What’s with China’s internet users and this fish?
- Fame, family harmony and wealth are the traditional attributes of the koi carp
- Growing online group share pictures of the fish for success in daily life
Tradition has it that if you wish on a fallen eyelash or when a shooting star sparkles across the sky, it will come true. But young people in China have found a new way of seeking to realise their dreams: by posting pictures of fish online.
The koi carp has represented good fortune in Chinese culture since time immemorial. Today it is at the heart of a huge internet crowd that is sharing images of the fish in the hope of a little blessing, be it to pass an exam or for the speedy recovery of a sick parent.
Esteller Shi from Xiamen in southeast China’s Fujian province, added one thing to her list of preparations for her bar examination when the important day was just a month away – to forward a message featuring koi carp on social media, in the hope the fish – even just in a doodle – would bring her good luck.
After several postings in September, the 25-year-old was happy to learn she had passed section one of the exam, which she had expected to fail.
She began frequently forwarding posts featuring koi carp with messages such as “your dreams will come true” in the hope they would bring good luck to her in the second section of the exam in October.
“Forwarding these koi carp plays a psychological role. It is self-motivation and encouragement for me,” Shi said.