During the Tang and Song dynasties, there were large dragon–carp (鳌鱼) reliefs on the steps in front of the imperial palace. In the era of imperial examinations, the scholar who scored number one would stand on the head of the embossed giant to receive the announcement of the ranking. Therefore, the person who can make it and stand on the image of a dragon-carp head is considered as a champion. Later, the term ‘Standing on the Head of a Dragon-Carp’ is symbolic for ‘winning the first place in the competition’.

Related Figures and Stories:

God of Literature 魁星

When the God of Literature kicks an ink vessel, you are blessed to be the only one who can stand on the head of a dragon-carp. 魁星踢斗,  独占鳌头

Related Symbol:

Fish turning into dragon 鱼化龙

Related Pun Picture:

You will certainly come out first in the imperial examinations 必定夺魁

• Fig 1: porcelain desk stand in the form of a screen with relief, 1540–1600 (circa), courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum

  Fig 2: famille verte porcelain brushpot, Kangxi period (1662–1722), Qing dynasty, formerly in the Robert McPherson collection

  Fig 3: porcelain brushpot with overglaze enamelled decoration, Kangxi period (1662–1722), Qing dynasty, courtesy of Princessehof Ceramics Museum, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands, photo by Mr JP Kim