Japanese carp streamers were developed in the mid 18th century during the Edo era to celebrate the birth of their new son.
Every year on May 5th the Japanese celebrate "Children's day" a way to commemorate the children or boys of Japan. It starts from April to the early month of May. The Japanese associate koi with boys because of the strength as they swim upstream. The way that it's done today is with a flag called a "Koi-Nobori". The word "Koi" means carp and "Nobori" is an old expression meaning flag. Traditionally foods like rice balls called "Kashiwa-Mochi" and a rice stick called "Chimaki" are eaten.
The streamer or flag is beautifully displayed outside their homes, visible for all to see. If you've never seen this before in Japan it's truly quite amazing to encounter these large wind socks whistling through the air. In some rural areas where the land is wide and open some can be seen as high as 30-40 feet. In more confined areas like apartment buildings where space is limited koi nobori's are much smaller at about 6-14 feet in length. They are draped outside their apartment buildings or patios in a proud and noble manor. Each streamer represents their eldest son, while the littlest one is for the youngest boy in the family. Truly these windsocks of the air are symbolizing the vigor or strength of the koi as they swim upstream against mighty rivers. Often, the short Koinobori Song is sung by kids and their families. The koi is a perfect depiction of a child's life that is to become. Koi have an amazing life-cycle and can live for as long as 50 years in the wild and in captivity have been reported to even live longer. Quite fittingly the koi is a perfect symbol for a family's child. Related links about this subject: Wikepedia Next: Koi Fish Basics |
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