We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.” Japanese Proverb
April 1 was traditionally celebrated by French children with the creation of paper fish. The children then stuck the fish to the backs of as many adults as possible, while dancing away calling “Poisson d’Avril” (April Fish)
April Fools Day is believed to have originated in 16th century when King Charles XIV turned from the Roman Calendar to the Gregorian calendar. Historically New Years had always been celebrated March 25 through April 1. Citizens who weren’t told the news or who chose to retain the old ways on April 1st were made fun of as ‘fools’
I have embraced this day set aside for silly, joining in with a slightly changed version of the French Celebration. These are images of channeled Sedona Vortex High Desert Fish I have made manifest and send them out into the universe today to wish you “Poisson d’ Avril!”
As a child, I heard the Japanese saying posed as an interrogative — “Who is more foolish: the fool who happily dances, or the fool who dances-not for fear of appearing as a fool?”
I like the fish — think I might make a few next year. 😉
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Excellent! Thank you for such a delightful contribution to this post. Have a most excellent weekend. 📮
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I liked the paper fish idea from France, along with dancing. I enjoyed your pretty paintings, Johanna.
When Lenten season begins in our church, they pass out fish. My children used to put their lunch or allowance change into these cardboard fish. We would think of the disciples who came from the sea, fishermen, to follow His footsteps.
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Oh that is just such a lovely Lenten Ritual. Thank you so much for adding to the conversation. 🐞
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I love the images! What an interesting history of April fools!
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I believe that this paper fish to the back and a hearty “Poisson d’ Avril’ will be incorporated into all of my April Fools’ Day from this point forward. Your kind words always appreciated. XOX 🐞
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I will have to remember this one and do it next time!
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I just love the proverb JoHanna and your fish are so cute!!
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Thank you my dear. Thank you for stopping by. 🐞
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LoL … nice artwork and fun bit about history, JoHanna 🙂
I always figured there was something fishy about April Fool’s Day 😉 ♥ ❤
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Thank you for stopping by, glad you got a laugh out of the big lip fish. Have an excellent weekend. 🐞
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Thanks for the laugh and happy weekend to you too, JoHanna 🙂 ♥ ❤
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Love this. Like how you took the history and made it your own in the painting.
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Thank you Bernadette. My mother did wonderful oil paintings, and my sister does fabulous watercolors. Alas, I paint the Flying Sedona Vortex Fish.
All my best to you Bernadette, and have an excellent weekend. 🐞
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Wonderful paintings of April Fish. I wonder if the idea of being “fished” meaning being tricked comes from this. I love the Japanese quote. Thanks.
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Oh that is an interesting question.I do enjoy word origins.
According Word to Dictionary.Com the word phish comes from the word phreak
Thank you for stopping by, and have an excellent weekend. 🐞
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Enjoying your Sedona High Desert fish from Flagstaff this morning, Johanna. One may have just flown by. 🙂 –Curt
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Oh, the photos of this trip are going to be a very great treat for the followers of your most beautiful website: http://wandering-through-time-and-place.me/.
It will be especially wonderful for me to see what you capture of this area that is familiar to me.
It’s very much warmer once you drive down the Oak Creek Canyon off the Colorado Plateau from Flagstaff.
All my best to you and Peggy. Happy Trails.
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Thanks. JoHanna! My bike trip, alas, took me down 40 to Holman and then down to Springerville, before I entered New Mexico and biked across the Rockies. I missed much of the Southwest that I love so much. But on a 10,000 mile bike trip, one doesn’t take too many detours. 🙂 –Curt
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Oh I am so thrilled for you having experienced such a journey. So glad you took photos and share them!🐞
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Unfortunately, I didn’t take photos on my original journey, JoHanna, a fact I am making up for now. (grin) –Curt
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lovely colourful fish. Totally forgot it was Aprils fools. Maybe that is why my scales said I had put on weight. It has nothing to do with EASTER and Chocolates 😉 xx
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Exactly.
Or it could be the weight of the paper fish some child has tagged to your back. Thank you for visiting, and your compliment to the Fish. 🐞
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Thank you! Smiling I am with your wonderful paintings! Did not know the history of this day — opened my email to a notice from my alma mater that there was structural damage to the dome of Old Main — the beloved oldest building on the campus and that wrecking crews had removed it yesterday. Was reading with consternation until I realized in was April Fools’ Day! 🙂
Think I prefer the fish! 🙂
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Good Friday Morning Lillian. I assume we are having coffee together.
I’ve never been a big fan of April Fools Day, but I was genuinely enamored with the French Childrens’ paper fish fun, and embraced the idea of doing something silly for the Website.
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