Since 1948, Japanese families have been flying koinobori on Children’s Day for all kids, not just boys. When locals caught wind of the Shogun’s practice, they began imitating the celebration. Thus, the fish represents courage and determination. An old myth prevails that when the fish tried to swim upstream in the Koga River, it completed the impossible task and became a magical dragon. The koi is pretty symbolic in Japanese culture. The Shogun, a group of elite military leaders, wanted to celebrate their male heirs by raising the koi flags. According to Sugoii-Japan, the koinobori came about between 16. Koinobori translates roughly to “carp streamer,” with “koi” meaning carp and “nobori” meaning flag.
