COLORS SPEAK ALL LANGUAGES ~Joseph Addison

The unique patterns and flamboyant colors of the Mandarin Fish resemble the brightly colored robes worn by the Imperial Chinese officials, or mandarins.   

Mandarin Fish

These little beauties are about 3 inches long.  They don't have scales, but rather a gel-like coating that keeps them clean from parasites.  Their bright colors blend in with the coral reefs that shelter them from predators.  They live in the Western Pacific from the Philippine Islands to the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia.  

The Mandarin Fish is one of the most breathtaking fish ever found in our oceans.  It looks more like an intricate painting than it does a fish.  Its entire body is made up of wavy alternating lines of orange blue and green.  Interestingly, they like to form small groups of 2 to 5....kinda like the human cliques of a few who stick together to feel safe and supported.

As I type today's post, thoughts of peacocks, pheasants, parrots and butterflies appeared.  It's been said that the world is a paradise.  All we have to do is open our eyes, and we can see and be part of it. 

There's a quote by Allen Klein that compares one's attitude to a box of colors.  If we constantly color our picture gray, our picture will always be bleak.  If we add some bright colors to the picture.....like adding humor and silliness.....our picture begins to lighten and brighten up.  I think that's pretty cool thinking.