A guide to the meanings and symbolism of animal and bird motifs found on traditional Japanese kimono.
In This Article
- Chidori (Plover)
- Chou (Butterfly)
- Fukuro (Owl)
- Hanakuidori (Flower-Carrying Bird)
- Hato (Dove)
- Houou (Phoenix)
- Kame (Turtle)
- Kiji (Pheasant)
- Kingyo (Goldfish)
- Koi (Carp)
- Koumori (Bat)
- Kujaku (Peacock)
- Kyutouma (Nine Horses)
- Oshidori (Mandarin Ducks)
- Ryu (Dragon)
- Shishi (Lion)
- Suzume (Sparrow)
- Tai (Sea Bream)
- Tonbo (Dragonfly)
- Tsuru (Crane)
- Usagi (Rabbit)
Chidori (Plover)
Meaning: Harmony, companionship, and overcoming life’s challenges together
Chidori are small shorebirds that have long appeared in Japanese poetry and decorative arts. They are often depicted flying above waves, a design known as nami-chidori (plovers and waves).
In traditional interpretations, the waves came to represent the challenges and uncertainties of life, while the chidori were associated with people moving forward together. Because of this imagery, the motif came to express harmony, companionship, and the wish to overcome difficulties side by side.
Nami-chidori is also associated with marital harmony, strong relationships, and enduring bonds, making it an auspicious motif expressing the wish to face life’s changing circumstances together.
Chou (Butterfly)
Meaning: Transformation, renewal, beauty, and longevity
The butterfly has long been admired in Japan as a symbol of transformation and renewal. Its journey from caterpillar to butterfly came to represent growth, positive change, and new beginnings.
Butterflies are also associated with longevity. One traditional interpretation connects the sound of chō (“butterfly”) with the character chō (長), associated with length or longevity, giving the motif an auspicious connection with long life.
Butterflies are also associated with beauty and elegance, and their transformation gives the motif a sense of growth and renewal. For this reason, butterfly motifs came to express wishes for happiness, beauty, and a flourishing life.
Personally, wearing butterfly motifs reminds me that even difficult times may simply be part of the journey toward becoming something new and beautiful.
Fukuro (Owl)
Meaning: Good fortune, protection from hardship, longevity, and foresight
The owl is considered an auspicious motif in Japan, especially because of wordplay based on the sound fukurō. Its ability to see clearly in the dark has also given it an association with foresight and the ability to see one’s way forward.
The name fukurō is sometimes written with auspicious characters such as 不苦労, suggesting “without hardship,” 福来郎, suggesting “good fortune comes,” 福老, associated with a fortunate old age, and 福籠, suggesting that good fortune is gathered and kept.
Through these playful associations, owl motifs came to express wishes for good fortune, protection from hardship, longevity, and a happy life.
Hanakuidori (Flower-Carrying Bird)
Meaning: Good fortune, happiness, and auspicious blessings
Hanakuidori is a traditional motif depicting a bird holding a flowering branch in its beak. Rather than representing one specific species, the design may feature auspicious birds such as phoenixes, cranes, or mandarin ducks.
In traditional interpretations, birds carrying flowers were associated with bringing happiness and blessings from paradise. For this reason, hanakuidori became an auspicious motif expressing wishes for good fortune, happiness, and a flourishing life.
Hato (Dove)
Meaning: Peace, divine protection, good fortune, and favorable signs
Today, doves are widely recognized as symbols of peace, an association that developed largely through Western tradition and the biblical story of Noah’s Ark.
In Japan, doves have a different traditional significance. They have long been associated with Hachiman, one of Japan’s most widely worshipped deities, and were regarded as his divine messengers. Their appearance could be interpreted as a sign carrying the will or protection of Hachiman.
Through these associations, hato motifs came to carry meanings of divine protection, good fortune, and auspicious signs, while in modern times the dove has also become familiar in Japan as a symbol of peace.
Houou (Phoenix)
Meaning: Peace, prosperity, virtue, and good fortune
The houou is a legendary bird often compared to the phoenix. In East Asian tradition, it is regarded as the king of birds and a sacred creature said to appear during times of peace and good governance.
Unlike an ordinary bird, the houou is a mythical being described as combining features of several animals. Its magnificent appearance and association with a peaceful and flourishing world made it a symbol of virtue, prosperity, and good fortune.
In one traditional explanation, hō refers to the male bird and ō to the female, giving the name an additional association with harmony and balance. As a bird believed to appear in an age of peace and prosperity, the houou became one of the most prestigious auspicious motifs in Japanese art and kimono.
Kame (Turtle)
Meaning: Longevity, good fortune, and a peaceful life
The turtle has long been regarded as a symbol of longevity and good fortune in Japan. This is reflected in the well-known saying, “The crane lives for a thousand years, the turtle for ten thousand.”
Because of these associations, turtles can also be found in Japanese temples, shrines, and traditional gardens, where they are regarded as auspicious creatures representing a long, healthy, and prosperous life.
These meanings are also reflected in kimono designs, where kame motifs express wishes for longevity, good fortune, and a peaceful and enduring life.
Kiji (Pheasant)
Meaning: Abundance, family prosperity, and good fortune
Kiji, or pheasant, is Japan’s national bird and has long been familiar in Japanese culture. The male is admired for its vivid plumage, while the female has traditionally been associated with maternal devotion and strong reproductive vitality.
Because of these associations, kiji motifs came to represent abundance, good harvests, and the prosperity of future generations. As a kimono design, the pheasant expresses wishes for family happiness, growth, and lasting good fortune.
Kingyo (Goldfish)
Meaning: Wealth, prosperity, and fertility
Kingyo, or goldfish, became an auspicious motif through Chinese wordplay. In Chinese, “goldfish” is associated with jinyu, sounding like an expression meaning “surplus gold” or “money remaining.” This gave the motif a strong association with wealth, prosperity, and financial good fortune.
Goldfish also lay many eggs, so they came to symbolize fertility, abundance, and wishes for many descendants. When goldfish were first introduced to Japan, they were rare and expensive, enjoyed mainly by wealthy people. By the middle of the Edo period, however, they had become more widely available and increasingly popular among ordinary people.
Because of their graceful movement and refreshing appearance, goldfish became especially popular as a summer motif and continue to appear on summer kimono and yukata.
Koi (Carp)
Meaning: Determination, perseverance, and achievement
According to a well-known East Asian legend, a carp that succeeds in swimming upstream and ascending the powerful waterfall known as the Dragon Gate (Ryūmon) transforms into a dragon.
Because of this story, koi became a powerful symbol of perseverance, determination, and overcoming obstacles. The motif also came to express wishes for success, advancement, and the achievement of important goals.
For these reasons, koi has long been cherished as an auspicious motif in Japanese art and kimono.
Koumori (Bat)
Meaning: Happiness, good fortune, and longevity
Although bats are often viewed negatively in the West, they have long been considered auspicious in East Asian symbolism. In China, the character for bat, fu (蝠), sounds like fu (福), meaning good fortune or happiness. Because of this wordplay, bats became symbols of happiness, prosperity, and blessings.
The Five Bats motif represents the Five Blessings, one of which is longevity, giving bats an additional association with long life. This auspicious symbolism was also embraced in Japan, where bat motifs became especially popular during the Edo period.
As a kimono motif, koumori expresses wishes for happiness, good fortune, prosperity, and a long life.
Kujaku (Peacock)
Meaning: Beauty, dignity, and protection
Kujaku, or peacock, has long been admired for its elegant posture, brilliant feathers, and long flowing tail. Its striking beauty made it a popular subject in Japanese art and decorative design.
In Buddhist symbolism, the peacock is strongly associated with protection. Because peacocks were believed to consume poisonous snakes and insects without being harmed, they came to represent the power to overcome harmful influences. This symbolism is reflected in Kujaku Myōō, the Peacock Wisdom King, a Buddhist deity associated with protection from poison, illness, and calamity.
As a kimono motif, kujaku expresses wishes for beauty, dignity, protection, and good fortune.
Kyutouma (Nine Horses)
Meaning: Success, prosperity, and good fortune
Kyutouma is an auspicious motif depicting nine horses running together. Its meaning comes from a Japanese wordplay: uma means “horse,” while ku can mean “nine,” creating the sound uma-ku, as in umaku iku — “to go well” or “to succeed.”
Because of this wordplay, the motif came to express the wish that things will go well in many areas of life.
For this reason, kyutouma has long been cherished as an auspicious design expressing wishes for success, prosperity, and a fortunate path forward.
Oshidori (Mandarin Ducks)
Meaning: Marital happiness, lasting love, and harmonious relationships
In Japan, devoted couples are often described as oshidori fūfu (“a pair of mandarin ducks”). For centuries, oshidori have symbolized lasting affection, marital harmony, and loving partnerships.
Traditionally depicted in pairs, oshidori came to represent couples who support and cherish one another. For this reason, the motif expresses wishes for a happy marriage, lasting love, and a harmonious relationship.
These auspicious associations also made oshidori a beloved motif in wedding and celebratory designs, where they symbolize enduring love and happiness.
Ryu (Dragon)
Meaning: Power, authority, success, and divine protection
Ryu, or dragon, is a mythical creature that originated in ancient China and later became an important motif in Japan. It was believed to rise to the heavens and control clouds and rain, making it a sacred being connected with water, nature, and divine power.
In East Asian tradition, the dragon is one of the Four Auspicious Creatures, together with the phoenix, qilin, and turtle. In another traditional system, the Azure Dragon (Seiryū) is one of the Four Guardian Deities and protects the eastern direction.
As a kimono motif, the dragon symbolizes authority, strength, protection, and good fortune. A dragon rising toward the sky, known as shōryū, is especially auspicious, representing advancement, success, and the wish to rise higher in life.
Shishi (Lion)
Meaning: Protection, strength, and warding off evil
Shishi is a mythical lion-like creature that became an important protective symbol in Japan. It is often depicted as a guardian figure and was traditionally believed to ward off evil spirits and misfortune.
Its powerful and fearless appearance also gave the motif associations with strength and courage. In Japan, shishi became established as a sacred protective creature and was used in art, architecture, and decorative designs as a symbol of protection against harmful influences.
As a kimono motif, shishi expresses wishes for safety, strength, good fortune, and powerful protection.
Suzume (Sparrow)
Meaning: Family prosperity, household safety, and abundance
The sparrow has long been regarded as an auspicious bird in Japan. Traditionally believed to peck away misfortune, it came to symbolize household safety, family prosperity, and good fortune.
Sparrows are also closely associated with rice fields and are often depicted together with ripe ears of rice, creating imagery connected with abundant harvests and prosperity.
In winter, sparrows fluff up their feathers against the cold, creating the round form known as fukura-suzume. Written with auspicious characters suggesting good fortune, this motif became associated with abundance and the prosperity of future generations.
Tai (Sea Bream)
Meaning: Celebration, good fortune, and happiness
Tai, or sea bream, is one of Japan’s most auspicious fish. Its name sounds like part of the word medetai, meaning “joyful,” “auspicious,” or “worthy of celebration.”
Sea bream has also been valued as an auspicious fish since ancient times and was traditionally offered to the gods. Its red color, long associated in Japan with protection from evil, added to its celebratory significance.
Because of these associations, tai became strongly connected with good fortune and happy occasions. A whole sea bream served with its head and tail intact is still prepared for traditional celebrations such as New Year, weddings, and okuizome, expressing wishes for happiness, prosperity, and good fortune.
Tonbo (Dragonfly)
Meaning: Victory, courage, determination, and moving forward
The dragonfly has long been regarded as an auspicious insect in Japan. Traditionally, it was said to fly straight ahead without retreating, making it a symbol of determination, progress, and the courage to move forward.
Dragonflies came to be known as kachimushi (“victory insects”) and were especially favored by samurai. Their motifs appeared on armor, weapons, and garments, expressing wishes for victory, perseverance, and success.
As a kimono motif, tonbo expresses determination, courage, good fortune, and the strength to keep moving forward.
Tsuru (Crane)
Meaning: Longevity, good fortune, marital happiness, and prosperity
The crane is one of Japan’s most auspicious symbols. Traditionally believed to live for a thousand years, it became an emblem of longevity, good fortune, and a prosperous life.
Cranes have also long been regarded as sacred and auspicious birds. In traditional East Asian imagery, they were associated with the heavens and with legendary realms of immortality, giving them an additional sense of connection between heaven and earth.
Cranes are also known for forming lasting pair bonds. When depicted as a pair, they symbolize marital harmony, enduring love, and the wish for a happy life together. For this reason, crane motifs have long been cherished on wedding kimono and other celebratory garments.
Usagi (Rabbit)
Meaning: Progress, good fortune, and family prosperity
The rabbit has long been regarded as an auspicious motif in Japan. Because rabbits leap forward with great energy, they came to symbolize progress, growth, and the ability to move ahead in life.
Rabbits are also associated with family prosperity. Their ability to reproduce quickly made them symbols of abundance and wishes for future generations.
Rabbits also have a deep connection with the moon in Japanese culture. The familiar image of the rabbit on the moon has inspired many traditional designs, adding another layer of cultural meaning to the motif.
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