“The living Jewel”

The word Koi is short for the Japanese word Nishikigoi, which directly translates into English as, “living jewels”. They originate from Eastern Asia, in the black and Caspian Sea areas and from China. It is between 551 and 479 BC. Confucius named his son after the fish because it was considered to be a symbol of strength and power. Legend has it that this Koi was the only fish able to swim up the Yellow River falls. According to Japanese legend if a Koi succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate on the Yellow River it would be transformed into a dragon.

Based on that legend, it became a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement. More generally, the Japanese associate Koi (also known as coloured carp) with perseverance in adversity and strength of purpose. Others say it means good luck. There is another word to describe ‘love’ which is ‘koi’. The Koi is symbolic with family. On children’s day Koi flags are raised, Black Koi the father, Orange/Red mother, Blue/White for a boy, red/pink for a girl. The Koi stands for courage and the ability to attain high goals, because of its strength and determination to overcome obstacles.