Koi Fish
Acrylic on Canvas
36" x 24" x 1.5"
A few months ago, I came across some fantastic Koi paintings, tattoo designs and artworks while surfing online. Koi, the Japanese name for carp, is a hardy species of fish that can survive and adapt to varied environments. China introduced the common carp to Japan some 600 years ago. Japan bred them for color in the 1820’s. The humble carp was transformed into the magnificently colorful, ornamental aquarium and pond fish. Koi was showcased to the world the very first time in 1914 at an exhibition in Tokyo.
As with all things beautiful, stories and legends must follow. According to Japanese (or maybe its Chinese) legend - a Koi fish swam upstream in the Yellow River, against all odds and succeeded in climbing the water fall at a point called Dragon Gate. As the fish jumped over the rise, it transformed into a majestic Dragon!
36" x 24" x 1.5"
A few months ago, I came across some fantastic Koi paintings, tattoo designs and artworks while surfing online. Koi, the Japanese name for carp, is a hardy species of fish that can survive and adapt to varied environments. China introduced the common carp to Japan some 600 years ago. Japan bred them for color in the 1820’s. The humble carp was transformed into the magnificently colorful, ornamental aquarium and pond fish. Koi was showcased to the world the very first time in 1914 at an exhibition in Tokyo.
As with all things beautiful, stories and legends must follow. According to Japanese (or maybe its Chinese) legend - a Koi fish swam upstream in the Yellow River, against all odds and succeeded in climbing the water fall at a point called Dragon Gate. As the fish jumped over the rise, it transformed into a majestic Dragon!
Koi fish do swim upstream. Chinese believe they symbolizes nonconformist and independent thought in a person. Something like not going with the flow! Based on similar lines, is the thought that it symbolizes strength, aspiration, determination, achievement, ambition and perseverance towards one's goals. In Feng Shui, it is the symbol of wealth and prosperity, especially as the beautiful Koi transforms into the powerful Dragon. One of the more sought after decorative pieces is that of twin golden carp swimming atop gold coins. Its considered supremely lucky! Strangely enough or maybe by design, The Chinese character for Carp is phonetically identical (apart from a difference in tone) to the character for advantage, and the character for fish is the same as that for abundance and wealth.
This was my first Koi painting and since then, I've only gotten worse for trying. Currently on a break from painting Koi, I do plan to return some day soon to reattempt crossing my Dragon Gate...
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