Symbolising determination, the carp motif was based on the Chinese legend of a carp that swam upstream to become a dragon.
The black carp nowadays represents the father, red the mother, and blue the children (originally the eldest son was blue, each new son a different colour).
Illustration of carp streamers.
Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
Illustration of carp streamers flying outside a traditional home.
Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
Woodblock print of a mother carrying her son (who is holding on to a carp streamer).
Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
Woodblock print of carp streamers.
Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
