PROSPEROUS ABUNDANCE

 

Prosperous Abundance, acrylic on canvas, 2022. 18" X 24"

An ancient Chinese tale tells of a huge school of Koi fish swimming upstream the Yellow River in China. Gaining strength by fighting against the current, the school swam through the river until they reached a waterfall at the end of the river. Many of the fish turned back, but the remaining Koi continued swimming against the waterfall and attempted to reach the top of the waterfall by leaping all the way. After a hundred years of jumping, one Koi finally reached the top of the waterfall, where it was noticed by the gods at the Dragon Gate for its perseverance and determination and they turned it into a golden dragon, the image of power and strength.

According to Feng Shui, fish represents wealth and prosperity because the actual word in Chinese for fish (魚 yú) also translates to “abundance” (裕 yù).  Because of the dragon legend, Koi fish are known as symbols of strength and perseverance, as seen in their determinative struggle upstream. And because of the lone koi that made it to the top of the waterfall, they are also known as symbols of a destiny fulfilled. There are nine fish in the painting, as the auspicious number 9 is considered ideal and symbolizes a long life. The dragon is said to be the head of the fish clan.

The dragon in the painting is inspired by a dragon sculpture in Thean Hou Temple, Kuala Lumpur.


 

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