In Japanese culture the koi fish or carp is thought to be one of the most Vital Fishes. This is because it is always going from one place to the next and dosent stop swimming, often moving the water. some States are trying to minimize the Koi population because of its tendency to mess up streams by stirring up the underlying dirt.

By Markus Katsuo

The Koi is strong enough to swim against the current up stream this can mean two things:

The Koi fish is pure resolve - The Koi fish swimming upstream can be interpreted as showing determination because of the fact that the Koi does not "go with the flow". In many ways this shows how to succeed in adversity and challenge even though life is a challenge.

Strength in time of adversity - Koi fish also symbolizes the ability to go forward no matter what the obstacle is. The desire to swim on even if we are being swept along backwards.

Koi fish tattoo - Koi fish, or carp, are ornamental carp. Koi in tattooing plays an important role in Japanese myths and stories. In many of the Japanese stories, Koi are transformed through their efforts and perseverance, it is said that if they climb the dragonds gate they great become dragons. The Koi as a symbol that represents perseverance in the face of adversity. The Carp can also represents love, longevity, loyalty and knowledge,. There is a short story by Mukoda Kuniko called the Koi-san that describe the koi as symbolizing friendship and love.

Traditional Japanese Tattoos

Kohaku - a red pattern and white-skinned Koi

Taisho Sanshoku (Sanke) - a white-skinned Koi with a red and black pattern

Showa Sanshoku (Showa) - a black-skinned Koi with a red and white pattern

Tancho - koi with the red being in a circle on its forehead.

Asagi - a Koi with red scales on its bottom and light blue scales on its top

Shusui - Asagi the partially scaled version

Bekko - black pattern with white, red, or yellow-skinned Koi

Utsurimono -red, white, or yellow pattern black Koi

Goshiki - red, white, brown, and blue accents with mostly black Koi

Ogon - Koi fish that is one solid color, can be regular or metallic; known colors - red, orange, yellow, platinum and cream

Kin Gin Rin - Koi Fish with shiny scales. "Gold Silver Scales" There are also Gin Rin versions of almost any other type of koi.

Kawarimono - some other Miscellaneous types of Koi

Doitsu-goi - German Carp

Koromo - Koi with areas of blue-edged scales aligned neatly

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There are many other colors and meanings associated with Koi Tattoos I you are looking for a tattoo I found it interesting to see all the meanings See more colors here How to Geat a Lower Back Tattoo