Koi (Cyprinus carpio), commonly known as ornamental carp, koi carp, nishikigoi, or Amur carp, is any of over 100 ornamental carp types most recognized for their colorful body patterning. They are kept as pets in indoor and outdoor freshwater ponds around the world. Koi were originally cultivated as food fish in China and Japan. They are also significant figures in Chinese and Japanese folk stories and paintings as symbols of friendship, peace, luck, and tenacity. Eventually, the Japanese word koi (also meaning “affection”) became a shortened version of the Japanese word nishikigoi (meaning “brocaded carp”).