Because of its dignified and graceful appearance in the water, the carp has also been a favorite subject for Chinese painters.
據說，錦鯉的飼養是由日本人首開風氣之先的，日本人說，錦鯉的首次出現是在日本一個叫古志的小村落。這地方偏僻、貧瘠，老百姓靠天吃水。為了蓄水，他們挖了很多的池子，蓄存雨水。