Carp Streamers for Children's Day, May 2007

Carp Streamers for Children's Day, May 2007, originally uploaded by Joli Knott.

These carp streamers are flying over the river near our beach-house in Shimoda. They are set up every year just before the start of Golden Week. Here's a short description of their symbolic significance:

These are flown in Japan on May 5 (Children's day holiday).

Japanese carp streamers were developed mid 18th century in Edo era to celebrate birth of son. The design was inspired by a Chinese legend that a strong carp can become a dragon if it goes up a waterfall. Parents wished their son would become a strong man like a carp going up falls.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 4 September 2000

(taken from this website)