A crystal sculpture of the Guanyin bodhisattva, or Goddess of Mercy, has become an instant draw at a Hong Kong mall, where shoppers are stopping in their tracks to stare at its intricacy. [Photo provided to China Daily]

She believes if everyone puts self-interest aside, people will become more generous and society will be more united.

"Liuli is a material that is both beautiful and fragile. Our life is just like it, isn't it?

"I want this liuli sculpture to communicate a message that life is limited and brittle in order to remind people of living in the present and being grateful," she says.

Her husband, Chang, says Liuli Gongfang is more of a nonprofit.

"Before each creation, we ask ourselves: 'Will it do anything good to society?'" says Chang.

The majestic sculpture is far from simple. It cost Yang and Chang 20 million yuan ($3 million) and took five years. It involved 100 artisans and four tons of fire-resistant gypsum and liuli.