Koi Fish tattoo is a well-known idea in the world of tattoos nowadays. Animalistic designs have always been popular, and this particular one truly stands out among all of them. The amount of people choosing such a fish tattoo is growing day by day, and we love that! Why? There are so many creative things that you can bring into it. Other details and elements look fantastic in combination with a koi fish tattoo. Would like to try and see?

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Meanings Of Koi Fish Tattoos

In Yang Koi Fish Tattoo Design
by @koray_karagozler
Small Koi Fish Tattoo Design
by @handitrip

A Koi Fish is really popular nowadays. Actually, it is a Japanese Carp that is widely used in the cuisine of different cultures. This creature engraves so many meanings, and we would love you to look through a few of them before making a choice in its favor:

  • Love. Imagine all the love you have for someone who means the world to you. The sensibility of your feelings and true affection that you keep in your soul. The Koi fish symbolizes all of it, especially if this loved one is not your friend or part of your family. With such a tattoo on your body, you will be able to show the one you care about how much feelings you have towards him or her. A lot of people add a name of their soulmate to go with the image, and that is an excellent thought that will make your tattoo even more special showing the bond you two share with each other.
  • Good luck. There`s no doubt that you have already known this fact. People usually associate a koi tattoo with bringing a good chance and luck to their lives. A true fact is that some of them usually keep this kind of fish in their homes for them to attract good things and vibes into their lives. Isn`t that a true sign of them being lucky charms for us? Have your own one on your body with you all the time.
  • Energy. Well, it is undeniable that fish is one of the most energetic creatures in the animal world. So why don`t you tie your energy with the image of them? We love how symbolic it may look.

Symbolic Interpretation Of Koi Fish Tattoo Design

Popularity of Koi Fish Tattoo

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Koi Fish with The Rising Sun

Japanese Koi Fish Tattoo Design #armtattoo
by @nxe_xiner

A koi fish swimming under the sun is a perfect tribute to female strength, courage, and determination. Just like a koi fish, you can navigate through the toughest moments in life and arrive at a victress. Use the ink as a gorgeous body décor and as a daily reminder of your inner potency and beauty.

Koi and Lotus Flower

Wrist Tattoo Design With Koi Fish And Lotus Flower #wristtattoo #lotusflowertattoo
by @loumolloy

The fusion of koi fish and lotus flower is timeless. Both attributes contain powerful symbolism. Whether you want to emphasize your purity, grace, or transformation, the design will help you fulfill the goal effortlessly.

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Traditional Ying Yang Koi Fish Tattoo

Outline Yin Yang Koi Fish Tattoo #wristtattoo
by @juliefreiseisen

The philosophy of Yin and Yang is centuries old, but it does not lose its symbolic power. Inking a koi fish forming this ancient Chinese symbol will signify your thirst for harmony and balance. Even a simple outline tattoo is enough to fill it with life-changing meaning.

Side Body Magenta Koi With Rose Tattoo

Side Body Koi Fish Tattoo with Rose
by @koray_karagozler  

A rose and koi fish can’t meet in life, but they co-exist perfectly in a stunning side tattoo. The well-balanced combo of vibrancy and black-and-white ink creates a necessary contrast that makes the design twice as magnetic and mesmerizingly beautiful.

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Watercolor Fishes

Side Body Koi Fish Tattoo
by @koray_karagozler

Watercolor tattoo is an exceptional style known for its fluidity, vibrancy, and imaginative appearance. When combined with such highly symbolic and stunning elements as koi fish, the ink acquires irresistible artistic flair impossible not to fall for. You can use meaningful colors and other details to individualize your tattoo.

Koi Fishes with Geometric Elements

Blue and Purple Koi Fish Tattoo
by @koray_karagozler

Koi fish are the universal sign of courage as they are known to swim fearlessly against the current. When combined with such powerful shapes as geometric patterns, you will add the notion of balance and harmony to the design, making it reflect your decisive but thoughtful nature.

Sternum Yin Yang Koi Fishes with the Lotus

Sternum Yin Yang Koi Fishes with the Lotus
by @nando_candyshop

True followers of Chinese philosophy often use the trinity in the form of koi fish, the Yin and Yang symbol, and the lotus flower to reflect their inner thoughts and beliefs. Placing such a tattoo over your sternum merges these symbols right into your core.

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Small Koi Fish with Cherry Blossom

Small Koi Fish with Cherry Blossom
by @vanzotattoo

Sakura blossoms are often connected with the passing nature of beauty along with the other things in life. A cherry blossom tat spiced with koi fish is a perfect mixture of profound symbolism and graceful allure.

Red and Black

Red and Black Koi Fish Tattoo
by @offtattooer

Red koi fish is a symbol of love and bravery, while black koi fish stands for strength and determination. Combining the two in a single tattoo will constantly remind you of what you are capable of.

Wrist Design with Koi

Wrist Design with Koi
by @eunyutattoo

A wrist tattoo is always an ode to elegance and striking symbolism. In this case, circling koi fish form a breathtaking union. Moreover, they mean that life’s journey is long and challenging, but you can conquer everything with enough perseverance and trust in your strength.

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Circle of a Black and Blue

Circle of a Black and Blue
by @eunyutattoo

A pair of two creatures is always about harmony and balance. Yet, in the case of koi fish, the coloring matters as well. Black and blue fishes stand for transformation and peace. Despite all the ups and downs in life, you should accept them with gratefulness and grace.

Small Hand Companion

Small Hand Companion
by @eunyutattoo

Small tattoos always bear impressive meanings and come with a fair share of other benefits. You can cover a tiny tattoo up easily with as much as suitable clothing. However, the profound connotation hidden within the tiny piece will inspire and motivate you at times when all else fails.

Galaxy Yin Yang Koi Fishes on a Back

Galaxy Yin Yang Koi Fishes on a Back
by @tattooist_sigak

Cosmic fish is a unique take on a classy design. Apart from its mesmerizing appeal, the design is spiced with hidden meanings and intricate details. For instance, the yin and yang reference emphasizes your thirst for harmony and balance. At the same time, the cosmos theme speaks of your passion for the unknown. Finally, the koi fish itself is the symbol of resilience and ongoing transformation.

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Small Side Wrist Design

Small Side Wrist Design
by @soltattoo

Koi fish usually swim in groups, so depicting a few of them on your wrist is a sensible choice. Keep in mind that such a delicate design requires an expert hand, so you may want to spend a little extra effort on finding an artist who can fulfill the task impeccably.

Side Body Koi Fish Tattoo

Black And White Koi Fish Tattoo On A Side #sidetattoo
by @akuma_inkspired

In case your pain threshold is not very low, you can go for a more elaborate and extensive design and get a koi tattoo on your side. There is also something really intimate in such tats, so it makes sense to give the image a special meaning.

 

Koi Fish Tattoo on Leg

Black And White Koi Fish Tattoo #blackandwhitetattoo
by @bmatattoo

Legs are arguably the second popular place for a koi fish tattoo after arms. Not only is it less painful to get a leg tattoo compared to many other parts of the body, but in most cases, it is always in the spotlight. Thus, why not play around with both the image and colors to get an out of this world result?

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FAQ: Koi Fish Tattoo

What does a koi fish tattoo symbolize?

A koi fish tattoo is quite popular and not for nothing. It is considered to be a symbol of success, individuality, wealth, willpower, persistence, power and other qualities. It is also a nod to Japanese culture, which treats koi fish with respect.

Is it disrespectful to get a koi fish tattoo?

Koi fish refer to carp species. Although tattoo artists often link them to Japan, it does not mean that they are sacred. While the history of the koi is quite ancient, it is still a fish. So, if you want to get it inked, no one would judge you.

What does 2 Koi mean?

Koi fish tend to swim in pairs. So, opting for the 2 koi tattoo, you would carry a message that life is dual and the opposing forces of life balance each other. For an added emphasis, you can depict the koi fish with the help of the yin and yang symbol. Thus, you will accentuate that opposites coexist in harmony.

A koi fish tattoo has a beautiful picture and a lot of significant meanings around it. Would you like to go deeper into them? Then join us and enjoy the variety that the tattoo world brings to us.

REFERENCES:
  • Koi, are colored varieties of the Amur carp (Cyprinus rubrofuscus) that are kept for decorative purposes in outdoor koi ponds or water gardens.Source

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