koi fish are renowned symbols in Japanese and Chinese culture.
One popular traditional Japanese tattoo motif is the form of koi carp.
They are said to own several masculine qualities such as strength and bravery.
The koi carp in China were known to attempt swimming upstream in the yellow river,
but only a few of them were able to swim past a point called the Dragon’s Gate.
Legend has it that the koi who did were rewarded by turning into dragons.
For this reason, koi carp are also a symbol of determination and a strong will to succeed.
The Meaning Of Koi fish Tattoo Colors.
The color of a koi tattoo can change it’s meaning.
Traditionally, however, these colors have their own meanings.
black father / red mother / blue first son / pink daughter.
-Black .
The black koi is associated with successfully overcoming an obstacle and symbol of masculinity in Japan represents the father.
It often recognizes a successful battle through struggle in one’s life.
-Black and White .
The black and white koi is a powerful one that stands for significant life transformations and rebirth.
-White.
A white koi is a symbol of success in one’s career. It may also represent the son of a household.
-Blue .
The blue koi fish is often associated with masculinity and fertility. a symbol for the son of a family,
the blue koi also meaning peace, serenity, and calmness.
-Gold .
The colors Gold yellow or orange.
The legendary koi transforms into a golden dragon. This color choice represents wealth, prosperity, and fortune.
-Yellow .
The legend Japanese , the yellow and golden koi are symbols of wealth and prosperity.
-Red .
In Japan, the red koi symbolizes the female figure in the family. As a tattoo design, it represents passionate love.
A red koi have some of different meanings. It may be a symbol of intense love, motherhood, power, strength, or bravery.
-Pink.
The pink koi represents the daughter as well as femininity.
-Dragon Koi Fish .
The dragon represents strength, power, and ferocity while the koi embodies perseverance and strength of will.
Together, they allude to the legend of the koi fish, representing transformation and re-birth.
In ancient folklore, it was said that the koi who could swim upstream and pass the dragon’s gate would transform into a powerful dragon.
The Meaning Behind Which Direction the Koi is Swimming.
Beliefs about the meaning and direction a koi fish is swimming vary greatly.
Some theories of what it means are actually contradictory.
-Upstream.
You are currently in a battle or struggle and are still fighting obstacles but won’t give up.
You have overcome obstacles and have now gained the strength you need to continue against the current.
-Downstream .
You don’t yet possess the strength to make it against the obstacles and move towards success.
You have already achieved your goals and overcome your obstacles, and you are no longer fighting the current.
More Information Coloring Symbolism
Yin Yang and the Koi Fish symbol.
Yin yang koi tattoos represent the duality and harmony of life.
In Feng shui, the koi is tied to the yin yang symbol.
In fact, the black and white tear drops of the yin yang symbol are said to be representations of two koi, one male and one female.
The eye of each teardrop is symbolic of the constant watchful eye of the koi.
This pairing of fish is often seen outside the context of the yin yang symbol as well.
For example, a pair of koi is often used as a good luck symbol for a happy mariage.
Harmony and Happiness.
The koi is synonymous with harmony and happiness.
The two yin and yang koi complete each other and create a perfect balance
of the negative and positive energies of chi energy, which is the life force of all things on earth.
Koi Fish With Lotus.
This design may have different interpretations.
The Lotus flower is a common tattoo design and also grow commonly around muddy ponds adding beauty to the ponds.
When it is used in a Koi design tattoo it could symbolize purity of the person with the tattoo, it can also be a symbol of optimism in the face of challenges as well as a change in life.
It can also symbolize unstoppable success and determination.
Japanese Koi Fish In Japan Meaning.
In Japan, Koi are known for their masculine and positive qualities.
They are the official symbol for the Children’s Day (May 5th) festival in Japan.
On Children’s day, families hang a Koi windsocks (KoinoBori) for every member they have in their household.
Another quality that the Japanese symbolize with is strength for overcoming life’s difficulties.
By persevering in life’s endeavors, one can better him or herself.
-Asagi Light Blue (The color of the Koi) The blue/grey Koi with a red pattern.
And The body is light blue or pale blue with an orange and red belly.
-Bekko The colored Koi with a black pattern.
The translation of the name is “tortoise shell”, and these fish can be red, yellow, or white.Separate (The separate black spots of color).
Body color of the fish is red, yellow or white with some black areas.
The name means “tortoise shell”.
-Beni Kumonryu Have block spots on a white body and the other variation of this Koi is a body that is totally black.
They represent change and transformation.
-Chagoi Tea carp (brown colored like tea).
Doitsu Germany (where the scaleless carp were imported from).
-Goi (Koi) Carp.
-Goromo The Koi that have black shading over their patterns.
-Gosanke The big three (Kohaku, Sanke and Showa).
These three are the most popular in Japan, the Kohaku, the Showa, and the Sanke.
-Hajiro A duck with bright patches on its wings (The Koi have white on the tips of the fins).
-Hikarimono Bright, like a meteorite The metallic Koi with only one color for a pattern.
-Hikarimoyo Koi that have metallic patterns.
-Kawarimono These Koi don’t fit into any other classification.
-Karasugoi Raven Carp (black like a raven) the fish is black with an orange belly.
-Kigoi Yellow carp.
-Kikusui Light chrysanthemum.
-Kin (correct spelling: kinu) silk (metallic color that is shiny like silk).
-Kohaku
The two major colors, white and red Amber (The red color of the pattern) , which is the very meaning of their name.
These color are know to be symbolic of career success.
-Sandan Kohaku This koi has 3 distinct patterns of red so it is a 3 step kohaku. Sandan means “3”.
This is a very nice fish.
Classic type of pattern, with an incredible tail tube and conformation.
-Yondan Kohaku This 4 step koi has a more interesting pattern, particularly the head.
The white cloudiness that appealers on the head and shoulder looks like a costia infection.
-Maurten Kohaku The maruten designation for this kohaku comes from the round beni located on the head.
This is a very full pattern with a lot to look at, very nice tail stop.
-Koromo Gown (the fancy shading of the scales).
-Kuchi Lips.
-Kuchibeni The red and white color symbolize love.
-Kujaku Peacock.
-Kumonryu (Ku Mon Ryu) Nine Crest Dragon (A crest “monshō” is the Japanese version of a coat of arms).
There are two main variations of this koi.
One variation is a koi with a white body and black spots and the other is an all black body.
This Kumonnryu koi symbolizes life change and transformation.
-Matsuba Pine needle (pinecone shading of the scales) These Koi have a grey shading pattern on their scales.
-MatsukawaBakke (short for Bakemon) Pinecone River Ghost.
Body of the koi is in one color with pine-cone like scales.
-Midorigoi Green carp.
-Nezu Dark Grey.
-Ochiba This koi is also light blue with some yellow areas.
The name means “fallen leaves” because the colors are like Autumn leaves on water.
-Ogon (correct spelling: ougon) Gold (Any single colored metallic Koi has Ogon placed after the name).
-Ogon/ Hikarimono The platinum colored fish represents the fulfillment of wealth in the form of success in business.
-Ochiba Shigure Grey and brown in color and can mean “autumn leaves on water” or “leaves fallen on the water”.
-Showa Sanke This is a very nice showa.
Clean pattern without flecks of sumi scattered about with a nice underlying kohaku pattern.
The sumi should join on the head.
-Tancho Showa This pretty gin rin gin rin is a very pretty fish and one you don’t see everyday.
Tancho Showa feature beni only on the head and this beautiful fish also has Gin Rin scaling.
The fish literally shines with the skin quality and great white base.
-Kindai Showa This newer style type of showa features less sumi [black] than the typical older style of showa.
This is a full bodied fish making the fins look a little undersized
This showa has very nice motoguro [black pec fin joints].
It also look interesting on the head with the sumi starting to come through to form a nice menware/hachiware pattern.
-Showa Sanshoku Three colored Koi that was established in the Showa era
” Showa means enlightenment and harmony “.
-Shusui Gather water from a lake or river.
-Tancho The Koi with a pattern only on their Maruten spots.
The Koi has a single spot of color on the head, like Grus Japonensis, the Japanese Crane.
-Taisho Sanshoku (Sanke): Three colored Koi that was established during the Taishō era.
-Taisho Sanke The Kohaku, Sanke and Showa varieties of koi are collectively known as the gosanke.
-Taisho Sanke have a beautiful elegance many people love.
The sumi can be placed on the white skin [called Tsubo Sumi] or it can appear on the beni as “Kasane Sumi”.
-Doitsu Sanke The Doistu Sanke [bottom] is a scaleless fish.
This makes for exceptionally sharp edging [kiwa] of the colours which is quite attractive.
-Gin Rin Sanke This is an exceptional fish that almost looks to perfect to be real.
The sumi steps are placed like stepping stones in a amazing arrangement.
-Sanke should have good underlying kohaku patterns, with a nice accent of sumi on the shoulder.
Black should not appear below the lateral line and of course, confirmation is everything.
-Utsuri : Reflection (The pattern on an Utsuri variety is like a checkerboard).
-Shiro Utsuri – Hi Utsuri – Ki Utsuri Main colors of the fish are black and white with some yellow or red areas.
-Utsurimono The black Koi with a colored pattern.
-Yamabuki Japanese yellow rose.
-Yamabuki Ogon – Yamabuki Koi The gold fish represents (of course) gold, wealth and prosperity.
(Hariwake koi / Soragoi koi / Goromo koi / Goshiki koi / Kikokuryu koi / Kin Kikokuryu ).
-Koi Colors
Oftentimes, varieties of Koi are broken down into color variations.
For instance, Utsuri Koi come in three color varieties: Hi Utsuri, Ki Utsuri and Shiro Utsuri (red, yellow, and white).
Here is the meaning of the Koi fish colors:
Shiro: White
Ki: Yellow
Hi: Red
Beni: deep red
Sumi: Black
Orenji: Orange
Purachina: Platinum
Budo (correct spelling: budou): Grape
Midori: Green
Source:
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koi-fish / koi-pond-guide / koinet.net / clarkekoi / Angieslist / happydiyhome