The Meaning of Koi Fish

Over the years, we have lived by understanding and believing symbols and meanings of the things around us. Many of these symbols have caused the rising and the falling of human race. As such, these symbols and meanings have also helped in giving the encouragement and wisdom in the makings of great people. Time and again, symbols are mostly represented by animals such as snake for betrayal or luck, crow for curse, rat for poverty, and so on. Like any other symbolism, a koi fish represents something.

What is the meaning of koi fish?

Commonly, koi fish is know for courage, strength, and endurance. It is also symbolizes love and friendship.

In the Japanese culture, they believe that koi is the most spirited and determined fish. It is because it budges persistently. It is given its symbol because of a legend about the passage of a koi in the Yellow River in Japan swimming upstream. The legend said that if it could swim through the most difficult part of the river known as the Dragon's gate, the fish will become into a dragon. Moreover, it is through the fish's endurance that led him into jumping off the waterfalls and swim across the river against the flow of the water.

In view of the fact that it was able to struggle against the current of the river by swimming towards the opposite direction of the river's flow. The koi fish meaning can be construed it two ways:

· Being strong-willed - the koi swimming against the flow of the river can be interpreted like that of a person who is strong-willed. Because of the fact that the koi did not "go with the flow" with the river, this only means that this person can stand up for what he/she believes in and that he/she can do things the way that is not expected of him/her. Moreover, this person can also decide for himself/herself without the influence of others.

· Strength in time of adversity - it also symbolizes endurance and courage to fight on despite the trials that comes in a person's way or if the person is being pushed away. The fish swimming upstream shows that a person has overcome the trials and obstacles that are being presented in its journey and has won successfully.

Today, the most common representation of koi fish is a tattoo. Many believed that by printing the image of a koi into one's body, the person is given the power and strength that of a koi fish symbolizes.

However the koi fish means to a person, the most important thing is that it gives the inspiration and will to fight on with life's adversities with courage, strength, and endurance.