Koiya

To understand the significance of koinobori, it ’s important to know a few things about Children's day.

In Japan, the fifth of May is called the “Children's day” a day to pray for children's growth. Until 1948, it was called, "Tango no Sekku", and only honored boys but was then changed to Children’s Day to be more inclusive.

One of the decorations used on this day are the koinobori. Koinobori meaning "carp streamer" in Japanese. It's a symbol of Children's Day and raising them from the beginning of April through the end of May at their home. It's not just display koinobori, but also Kabuto and Samurai dolls to inspire strength and bravery.

"Why are they carps?"
It said the origin of “Koinobori” is a historical event in ancient China. There is a legend is that if a carp makes it to the top of the Yellow River to a place called Dragon Gate, it will become a dragon. These decorations therefore symbolize the hope for children's success in life.

The koinobori are also lucky items symbolizing healthy growth, social success, and the perpetuation of one's descendants, and their colorful patterns and design are typical of Japanese tradition. It is also symbol of the family, and each part of the Koinobori has a special meanings.

Kaiten-kyu

It's a substitute for the "yorishiro". The term "yorishiro" refers to an object that divine spirits are drawn or summoned to, and it denotes a shintai (an object believed to contain the spirit of a deity) or sometimes a shrine precincts.

Kaiten-kyu is on the top of the koinobori to make it as close to heaven as possible so that God can find it.

Yaguruma

"Ya" meaning "arrow" in Japanese.

There is a "Hamaya"(sacred arrows) in Japan, which attracts good luck and ward off evil luck.

Since yaguruma has the same arrow, it has the effect of amulet.

Fukinagashi

It represents a flowing waterfall.

A streamer has five colors which are black, red, white, yellow, and blue or green. The five colors represent five elements in China, and are believed that the five colors are for protection from evils.

Magoi

A black koinobori representing the father.

Higoi

A red koinobori representing the mother.

After the decree that changed Boys'Day (Tango no Sekku) to the current Children's Day, a holiday has arrived to celebrate the happiness of both boys and girls. As a result, the red carp streamer has come to represent the mother of the family.

Kogoi

A blue/green/yellow koinobori representing the children.

Carp is listed in the 100 of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species, but it is said to be auspicious as a longevity fish in Japan.

"Koinobori" is a nursery rhyme that has been popular for a long time. When the lyrics were made, the scarlet carp was treated as a child, so no mother appear.

English translation

Carp streamers are higher than the roof

The biggest carp is the father

The small carp are children

Enjoying swiming in the sky

Japanese lyrics

やねより　たかい　こいのぼり

おおきい　まごいは　おとうさん

ちいさい　ひごいは　こどもたち

おもしろそうに　およいでる

Romanized lyrics

Yane yori takai koinobori

Ooki magoi wa otousan

Chiisai higoi wa kodomotathi

Omoshirosouni oyoideru