Chinese Koi Fish Tattoo Meaning

Since the koi fish is capable of adapting to changing climates and different waters the tattoo design stands for strength good luck love friendship power independence long life courage determination dedication success etc.

Chinese koi fish tattoo meaning. Koi fish are also a common subject in tattoos. This type of tattoo often represents balance between all the world s elements and life but can also mean acceptance of the ups and downs that life presents. According to most tattoo artists koi fish represent strength prosperity determination independence perseverance and good luck among other things. When the fish is depicted to be swimming upstream it can symbolize that the person who has got the tattoo is still struggling with his problem.

Koi fish are sometimes placed in a yin and yang form with one fish swimming up and the other swimming down. A koi fish tattoo with running water symbolizes courage the ability to attain goals and to overcome life s difficulties. Most of the meaning and symbolism behind the fish stems from this ancient legend. According to legend any koi that is able to scale the waterfall known as dragon s gate will be transformed into a dragon.

All of this is based on the huge amount of reverence and respect that the japanese people have for the humble koi fish. Red and black koi fish tattoo meaning a red or orange koi is a symbol for the mother of the family and a red or pink koi is a symbol for a daughter. Black symbolizes great adversity the black koi fish is used to represent adverse struggle to succeed. Red koi can also symbolize power and bravery both common associations with the color red.