There are many mysteries that remain unanswered surrounding the Koi fish tattoos. A symbol of perseverance and strength, the Koi Fish tattoo is a direct descendant of ancient fables of journeys made by groups of Koi making an arduous journey along the Yellow River to the Golden Gate where, it is told, if they survive the jump to the summit, they transform into a Dragon and achieve their lifetime goal. There are many mysteries that remain unanswered surrounding the Koi Tattoo flash art and Koi Fish Tattoo community. A symbol of perseverance and strength, the Koi Fish tattoo is a direct descendant of ancient fables of journeys made by groups of Koi making an arduous journey along the Yellow River to the Golden Gate where, it is told, if they survive the jump to the summit, they transform into a Dragon and achieve their lifetime goal.
Koi fish tattoos often have different meanings but the common meaning includes strength, bravery to face hardship against all odds. Regarding the Chinese "Dragon Gate" legend, Koi are seen as symbols of accomplishment and grand aspiration. Koi fish are often referred to as "living jewels" and often associated with good fortune and luck. If you've ever seen the image portraying five golden Koi this is said to mean "never-ending riches" and well being. Many tattoo designers suggest to people who have put great importance on being a free thinker to that of the Koi ability to swim against the current as being "non-conformist".
There are others who believe that the meaning of the Koi tattoo design differ based on the placement, position of the fish and the colors, as well many other differences in design. Much of this depends upon the person who has it. If contemplating a Koi tattoo it's best to go with the colors of natural combination such as: gold, yellow, red, orange, black or white. In addition, the Koi can stand for a symbol of romantic love and affection which is also another reason for its popularity. The Koi is a fish which commands a certain personality of its own which when drawn on a person's body transfers the same trait to the holder of the tattoo. This is a reason for the Koi tattoo's need for enough space in order to depict the true meaning behind the artwork.
The fish Koi is a symbol of determination and struggle which has been the way that the Japanese have looked at the fish for years. The fish has a peculiar quality of trying to swim upstream which gives it the aura of determination and struggle as mentioned above. People often use the Koi fish to denote the struggles in their own lives which seem like an effort to swim up stream in a flowing river. The same traits are interpreted by the Buddhist communities as fearlessness and rigour which is another way to depict these qualities in a person through the art work on his or her body. The Koi fish has gained popularity because of these deep meanings.