Koi Fish.....

Koi Fish meaning in Japan is good fortune or luck they also are associated with perseverance in adversity and strength of purpose. Symbolic in Buddhism to represent courage.

The Koi fish is considered to be the most energetic of fishes. This is because it is constantly moving, often churning up water.

The Koi is also able to fight the current of the water and swim upstream.

According to Japanese legend, if a koi succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate on the Yellow River, it would be transformed into a dragon. Based on that legend, it became a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement.

koi fish tattoo on the arm

Some say that the koi fish should NOT be tattooed in the lower or middle back, because that doesn't represent the success and accomplishment which is what Koi fish tattoos are For men, that’s rubbish to me since it is a bit harder because it needs to be placed in a way that it doesn't look awkward. Feet, wrists, shoulders, forearm, and the upper back are all great places to tattoo. They can tattoo almost anywhere and it will look good.

celebrity with an ankle koi fish tatoo

Each Koi is a unique fish in that no two are alike. Within this uniqueness there is an order of things, so that Koi can be divided into broad categories based on their markings and colors. In Japan there are 14 basic lineages recognized and these are accepted throughout the world. Within these groups there are numerous other divisions which relate to the way in which the colors, scales or combination of these are formed in the individual fish.

The 14 types of Koi Fish

• Kohaku - These are the most common type of koi and are white with red markings.

types of koi fish

• Taisho Sanke - These are white koi with red and black markings.

• Showa - These koi have red and white markings on a black background.

• Bekko - Bekko can be red, white or yellow, but they have black markings.

• Utsurimono - These koi are similar to Bekko, but are actually the opposite being black with red, white or yellow markings.

• Asagi - These koi are blue/grey and have red markings on their sides, fins and bellies.

• Shusui - These koi are similar to the Asagi, but these are doitsu koi, meaning that they have scales only along their dorsal and lateral lines.

• Koromo - Koromo koi are named for the pattern they have - "robed". They are normally white, and then the pattern is outlined in a darker color, sometimes blue, black or purple.

• Kawarimono - This is a catch-all name, including all koi that are non-metallic.

• Hikarimono - Koi that are hikarimono are metallic, but of a single color only.

koi fish arm tattoo, without shadding

• Hikari-Utsurimono - These koi are metallic, but with the marking of an Utsurimono.

• Hikarimoyo-Mono - These koi are also metallic, but they have more than one color and do not fall into the Utsurimono and Showa patterns.

• Tacho - Tacho are named after the national bird of Japan and, like the crane they are named for, they have a single red spot on their foreheads.

• Kinginrin - Any koi with more than 20 sparkling scales.