Japanese Koi Fish Tattoo

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