The Golden Carp

The Golden Carp

Source #2

Hoffman, Ken; Dale Mayhoeffer; Greg Chapman. "TechDictionary." Gradesaver Inc. 4 May 2012 <http://techdictionary.com/goldencarp/>

Personal

Source #1

Comparing it to my own personal life, the golden carp doesn't really affect much in my life besides my culture. As a child, I remember seeing the golden carp every Sunday when I go to the temple with my parents. I would ask my dad what was it and my father would tell me that the golden carp represents a symbol of peace and wisdom. He told me that the golden carp is a very special carp. He says that the golden carp is a God that saved his people. Ever since then I just see the golden carp as a fish, like it's beautiful but I don't really believe in the whole God thing. I don't think this is relevant to the lives of my friends but kind of to my family, because my dad is kind of religious. He tells me a lot about these type of legends and myths when I was younger and he always had told me to always think positive. In today's society, the golden carp play as a role of a God or guidance for people. I believe that everyone should have some kind of belief or guidance to have hope in life. I think today's society, many people don't have guidance and end up giving up on life.

Anayla Rudolf. The Golden Carp. Copyright April 2012. Scoab Institution/Scoab University, Inc. 13 December 2013. <http://www.scoab.com/ golden-carp-symbol.htmL>

Background/History Part 2

Relevance

The golden carp plays a significant role in Bless me, Ultima because; it is a symbol of freedom and balance. It represents an alternative religion to the Catholicism that Antonio is raised in. The golden carp is the reason that helped Antonio develop his individuality and acceptance. The golden carp is also not a god of punishment. He is only a god of peace. His life changed ever since he heard the story of the golden carp, his ideas about God and religion started to shift. Antonio comes to the realization that the power of God failed where Ultima's work after watching the golden carp swim by & looking at it face to face. Before Antonio was always looking for answers and was hoping that God will reveal answers when he takes his first Holy Communion. The golden carp represent wisdom and power that stems from the Native American heritage of the region—a heritage that Antonio shares. I believe the golden carp is an important role in this novel because, it is the reason that Antonio accepted everything that had happened in his life and the guidance of it.

This new world is ruled over by the gods Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca. According to Aztec's beliefs, the Nahui-Ollin or fifth age of the world would eventually face destruction from a massive earthquake. The process of creation that is described by the Aztec myth is the cycle of destruction, rebirth, and regeneration. For each of the ages, destruction was first then soon followed by the creation of a new world and a new sun, a chance for the world to regenerate and try again. Quetzalcoatl was believed to be the god of the priests, as well as the god of learning and knowledge. While Tezcatlipoca was the total opposite of Quetzalcoatl, he was more cruel and evil.

Background/History Part 1

The golden carp is a myth that plays a very important role in Bless me, Ultima. Its originates from the Aztec culture; it then carried down to the Mexican community. According to the Aztec's legend, all the people were transformed into fish when the world was flooded with mighty waters. A man and his wife survived the flood in a boat and became the parents of a new generation of people. This generation is known as the fifth age of the world or “Nahui-Ollin,” meaning balance.