This can also mean recognizing the duality in nature and deriving strength from this perspective. Combining this with the Yin Yang symbol can represent endurance and acceptance of the paradoxical nature of the universe. In Chinese culture, Karp are considered symbols of strength. This cultural blending, and some would say appropriating, is taken further with the proliferation of Koi fish Yin Yang symbols as decoration, jewelry or tattoos. Thus, there are a few areas of overlap between Chinese and Japanese culture when it comes to the appreciation of Carp and Koi fish.

Yet Carp originated in China and was brought to Japan as a gift as far back as 71 AD. The word “Koi” is Japanese for Carp as Koi fish are highly bred Carp that date back to early 19 th century. While Koi fish have great significance in Japan. Yet there is also a lot of confusion and dilution of the meaning of both of these symbols.Īlthough Koi fish and Yin Yang are not inherently connected culturally, they have come to be associated with each other in recent years. When the symbolism of Koi is combined with the cosmology represented by the Yin Yang, a powerful symbol is created. Koi Fish Yin Yang Meaning: What does Yin and Yang Koi Fish Represent? Thus there is nothing that is all good, all bad, all dark, all light and so forth. Yang is the light or white part of the symbol, representing masculine energy, activity, projection, order, the mundane, logic, and conscious awareness.Ĭonsidered together, this symbol is a reminder that all things found in nature contain some degree of opposing energy or forces. Yin is the dark or black part of the symbol and represents feminine energy, receptivity, chaos, creativity, intuition and the subconscious. In other terms, the Yin and Yang are referred to as masculine and feminine principle, but it should be noted this is not about physical anatomy nor gender, but about energy flow. It is also about the spiritual and mundane, the chaotic and orderly, the passive or receptive, and the active or projective. This is not just about the colors black and white. The creative element in the universe is said to be a self-perpetuating cycle of light and dark feeding into each other. A core aspect of Taoist cosmology is about divine paradox. In its simplest terms, this symbol is often associated with balance, yet there is more to it than that. This symbol originated as an expression of Taoist belief. Thus, the dark or black side contains a white circle, while the white or light color side contains a black or dark circle. Within each of these teardrops, the smaller circle’s color is that of the opposite teardrop. One of the teardrop shapes is usually black while the other is usually white, or at least one light and one dark. Within the larger, curved portion of each is a smaller circle. The symbol consists of a circle divided by a curved line, creating two alternately facing teardrop shapes. Made popular at different times as a tattoo or as a talisman, the Yin Yang has become ubiquitous. This seeming paradox is also part of the symbolism of Yin and Yang.

Thus, Koi are associated with people who are regal, unique, and who are willing to go against the grain but also to accept their fate at times. Some believe this connects the Koi, symbolically, to the strength of the Samurai. Their ability to go against the grain is juxtaposed with their reputation of bold acceptance and courage, when they are caught, they go limp rather than struggling. Koi are known to swim tenaciously upstream and can also jump over waterfalls. They are bred to achieve the unique qualities they possess and are not like other fish. Koi fish are associated with luck, prosperity, protection, strength, and individuality. They’ve become associated with ornamental ponds and because of their colorful appearance are thought to be like flowers or gems that adorn waterscapes. In this case, the Yin Koi fish is either black or predominantly black and the Yang Koi fish is likely to be either white or mostly light colored.Īctual Koi fish range in color from pink to gold, to white and red or orange, to silver, white and black, and black. Often, these artistic renderings of Koi fish are highly stylized to create the semblance of the Yin Yang symbol.

Yin yang fish