Japanese Koi Fish Tattoos

          

The Japanese word Koi translates as carp, but also as love, therefore koi fish are a symbol of love (the kind of love you have for your lover, not for your parents for example).
In Japan, the koi as a symbol is very masculine. When a son is born in Japan, flags with koi fish images are displayed. Nowadays, koi tattoos are popular amongst men as well as women.
Since they are considered to be extremely energetic, koi fish tattoo designs usually have very lively colors and lots of movement. The koi fish is powerful enough to fight river currents and swim against the stream in order to reach its food sources or spawning grounds.
There are a few ways that this power can be interpreted:

• First, koi fish tattoos depicting the animal swimming upstream may represent strength during trying times. It takes a lot to be able to go against the tide of fate if life has stacked the odds up against you. Koi fish tattoos often represent victory despite terrible adversity: courageous triumph over a struggle.
• Second, and perhaps more influenced by Western thought (the Japanese had and have a very close-knit society), is the koi fish tattoo for someone who is very independent. Proudly going against the grain, with little care for the opinions of others and society, a koi fish tattoo depicting the animal swimming through a tumultuous torrent is a powerful and personal image.