The following stolen from
Koi Fish Tattoos
- LoveToKnow Tattoos
There are fourteen classifications that koi fish can be broken down into, separated by color and markings.
Kohaku. These are the most common type of koi, white with red markings.
Taisho Sanke. These are white koi with red and black markings.
Showa. These koi have red and white markings on a black background.
Bekko. Bekko can be red, white, or yellow, but will have black markings.
Utsurimono. These koi are similar to Bekko, but are actually the opposite, being black with red, white, or yellow markings.
Asagi. These koi was blue/grey and have red markings on their sides, fins, and bellies.
Shusui. Similar to the Asagi, but these koi was doitsu koi, meaning that they have scales only along their dorsal and lateral lines.
Koromo. Koromo koi are named for the pattern they have - "robed." They are normally white, and then the pattern is outlined in a darker color, sometimes blue, black, or purple.
Kawarimono. This is a catch-all name, including all koi that are non-metallic.
Hikarimono. Koi that are hikarimono are a metallic, but of a single color only.
Hikari-Utsurimono. These koi are metallic, but with the marking of a Utsurimono.
Hikarimoyo-Mono. These koi are also metallic, but they have more than one color and do not fall into the Utsurimono and Showa patterns.
Tacho. Tacho are named after the national bird of Japan and, like the crane they are named for, they have a single red spot on the their foreheads.
Kinginrin. Any koi with more than 20 sparkling scales.
Meanings and Symbolism Behind Koi Fish Tattoos
Koi are considered a manly symbol, especially after it was appropriated by the Boys' Day Festival in Japan. According to legend, the koi climb the waterfall bravely, and if they are caught, they face their death on the cutting board bravely, like samuri. Other Japanese meanings include perseverance and strength.
In China, it is believed that if the koi succeeded in climbing to "Dragon Gate" on the Yellow River, the koi will be transformed into dragons. Because of the Chinese legend, koi are considered a symbol of advancement and aspiration.
When used in tattoos, especially with running water, the koi is meant to symbolize courage and the ability to attain goals and to overcome life's difficulties. When the koi in the tattoo is shown swimming upstream, it can be used to mean that the tattooee is still struggling with their problem, whereas a koi swimming downstream implies that the tattooee has already overcome their difficulty. In other cases, the koi swimming downstream can represent the season of fall, and the koi swimming upstream can represent the spring.
Ideas for Koi Fish Tattoos
Like any other tattoo you may want to get, planning is important!
Good luck in your search hope some of this info helps. google jap tatt flowers
and traditional design you will find loads of links as well. Post a pic when you get the ink.
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