Why are Gold Fish Luck In China?

[Missy Miss]

I have heard that Gold Fish are Lucky in Chinese Culture... Can anyone explain why???
Where does this story come from?

Thanks

 

[bill]

The more 'gold' the better, right? Makes sense!

 

[Clare the dinosaur]

Um it might have t do with the color, hence it's been known as lucky...Leprachauns...LOL

 

[Lauren]

the story comes from china duh!!

 

[Trevor]

because theyre gold and they can change colours

 

[Deridovely]

I don't belive that they're considered "lucky", just a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
The "gold" color variation of carp was very rare when first discovered, and the Chinese Royalty kept them away from the public, as yellow was the imperial color, and normal people weren't "good enough" to own them. The empress of the Song Dynasty even made a pond for them and ordered that all goldfish be kept there. The goldfish bred and produced many different variations and bolder colors.
Even when it became okay for normal folk to own them, they were still expensive and it was a status symbol to own one.

Now you can win them for free at a county fair! XD

I couldn't find anything connecting them to good luck though. Maybe the person who found one would recieve good fortune after selling it for a high price?