Kodomo no Hi [Children’s Day] takes place at the Garden of the Phoenix in Chicago on Friday May 5th, 2023
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Carp flags, or koinobori, are the iconic symbol of this holiday. Children’s Day promises these streamer-like fish made of cloth, which are meant to bring the children of a household good luck. When the wind blows through the koinobori, it makes it look like the fish is swimming.
The day before Kodomo no Hi, families raise carp flags to represent the members of the household. The carp flags come in different colors, with each one representing a different family member. Black carps usually represent the father (magoi), red or pink the mother (higoi), and other colors—like blue, green, and orange—symbolize the children.
A carp is supposed to symbolize determination, strength, and success. There’s actually a legend behind the use of this special freshwater fish. According to this myth, if a carp has what it takes to swim all the way upstream, it will transform and become a dragon.