Sunday, May 22, 2022

Little Carps In the Breeze 鯉魚旗(鯉幟)

This river runs through the middle of city. Every May a non profit organization (NPO) of tourism puts up ropes over the river and ties the carp flags.
Carp flags have a history of 200 years. The first carps were all black and big. On May 5th people erected a long bamboo fixing a black one and wished their boys healthy growth like it. Later people decorated red and blue ones as a mother and boy. The black was deemed a father.
You can find many colors such as orange, green and purple. 5th of May was the day for boys and now this day is the children's day  including girls.
I deeply admire the man who got a creative idea to make carp flags and let them swim in the air.
我佩服人把水中和空中看成同一,就做鯉魚旗讓它游泳在一陣爽快的風中。

21 comments:

  1. Dearest RTC,
    Especially considering this carp flag tradition dates 200 years back, it has to be admired deeply!
    That looks very special and it is symbolic.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  2. One of the things I brought home from my trip to Japan is a small wall hanging depicting carp kites! I love it. It's here in my den with me.

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  3. Well I must say these look delightful and full of colour - very nice.

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  4. 十分精彩 ❗️ 從未見過這番景象🎀。*.❅· °。·❆

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  5. I love this tradition and look forward to seeing it every May.

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  6. 隨風飄動鯉幟, 滿天盡掛鯉魚旗, 好日本的象徵 👍

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  7. It makes for a colorful, jolly view!

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  8. 鯉魚旗(鯉幟)很美!

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  9. Amazing history of the May 5th, RTC. I have never known it and I love it now.
    The carps are pretty and I wish all the best to children.

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  10. Now I know the meaning of the carp flags. Happy children's day.

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  11. They do look nice and so colourful.

    All the best Jan

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  12. Nice carp flags. On the coast there are kite days and it's fun to see alot of them flying in one area. It's a weekend event. Alot of times we go to the beach there are a few people flying kites. Have a good day, Becky. 🐟 🐠

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  13. 我屋企都擺咗做裝飾。

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  14. What a wonderful tradition!

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  15. 鯉魚旗我到日本旅遊都買回家作裝飾。

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  16. Que ideia extraordinária! E adorei ficar a conhecer a história destas carpas suspensas e coloridas, que originaram tão bonita tradição!
    Grata por esta partilha tão especial! Gostei imenso das imagens!
    Um grande abraço!
    Ana

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  17. That is delightful to see, thank you for sharing these photos. The river is so pretty, and even prettier with the colorful carp flags hanging.

    ~Sheri

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