Koi Fish meaning in Japan is good fortune or luck they also are associated with perseverance in adversity and strength of purpose. Symbolic in Buddhism to represent courage.
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.
Another legend states that the koi climb the waterfall bravely, and if they are caught, they face their death on the cutting board bravely like a samuri. In Japan, the word koi refers primarily to the wild variety. As a result, many of the country's symbolic meanings for the fish refer to the wild variety instead of the fish species as a whole. One of the primary reasons the fish is symbolic in Japanese culture is because it is known for swimming upstream no matter what the conditions are. These fish are even said to swim up waterfalls. This is viewed as an absolute show of power because they will continue to swim upstream as if on a mission. They cannot be distracted or deterred by anything.
The koi is also a popular symbol for the family, especially in Japan - black koi for father, flame red koi for mother, blue and white for boy, and pink and red for girl.
Ogon Koi: The platinum colored fish represents the fulfillment of wealth in the form of success in business.
Yamabuki Koi: The gold fish represents (of course) gold, wealth and prosperity.
Koi were developed from common carp in ancient China and was later transferred to Korea and Japan, and are still popular there because they are a symbol of love and friendship.
The Asagi is one of the oldest Koi Breeds of Nishikigoi and has provided the basis for many subsequent varieties. Asagi are blue-grey in color, some have a red belly which can sometimes come up to the lateral lines and cheeks of the Koi. The scales upon the back are edged in a darker grey giving a highlight to each individual scale. Its back is covered in a net-like reticulated scale pattern of indigo, navy blue or pale blue. The light blue head should be clear and unblemished. The base of the pectoral fins, tail fin, stomach, and gill plates is a deep orange or red color.
Shusui is a doitsu (scaleless) version of Asagi, usually with large mirror scales along the lateral lines and/or to the right and left of the dorsal line.
Koi with a red head patch are called "Tancho." Tancho do not form a single, independent kind of Nishikigoi; they all can be bred from Kohaku, Taisho Sankshoku or Showa Sanshoku. Their red patch happens to show up only in the head region. Tancho, therefore, can not be produced in bulk even if you so wish. Most common are "Tancho Kohaku (all-white Koi with Tancho)," "Tancho Sanshoku (white Koi with Sumi similar to Shiro Bekko, and with Tancho)," and "Tancho Showa (Showa Sanshoku without red markings except for Tancho)," etc. However, "Tancho Goshiki (Koi of five colors with Tancho)," and "Tancho Hariwake" are rare.
The essential point for appreciation is the red patch in the head region, of course. The red head patch sitting right at the center of the head region is the best. The white skin is also important as it is the milky white color that sets the red head patch off to advantage.
Doitsu lineage does not mean Nishikigoi bred in Germany, but rather those Crossbred with Japanese Koi and black carp imported originally for food from Germany. They differ from ordinary Nishikigoi (or "'Wagoi' meaning Japanese Koi) in scale arrangement.Doitsu Koi with lines of scales on the back and along the lateral lines are called "Kagami-goi (mirror carp)," and those without scales or with only one line of scales on each side along the base of the dorsal fin. Doitsu Koi are crossbred into almost all Koi breeds of Nishikigoi. Doitsu Koi are to be viewed for the orderliness of scale arrangement and the absence of unnecessary scales. Each Koi should have the features characteristic of its own original variety.
Ochiba Shigures are made by breeding a Chagoi with a Soragoi. Look for a nice Kohaku-like brown pattern. This is a very nice fish and this type really stands out in any collection. The Japanese breeders often name the Koi after things that they like. Ochiba Shigure, for example, means "leaves fallen on the water."
Koi fish, or Nishikigoi, are the product of several centuries of selective breeding of the common brown Asian carp and the German carp. The first color mutations appeared about 1805.
TumugonBurahinKoi are available in all colors from the purest white, through yellow, orange, red, near-lavender, blues, greens and coal black, in limitless combinations.
Most popular in Japan are the Kohaku, a pure white fish with persimmon-red patches arranged in a stepping stone pattern.
In the USA, favorite types run the gamut from the legendary "Big Three" (Kohaku, Taisho Sanke, and Showa Sanke, the last two appreciated for varying proportions of white, black and red) to the eye catching Ogons, metallic fish that look like they have been hammered from gold or platinum.
New developments are the long fin or butterfly Koi and the Gin Rin Koi, where each scale sparkles like a diamond.
Koi Fish
TumugonBurahinJapanese koi fish has become an amazingly popular hobby over the last several decades, and rightly so.
Keeping koi fish is not only very enjoyable, but it is also a responsibility, as you have to keep an entire marine ecosystem, of which the koi is the pinnacle, healthy and vibrant.
This requires good knowledge as well as an adequate budget.
But the learning, as well as the admiration of these fish, is actually as fun a part of koi fish care, juts as much as watching your koi develop over the years before your eyes.
But it’s a good idea, especially for beginners, to do some learning first before setting up your first koi pond of course, as koi require an investment in time and learning.
Japanese koi have been popular because of these reasons:
1. They're very beautiful, as well as a sturdy with an ability to survive even in freezing conditions.
2. They're suited to large ponds and can grow to over 1-2 feet in length, and this provides the rare pleasure to watch fish swim and prosper in a large outdoor or indoor ponds in a more natural environment.
3. You’ll eventually be able to hand feed your koi when they gain your confidence, and this is a way that we humans really start to bond with our koi, and vice versa.
4. Some koi are worth thousands of dollars, and are a thriving industry for koi breeders.
5. They are believed to bring good fung shui, or luck, in Chinese culture.
There are various Japanese koi fish types and varieties available, and they’re classified by the Japanese, according to mainly their color characteristics.
It’s a good idea to view a few koi fish auctions online to get to know the koi species better and to decide if there are certain varieties that you’re more interested in. The resources here will give you an introduction to the koi varieties available.
If you’re new to koi care, get to know a quality local supplier or importer of Japanese koi, if there is one, and to find out more about the kind of stock that are available locally. Check out the information on this site on how to choose koi fish, if you’re looking for koi for sale online or locally. You’ll also find here a list of the top online koi suppliers.
Looking at building a new koi fish pond in your garden? You'll need to know what factors to consider in terms of pond design, pond size and depth, pond construction before deciding to build your own koi fish pond or to have one built for you.
Probably the most important part of keeping koi, as well as getting the best quality stock that you can afford, is understanding and properly using important koi pond supplies. These supplies for your koi fish pond can be found locally or online, and your requirements will differ according to whether you’re setting up a new pond or maintaining, or improving your existing one.
Sometimes, getting your pond supplies online, if you know what you’re looking for, will mean that a much larger range of koi supplies becomes available to you, irrespective of where you live.
So here’s to happy koi and beautiful koi fish ponds, and to our great care of these most