Page 58 - The Meiji Aesthetic Christie's Hong Kong.pdf

Carp

In Japan, the carp is a strong fsh with a long lifespan that relates to spiritual power and the
wish for human longevity. In the eighth-century Chronicles of Japan (Nihon shoki 日本
書紀), Emperor Keiko is described releasing carp into a pond for enjoyment, a custom in
place ever since. In addition to representing the divinity of the emperor, carp can also serve
as a vehicle or messenger of Shinto deities.

In Chinese mythology, li yue long men 鯉躍龍門 is the story of the mighty carp struggling
upstream against the currents of the Yellow River, leaping over the river’s Dragon Gate
and transforming themselves into dragons. The proverb remains a wish for success and
high rank. In Japan, the story of the Dragon Gate 登龍門 relates to strength, perseverance
and bravery, a favorite emblem of the samurai and a ubiquitous image in modern culture,
such as the colorful carp banners fown all over Japan on Boy’s Day 端午節句.

鯉

日本人相信鯉魚具備神聖力量，視其為勇武及長壽之象徵。編於公元八世紀之日
本史書《日本書紀》記述景行天皇曾放生鯉魚到池堂觀賞，自此後世爭相模仿。
鯉魚除了象徵帝皇之尊貴地位，據說更是神道教神祇之載具或信差。

中國成語「鯉躍龍門」家喻戶曉，相傳黃河有一龐大鯉魚逆水上溯，一旦跳過龍
門便能化身成龍，古人藉此比喻中舉升官，飛黃騰達。故事及後流傳至日本，廣
稱「登龍門」，被武士階級借以自勉，象徵逆境中自強不息，奮勇前進。時至今
日，每年日本的「端午節句」，即兒童節，皆可看見色彩斑爛的錦鯉魚旗滿掛屋
簷。