Koi Numerology

Every koi count means something

I studied in Beijing in 2006 and learned how Chinese artists used koi as anti-authoritarian numerological code under Mao, substituting fish for politically loaded numbers. Twenty years later, every piece I paint still encodes a number. The number is the message.

  1. 1One

    Overcome obstacles

    A single koi swimming alone is the symbol of perseverance, the fish that struggles upstream. In Chinese tradition, one koi promises strength against difficulty.

  2. 2Two

    Double happiness

    Two koi together are the wedding charm, partnership, harmony, mutual flourishing. Often gifted at marriages and anniversaries.

  3. 3Three

    Stages of life

    Three koi represent past, present, and future, or birth, transformation, and legacy. The fullness of a life cycle.

  4. 4Four

    Avoided

    Four (四 sì) sounds like the word for death (死 sǐ) in Mandarin. I never paint four koi. The absence is the message.

  5. 5Five

    The five blessings

    Longevity, wealth, health, love of virtue, and a peaceful death. Five koi are a complete blessing.

  6. 6Six

    Smooth flow

    Six (六 liù) sounds like the word for flow (流 liú). Six koi promise that everything will go smoothly.

  7. 7Seven

    Togetherness

    Seven represents the togetherness of all things, the koi as a community.

  8. 8Eight

    Prosperity

    Eight (八 bā) sounds like prosperity (發 fā). Eight koi are wealth, abundance, and good fortune.

  9. 9Nine

    Eternity

    Nine (九 jiǔ) sounds like eternal (久 jiǔ). Nine koi promise something that will last, a love, a legacy, a city.

Tell me your story. I'll paint the right number.

Wedding (2). Anniversary (any). Memorial (3). New chapter (1). Family of however-many. Send me what you need.

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