Enter The Koi
Koi are beautiful, colorful fish. Surprisingly revered, Koi have been domesticated and bred throughout the ages for color, size and beauty. Like all carp fish, you can eat them (however in a lot of cultures it can be somewhat akin to eating a pet or a horse) but that's not the wellspring of their reverence.
It's the cultural significance that has solidified Koi in Japanese culture, and has taken a firm hold in Chinese culture as well.
In Japan, Koi are more often referred to as nishikigoi ("Swimming Jewel" and also known as "brocaded carp"), and they symbolize luck along with prosperity and good fortune. Not exactly sure the difference is between luck and good fortune (comment below if you know!), but I wont say no to either. In Chinese culture Koi represent family, harmony, wealth, and fame. In Feng Shui it symbolizes strength, perseverance, and strength. Comparatively, Manitoba Walleye and Pickerel, merely symbolizes the ideal of deliciousness 👌
Does it matter though? Are these good luck charms, or simple superstitious leanings that border on the trivial? I'm not convinced that's the case. Follow my thoughts and lets poke around this for a moment.
Believe, Achieve
Symbolism is an investment of belief. We attach specific meanings, like luck for example, to actions, objects, or animals. When we invest this belief, and it becomes culturally popular, that is a lot of emotional investment, and on a larger scale Belief is readily tangible. Strong belief motivates, inspires, and influences actions of both individuals and in masse, entire cultures.
Sounds far fetched? Think of it this way. Millions upon millions upon millions of dollars are spent on motivational books, videos, podcasts, speakers, workshops, and personal motivation counseling.
We seek motivation, and symbolism is the original lodestone for faith and belief in an idea.
My point: Koi aren't lucky because they are Koi. Koi are lucky because we believe they are, and thus.....well, they Are.
Luck can make its own. Now there are those among us that will be quick to say: "I am never lucky. I don't win prizes, good things don't fall into my lap, I'm never at the right place at the right time..."
Fish Scales
But Luck isn't always readily apparent. Imagine luck as an enormous scale (the other kind!) One pan represents bad events, bad timing, unfavorable outcomes, or random acts that impact you negatively. The second pan features good tidings, fortuitous timing, fortunate events, and positive turns. We never know which scale is tipping the other as we live our lives.
Now the person with good luck, well that's easy to spot: life is good, and worries are few. But the person who states she has no luck may not realize how hard her good luck is working to avert catastrophe. The narrowly avoided serious accident. Somehow remembering to shut off the stove as you are locking the front door. Finding your keys the first place you look. Missing the elevator that stalls between floors. It goes on and on!
We are largely oblivious to the wake our lives create as we pass our days by. We recognize the good in what fate has brought us, we generally don't acknowledge what fates we have quite narrowly avoided. Luck is a tricky and fickle thing.
Want to tip the scale? Believe. Practice Positivity. The glass IS half full by the way, so act like it (but still hope for life nourishing rain!) Confidence supports belief and belief supports confidence. In that belief, and in that confidence luck first manifests and then grows. Watch as accomplishments soon happen. Keep positive, and act like you know what you need to know until you learn and perfect it. This is the root of the saying "I Make My Own Luck."
Keeping this in focus can be difficult. This is where symbolism comes to help. The four leaf clover, the rabbits foot ( Not so lucky for the rabbit... 🐰), and of course: The Koi.
Looking for an anchor? Everyone benefits from a reminder of what we are striving for, something to restore our convictions when we're struck numb by fatigue. A lucky Koi in your pocket can help ground you back into a positive frame of mind. Can help you meditate and re-center to get you back on your proper path. Having a particularly trying time? Koi are social creatures! Three Koi represent Energy-Vitality-and overall Well Being.
We all need tokens of our strength, of our character, and our tenacity to achieve our goals. To prosper and to make our own luck in the face of what life may throw at us. If not already partnered up with a reminder of the path you've chosen, why not let a tiny Lucky Koi be your charm, your anchor, and the symbol of your resolve to achieve the success you would meet if you only just a little luck on your side!
