What Fish?

In Chinese, plumfish (li yu) has the same pronunciation as koi. Plumfish is koi.

Since I was little, I always thought koi was the most tranquil and gorgeous creature in the world. An entire afternoon next to a koi pond was heaven.

It is until lately that I suddenly remembered the ancient mythology -- the strongest koi swims upstream, until it reaches the final waterfall, where it vaults into the mists and becomes a water dragon...

In Buddhism, koi represents courage. Humans 'swim' through the 'ocean of suffering' without fear, just like a fish swims through water. In Japan, koi symbolizes luck, perseverance and triumph over adversity.

What fascinates me is its transcendental power to become something strong, beautiful and complete different, a dragon. To reach another world, to be eternal and free.

That is how I feel when writing -- that I am reaching for something, some place or someone, that I am eternal and free.

So, until the next leap toward the dragon gate, I am still plumfish.