– Chinese Proverb
Sale Price: $9.99 Original Price: $30.00
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This little up-cycled koi fish project was inspired by Lunar New Year. Lunar New Year falls typically falls on the second new moon after winter solstice. It is a holiday that is really fun to celebrate in the art room. Some projects we have done in the past are: mandarin orange muffin tin prints and Paper Scrap Roosters. Chinese drums, dragons, lanterns, ornate scrolls, and fans. but this year, my heart was set on 3-D Koi Fish that could be stuffed with treasure or played with!
Like most Chinese symbols, the koi (also sometimes called a carp) is associated with a beautiful legend. the legend of a mighty koi who sets out on a courageous journey, swimming upstream on the Yellow River. against all odds, facing rapids and waterfalls head on. Until she comes face to face with the final test of endurance: scaling the Dragon’s Gate. She digs deep and musters all the strength she has left before taking the biggest leap of her life, a leap that takes her soaring over the Dragon’s Gate. With a burst of flame, she is transformed into a dragon.
I don’t know about you, but I am a big fan of tales of intense struggle that end in victory!
These brave little fish are beautiful as is, but you can also turn them into a little ‘Toss the Pom-Pom Into the Carp’s Mouth’ game. Or you can hang them from a wooden dowel (fishing pole), or even fill them with treats! Gold chocolate coins would be pretty special, or maybe gummy worms. is that gross or cool? I will let you decide.
Materials:
- paper tubes
- koi fish fin and tail templates (see form below)
- acrylic or tempera paint + paint palette for mixing
- glue (we used a hot glue gun)
- card stock – orange and white
- cork
- black permanent marker
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Make a tint and shade for your carp. To make a tint, you will add your original color to white (shown below). We decided to then turn our tints into shades by adding a little charcoal grey (you can see our shades on our fins and tails).
Koi Fish Wall Decor For House Decoration
Koi Fish Wall Decor For Prosperity. Decorating your home with some positive and meaningful artwork can attract prosperous abundance and fortunate wealth into your life, as said by Feng Shui principles. Koi fish is one of the most auspicious animals in both Chinese and Japanese cultures. Indeed, Koi fish wall decor for home interior design has become a prominent practice in many Asian countries.
In its common nature, the Koi fish have a special unique inherited ability to swim upstream. Hence, it has been a symbol of strength and courage. According to the Chinese and Japanese ancient legend, there was a large school of Koi fish swimming up to the Yellow River in China. On the way to the top of the river, there is a large waterfall, and only the strong and dedicated fish can make it to through the end. By keep pushing against the heavy currents, it makes the fish become stronger and tougher. Unbelievably, some of the fish kept trying to leap to the top, which could take the time up to hundreds of years. The successful fish clearly show great determination, dedication, and strength. To reward the persevering fish, gods turn it into a heavenly beautiful golden dragon. Also, the waterfall has been named the “Dragon’s Gate”.
The colors of the Koi fish also represent different meanings. For example, Red Koi fish is often referred to as Love and Long lasting relationship. Yellow gold or orange fish symbolizes rich fortune and wealth. Black colored Koi represents success in overcoming obstacles, reaching goals, and transformation in life.
Moreover, the numbers of the Koi fish depicted in the artwork are also important and preferred differently to each country. In China, people always like to have eight (8) fish as it is considered to be the luckiest number. Because the Chinese number eight 八 (ba) sounds like 發 (fa), which means wealth, fortune, and prosperity. While in Japan, Koi fish art home decoration is prominent to have seven fish. As Japanese people regard seven (7) as their lucky number due to their Buddhist traditions. However, in Thailand, it is popular to paint nine (9) fish on the artworks. Because the word nine in Thai เก้า “Gao” sounds similar to the word ก้าว “Gaw”, which means to step forward or to progress. Therefore, 9 koi fish painting meaning is referred to as prosperity and worldly advancement.
Koi Fish Painting Feng Shui Meaning
Nonetheless, incorporating some complementary symbols which are rich with cultural symbolic meanings onto the Koi fish wall decor artworks can enhance the value and inspiration. Some of the famous meaningful symbols include Yin-Yang, Dragon, and Lotus flower. In Taoism, yin yang symbolizes a perfect balance and harmony of negative and positive Chi energies, and all things on earth are believed to be connected. Likewise in Feng Shui, a pair of Koi fish is often depicted outside of the black and white teardrops yin yang symbol. Two koi fish wall decor art home decoration is conveyed as good luck for a happy marriage.
Dragon and Koi fish wall decor artworks mostly arise from the ancient Chinese myth of the Dragon’s Gate. The dedicated fish that become the golden dragon certainly symbolizes strength and determined aspiration. The image of the dragon also represents power, a new beginning, and a successful transformation.
In many Buddhist Asian cultures, people give great respect to a beautiful Lotus flower. It is one of the most significant flowers with a deep meaning, which can relate to life teaching lessons. Lotus grows from muddy waters, yet it reaches above the water level and blooms beautifully. It is often metaphorical as enlightenment. Hence, the combination of Koi fish and Lotus flower symbolizes growth, purity, and wisdom.
In conclusion, koi fish wall decor art for home decoration is highly recommended and most appropriate in an office room. As mentioned above with various fascinating symbolic meanings of the Koi fish from the old oriental legends and its intriguing ability can encourage and inspire the viewers to be strong and be patient in life during tough and downtime. The fish motivate us to not give up, yet keep fighting the hardship, because it is the obstacles and suffering that make us stronger. Nonetheless, since Koi fish is a symbol of success and triumph in business and career. It has become popular among East Asian people to bring a picture of swimming koi fish as a gift to their friends and family for a new business opening celebration.
If you are looking for new Koi Fish Wall Decor artwork for your home wall, please check out RoyalThaiArt’s Koi Fish Paintings For Sale Online at affordable prices and Worldwide shipping available. Visit our social community for recent news and art updates.
