Fish have long been associated with good luck and prosperity in many cultures around the world. But why exactly is fish considered fortunate? There are several origins and meanings behind fish symbolism that help explain why they came to represent good luck.
Fish Abundance and Success
One of the main reasons fish are seen as lucky is that they represent abundance and fertility. Fish produce huge numbers of eggs and spawn multiple times per year. A single female fish may lay hundreds of thousands or even millions of eggs in her lifetime. This amazing fertility and fecundity associates fish with prosperity, success, and plenitude.
In ancient times, when fishermen returned with a big catch it meant there was plenty of fish to eat and trade. Fishing represented a stable livelihood and source of wealth. Areas with an abundance of fish were seen as blessed with good fortune. So images and symbols of fish came to represent the prosperity that came from fruitful catches and harvests.
The fact that fish travel in large schools also gives them an aura of abundance. Huge schools of fish swarming together are a dramatic sign of fecundity and population growth. Fish‘s gregarious and abundant nature associates them with ideas of prosperity, success, and wealth.
Fish Scales and Pinecones
Fish scales themselves have symbolized good luck for centuries in many Asian cultures. This is because fish scales have a striking similarity to the shape of pinecones, which themselves are powerful symbols of prosperity and success.
In both China and Japan, pine trees represent longevity and resilience. Pinecones grow to maturity over many years, so they came to symbolize prosperity over time. The pattern of both fish scales and pinecones relates to this meaning, as the many small components overlap to form a coherent whole. These overlapping elements create harmony and interconnectivity, both important facets of prosperity in Asian philosophies.
The resemblance between the scales and pinecones linked fish visually and symbolically to these positive meanings. So fish scales by themselves came to be talismans worn for good luck, just like pinecone symbols and imagery.
Fish Meanings in Feng Shui
In feng shui, placement of fish play an important role in improving luck and prosperity. Feng shui practitioners often recommend aquariums and fish tanks be placed in particular areas of a home or business to maximize their lucky benefits.
Water is an essential element in feng shui, representing flow, energy, and abundance. Fish swimming in tanks and aquariums amplify these water associations even further. Having active, vibrant fish adds life and motion to the water element, activating the chi or energy in a space.
Fish are thought to bring positive chi that can attract auspicious influences to a location. Their presence is believed to draw in wealth, success, and vitality. For this reason, feng shui consultants will identify the optimal placement of fish tanks to enhance the occupants’ good fortune and prosperity.
Fish in Ancient Legends and Folklore
There are many legends, myths, and folktales from around the world that link fish with fortune and luck. These long-held associations imbued fish with magical significance as bringers of prosperity and favor.
An example is the story of Vedic sage Matsya, who in Hindu tradition was said to be the fish avatar of the god Vishnu. Matsya warned the first man, Manu, of an impending destructive flood and told him to build a giant boat. Matsya then led Manu’s boat to safety, allowing mankind to survive the deluge. In this tale, Matsya the fish was a bringer of luck and protection that saved humanity.
Another Hindu legend tells of a magical goldfish that fulfills wishes. The fish begins by granting small favors, but through persistence grows to deliver amazing gifts and good fortune. This story helped establish the tradition of goldfish bringing luck that is still practiced today by giving them as gifts.
Ancient Greek mythology also linked fish with fortune, in legends telling of dolphins rescuing drowning sailors and guiding ships to safety. Dolphins were blessed by Poseidon and their appearance was said to signal coming luck or protection on the voyage. Fishermen in particular valued dolphins sightings as very auspicious. This connection endowed fish and dolphins with the power to foretell fortunes at sea.
Christian Fish Symbolism
The fish is an important Christian symbol that is strongly associated with abundance and blessings. Early Christians used the fish symbol to identify each other as believers during times of persecution. The Greek word for fish, “ichthus,” was used as an acronym containing the first letters of the phrase “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior.”
This secret meaning associated fish with Christ’s presence and divine influence. The fish grew into a sign of identity, faith, and belonging. Its image signified blessings, fulfillment, and God’s favor. The fish remains a central Christian symbol of spiritual nourishment, fortune, and abundance.
Chinese Fish Homonyms
In Chinese language and culture, fish are linked to prosperity because the words for “fish” and “abundance” sound similar. The Chinese word for fish is “yu,” while the word for affluence or surplus is “yu.” This means fish are associated with ideas of plenty just through their phonetic name.
Fish names can also be used as deliberate puns and wordplay for blessings of wealth. The phrase for “may you have affluence year after year” sounds very similar to “may you have fish every year.” So images and symbols of fish are commonly used in Chinese art and decorations to wish prosperity and abundance.
The Chinese New Year
Fish have very positive connotations in Chinese New Year celebrations because they symbolize successful beginnings for the coming year. Fish are seen as harbingers of opportunity, prosperity, and affluence in the new lunar calendar.
Eating fish is thought to bring good luck for the year ahead. Serving whole fish is traditional for New Year’s meals. Their shiny scales and round wholeness symbolize completeness, unity, and togetherness for the family. Fish dishes are highly auspicious for their meanings of surplus, wealth, and decisive new starts.
The Dragon-Fish Symbol
In even more ancient Chinese mythology, a creature known as the dragon-fish or koi fish swam along with dragons in the watery depths. Koi fish later became a symbol for aspiration because of a legend that they could transform into dragons by swimming up waterfalls and conquering the final heights.
This fierce persistence and determination associated koi with courage, achievement, and unyielding effort. Koi artwork and decorations not only brought good luck, but also inspired people to face challenges and reach ambitious goals.
Dreaming of Fish
Across many traditions, dreams about fish were interpreted as very positive omens. Dreaming of fish swimming, jumping, or being caught was seen as a promise of prosperity and fortune coming soon. These dreams signaled blessings already under way, so made people highly optimistic about their coming luck.
In Judaism, seeing fish in dreams was said to foretell fertility, abundance, and riches. Egyptian dream interpretation considered fish sightings very favorable, meaning wealth and prestige. The Romans also believed dreaming of a fish swim toward you was an augury of good things approaching quickly.
Fish were perhaps the most universally fortunate creatures one could dream about, thought to guarantee coming prosperity and happiness entered your life soon. So powerful were fish dreams that people wrote them in dream books and studied meanings to predict their luck.
Lucky Fish in Astrology and Zodiac
In astrology, fish are the symbol of the 12th and final sign of the zodiac, Pisces. Pisces governs fortune, creativity, and spirituality. Those born under its influence were said to be lucky throughout life with abundant opportunities. So fish always had strong astrological connections to ideas of fate and destiny.
In Chinese astrology, fish represented Yin energy and control of emotion, key ingredients for good luck and wisdom. People born in a Yin year were said to have balance, receptivity, and insight. Fish’s symbolism of fluidity and flow made them mascots for astrological forces guiding fortune.
Lucky Fish Charms
Due to their extremely positive meanings, images and figures of fish have served as charms and amulets for centuries. Small carved fish pendants, rings, andstatuettes adorn ancient Egyptian tombs as offerings to bring good luck. In India, symbolic fish were drawn with red powder during holidays to transmit blessings.
Sailors and fishermen carried fish charms to ensure prosperous voyages and plentiful catches. In the Middle Ages, household wealth amulets often featured fish pictures or shapes. Wearing and collecting fish charms remains a way to attract beneficial energy and fortune vibes.
The Lucky Goldfish
Few animals have such sustained significance as lucky mascots as simple goldfish. Their bright golden orange color connects them with wealth and treasures. Their round flowing shape creates harmony and balance.
Goldfish bowls placed in optimal feng shui direction can enhance prosperity chi energy flows. Giving goldfish as gifts represents blessings and fortune for the recipient. They are classic symbols of affluence, success, and optimism.
Goldfish are also associated with learning and expanding wisdom. Their presence brings energies of growth and achievement. Combine this with their lucky money Karma, and goldfish remain powerful providers and amplifiers of good fortune.
Lucky Goldfish Table
| Type | Origin | Color | Size | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common | China | Orange, white, black | 1-3 inches | 10+ years |
| Comet | United States | Orange, red | 3-6 inches | 7-10 years |
| Shubunkin | Japan | Multicolored | 4-6 inches | 5-10 years |
| Fantail | China | Orange, white, black | 3-6 inches | 7-12 years |
Fish Symbols on Amulets and Coins
The image of fish was one of the most popular to use on amulets, charms, and tokens throughout history. Egyptian fertility amulets often depicted fish symbols being swallowed by cats. Greek coins frequently showed dolphins and fish to honor their associations with Poseidon.
Early Christian gemstones carved with the ichthus fish were powerful faith symbols. Chinese good luck coins have fish figures prominent on the face and reverse. Fish amulets were worn in India to bring life-giving rains to aid agriculture. On currency, architecture, seals, and jewelry, fish motifs conveyed wealth and providence.
Why are Fish Tanks and Aquariums Considered Lucky?
Fish tanks and aquariums are thought to bring good fortune because they allow positive fish energies to accumulate and vibrantly concentrate in homes and spaces. The water element attracts wealth energy called qi and allows it to flow freely.
Fish swim happily when their environment is well-cared for and balanced. Their presence indicates harmony and sustainability. So aquarium fish radiate primordial lucky blessings into their surroundings. They also remind people of nature’s abundance and the importance of listening to aquatic wisdom.
Lucky Fish Names
Giving fish lucky symbolic names is a way to further enhance the prosperous energies they transmit. Here are some popular lucky fish names and their traditional meanings:
- Jin – Gold
- Run – Prosperity
- Yu – Abundance
- Aki – Autumn harvest
- Oto – Generosity
- Umi – Ocean luck
- Tashi/Trashi – Auspicious sign
Conclusion
Fish represent the flowing motion, harmony, and infinite abundance of nature. Their presence enhances energies of prosperity, fertility, and determination. Positive associations gathered around fish over centuries infused them with good fortune symbolism across many cultures.
Displaying fish motifs remains an inviting gesture to beneficent forces. The aqueous grace of fish continues to signify opportunity, rebirth, and affluence. Their lucky meanings are ripples blessing lives with balance, longevity, and renewal of the ever-flowing good.