished their training. Bamboo shaving alone requires a year to master, so he probably had low expectations for me."
With guidance from a senior apprentice and relentless practice, Chu mastered basic bamboo-shaving techniques within months. "Each bamboo pole has multiple joints that are exceptionally hard," she explains. "You must shave them flush with the surrounding sections—not too thick—before the work passes inspection." Her rapid progress earned her advancement to more complex stages, and within roughly a year, she had learned to craft a complete Chinese unicorn. So's perception of her abilities transformed entirely.

The Craft and Aesthetics of Chinese Unicorn Making

In 2017, paper crafting earned recognition on Hong Kong's inaugural Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative List. Its four essential stages— crafting the frame, mounting the paper, coloring, decorating—form the foundation of Chinese unicorn craft. Crafting the frame involves constructing the bamboo framework, with each section demanding bamboo strips of specific thickness and flexibility. The base rings require especially careful attention to structural mechanics. Chu prioritizes this component, typically weaving together five rings. "My uncle and teacher both coach Chinese unicorn dance teams, so they know exactly how one extra or missing ring affects performance. They taught me that perfecting this foundation enables dancers to move fluidly with the Chinese unicorn."
For women, the process of frame crafting presents real physical challenges. "Traditional craftsmen doubted women's capacity for this work, mainly because of the strength required. The bamboo for base rings is extremely thick and demands considerable force to bend and secure. Yet women bring distinct advantages to this craft—our smaller, more dexterous hands allow for nimbler, more precise binding."

Mounting covers the framework with specialized paper materials. Coloring applies distinctive colors and patterns that honor tradition while expressing personal artistry. Decorating completes the process, adding fur, sequins, and ornamental flourishes. Every brushstroke and embellishment carries symbolic weight. The cheeks display the character for fortune, the upper lip bears prosperity, and the nose bridge represents longevity—all auspicious blessings. Closer inspection reveals "jade book" inscribed on the Chinese unicorn's head. According to legend, a Chinese unicorn appeared when Confucius was born, bearing a jade book that prophesied the child's greatness. The Chinese unicorn thus embodies the ideal fusion of scholarly wisdom and martial prowess. Chu's creations feature multiple "rice flower" ornaments—a hallmark of her teacher's distinctive style.

What defines a well-crafted Chinese unicorn? Chu elaborates, "The forehead can't be too tall—it should project forward, remaining level with the face. The spine needs a gentle curve, not too steep, for elegant proportions. The base rings must balance stability with springiness, enabling smooth, dynamic movement during performances."

Creating a handmade Chinese unicorn demands two to three months of dedicated work—each piece a true labor of devotion. This year, Chu expedited production of a double-horned Chinese unicorn as a seventieth birthday gift for her uncle Cheng Koon-chiu, a martial arts instructor. She estimates that fewer than ten craftsmen in Hong Kong still possess Chinese unicorn crafting knowledge. While Chinese unicorn dance troupes remain fairly common, artisans who truly master this ancient technique are vanishing. Beyond full-scale Chinese unicorns, Chu champions miniature Chinese unicorn decorative pieces and teaches crafting workshops, aiming to expand public awareness and appreciation. "I've been captivated by Chinese unicorns since childhood—they hold deep meaning for me. This craft embodies Hakka culture transmitted across countless generations. As a Hakka daughter, I feel compelled to carry this tradition forward."