What Do Koi Fish Tattoos Mean? Cultural & Modern Symbolism

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Everything you need to know about koi tattoos
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Koi fish tattoos are popular all over the world due to their positive associations and cultural meanings. Generally, koi tattoos are a symbol of perseverance, though they may have additional meanings depending on the tattoo’s color and design. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about koi fish tattoos, including their common meanings and cultural symbolism. We'll answer all of your questions about koi fish tattoos, plus provide design and placement advice from professional tattoo artist Burak Moreno.

What do koi fish tattoos mean?

Koi fish tattoos often symbolize perseverance due to the fish’s determination to swim upstream. They represent inner strength and the ability to overcome struggles. The color of the fish may add meanings, as well; for example, gold koi represent prosperity while black koi represent masculinity.

Section 1 of 5:

Koi Fish Tattoo Color & Design Meanings

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  1. Perseverance is the most common meaning associated with koi fish tattoos. They represent courage and inner strength. Koi fish often symbolize the struggles one has overcome in their life, and they serve as a reminder to never give up. [1]
  2. Gold, yellow, and orange are popular koi fish tattoo colors, likely because of a traditional Chinese legend in which koi fish were turned into a golden dragon. Gold (and similar colors) represents prosperity, personal riches, and good fortune. [2]
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  3. Black is a powerful, elegant color, and black koi fish tattoos are often a symbol of masculinity and/or fatherhood. Black koi fish can also symbolize overcoming dark times in one’s life, like addiction or depression. [3]
    • Blue and black koi fish in particular symbolize overcoming adversity.
    • Yellow and black koi fish represent wealth and abundance.
    • Pink and black koi fish symbolize femininity, beauty, and grace.
    • Orange and black koi fish represent courage, ambition, and determination.
  4. Red koi fish tattoos have a variety of meanings, though most of them involve an intense emotion or feeling. Some of these meanings include intense love, power, strength, and bravery. Red koi fish can also represent motherhood. [4]
    • Red and black koi fish often symbolize love and passion or anger and aggression.
  5. Blue is traditionally a calming color, so blue koi fish tattoos often signify peace, serenity, and calmness. In some cases, they can also represent masculinity and fertility—they may be associated with sons in a family. [5]
  6. White koi fish tattoos are often symbols of career growth or business success. Since it’s rare for a koi fish to be entirely white, white koi fish tattoos often have colored spots that hold additional meanings based on that color (ex: red spots represent love, blue spots represent masculinity, etc.) [6]
    • White and black koi fish often represent good luck and fortune.
  7. Yin yang koi fish designs involve two koi fish roughly in the shape of the yin yang symbol. They’re often black and white but can incorporate color, as well. Like the traditional yin yang, these tattoos symbolize harmony and balance in life. [7]
  8. Many koi fish tattoos also feature an Asian dragon because of Chinese folklore. The dragon represents power, strength, and ferocity, while the fish represents perseverance and strength of will. Together, they allude to the legend of the koi fish and symbolize rebirth and transformation. [8]
  9. Lotuses grow out of the mud and bloom into a beautiful flower, signifying a positive transformation. This transformation can be compared to the story of the koi fish, and when depicted together in a tattoo, the design symbolizes growth, positive change, and overcoming struggles. [9]
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Section 2 of 5:

Historical & Cultural Koi Fish Meanings

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  1. According to Chinese folklore, a school of koi fish swam upstream in the Yellow River until they reached a waterfall, which the bravest attempted to leap over. Demons then transformed the waterfall into a larger obstacle, which made most of the fish give up. After hundreds of years, only one fish remained and made it to the top of the waterfall. When it reached the top, the gods rewarded its efforts by transforming it into a golden dragon. [10]
    • The idea that koi will be transformed into dragons is known as “the journey of koi” or in Japanese, “koi no takinobori” (“climbing dragon”).
  2. In Japanese culture, koi fish are associated with masculinity and qualities associated with the samurai, like strength and determination. [11] They sometimes also represent good fortune and success in business and academics.
  3. Koi fish can swim against the current and leap over waterfalls. This ability is often used as a metaphor for Buddhists who strive to reach enlightenment. In this context, they symbolize purity and spiritual awakenings, and they’re also tied to faithfulness, wisdom, and courage. [12]
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Section 3 of 5:

Koi Fish Tattoo Design Ideas

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  1. If you admire the legends and significance of the koi fish, a Japanese traditional design may be the style for you. Japanese traditional tattoos use vibrant color and intricate details inspired by ancient Japanese art to create a meaningful and visually captivating design. [13]
  2. If you admire nature, a realistic koi fish is a great way to incorporate lifelike elements into your design. The realism style aims to recreate the design as realistically as possible using advanced shading and coloring techniques. The hyper-realistic style can even enhance and highlight the emotional impact of the koi fish’s symbolism.
    • If you want a custom tattoo, Moreno says, “Collect the designs you like as reference images and give them to an artist if you like their work and if you think they work in a similar style [to] your reference images. Let them design for you.”
  3. Koi fish may be known for their colorful scales, but your tattoo doesn’t have to be. Black and gray tattoos can capture the essence of koi fish through light and shadow, allowing for a more understated tattoo and meaning. Black and gray can also be done in a variety of styles, ensuring you’ll find the best design for you . [14]
  4. Watercolor tattoos are a great way to add artistic flair to your design, so they’re ideal if you’re looking for something a little less traditional. Choose your favorite colors or shades based on actual koi fish and embrace all the creative potential this style provides. [15]
    • Moreno says, “Watercolor fades way easier than any tattoo if it isn’t [done correctly]. If you use watercolor effect as a supporter element, it would work best, but if it’s the main part of the design, it won’t hold very well. Most color tattoos need black outlines to keep the color in the border.”
  5. Koi fish tattoos look great on anyone, regardless of gender, but cherry blossoms can be a great way to make your design look more feminine. Cherry blossoms also symbolize transformation and the fleeting beauty of life, so adding them can also give your tattoo even more meaning. [16]
  6. Give your design more detail by adding water, lily pads, and lotus flowers. A tranquil pond can symbolize peace and calmness, balancing out the koi fish’s strength and perseverance. Details like lotus flowers can add even more meaning, like transformation.
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Section 4 of 5:

Koi Fish Tattoo Placement Ideas

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  1. A koi fish tattoo can be placed anywhere on your body according to your personal preferences. Because this design has a lot of meaning and significance, however, the location you choose can sometimes influence its meaning and impact. Here are some common koi fish tattoo placements: [17]
    • Forearm: The forearm is a great location for a bold and prominent design. The visibility can enhance the koi fish’s existing meanings, like courage and determination.
    • Back: Your back provides a large canvas for big and intricate koi tattoos. This location is a great choice if you want to showcase the story of the koi fish and its transformation.
    • Thigh: The thigh provides a large, curved surface perfect for a visually striking tattoo. This placement also emphasizes the idea of progress and moving forward.
    • Chest: A koi tattoo on the chest often represents the courage to follow your heart and can be a powerful placement choice. This works especially well with additional elements like waves or lotus flowers.
    • Ankle: The ankle is a great spot for small koi fish tattoos, as it may represent a more personal or intimate connection to the design. This location also symbolizes freedom and forward motion, and it’s a great option in case you need to hide your tattoo easily.
    • Full sleeve: Incorporating your koi fish into a full sleeve is a great idea for a narrative tattoo. Add related elements like waves, a dragon, or lotus flowers to tell a story through the art.
    • Moreno warns that tattoos on the feet and hands “might fade as fast as 6 weeks." He also noted that “Hand, neck, and face tattoos are job-stopper tattoos,” and warns that you should consider your career before getting a tattoo in one of those areas.
Section 5 of 5:

Koi Fish Tattoo FAQs

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  1. Yes, anyone can get a koi fish tattoo, as they’re popular all over the world. However, like most tattoos, it’s a good idea to research any important meanings associated with the design so you know if it’s something you want to get permanently inked into your skin.
  2. Koi fish tattoos are popular because of their positive meanings. This design serves as a reminder to stay motivated and not give up when facing difficult challenges; keep reaching for your goals even when you experience obstacles. [18]
  3. In some cases, koi fish tattoos also represent loyalty in relationships, especially romantic ones. The koi fish is a symbol of love that lasts even through difficult times and is a great way to show that you won’t leave when the relationship is rocky. [19]
  4. In general, koi fish tattoos hold the same meanings regardless of the wearer’s gender, like perseverance and overcoming struggles. In some cases, though, the color of the fish can add meanings. For example, a red koi fish on a woman can sometimes represent motherhood. [20]
  5. While koi fish tattoos typically mean the same thing on a man as a woman or any other gender, they can sometimes be a symbol of masculinity. This is especially true if the fish is black or blue. Black koi fish can represent fatherhood, while blue koi fish sometimes represent sons due to their connection with fertility. [21]
  6. A tattoo featuring two koi fish often represents luck, prosperity, and perseverance. Often, these designs symbolize yin and yang, or the balance between two opposing forces, as well as the balance between feminine and masculine energy. [22]
  7. Some people believe the direction the koi fish faces changes its meaning. If the fish is facing upward, it represents swimming upstream, which is a symbol of perseverance. If it’s facing downward, it symbolizes going with the flow. Some claim a koi fish facing downward is bad luck, but this is just a superstition. Choose whichever direction you like best. [23]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://koiorganisationinternational.org/blog-entry/how-koi-became-dragon-waterfall-legend
      2. ↑ https://stories.sandiegozoo.org/zoonooz/koi-story/
      3. ↑ https://koiorganisationinternational.org/blog-entry/how-koi-became-dragon-waterfall-legend
      4. ↑ https://koiorganisationinternational.org/blog-entry/how-koi-became-dragon-waterfall-legend
      5. ↑ https://koiorganisationinternational.org/blog-entry/how-koi-became-dragon-waterfall-legend
      6. ↑ https://stories.sandiegozoo.org/zoonooz/koi-story/
      7. ↑ https://stories.sandiegozoo.org/zoonooz/koi-story/
      8. ↑ https://www.gionfestival.org/gion-festival-blogs/the-koi-dragon-legend/
      9. ↑ https://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/chiwonlee/plsc211/student%20papers/articles09/elizabeth%20larson/lotusflower/New%20Folder/Lotus%20flower.html
      1. ↑ https://stories.sandiegozoo.org/zoonooz/koi-story/
      2. ↑ https://koiorganisationinternational.org/blog-entry/how-koi-became-dragon-waterfall-legend
      3. ↑ https://www.gionfestival.org/gion-festival-blogs/the-koi-dragon-legend/
      4. ↑ https://inkspiredmagazine.com/koi-fish-tattoo-meaning/
      5. ↑ https://inkspiredmagazine.com/koi-fish-tattoo-meaning/
      6. ↑ https://inkspiredmagazine.com/koi-fish-tattoo-meaning/
      7. ↑ https://nextluxury.com/tattoos/koi-fish-tattoo-meaning/
      8. ↑ https://inkenthusiast.com/articles/koi-fish-tattoo-meaning/
      9. ↑ https://www.lovetoknow.com/home/design-decor/what-do-koi-fish-symbolize
      10. ↑ https://stories.sandiegozoo.org/zoonooz/koi-story/
      11. ↑ https://www.sunsettattoo.co.nz/blog/2019/1/17/koi-fish-tattoos-meaning-and-symbolism-part-2-nenkr
      12. ↑ https://www.sunsettattoo.co.nz/blog/2019/1/17/koi-fish-tattoos-meaning-and-symbolism-part-2-nenkr
      13. ↑ https://stories.sandiegozoo.org/zoonooz/koi-story/
      14. ↑ https://inkenthusiast.com/articles/koi-fish-tattoo-meaning/

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