鯉(こい)のぼり

こいのぼり
noun
carp streamers
1. carp streamers
Carp-shaped windsocks traditionally flown during Children's Day (May 5th) to wish for the health and success of children, especially boys.
五月(ごがつ)になると鯉(こい)のぼりが空(そら)を泳(およ)ぐ。
Carp streamers swim in the sky when May comes.
庭(にわ)に大(おお)きな鯉(こい)のぼりを立(た)てた。
We put up large carp streamers in the garden.
鯉(こい)のぼりは子(こ)どもの成長(せいちょう)を願(ねが)う。
Carp streamers express wishes for children's growth.

Cultural note

鯉(こい)のぼり are flown for こどもの日(ひ) (Children's Day, May 5th), part of 端午(たんご)の節句(せっく) (Boys' Festival).
The carp symbolizes strength and perseverance because it swims upstream. According to legend, a carp that successfully climbs a waterfall becomes a dragon.

CULTURAL NOTE (a typical set):

  • 真鯉(まごい): black carp (father)
  • 緋鯉(ひごい): red carp (mother)
  • 子鯉(こごい): smaller carp (children)
  • 吹流(ふきなが)し: streamer at the top

Common collocations

Related Words

Related: 五月人形(ごがつにんぎょう) (Boys' Day doll)
Related: 風物詩(ふうぶつし) (seasonal feature)
general
Added 2026.1.16 18:40 · Revised 2026.10.11 4:25
05500/05711_koinobori