Koi Fish Symbolism & Meaning (+ Spirit, Totem & Omens)

Are you interested in the Koi Fish Spirit Animal? Then this guide is for you!

The koi fish are beautiful jewels that are loved and celebrated the world over. Unlike most other fish that serve as food, koi fish is kept for its color and beauty.

It has a sentimental value and is even entered in beauty pageants in many parts of the world.

When this fish swims into your life, it wants you to know your true worth. What is it that makes stand out in any crowd?

Use this uniqueness to your advantage.

What’s the Koi Fish Meaning and Symbolism?

Courage and Determination

The koi fish uses its ingenuity, determination, and courage to achieve its goals. For example, this fish will swim up the streams and waterfalls to achieve a specific goal.

This should inspire you not to allow impediments to stop your progress.

Opportunity for Change

Initially, the koi were kept for food – just like most other fish are. However, some farmers and fishermen noticed the beauty and color of this fish and appreciated its decorative value.

This tells you to seize every opportunity that comes your way to change your life for the better.

Good Luck and Prosperity

Most of the people that keep koi as pets today believe they attract good luck and fortune. There’s something about their coloration that attracts positive energies.

The koi spirit animal encourages you to embrace positive energies and get rid of anything that kills your joy and happiness.

Success in Business

In today’s world, koi has a ready market in the business world. This is because it is believed that keeping this fish in your workplace brings promotion and career advancement.

What your koi spirit animal wants to understand is that hard work leads to positive results in your business.

Spiritual Transformation

A Japanese legend has it that the koi defeated a legion of demon dragons to rise to the surface of a waterfall. In recognition of the koi’s efforts, the gods turned him into a beautifully colored dragon.

This is your cue to seek spiritual enlightenment and awakening.

Symbolic Meaning of Koi Fish Spirit Animal in Various Cultures

Koi Fish Symbolism in Chinese Culture

Although it has been widely thought that the koi came from Japan, recent studies have shown that they actually originated in China.

The koi fish is still very dear to the Chinese today, many of whom keep it as a pet for its decorative value.

But, the koi is much more than an ornamental jewel to the Chinese. It is a powerful emblem of fertility, growth, and abundance.

As this fish does very well in pairs, it symbolizes partnerships, love, romance, and harmony in the community.

Legend has it that Confucius used the koi to illustrate the human desire to attain enlightenment. Learning from this animal’s conduct and characteristics can give you useful insights into your journey in life.

Koi Symbolism in Japan

In Japan, koi are also referred to as Nishikigoi, which means beautiful carp. Japan is highly credited for spreading this beautiful gem to the rest of the world.

As the ancient Japanese farmers spent time with this creature, they were impressed by its beauty, courage, and strength.

It wasn’t long before legends about the koi started springing up. One of the most popular of these is The Dragon Gate.

According to the legend, thousands of koi were swimming up the Yellow River in Japan when they encountered a waterfall.

Many of the koi believed they could not make it to the top of the waterfall, and turned back in fear. However, 360 of the bravest of this fish tried to get to the top.

But, they had a problem.

Each time they neared the top, some evil dragons would raise the water level to frustrate the koi. The resilient and courageous koi kept pushing harder until they finally conquered the waterfall.

To honor and appreciate their efforts, the gods turned the brave koi into beautiful golden dragons and gave them command of the Japanese skies.

Symbolism in Buddhism, Feng Shui, and Taoism

In Buddhism, the koi spirit animal symbolizes perseverance. Buddhism teaches that the human journey is like a voyage upstream through treacherous waters.

One is called upon to be strong and enduring to withstand the trials and temptations of this world.

In Feng Shui, the image of the koi carp brings positive energies at home, in the office, or in any other space.

The koi is attributed to wealth, happiness, and prosperity.

Like the Yin and Yang, the koi spirit animal brings peace and harmony to the community. The alert eyes of the Yin and Yang are said to belong to the koi.

When the Koi Fish is Your Spirit Animal

The koi spirit animal wants you to understand that you were born to succeed. This means that you should not allow negative energies to deter your fighting spirit.

When the koi spirit guide is with you, all feelings of fear, doubt, uncertainty, and anger fade away.

The koi wants you to rise above the challenges in your life. Just like this fish can swim up a waterfall, you should not allow your past to pull you back. Be strong!

This means you need to release any deadweight you have been dragging from your past. Be free and light to press toward your goals unencumbered.

The color of your koi spirit animal also does hold some significance. For example, the white koi with red near its mouth talks about your love life.

It tells you to focus on your partner and their needs.

The Koi Fish Power Animal

The koi power animal helps you create the right balance in life. It introduces you to the powers of the Yin and Yang.

Get in touch with your inner being and solve the issues that have been slowing down your growth and progress.

The koi power animal talks about healing. This is the time to overcome the pains and hurts of your past.

Call on the koi power guide when you feel that things are not working according to plan. If you are struggling with unfinished projects, the koi will come to the rescue.

All the same, you don’t have to wait for things to get bad to invite the koi. It is your ally even in your best moments.

The Koi Fish Totem Animal

The koi totem tells you to listen to your heart. If you were born with this totem, you know how important it is to listen to follow your intuition and inner wisdom.

The koi totem people navigate through life by staying in tune with their inner selves. Unless your inner being is peaceful, anything you project out there will be taken negatively.

The koi totem trains you on the best ways to make a livelihood. This means you don’t have to worry unnecessarily about money, material things, or fending for your family.

Now that you have this golden fish in your life, you’ve obviously got the golden touch.

Koi Fish Encounters and Omens

An encounter with the koi asks you to get in tune with the Water Element. It is common knowledge that water has awesome healing properties.

For example, it will help you rise above your past mistakes and failures. You’ll see the need to focus on the future instead of the past.

Also, seeing this spirit animal signals you need to get in tune with nature. Take nature walks or go out for a swim.

Prepare yourself a hot, scented bath as you listen to your inner thoughts and feelings.

Meeting a koi is an indication that you should be more positive and focused in life.

Koi Fish Tattoo Meaning

A tattoo of a koi carp swimming upstream indicates determination and courage. The wearer knows what they have to contend with to achieve their goals, and is not afraid.

A koi swimming down the body shows appreciation for the blessings in your life. Probably, you have fought many battles and won, and you are grateful for your victories.

Having a koi fish tattoo indicates your courage and determination to achieve lofty goals. You want the world to know that you are not one to settle for mediocrity.

A blue koi tattoo indicates masculine strength and virility.

What’s the Meaning of Koi Fish Dreams?

• Dreaming of catching a koi successfully means financial growth
• Dreaming of catching many koi fish means business prosperity
• To dream of catching small koi fish indicates the blessings will not be immediate, be patient
• To dream of catching medium-sized koi shows your children are blessed
• To dream of catching big koi tells you to be cautious in business matters. Sometimes, things are not what they seem
• Dreaming of petting a koi shows peace and harmony at home
• Dreaming of a koi swimming upstream is an encouragement that you should be courageous in the face of your struggles
• Dreaming of a koi straggling or being left behind is a warning that some people close to you are not who they say they are
• To dream of a dead koi indicates sickness, death, or grief
• To dream of a pond filled with koi shows friendship, affection, and love
• To dream of eating koi represents hardships and obstacles

Final Thoughts…

The koi fish is one of the most peaceful creatures on our planet. They enjoy being in their environment, and they even quickly take to their owners.

The koi spirit animal wants you to cultivate good relationships with everyone around you. To achieve this, you should be at peace with yourself.