Of Japanese Koi Fish and Other Spring Moon Thoughts

La luna está muerta, muerta;
pero resucita en la primavera.

-Federico García Lorca, 1921-1924

I’ve been thinking of a new tattoo. (Yes, another one). Koi fish have traditionally stood for perseverance and strength against adversity. From my tattoo ideas notebook, source unknown:

The word Koi is really short for the Japanese word Nishikigoi, which directly translates into English as, “living jewels”. Koi are ornamental pond fish belonging to the carp family. They are primarily bred today in Japan although the species is not indigenous to that area. They originate from Eastern Asia, in the Black and Caspian Sea areas and from China. It is said that King Shoko of Ro had presented a Koi to the first son of Confucius at his birth somewhere between 551 and 479 BC. Confucius named his son after the fish because it was considered to be a symbol of strength and power. Legend has it that this Koi was the only fish able to swim up the Yellow River falls. 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. More generally, the Japanese associate koi (also known as carp) with perserverance in adversity and strength of purpose. Because of its strength and determination to overcome obstacles, it stands for courage and the ability to attain high goals. Others say it means good fortune or luck. The Koi Fish is symbolic in the Buddhist Religion, representing courage. Humans ’swim’ through the ‘ocean of suffering’ without fear, just like a fish swims through water. The Koi is symbolic with family. On Childrens Day Koi flags are raised, Black Koi the father, Orange/Red mother, Blue/White for a boy, red/pink for a girl.

There is another word to describe “love” which is “koi”. The kanji character for “kokoro (heart)” is included as part of both kanji characters. Both “ai” and “koi” are probably translated as “love” in English. However, they have slightly different nuance: “Koi” is a love for the opposite sex, or a longing feeling for a specific person. It can be described as “romantic love” or “passionate love”. While “ai” has the same meaning as “koi,” it also has a definition of a general feeling of love. “Koi” can be selfish, but “ai” is a real love. Here are some lines that explain them well: Koi is always wanting. Ai is always giving.”

It is interesting that, at least according to this website, “Fish nutritionists have shown that the fish’s immune system lacks long term memory”. Maybe forgetfulness (understood as the ability to experience/react to things for the first time again and again, perhaps?) is a key factor for overcoming life’s difficulties. A tattoo is, of course, not a mere souvenir, it is always an aide-mémoire. To endure the pain in order to remember forever the needed forgetfulness implied in perseverance. Also, to me the connection between passionate love, desire, wanting, courage, perseverance, transformation and memory is an interesting one. Now that’s something to look forward to.