Major ones include red, blue, cream, yellow, black, white and orange. Some of the meanings, myths and symbolism that surround koi come from their associations with varying personality traits. Here are some of the more common ones:.
Koi are well renowned as being an adaptable species capable of thriving in varied bodies of freshwater. They are also familiar for being able to swim up streams and waterfalls too. Both help give them the aura of being a resilient and tenacious species. From incoming herons to other predatory wildlife, koi face their dangers head on.
The bright colors of koi and the role they play at the center of century-long breeding programs make them an iconic fish. A favorite with emperors, state officials and the underworld mafia, they are often seen as a sign of opulence and desire.
The products of extensive breeding programs where the less colorful are routinely culled or used as feeder fish , the koi that do make it through are unique. They are nonconformist by circumstance. The positive energy that the icon of the koi draws, specifically across Asian cultures, is thought to bring good luck to whoever it touches.
The boy even took koi or the Chinese translation as his name. See Also: Jellyfish Symbolism. Historically koi are thought to have been introduced to Japan from China.
Perhaps one of the more familiar sights of the fish, at least out of water, are in tattoos. Born from Yakuza Japanese mafia traditions, the image of the fish in ink is said to signify courage and the ability to attain high goals. Both things that also highlight strength. In terms of positioning, koi also have separate meanings too. A tattoo of the fish swimming upward on the body is said to show someone overcoming hardship in life.
A koi facing down, on the other hand, is thought to show an individual having overcome that hardship and beaten the odds. The individual colors of koi in tattoos also have separate meanings. Blue ones are thought to represent masculinity and reproduction — as well as peace, tranquility and calmness. Keeping koi was most popular with Japanese farmers who kept koi in the ponds above their paddy fields as a source of food.
Any animal kept in a closed breeding area for an extended period of time will eventually begin to exhibit mutations. There is evidence that around , after centuries of keeping koi in captivity, the Japanese farmers began to notice subtle color changes in certain fish.
Out of personal interest, these new colored varieties were bred further and kept as a hobby rather than as the traditional food source. These new 'colored' koi were given the name Nishikigoi, with 'koi' still being used to describe all carp varieties.
In the early s, keeping koi as a hobby exploded in Japan, and as a result, was introduced to the rest of the world. However, it is widely recognized that the best koi are still bred in Japan, with many koi hobbyists traveling great distances to purchase and acquire authentic Japanese koi.
Interestingly enough, in Japan the word 'koi' is still used as a general term to describe all carp, while the rest of the world uses the word 'koi' to refer to what the Japanese call Nishikigoi, or the special colored variety of Japanese carp.
The hobby of keeping Koi in Japan has enjoyed high popularity until present day, where there are now 13 colors, each with numerous varieties, officially recognized for Nishikigoi in Japan. When considering a topic as historically rich as koi symbolism, one must look at the legends and myths surrounding the koi fish to discover it's true meaning within the context of Japanese and Chinese culture. According to Chinese legend, there was a place called Dragon's Gate at the top of a large waterfall on Yellow River.
Carp would swim up the river, against the current to reach the base of the waterfall. Although many would try, only a few were brave and able enough to attempt the final leap up the waterfall.
The legend says that when the koi finally reached the top, it became a dragon, one of the most auspicious creatures in Chinese culture. Certain colors represent certain aspects or outcomes in life.
In feng shui, the koi is tied to the yin yang symbol. In fact, the black and white tear drops of the yin yang symbol are said to be representations of two koi, one male and one female. The eye of each teardrop is symbolic of the constant watchful eye of the koi. This pairing of fish is often seen outside the context of the yin yang symbol as well.
For example, a pair of koi is often used as a good luck symbol for a happy marriage. The koi is synonymous with harmony and happiness.
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