| One of the most popular trends and designs in the | | | | a part of their daily life and ritual. In fact large flags of |
| world of tattoos right now are koi fish tattoos. It is | | | | koi fish are flown on Boy's Day to celebrate the |
| pretty obvious to see why these designs are so | | | | strength, energy and power that boys should posses. |
| sought after. They are deeply symbolic, mysterious | | | | The Meaning And SymbolismThe meaning of this |
| and beautiful all at the same time. They are bright and | | | | symbol has become so much that it can be hard to |
| colorful and when they splash in the blue water behind | | | | communicate it in one paragraph. It can stand for |
| them they can make for a dynamic tattoo that is full | | | | many different things. For example on Boy's Day in |
| of power, symbolism and movement. If you are | | | | Japan a group of at least four koi fish and often flown |
| considering getting a koi tattoo design then you should | | | | together on a flag pole. Thus the fish can be thought |
| really know what the symbolism and meaning is behind | | | | of as a symbol of for family strength and unity. Since |
| them first. | | | | the legend states that koi fish would swim up stream it |
| The StoryThe koi have long been a part of the | | | | has also symbolic of power, struggle and overcoming |
| Japanese life. At almost every temple and sacred | | | | the odds in life. In the same vein it is also a symbol of |
| place there is a small koi pond. The koi also know as | | | | courage. The Japanese believe that the koi fish is so |
| Carp fish is known throughout China and Japan. | | | | courageous that when it is caught and put on the |
| Originally the story came from Buddhist teachings in | | | | cutting board to be killed it doesn't quiver like other fish |
| Chine where it was believed the koi fish would swim | | | | but it bravely accepts it death and its fate as a person |
| upstream and go against the current and even up a | | | | especially someone with a Samurai spirit should accept |
| waterfall. The myth states that any koi fish that could | | | | their life and its short falls. |
| swim up the Yellow river and up the waterfall at the | | | | Other people might ascribe different meanings to it as |
| mythical place called Dragon Gate would then turn into | | | | the design since it is so sought after and regarded so |
| a dragon. Therefore in China the koi fish would stand | | | | highly throughout Japan it has become a symbol for |
| for strength and power and advancement. This same | | | | everything good, strong and powerful . It therefore |
| idealism was adopted throughout Japan. It was | | | | make a great tattoo design. |
| adopted in Japan to such a degree that it has become | | | | |