Determining A Koi Tattoo's Meaning

Getting a tattoo is a huge commitment, so knowing the meaning behind what you get tattooed on your back/arm/chest is extremely important. A koi tattoo's meaning is deep and varied. However while the meaning of a koi tattoo may change based on what color it is and what the koi is paired with a koi is always a positive force. 

Tattoo of koi in a pond beneith a flowering tree

Power

Some people find it strange that a fish is associated as closely with power as koi fish are. However these beautiful fish harbor enormous swimming power, and judges are always on the look out for anything that make koi look more intimidating - this can include a commanding posture, bold markings, and bulging muscles. For these reasons when you get a koi tattoo you are portraying a message of power no matter what.

Determination

The most famous story about koi is a Chinese myth in which a group of koi struggled to swim up a waterfall for one hundred years as demons raised the height to make them fail. At last one koi fish reached the top despite the near impossibility of the task and the gods in turn transformed the koi into a dragon. This myth is why koi are associated with determination and overcoming the impossible. Because of the koi's symbolism of overcoming impossible odds koi tattoo's are popular among cancer survivors, and it is a great choice!

Color

A koi tattoo's meaning can be built up or modified with choice color selection. A red koi emphasizes the conflict you have overcome as it often represents war as well as passion, strength, and determination. A blue koi on the other hand will display the wisdom and confidence you have gained by overcoming your challenge. A white koi gives the impression of being reborn or becoming perfect because of the challenge you overcame. Finally a black koi will amplify its power and can look intimidating, this can display how you overcame death itself showing off koi's infamous determination to maximum effect.

Pairing

A koi tattoo's meaning can be further modified when the koi is paired with something. When two koi are paired together, especially when they are opposing colors or posed to be swimming around one another, they invoke Yin and Yang. This gives the impression of balance and peace achieved through overcoming adversity. Another common pairing is a koi and a flower/flowers which symbolizes femininity and fertility. When combined with a koi the tattoo gives a powerful message of the power of being a woman. This is a beautiful choice of pairing for a breast cancer survivor that shows the challenge she has overcome as well as her continued feminine beauty. 

 two koi swimming around one another

A koi tattoo's meaning depends on who is wearing it, but you can put money on the fact that their is a story behind it. Often this story will bring tears to your eyes and make you swell with pride for them. If you are thinking about getting a koi tattoo consider what it would mean to you personally. No matter what inspires this beautiful body art you can bet it will be just as beautiful as the fish which inspired it.

Are you going to get a koi tattoo? Do you already have one? If you do comment a picture of it below we love to see anything and everything koi! Bonus points if you decide to share what your koi tattoo means to you.