koi fish tattoo
Since I first became interested in tattoos I have seen a lot of Koi fish tattoos. There are probably thousands of different representations of the fish that is so highly prized by the Japanese. I have seen the retelling of the Japanese carp becoming a dragon myth at least twenty percent of the time. That seems the most popular Koi fish tattoo. But, I have also seen Koi fish tattoo combined with other traditional elements like cherry blossoms and lotus flowers. And I have seen the more esoteric designs as well. I have seen Koi fish tattoos that had this carp swimming in the swimming pool and even lounging in a beach chair. But, this Koi fish tattoo is a little different then anything else I have ever seen. And the design premise is so simple that it’s almost perfect. A tribal Koi fish tattoo! That’s simply brilliant. What an innovative way to take two traditional tattoo forms and combine them into one tattoo. But, this design is more then just a stroke of genius. It’s also very beautiful as well. On the left you can see the design after it’s finished being shaded in with black ink and on the right is one with just the lines. I would tattoo any one of these with pride.
koi fish tattoo
The Koi fish tattoo is the main staple of the Japanese tradition. The Koi,also known as the Japanese Carp is a bright golden, orange and white fish, sometimes depicted with red overtones. The Koi have glided among the still waters of ornamental ponds for over two thousand years. That’s generally how we view them, as the brightly colored fish swimming in public ponds. Because of their tenacity, the Koi fish tattoo represents perseverance in the face of adversity and strength of character or singleness of purpose. The Koi can also represents wisdom, knowledge, longevity, and loyalty. In Japan and China the Koi has long been a symbol of masculinity and strength. Legends tell of it leaping up the falls at Dragon Gate on the Yellow River in China. In the process it transformed into a dragon, proof of its successful struggle against the long odds. If caught, the koi is said to await the cutting knife without a quiver, in the manner of the Samurai warrior facing the sword. Therefore it is considered in Asian traditions as being the embodiment of honor. In Japan, the koi would appear on a young man’s forearm or leg. As he continued his life’s journey he might eventually earn a dragon for his final back piece, echoing the legend of the leaping koi transforming into a dragon at Dragon Gate. In Western cultures the Koi Fish tattoo is often used as a chest or back piece.
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