Tickets
Museum Hours
Thu: 1–8 PM
Fri–Mon: 10 AM–5 PM
Tue–Wed: Closed
Location
200 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
415.581.3500
Become a Member Plan Your Visit Shop
Tickets
Activity

Mix and Match Mythical Creature Game

Use animal templates to make a mix and match game where you create new mythical creatures.

Greenish white carving of a fish-dragon creature.
View Gallery
6 Photos

A sampling of mythical creatures in the Asian Art Museum collection.

1
6
A mythical fish-dragon (ao)
Betel nut cutter in the shape of a mythical beast
Girdle hook in the form of the head of a mythical creature
Mythical animal
Cheekpiece of a horse bridle in the form of a mythical creature
Bowl with mythical creature
Greenish white carving of a fish-dragon creature.
Betel nut cutter in the shape of a mythical beast.
Girdle hook in the form of the head of a mythical creature.
Carving of a mythical animal with a long neck.
Cheekpiece of a horse bridle in the form of a mythical creature.
Golden tray with painted animals.
A mythical fish-dragon (ao)
Place of Origin: China. Date: approx. 1900-1940. Materials: Nephrite. Dimensions: H. 3 3/4 in x W. 2 3/8 in x L. 10 7/8 in, H. 9.3 cm x W. 5.5 cm x L. 27.5 cm. Transfer from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of M.H. de Young. Object Number: B81J5
Place of Origin: China.
Date: approx. 1900-1940.
Materials: Nephrite.
Dimensions: H. 3 3/4 in x W. 2 3/8 in x L. 10 7/8 in, H. 9.3 cm x W. 5.5 cm x L. 27.5 cm.
Transfer from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of M.H. de Young.
Object Number: B81J5
Betel nut cutter in the shape of a mythical beast
Place of Origin: India. Date: 1800-1980. Materials: Various metals. Dimensions: H. 5 5/8 in x W. 3 3/4 in x D. 1/2 in, H. 14.3 cm x W. 9.5 cm x D. 1.3 cm. Gift of Mahendra Jay and Savita Jaiswal. Object Number: 1991.91
Place of Origin: India.
Date: 1800-1980.
Materials: Various metals.
Dimensions: H. 5 5/8 in x W. 3 3/4 in x D. 1/2 in, H. 14.3 cm x W. 9.5 cm x D. 1.3 cm.
Gift of Mahendra Jay and Savita Jaiswal.
Object Number: 1991.91
Girdle hook in the form of the head of a mythical creature
Place of Origin: Nepal. Date: approx. 1700-1800. Materials: Gilded bronze. Dimensions: W. 1 1/4 in x L. 3 in. The Avery Brundage Collection Object Number: B65B9
Place of Origin: Nepal.
Date: approx. 1700-1800.
Materials: Gilded bronze.
Dimensions: W. 1 1/4 in x L. 3 in.
The Avery Brundage Collection
Object Number: B65B9
Mythical animal
Place of Origin: Japan. Date: approx. 1700-1800. Materials: Elephant ivory. Dimensions: H. 7.1 cm x W. 2.8 cm. The Avery Brundage Collection. Object Number: B70Y185
Place of Origin: Japan.
Date: approx. 1700-1800.
Materials: Elephant ivory.
Dimensions: H. 7.1 cm x W. 2.8 cm.
The Avery Brundage Collection.
Object Number: B70Y185
Cheekpiece of a horse bridle in the form of a mythical creature
Place of Origin: Iran, Luristan region. Date: approx. 800-700 BCE. Materials: Bronze. Dimensions: H. 7 in x W. 6 7/8 in x D. 1 1/8 in, H. 17.8 cm x W. 17.5 cm x D. 2.9 cm. The Avery Brundage Collection. Object Number: B60B17+
Place of Origin: Iran, Luristan region.
Date: approx. 800-700 BCE.
Materials: Bronze.
Dimensions: H. 7 in x W. 6 7/8 in x D. 1 1/8 in, H. 17.8 cm x W. 17.5 cm x D. 2.9 cm.
The Avery Brundage Collection.
Object Number: B60B17+
Bowl with mythical creature
Place of Origin: Northern Iran, perhaps Sari. Date: approx. 900-1100. Materials: Earthenware with slip decoration. Dimensions: H. 4 in x Diam. 11 1/2 in, H. 10.2 cm x Diam. 29.2 cm. The Avery Brundage Collection. Object Number: B60P476
Place of Origin: Northern Iran, perhaps Sari.
Date: approx. 900-1100.
Materials: Earthenware with slip decoration.
Dimensions: H. 4 in x Diam. 11 1/2 in, H. 10.2 cm x Diam. 29.2 cm.
The Avery Brundage Collection.
Object Number: B60P476

The Asian Art Museum’s collection is full of mythical creatures made up of surprising combinations of animals. Look through the provided gallery of images below – what animals can you identify? Use the attached templates to create a game where you mix and match animals to make new creatures.

Detailed steps for making mythical paper animals.
View Gallery
8 Photos
Mix and Match Mythical Creature Game 
1
8
Materials
Print out the downloadable animal templates. Color in each animal using pencils, crayons, or pens.
Fold each animal template in thirds (like you would a letter).
Use scissors to cut each template into those thirds (head, body, tail).
Now you have “puzzle pieces” of different heads, bodies, and tails that you can mix and match to produce new creatures. Optional: Glue the puzzle pieces onto pieces of cardboard, so they are sturdy and reusable.
Detailed steps for making mythical paper animals.
Detailed steps for making mythical paper animals.
Detailed steps for making mythical paper animals.
Detailed steps for making mythical paper animals.
Detailed steps for making mythical paper animals.
Detailed steps for making mythical paper animals.
Detailed steps for making mythical paper animals.
Detailed steps for making mythical paper animals.
Materials
Print out the downloadable animal templates. Color in each animal using pencils, crayons, or pens.
Fold each animal template in thirds (like you would a letter).
Use scissors to cut each template into those thirds (head, body, tail).
Now you have “puzzle pieces” of different heads, bodies, and tails that you can mix and match to produce new creatures. Optional: Glue the puzzle pieces onto pieces of cardboard, so they are sturdy and reusable.

Materials

Animal templates (downloadable)
Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
Scissors
Glue (optional)
Pieces of cardboard (optional)

Procedure

  1. Print out the downloadable animal templates. Color in each animal using pencils, crayons, or pens.
  2. Fold each animal template in thirds (like you would a letter).
  3. Use scissors to cut each template into those thirds (head, body, tail).
  4. Now you have “puzzle pieces” of different heads, bodies, and tails that you can mix and match to produce new creatures. Optional: Glue the puzzle pieces onto pieces of cardboard, so they are sturdy and reusable.
  5. Take a picture of each new combination you create. What name might you give your new mythical creature?  What powers might it have?

Related Resources

Video

Mudras for Hindu Deities

GRADE LEVEL: Early Elementary School (K-3), Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond
7:48
https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/03/Nivy-Gopinath-Sarathy-image_reduced-600x450.jpg 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/03/Nivy-Gopinath-Sarathy-image_reduced-1200x900.jpg 2x

Activity

Create an Abstract Dreamscape

In this activity, you will create an art piece inspired by the work of Bernice Bing. 

GRADE LEVEL: Early Elementary School (K-3), Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond
https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/12/MEDIA-65680-600x450.jpg 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/12/MEDIA-65680-1200x900.jpg 2x

Activity

Design Your Personal Cloak

GRADE LEVEL: Early Elementary School (K-3), Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond

Activity

Pen a Pantoum

Learn about the form of poetry called the pantoum and then write one of your own!

GRADE LEVEL: Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond

Activity

Samurai: Design Your Own Symbol

The imagery on a samurai’s armor expresses that samurai’s identity and source of inspiration or empowerment. Is there an image you connect with most?

GRADE LEVEL: Elementary School (4-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/02/B87W1-600x450.png 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/02/B87W1-1200x900.png 2x

Activity

Ancient China: Design Your Own Bronze Vessel

If you were to design a bronze vessel for a friend who has done something important for you, what shape would you make it? How would you decorate it? Would you use designs like the ones on the bronze vessels in the museum? What would you inscribe on it?

GRADE LEVEL: Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/01/Bronze_Vessel_Rhino-600x450.png 1x, https://education.asianart.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/01/Bronze_Vessel_Rhino-1200x900.png 2x