
Koi fish tattoos are popular for the back and both shoulders, or as a sleeve tattoo. More often than not koi tattoos are very large tattoos, with intricate shading and colors to depict their rainbow of scales and their strong swimming motion against the current. The wealthier one was, the more koi one could afford to have. Since koi can eat a hefty portion of their body weight every day, they were expensive to keep.

Koi tattoo art will bring you wealth and abundance. Sharing much of its imagery with the Japanese for the koi's strength and determination, the Chinese koi is also associated with life-long good fortune. The legend says:Īny carp able to climb to the Dragon Gate along the Yellow RiverĪs such, the koi has become symbolic of aspiration for lofty goals and dreams. The Koi or " dragon fish" is the king of fish and holds special significance in China.
Koi fish tattoo sleeve torrent#
Proudly going against the grain, with little care for the opinions of others and society, a tattoo depicting a koi fish swimming through a tumultuous torrent is a powerful and personal image.Ĭlick here to learn more about Japanese Tattoo Designs

The Japanese word Koi translates as carp, but also as love, therefore koi fish are a symbol of love (the kind of love you have for your lover, not for your parents for example). The Chinese, on the other hand, have a very special interpretation of koi fish in general. Interestingly, the Japanese assign different symbolic meanings to the fish depending upon the way it behaves, either in the pond or in the wild. The general symbolic meaning of koi and koi tattoos is good luck. Originally a ravenous pet species that stirred up silt in waterways, the Japanese have inbred them and turned them into gemlike marvels. Koi fish are a species of carp (Koi is the Japanese word for carp) that are specially bred to have wild, brilliant color schemes. Koi tattoo designs are often combined with splashing water, cherry blossom and lotus flowers. Koi fish tattoos are as varied and as popular as the animal they represent.
