Japanese Tattoos

The work Koi comes from the Japanese (meaning ‘carp’), or more specifically, ‘nishikigoi’ (meaning ‘brocaded carp’) is a ornamental, brightly coloured (white, golden or orange), domesticated freshwater fish that is often found in public ponds.  Although Chinese in origin, the Koi is celebrated for its manly qualities in Japan.

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In Japan, the koi is a strong symbol of masculinity.

The term also sounds like a Japanese word for “love,” so the brightly colored fish are popular symbols of friendship, affection or love.  Koi is also seen as a symbolic value of abundance and wealth, and as a personification of warriors and spiritual guides.  In tattoo imagery, especially in combination with flowing water, it symbolizes much the same:  courage, the ability to achieve lifes goals and overcoming obstacles.

Koi tattoos can simply be an indication of love or affection.  A tattoo of a Koi swimming upstream against the current or climbing a waterfall could depict someone who is struggling to overcome lifes problems, whereas a koi flowing downstream could depict someone who has overcome difficulties.  A Red Koi usually symbolises love and a Dragon Koi represents overcoming difficulties.

The most popular colours for Japanese koi tattoos is black and white.  If you have dark skin you can choose natural color such as red,yellow and black colour.