DRAGON FISH
Period: Possibly Tang dynasty (AD 618 - 906).
Medium: Nephrite jade.
Colour: Yellow-green.
Dimensions: Length 22 cm; width 15 cm; height 12.5 cm.
This amazing creature has the head and forelegs of a fierce dragon and from there on it is a carp. The carving is dynamic, showing movement and strength. It is evolution in process.
Despite the natural whitening on the surface, the original fine polish is evident.
There are possibly other myths about the dragon fish, but this one strikes a chord:
"How Koi Became Dragons
In the wild, koi are cold water fish who gain strength by swimming
against currents. It seems they have captured the imagination of fish
fanciers for centuries.
Many years ago, in a time before recorded history, a huge school
containing thousands of koi swam up the Yellow River. The colors of
their well muscled bodies flashed in the sunlight making them seem like a
million living jewels. All was going well until the koi reached a
waterfall. Immediately, a large number of them grew discouraged and
turned back, finding it much easier to simply go with the flow of the
river.
Yet, a determined group of 360 koi stayed on. Straining and leaping,
each koi strove to reach the top of the falls. Again and again they
flung their bodies into the air only to fall back into the water. All
this splashing noise drew the attention of the local demons who laughed
at the efforts of the struggling koi. Adding to their misery, the demons
sadistically increased the height of the falls. Still the koi refused to
give up!
Undeterred, the koi continued their efforts for one hundred years. At
last, with one heroic leap, a single koi reached the top of the falls.
The God’s smiled down in approval and transformed the exhausted koi into
a shining golden dragon. He joyfully spends his days chasing pearls of
wisdom across the skies of the vast and eternal heavens. Whenever
another koi finds the strength and courage to leap up the falls, he or
she too becomes a heavenly dragon.
The falls have become known as the Dragon’s Gate and, because of their
endurance and perseverance, koi have become symbolic of overcoming
adversity and fulfilling one’s destiny.
Swimming koi became symbolic of worldly aspiration and advancement.
Carved stone seals bearing pictures of koi and dragons were given to
young Chinese men who past the requisite tests to become government
officials."