Fortune Teller Miracle Fish… Are you “Fickle”?
The little red fish says so!
Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, like so many others, I was razzle-dazzled with world-class marketing gimmicks that were bringing the latest toys into the home via television commercials, comic books, Saturday morning cartoons, breakfast cereals, and even reaching us at school at book fairs! And I’m not complaining… because most of it was awesome! I was sucked in by the movie and cartoon tie-ins that I could play with at home for my own adventures. Toys were getting more complex and detailed than they had ever been before. But even as our toys got more authentic and more technologically advanced, there was always a certain charm to the older, and lets say even cheaper, classics. Kids still loved pogo sticks, hula hoops, and a simple BALL – although Nerf brought that to a whole new level! Even simpler and were things like gumball machine charms, Cracker Jack prizes, the cheap cereal premium, Happy Meal toys, and even novelty joke items from old brands like Adam’s. These small trinkets were like little tiny treasures to me and probably were what kick started my obsession with little knick-knacks that cover my office now. One classic that holds a dear place in my heart is the “Fortune Teller Miracle Fish”… or Fortune Teller Fish!
These cheap novelty cellophane “fish” have been reading the palms of people for over a decade… some say even back into the late 1800s. Using their mystical fortune telling powers, these little sheets of plastic-like fish were able to guide us through out most difficult journeys on the school yard, home, and beyond! Recently I made a post about them on a popular Gen-X message board that I am a member of and I was surprised at how many people had no clue what they were! Basically, they are a small die-cut fish shaped cellophane (like a think papery plastic), usually red or blue, that come packaged in a small envelope with the instructions and the “reading” is printed on the back of the envelope. When one of these fish is placed in an open hand it will begin to move around and curl – for most people. Depending upon how and where it moves and curls is what your fortune is, thanks to the easy guide on the back of the envelope.
We used to always think that the little cellophane strip was reacting to the heat that is emitted through you hand, but the actual science is something else completely. Yes, I said science! Believe it or not, but the little red fish cannot read your fortune and is not in any way magical. The little fish is actually hygroscopic and coated with sodium polyacrylate. The tiny fish is actually absorbing moisture and water that is on the surface of your skin. As it is reacting to the bottom side of the fish touching you by expanding, the bottom side is staying dry. The differences on both sides make the thin strip of cellophane curl, twist, and sometimes even flop over! Or we can just pretend that the fish is in fact magical, and is telling you your fortune!
For little me, getting one of these back in the days was a rare treat! There were some really cool families in my suburban Ohio neighborhood that must have had an aversion to candy and would hand out small novelties and gifts for Trick or Treat. I got them like that, or as carnival prizes (ironically the “fishing game”), or as a prize from the treasure chest after a visit at the dentist! I did not get these often, so they were highly prized by me! Decades later I would buy the fish in bulk and slip one in my artwork or other items that I would sell on eBay, Etsy, or my website. Often I would get a comment or thank you about the fish as it was something they had forgotten about in their childhood. Years ago while searching for the fish online to buy I came across some Hanna-Barbera themed fortune tellers that were shaped like Huckberry Hound, Yogi Bear, Fred Flintstone, and Pebbles! I never recalled seeing those versions growing up, and of course I’ve had to acquire those as I am a Hanna-Barbera cartoon nut! It has been interesting while doing more research on theses novelties at how they have changed over the years, particularly the artwork of the fish and the switch from thin little paper envelopes to plastic ones. However, the fortunes seem to pretty much remain the same. It also appears that the older fish were imported from Japan, but for years now they have come out of Taiwan. You might notice that the artwork of the fish and packaging always has a distinct Japanese look to it. Just like the Hanna-Barbera cartoon versions of the fish, other shapes, colors, and sizes of the novelty do exist. You can actually buy Unicorn and Easter Bunny versions right now, and I’ve even read about an antique Charlie Chaplin version that was made out of black cellophane!
If these fortune telling fish are completely new to you or maybe they are something that you have completely forgotten about, check them out! They are cheap to buy, a lot of fun, and can be bought in large lots if you need small prizes for carnivals or trick or treat! Below are some more closeup photos the really cool Hanna-Barbera versions, as well as a fish from Japan made in the 1950s that is a bit smaller, features different art, and came in two paper envelopes. Comments? Email me at [email protected]
