Posted on March 8th, 2022/ Written by yelang
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What is koi fish, what makes it so special and does it have a symbolic meaning in Chinese?
If you find Chinese culture fascinating, especially the symbolism behind many things in Chinese, it might be time to learn about the Chinese koi fish and this article summarizes everything you need to know about this legendary Chinese fish .
What is koi fish in Chinese?
Also known as nishikigoi in Japanese, or brocaded carp in the marine science world, the koi fish refers to one of the most colorful, legendary, and prized fish in Chinese and Japanese culture. Koi fish belong to the same fish category as the other goldfish species in the Amur carp family.Fischoften kept in koi ponds outdoors or in waterGardens, mainly for decorative purposes.
But the koi is not only an ornamental fish, this fish is of great importance, which is why it fetches a high price in the market, and koi fish tattoos are considered to be of great importance.
You should also know that this type of colorful freshwater fish is mainly used in various Asian landscapes, as well as in design, and even inFeng-Shui-Chino, where different colored fish have different meanings.
Why are koi fish so expensive?
The highest quality koi fish are the ones that can be found on the market. But the main reason koi fish are very expensive has to do with the fact that the supply of fish is very low while the demand for fish is extremely high. Finding the fish with the best color characteristics and the right size is also a challenge that significantly increases the cost of the fish.
Koi fish are primarily raised in ponds and the cost of raising and caring for them is quite high, leaving you with the most expensive fish on the market.
Types of Koi Fish
There are 13 main species of koi fish, distinguished by the scales, coloration and pattern of the fish, although there are believed to be at least 100 species of koi fish.
Koi fish are Cyprinus rubrofuscus colored fish and despite the differences in species, the fish are mostly found in blue, red, white, yellow, black and cream colors.
The main types of koi fish are the following:
- Kohaku– This is the first Koi fish to be developed and that is why Kohaku is considered the king of all Koi fish. It is majestic even in its simple beauty and is a popular choice for koi ponds and aquariums. It has a yellowish nose with red spots covering it against the white that makes up the rest of the fish.
- Taisho Sanke-Also called sanke, this type of koi fish comes in three colors: red, white, and black. It is one of the big 3 for koi fish.
- Showa– the Showa is also called Showa Sanshoku. Sanshoku is Chinese for three colors, and the showa koi fish gets its name from the three colors on its body; red, white and black, like the Sanke. Unlike the Sanke, their karasu, or the black part of the fish, is different and is mostly black. Red and white colors mainly cover the black base of the fish body.
- Tancho- This koi fish has a distinctive red spot on the head and the rest of the body is silvery/creamy. Receives the name TanchoThe woman, the Nationalvogel of Japan.
- Utsuri- This koi fish belongs to a whole category of koi fish called utsuru, and utsurimono refers to a reflection. The fish has a black body with red, yellow, or white markings.
- Bekko– this Koi fish is also an Utsuri with a black bottom and white, yellow or red markings. Bekko's head has no black markings or sumi. The Bekko can be a Shiro Bekko, Ki Bekko or Aka Bekko, i.e. a white, yellow or red body.
- Asagi– This is a striking koi whose beauty is announced by the blue, web-like pattern on the upper body and the orange-red coloring of the gill plates, fins, abdomen and the rest of the body. The red coloring extends over the body of the fish as it ages.
- shusui– It's a kind of Asagi Koi, and it doesn't have scales on its upper body, nor does it have blue mesh patterns. It has only scales that form a row along the dorsal line.
- Koromo– This is a white colored koi fish with red-orange patterns all over its body as well as scaly spots. The main types of Koromo Koi are Aigoromo, Sumigoromo and Budogoromo.
- Goshiki- This koi fish has 5 colors including a solid white body with a black and blue mesh pattern running through the body. It is the result of crossing between Kohaku and Asagi. Other visible colors are red and orange-red.
- Kawarimono– This koi fish is the largest and fastest growing type of koi fish. Types include Hajiro, Hageshiro, Komunryu, and Ochiba Shigure.
- hikari muji– This fish looks more metallic or shiny and sparkles. It only has one color.
History of Koi Fish
The koi fish is not only legendary, but also lively, elegant and the most popular fish in the world. Fish is also very much appreciated and loved. But how did they come about?
Well, while koi fish are largely associated with Japan, they actually originated in China, or more specifically Central Asia, and were first introduced to Japan by Chinese invaders.
The koi fish got its name in 500 BC. C., although they've been around much longer, with koi fish fossils dating back 20 million years. The spectacular colors that koi fish are known for are believed to be the result of genetic mutations that have occurred naturally over the years.
The oldest account of people keeping fish for aesthetic reasons dates back to the early 19th century, when Japanese farmers started farming them.
And while the fish were originally kept for aesthetic reasons, they're now a huge part of Chinese culture and highly symbolic too.
A story about how the koi fish became popular is known as the legend of the waterfall. This is an old tale that tells the tale of a large school of golden koi fish swimming upstreamYellow River of China. It is believed that while swimming against the current, the fish gained considerable strength during the swim, but when it reached the waterfall at the end of the river, most of the fish changed course and were carried away by the river current. Some of the fish didn't give up and despite their efforts to reach the top of the waterfall, they didn't make it. However, the local demons noticed his efforts and even mocked the lonely fish, but after 100 years of jumping, he finally reached the top of the waterfall and the gods recognized the koi for their determination and perseverance, transforming the koi into the golden dragon that is the image of strength and power.
Koi Fish Chinese Symbolism
In Chinese, koi fish symbolize positivity and are considered powerful symbols of endurance and strength.
The bravery and strength of fish swimming against the tide is one of the things associated with the samurai warriors of Japan today. Pisces also represent a great sense of character and integrity, making them a popular choice for tattoos.
But that is not all. Koi fish are known for their vigor and energetic life force, which they display when swimming against the tide. These actions have led to koi fish being associated with good luck, prosperity, success, courage, longevity, ambition, and perseverance.
- koi fish yin yang meaning
The black and white orpez koi yin-yangThey represent a balance between good and evil, harmony and duality of life. HeYin-YangKoi represent two koi, a male and a female. The teardrop symbol on each fish symbolizes the Koi's watchful eye, and the pair represents happiness and happy marriages.
- Black koi fish symbolism
Black koi or black kumonryu koi fish symbolize changes and changes in life.
- Importance of white koi fish
The white koi fish, also known as kuchibeni koi fish, represents long lasting relationships and love.
- Blue Koi Fish Meaning
The blue koi is a male fish often associated with fertility or reproduction. The blue and white koi fish symbolizes the son of the family. Blue also symbolizes calm, peace and tranquility.
- red koi fish meaning
The red koi symbolizes deeply passionate love. And red koi represent the mother in the family. Red or pink koi symbolize a daughter. The red koi could also be the symbol of bravery and strength.
- Meaning of purple koi fish
The purple koi fish is a symbol of perseverance.
- Orange Koi Fish Meaning
The orange koi also symbolizes mother or motherhood. But in other cases the orange ororThe koi fish represents luck, prosperity and wealth.