Other meanings can be added based on the colours and styles of the tattoo. They are often used to symbolize the struggles one has overcome or is overcoming in their own life.
The most common meaning of koi fish tattoos is perseverance. Through this legend, koi fish became a symbol that embodies perseverance and determination. When it reached the top, the gods rewarded its efforts by transforming the koi fish into a golden dragon. Slowly the fish began to give up, one after another.Īfter hundreds of years only one koi fish persevered. Most of the koi turned around but the bravest continued on, attempting to leap to the top of the waterfall.Īs the koi continued to attempt to climb the surging waters, demons laughed at their efforts and transformed the waterfall a larger, more challenging obstacle. The legend of the koi fish starts in China’s Yellow River where they grew strong by swimming against the current.Ī school of koi battled the current, swimming upstream until reaching a waterfall at the river’s end. The koi fish tattoos are popular not because of a colourful fish, but because of a legendary fish. By the 19th, century koi farmers began breeding them for specific colour varieties. These iconic Japanese fish were actually first introduced by China. The fossil record dates koi fish back as far as 20 million years, although they first got their name in 500 B.C.
Their vibrant colours are a result of millions of years of genetic mutation. Their Japanese name, nishikigoi, means “brocaded carp.” A fitting name for a fish commonly used decoratively in ponds and water gardens. Koi are a variety of colourful East Asian carp. Koi fish are symbolic tattoos that can carry a great deal of meaning to their wearers. You may recognize them from the logo of our Toronto & Vancouver tattoo shops or from our Asian tattoo gallery. The colourful koi fish are among the most iconic symbols in traditional Asian tattoos.
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