About Koi Fish Tattoos
A koi fish tattoo is a worthy prospect for its beauty alone, but the koi embodies a great deal of meaning and demands respect. Originally Chinese, these carp have long been celebrated in Japanese culture, where they symbolize good luck, fortune, courage, ambition and advancement. The kanji or Japanese character “koi” is related (in a way similar to our homonym) to the word for “love.”
According to a Japanese legend, the koi fish was promised it would be transformed into a dragon if it succeeded in swimming up a waterfall. Koi are strong emblems of perseverance and determination. They can represent our ability to succeed against the adversity of our daily lives.
It is worthwhile to note that in Japan, the koi fish is considered to possess so many desirable masculine traits, that it is the official decoration used in Japanese Boy’s Day (now including girls and renamed “Children’s Day”) celebrations! The icon of a koi ascending the waterfall is a majestic scene for a large piece on a man’s back! Colorful koi can also climb on legs and transform into dragons!
For women, simple, small, and cute koi are easily placed on the body. The sinuous outline of koi swimming makes a nice piece for delicate areas like the wrist, neck or ankle. A larger koi or collection of koi is good for the back of a shoulder or for the lower back. Koi fish are ideal for a dramatic tattoo sleeve!
Koi fish tattoos can be represented as a single fish, but several fish makes a larger statement and the number of fish can be symbolic—5 golden koi are a symbol of wealth, for example. The koi can be depicted realistically, in a tribal style, or as an outline. Koi can be combined with other elements such as dragons, Japanese kanji or Chinese symbols.
The color of koi fish tattoo design can also be symbolic. Blue, green, red, pink, black, and white are all popular choices. Particular colors represent various family members during the Japanese Children’s Day celebration. You have the opportunity to customize the meaning of your tattoo, as well as select the most beautiful composition!
Koi Fish Tattoo Pictures and Ideas
Check out these cool koi fish tattoo pictures and koi fish tattoo ideas for inspiration:
