The Fish tattoo has been in Japan for hundreds of years in the form of the Koi Fish Tattoo. Japanese legend says if a koi fish succeeds in climbing a waterfall at a point called the Dragon Gate on the Yellow River it would be transformed into a dragon. Based on that legend, it became a symbol of aspiration and advancement.

The Japanese associate koi fish (also known as carp) with perseverance in harsh conditions and strength of purpose. Because of its strength and resolve to overcome obstacles, it stands for courage and the ability to attain high goals.

According to legend, the koi climb the waterfall bravely, and if they are caught, they face their death on the cutting board bravely, like samurai. Other Japanese meanings include perseverance and strength.

Generally, koi fish tattoos’ meanings include strength of character and the temerity to face adversity and seemingly impossible odds. With regard to the Chinese “Dragon Gate” legend, koi fish are also seen as symbols of high aspiration and accomplishment. Koi are also referred to as “living jewels,” and so are likewise associated with luck and good fortune. The image of five golden koi are said to mean “eternal wealth” and well-being.

The general symbolic meaning of koi and koi tattoos is good luck. Since Koi Fish are usually very energetic, koi fish tattoo designs usually have very vivacious colors and lots of movement. There are many different colors and what they represent in the koi fish tattoo.

To See what these colors are and what they represent you can read more here http://japanesekoifishtattoos.com/japanese-koi-fish-tattoos.html

The Japanese consider the Koi to be the strongest and most vigorous of fishes. This is because it is constantly moving, often agitate the water. some countries are trying to minimize the Koi population because of its tendency to mess up waterways by stirring up the underlying sediment. http://japanesekoifishtattoos.com

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The Koi fish is pure perseverance – Koi swimming upstream can be interpreted as showing perseverance because of the fact that the Koi does not “go with the flow”. This can show a person how to be strong in the face of adversity and develop strength of character or purpose.

The Carp can also represents wisdom, knowledge, longevity, and loyalty.
Strength in time of adversity – Koi fish also symbolizes persistence and the willingness to go on even though it is being swept away.

It also symbolizes surpassing obstacles. The Koi fish swimming upriver can show how to overcome various obstacles and how come win victory over outside influences.

The Japanese Koi fish – Koi fish, or “colorful carp”), are ornamental domesticated varieties of the common carp.

Koi in Japanese tattooing plays an important role in both Chinese and Japanese myths, legends, and stories. In many of the Japanese and Chinese stories, Koi are transformed through their efforts and perseverance, able to climb waterfalls or become dragons.

The Koi as a symbol that represents perseverance in the face of adversity and strength of character or purpose. The Carp can also represents wisdom, knowledge, longevity, and loyalty.

In the short story Koi-san by Mukoda Kuniko. it is said that the koi means love and friendship.
varieties of koi fish include:Traditional Japanese Tattoos

Kohaku – a red pattern and white-skinned Koi

Taisho Sanshoku (Sanke) – a red and black pattern white-skin Koi

Showa Sanshoku (Showa) – a black-skinned Koi with a red and white pattern

Tancho – Any koi with the only red being in a circle on its forehead. The fish can be a
Asagi – a Koi with red scales on its bottom and light blue scales on its top

Shusui – Asagi the partially scaled version

Bekko – a white, red, or yellow-skinned Koi with a black pattern

Utsurimono – a black Koi with a red, white, or yellow pattern

Goshiki – red, white, brown, and blue accents with mostly black Koi

Ogon – Koi known colors – red, orange, platinum, yellow and cream that is one solid color, can be regular or metallic.

Kin Gin Rin – Koi .There are also Gin Rin versions of almost any other type of koi.

The name translates into English as “Gold Silver Scales” with shiny scales.
Kawarimono – some other Miscellaneous types of Koi.

Doitsu-goi – German Carp

Koromo – Koi with areas of blue-edged scales aligned neatly

By: Markus Katsuo

Hello Tattoo friends. I am in the process of redoing page beacuse my other blogcrashed completely so I am in the process of redoing and hope to have back up soon