Koi is a word popularized by the Japanese that means wild carp or carp. Contrary to Western culture beliefs, Koi is a colorful freshwater fish usually found in public ponds, fountains, and rivers that can be many different colors like white, red, yellow, orange, gold, and even calico. The Koi tattoo is very famous in Japanese culture where it has been treasured with the love and respect of the people for thousands of years.
The koi fish is one of the most beautiful and popular tattoo symbols in Japanese and around the world. A Japanese legend says that if a koi successfully scales the drop at the Dragon Gate in the Yellow River, it will transform into a dragon. Due to its masculine quality, the Koi tradition made its way into the family where they celebrate the son with a Koi fish flag in the house or at the children’s day festival. Koi fish tattoos symbolize strength, courage, determination over obstacles, and ambition to reach high goals.
The Japanese Koi tattoo tradition has left a huge mark on Western tattoo culture for its deep traditional meanings and beautiful designs. Koi tattoo art has become more popular all over the world than just in Asia. Thousands of people decorated themselves with Koi sleeve tattoos on their arms and forearms. There are many different but interesting opinions about the meaning of Koi fish tattoos. Some feel that the Koi’s swimming direction has symbolism of sexual attention.
For me, finding a true meaning behind all this is difficult and the fact that most of the meanings of tattoos have to do with the person who receives them. Any feeling you have for the tattoo is the meaning for you, not necessarily faithful to another person, but at the end of the day, it is your tattoos so that no one is neglected. In fact, I’ve heard people say this about koi fish tattoos: If the koi is swimming up, the person is really sexual or gay, and if it’s swimming down, it means the person wants to give or receive oral sex. I don’t know all about this, but it could be that it means trying to overcome problems and it means obstacles have been addressed. Like I said, whatever meaning fits your lifestyle is the true meaning.
