Page 23 - Koi Net - On-Line Koi Magazine - Issue 30

PATTERN

This article is an extract from a series of
articles that have been published overseas
in various ZNA chapter magazines.
Bernie Woollands.

When we focus on the general aspects of pattern,
there are many specific aspects confined to individual
varieties that you won’t find here.
Pattern is probably the first thing we look at when
selecting a Koi for our ponds. We have something in the
back of our minds and we look for a Koi that appeals to
us. Some may say that ‘pattern’ is the most important
thing.

However, if we go back to the analogy, i.e. that of a
painting, then no matter how good the application of the
paint is, if it is slapped on a piece of crumpled toilet
paper stuck poorly on to a rickety frame of uneven twigs,
then it won’t be winning any prizes for artistic merit.
So for a good Koi we need a good frame (Body), a good
quality canvas (Skin) plus a good pattern. For the Koi
keeper the pattern needs to be one that they admire. For
a judge at a Show there are a few other things to
consider. So before we go any further let’s start this
element of Koi appreciation with a definition.
‘Pattern = the distribution of the auxiliary colours
over the base ground’

The ground being the main skin colour depending on the
variety. For example – a Kohaku has a red coloured
pattern on a white ground.
Next let me state the two guiding judging principles of
any pattern irrespective of the Koi’s variety. They are:
■ It should take your eye from the front to back,
i.e. head to the tail.
■ It should have balance, both front to back and side to
side. Balance does not mean symmetry.

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