Koi Fish: The Meaning Behind the Special Carp
The koi fish is far more than a decorative inhabitant of garden ponds; it is a profound cultural icon that has inspired artists, warriors, and philosophers for centuries. Across Asia and now the world, these living jewels serve as a testament to the power of the spirit, representing a unique blend of aesthetic beauty and rugged endurance.
WHAT IS KOI?
Strictly speaking, Nishikigoi (literally meaning brocaded carp) are a coloured variety of the Amur carp. While the word koi in Japanese simply means carp, including the muted and wild varieties, it has become the universal term for the brilliantly patterned fish bred for ornamental purposes. Today, there are over 120 recognized varieties, categorized by their scale types, colours, and patterns. While the carp originated in Central Asia, it was the Japanese in the early 1800s who began selectively breeding them for their vibrant reds, deep blacks, and shimmering golds.
The Lladro Koi Dome Lamp (left) is a great decoration for tables and showcases the translucent nature of porcelain art.
WHAT DOES KOI SYMBOLISE?
In both Chinese and Japanese iconography, the koi is a multifaceted symbol. Its meanings shift slightly depending on the context of the art or the specific colours of the fish:
Perseverance and Ambition: Because koi swim against the river currents, they represent the ability to overcome obstacles. Reaching the top of the stream symbolizes achieving one's goals through hard work.
Prosperity and Wealth: Their resemblance to gold pieces and their association with abundance make them favourites in business and personal spaces.
Love and Fidelity: In Japanese, the word koi is a homonym for another word meaning affection or love. When depicted in pairs, they often symbolize a happy marriage and a long life together.
A pair of intertwined koi fishes, like seen in the Pisces horoscope or Lalique's 2 Fish Decanter (above right) signifies the strength of balance, harmony, and the cyclical power of love.
THREE KOI STORIES ACROSS CULTURES
While the iridescent koi of Japan and the dragon-carps of China often dominate the spotlight, the story of the carp is a global tapestry woven into the folklore of nearly every continent it touches. Here are three stories and cultural connections of the koi:
1. CHINA - OVERCOMING THE DRAGON'S GATE WATERFALL
Depiction of the Koi Waterfall Legend (left). Artwork by kGoggles
Legend says that long ago, there was an abundance of golden koi fish in the Yellow River in China. They made their way upstream, going against the current, building strength and perseverance. Their golden hue made the river shimmer as if it was a river of gold.
Halfway upstream, they came to a large waterfall, an impossible height that is too high to traverse. This waterfall is known as the Dragon’s Gate in Hunan province. Most of the koi turned back, going with the current to safer ground. However, some koi stayed and attempted to jump and surpass the waterfall. Some of them got halfway, but then pummelled back downstream after they’ve lost momentum and energy.
The spirits of the river watched the koi try over and over again, making fun of them as they found it amusing. This went on for one hundred years, the group of koi continued to try and swim up the waterfall but always stopped at exactly that waterfall. At each attempt the koi made it slightly further, gaining technique and strength as they practiced that waterfall. The spirits continued to make fun of the koi, knowing that it’s such an impossible feat to make it past the waterfall.
One koi tried a different strategy. It went down to the bottom of the river, built up as much speed as it could, and leaped out of the water. It swam as hard as it could up the walls. Somehow, it reached the top of the waterfall, and continued to swim upstream.
Lladró Bold Blue Koi Sculpture Limited Edition (right), redone in International Klein Blue, a shade of intense blue that Yves Klein is known for, contrasted against the application of 24K gold lustre.
The spirts were silenced watching that scene - how the koi succeeded in the impossible. Knowing the multiple attempts that the koi have tried over the years, The spirits transformed the koi into a golden dragon as a reward for its achievement. In the Chinese culture, a golden dragon is the ultimate symbol of power and strength. That is also how the waterfall is known to be Dragon’s Gate - through this popular fable.
Oriental dragons often have features coming from other animals, including the carp which shares the similarities of having beautiful scales and fins. The golden dragon represents the pinnacle of resilience and determination of the humble koi to overcome obstacles.
2. JAPAN - OF CARP STREAMERS AND THE SAMURAI'S BUSHIDO
While we see colourful carp streamers (koinobori) (like depicted in Lladró Happy Boy Day figurine (left)) today as a cheerful sight for Children’s Day, their origin is rooted in the gritty reality of the samurai battlefield.
During the Edo period, samurai families began the tradition of flying banners outside their homes to celebrate the birth of a son. Originally, these were standard warrior flags used to identify clans in battle. Over time, these evolved into streamers shaped like koi. The fable told to young boys was that they must grow up to be like the koi: capable of swimming against the strongest currents and leaping over waterfalls. By flying these warrior fish above their homes, parents were visually declaring their hope that their sons would possess the spirit of a samurai: resilient, ambitious, and unyielding.
The koi (left) and the samurai (right) are both culturally rich aspects of the Japanese with stories woven into the fabric of their history.
Interestingly as well, when a koi fish is caught, it does not wriggle and bounce about, instead it stoically stays still. Even as a fisherman’s knife descends on them, the koi stays still - accepting its fate just like how a samurai would in honour. To the samurai, this was the ultimate expression of Bushido (the Way of the Warrior). A samurai was expected to meet his end with the same koi-like composure, showing no fear or agitation in the face of death.
3. CENTRAL EUROPE - LUCK OF CHRISTMAS CARP
In Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in countries like Poland, Czechia, and Germany, the carp is a central figure of the Christmas Eve Wigilia feast. While this started as a culinary tradition (usually involving fried or jellied carp), it evolved into a superstitious myth of prosperity. Legend says that the carp possesses a moon-shaped stone behind its eye or hidden within its head; the person who finds this rare prize during the Christmas meal is destined for a year of extraordinary luck.
Lalique's Carpes Koi Vase depicts koi fishes swimming up a spiral of flowing water in clear crystal form.
Even for those who don’t find a hidden stone, the fish’s scales are considered money magnets. It is a widespread tradition to take a few scales from the Christmas carp, dry them, and place them inside a wallet or purse. These scales are kept there throughout the following year to ensure that the owner's finances remain 'full and glistening', much like the shimmering coat of the fish itself.
LLADRÓ’S KOI FISH SCULPTURE LIMITED EDITION
Lladró made a Koi sculpture limited to 2000 pieces, where two Koi fishes swim around a lotus flower. The colourful sculpture is an elegant way to add colour to your decor, a realistic and luxurious representation of living jewels. It wasn’t till the early 1800s that the Japanese started to breed for colour, creating the many (up to 70) varieties of koi available today. These two koi are of the popular Kohaku variety and Sanke variety.
The koi in this piece is of the popular Kohaku variety and Sanke variety.
LALIQUE'S DOUBLE KOI FISH SCULPTURE
Lalique Double Fish Small Sculpture in clear crystal was designed in 1953 by Marc Lalique, with the two fishes emerging from the water and chasing each other. Symbol of prosperity and perseverance, the Koi fish has often inspired artists. The Double Fish sculpture depicts two carps gushing from water in a movement evoking infinity. The satin-finished crystal, emblematic of Lalique, highlights the finely carved scales.
Lalique's clear crystal Double Fish Sculpture. Also available in a small variant.
Updated on 19 March 2026.
