A brightly colored freshwater fish, its name “koi fish” comes from the Japanese name Nishikigoi, which translates as “brocade carp”. Since “koi” in Japanese is a homonym for another word for love and affection, the koi fish is often a symbol of love, friendship, and devotion in Japan. They are often used to refer to difficulties that a person has overcome or is overcoming in their own life. Koi is a species of common fish found all over the world called Carp. Their color and parentage make them unique. Some of the characteristics associated with the koi include Good fortune, Success, Prosperity Endurance, Courage, Ambition, and Perseverance.
Meanings of Koi Fish Tattoo
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Masculinity: The koi fish is a great representation of masculinity and that’s why many men get this ink.
Prosperity: The fish also represents prosperity and flourishing nature in life.
Perseverance: These fishes are a great symbol of perseverance as they remain uptight even during turbulent waters.
Strength: Once again since they face a lot of turbulence in the water, they also represent strength.
Koi Fish Meaning in Chinese Culture: In Chinese culture, the koi fish represents a determination to finish whatever was started.
Blue Koi Fish: The blue koi fish, just like the water in which they live, represents tranquility and peace.
Japanese Koi Fish Tattoo Meaning: The Japanese folklore has it that the koi fish was transformed into a dragon. Thus, these fishes are a representation of the same.
Black Koi Fish: A black koi fish, on the other hand, represents facing obstacles and overcoming them. It also means accomplishment.
Purple Koi Fish: The purple koi fishes are a fighter and would signify that you do not give up easily!
White Koi Fish: The white koi fish represents success and accomplishment in life and a professional career.
Yellow Koi Fish: Usually the color yellow stands for happiness and very jumpy nature. The koi fish is the reputation of the same.
Red Koi Fish: Red is often associated with the symbol of kings and royalty in traditional Chinese and Japanese culture. Thus, it holds the same meaning here too. The color is also a representation of the meanings such as motherhood and bravery.
Orange Koi Fish: The orange koi fish is a symbol of optimism and a positive attitude.
Green Koi Fish: The green koi fish looks pretty nice and symbolizes prosperity and good luck!
Pink Koi Fish: Just like the color pink, the koi fish also represents feminine energy and a celebration of the same. It can be used to present it to your lady love or daughter.
Koi Fish Swimming Upstream: A koi fish swimming upstream has a very impactful meaning, especially in Japanese culture. It symbolizes the strength and courage needed to face any obstacle and move in an upward direction.
Koi Fish Swimming Downstream: A koi fish moving downwards, on the other hand, doesn’t necessarily mean anything negative. It means that they are a symbol of freedom and independence.
Two Koi Fish: Two koi fishes are usually designed to represent the yin and yang symbols where one fish is moving upwards and the other moves downwards. It represents balance in life.
Three Koi Fish: Three koi fishes also represent a kind of balance and strength in unity.
Tebori Koi Fish: The art of Tebori is super old and is still practiced in japan. It is a kind of woodblock carving that is different from modern tattooing. It takes a lot more time than machine work because it is manual. The colors with such techniques come out brighter and the healing process is also faster.
Ideas for Koi Fish Tattoo
Lotus Flower & Koi Fish Tattoo: The lotus is the kind of flower that grows in muddy waters and yet comes out looking like a pearl. The koi fish along with the lotus also depicts the emergence of a person as a winner in every situation.
Yin and Yang Koi Fish Tattoo: Yin and yang are again inspired by the traditional chinses culture and represent the balance in life. Thus koi fishes that are shaped like yin and yang also represent the balance of the good and the bad.
Minimalism: When getting a koi fish inked, you don’t have to worry about the size or the detailing that goes into this. The koi fish can also be represented with minimal effort!
Traditional American Tattoo: Traditional American tattoos are quite popular because of their unique outlook. The bold outline and bright colors make the design super attractive to look at.
Dragon Koi Fish: The dragon is a very important symbol in Chinese and Japanese culture and represents strength and power. Many people often add dragons and related symbols to their koi fish tattoo and thus the whole design reprints the same.
Tribal Koi Fish: One more stylistic feature that you can use is to add tribal elements to the design to make it look different from others.
List of Koi Fish Tattoo
- Up and Down Swimming Koi Fish Tattoo On Leg
This minimalistic tattoo looks pretty nice on the leg. It is also done with two contrasting colors.
- Koi Fish Tattoo On Body
This tattoo is super nice because once again it represents the yin and yang symbol however the two are differentiated by black shading and a simple outline.
- Koi Fish Tattoo On Shoulder
A super design, for sure, this is a great tattoo to be made on the upper part of the chest.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
Meaning: This can be interpreted as fighting or grappling with obstacles and used as a reminder that you will not give up. You can also mark obstacles that have been crossed and gain strength to continue upstream.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
This tattoo is done in a neo-traditional way with bold patterns and bright colors. It makes the ink very attractive.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
This koi fish is made on the arm of the wearer and done in black ink with yellow colors. This gives the tattoo a very Japanese vibe.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
![Top 47 Koi Fish Tattoo Ideas [2021 Inspiration Guide]](https://nextluxury.com/wp-content/uploads/mens-blue-koi-fish-tattoo.jpg "132 Koi Fish Tattoo Designs with Meanings, Ideas & Celebrities 7")
The koi fish covers the whole arm in a very spectacular way. It is done with beautiful black and blue shades with intricate patterns. Blue color has been chosen for this tattoo which is already the color of the sea and represents peace.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
Meaning: Koi Fish Tattoos are a symbol of elevated status.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
This koi fish tattoo is done with simple black ink. The wearer can add some basic colors to the design in this one.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Arm
Meaning: The lotus flower grows out of the dust to grow to be a lovely flower. Together, lotus and koi fish tattoos constitute an increase and overcoming struggles.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
Koi fish is a major Japanese theme and element and the person here has made the whole arm in the same theme. There are various kinds of elements have been added to this full-arm design.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
Meaning: The dragon stands for strength, power, and ferocity, while the Koi embodies endurance and willpower. Together they allude to the legend of the koi fish, which stands for transformation and rebirth. This tattoo can mean a fresh start or a fresh start.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
This fish tattoo is done with a yin and yang symbol in the middle. Usually, the fish moving in the opposite direction is a symbol enough for such designs.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Neck
This tattoo depicts the koi fish as a yin and yang symbol done on the nape of the neck. It is a beautiful design that one could make on multiple parts of the skin.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
Meaning: The combination of the Yin-Yang symbolism together with the Koi fish often represents strong images and meanings. The Yin-Yang represents the good and the bad, the duality and harmony of life, while the Koi fish represents perseverance, struggle, and the Shows ability to achieve goals. which is also an important aspect of life.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The yin and yang symbols are very popular in Japanese culture and have spread out to the rest of the world too now.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
Meaning: These will look classy on men over women as they give the same look.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
Such a minimal look in this tattoo design! It is a great one for sure.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Ankle
Meaning: These tiny tattoos will look cute. Like the mini version of the big ones. They symbolize luck.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The little addition of the red color in the black and grey design makes for a great tattoo.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
Meaning: These forearm Koi Fish Tattoos will look stunning. It is believed that the positive energy that the koi icon attracts, especially in Asian cultures, brings happiness to everyone who touches it.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Chest
An upper chest is a great place for such a beautiful design. However, you need to make the design a bit bigger to fit the chest perfectly.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Thigh
The size of the ki fish tattoo fits perfectly here. The tattoo is large enough to cover the thigh and side hp area.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Leg
This tattoo is very beautiful because of the various colors that have been used in the design.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Leg
The blue theme that has been given to this tattoo design is very apt!
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The koi fish tattoo here is half-colored and the rest half is just made with an outline.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Body
Most people like to color koi fish tattoos with blue ink but here the wearer has colored it with light pink color.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
Here’s a huge koi fish tattoo on the shoulder added with a beautiful lotus flower at the top!
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The bicep seems like a cool place to get such a colorful and attractive design.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The combination of orange and blue fits perfectly well with the pair.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Arm
The green-colored koi fish tattoo is a symbol of prosperity and good luck.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Leg
The koi fish in this tattoo is added with some gems that signify royalty. In Japanese culture, fish were often related to the same.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
The greenish blue tattoo on the arm looks wonderful added with the red colors.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Arm
This golden koi fish seems to be a lucky strike for the wearer!
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Arm
Many people add their koi fish with lotus flowers. This is mainly to show the overcoming of obstacles.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Body
This is a beautiful design with rippling waters filled with beautiful pink lotus flowers.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
The arm and chest combination works best for any flowing design.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Arm
The koi fish is made to look like royalty here with a crown!
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
Interestingly, the koi fish has been tied down to a skull to show that it can overcome any kind of obstacle.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Thigh
The thigh forms a location for such a long design.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
Blue and pink gel well with the whole theme.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The wearer here has covered the whole arm with a beautiful set of scales of the fish.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The koi fish has been given color to be highlighted against a black background.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
Full-arm tattoos are great for people with an elaborate plan in mind. This one looks quite cool.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The black background and orange fish on top look like a common theme for koi fish lovers.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
Koi fishes are often added with flowers because of their significance and aesthetic look!
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The koi fish is added with another great element- the Japanese clouds.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The huge scales here look quite amazing!
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Back
The full-back design with koi fish needs a lot of inspiration.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
A classic orange koi fish against a black background.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Neck
This tattoo is added with a beautiful paintbrush effect made to look like a circle in the background.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Arm
The blotching effect in this tattoo looks pretty amazing.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Arm
One can also keep the elements quite plain and without any color.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
Keeping the background blue instead of black makes the koi fish tattoo even more impactful.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The koi fish is also added with a beautiful circular pattern that indicates life.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
This tattoo is done in the traditional Japanese style of tattooing.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The thigh seems to be a perfect place for longer tattoos.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
This koi fish has been transformed into a phoenix that is rising from its ashes!
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Wrist
The koi fish has been kept to a very minimal level.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
This is a pretty beautiful tattoo design with amazing shading effects!
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Arm
Now that’s a bold design made on the upper arm.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The koi fish tattoo is also added with a picture of lord buddha. It represents the holy nature of the tattoo.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
The amalgamation of colors in this tattoo design is very attractive.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
On the other hand, the black and grey tattoos look equally good.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
The koi fish is added with another Japanese feature – the dragon!
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The design looks very neat in this one!
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Leg
The wearer has beautifully picked the leg as the choice of placement in this one.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The smooth shading done on the arm looks amazing on the koi fish design.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Leg
The addition of a dragon with koi fish represents strength and power.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The major part of the tattoo highlights the koi fish against a subtle background of black and grey.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
The shoulder tattoo has black ink that makes the design go bold.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Body
The long koi fish tattoo fits the ribs and side of the body perfectly!
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Body
There are a lot of elements in this tattoo. The koi fish is a small part of the whole Japanese theme going on.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
The pretty colors in this tattoo design look perfectly well together.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Leg
That’s a face of an angry koi fish!
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The beautiful blue ink looks pretty cool on the arm.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Back
The back has been covered perfectly by a grey and black shading effect to look pretty cool.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
All the contrasting colors on the arm look pretty nice.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
The tattoos on the chest are quite contrasting – one is the koi fish and the other one is a dragon!
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The negative space in this tattoo gives it a pretty nice breathing space.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Thigh
The little brown shading effect looks pretty cool on the leg tattoo.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Arm
The yellow floral design is pretty realistic.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Leg
The random strokes make this design very abstract and look modern.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Back
The back has a lot of elements in this kind of tattoo. It looks pretty nice.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The various elements help add meaning to the tattoo design.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Thigh
This is a great place to get a tattoo that is a bit spread on the leg.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
The orange shade is quite stark and very striking.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The multiple elements with contrasting colors look beautiful.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The koi tattoo is added with other Japanese elements, done in various styles and effects.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The koi fish tattoo looks pretty nicely made with amazing shading effects.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
This is a beautiful tattoo done on the upper arm. The orange color is very contrasting.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The textures made on this tattoo are quite splendid.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Leg
This design contains very bold patterns that give it a lot of space overall.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The devil at the upper part of the arm is a great addition to the Japanese tattoo design.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
This tattoo design is quite full-fledged and looks pretty nice.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The black koi fish is added against a colorful background.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
Full-arm tattoos are a great way to add multiple elements to the whole design and add to the meaning.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
This koi fish tattoo has a very distinctive shading effect given. The black ink at the bottom adds to the whole design.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arms
Adding colors or not adding colors is completely your own decision.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
This koi fish tattoo has a yellow shading effect which looks pretty cool against a black background. The flower adds to the whole theme.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The gradient effect given on the fish is pretty nice.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Arm
The waves in th background make the whole design very pleasant.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The koi fish tattoo seems to have a watercolor effect done on it which makes it look aesthetically pleasing.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Arm
The black and grey tattoo design is one of the most common ways in which you can get your fish tattoo.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
Adding some color elements through the means of these flowers steals the show.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Arm
Some people like their tattoos simple and black and grey while some like them colored.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The shading effect done with yellow color on the koi fish is pretty impressive.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
This tattoo might be done without any colors, the neatness of the strokes steals the show.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The arm contains a beautiful piece of design with the golden color of the fish reflecting in the rippling waters.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The koi fish is added with a devil snake on the top of the shoulder. It adds great elements and seems like it has a story to tell.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The elements on the arm are quite amazing in this design.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
Look how the orange and blue colors look pretty contrasting in this design!
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Thigh
The thigh is a great place to get the design made as it covers the whole body part quite perfectly.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The Coral green color mixed with the orange looks pretty nice.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The tattoo here is quite simple but it depends on the significance that it holds for the wearer.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
Koi fishes are usually made on the upper arm since a proper space is provided at this placement area.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Arm
The combination of red, pink, and blue is a unique one but works so well!
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
Th koi fish here seems to be so happy and raising her hands off!
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Leg
The green design on the thigh is a pretty nice picture of how beautiful sea-themed images can be.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The fish is added multiple colors on its scales to make it a bit more colorful.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The blue color takes it away from the monotone fish tattoo.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The big blue lotus flower is a great element to be added since it depicts victory after hardships.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
This koi fish tattoo has been added with beautiful colors in the spotted form to make it look colorful.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The shading effect done on the tattoo is quite dark and looks pretty bold.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Leg
The black background against which the golden fish is placed makes for a virtual retreat.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
The koi fishes in pairs often represent the yin and yang when placed in opposite positions. However, here, both the fishes are in the same position which makes it look
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
The fish is matching up with the beautiful shades of flowers against a black and grey background.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Arm
It seems to be one of the most common ways in which you can get your koi tattoo done.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Arm
The blue and yellow shade here looks quite pretty here.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Leg
The leg is a great place to get a koi fish tattoo since it is quite long.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Body
The beautiful redfish is set against the background of a beautiful flower in multiple colors.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Leg
Many people get the koi tattoo on their arms which s a great placement if you want something alternative.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Shoulder
The orange and black colors combine to give a shading effect to the koi fish.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Arm
The outline design of the fish is a perfect one that has been made on the arm. The watercolor effect makes it look even more attractive.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Back
The wearer has filled the back with a grand fish tattoo done with shades of blue (that is dominating) and purple!
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Arm
The fish and the flowers together make for a perfect nature-inspired design.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Upper Back
The blue eye of the fish gives it a very spooky effect.
- Koi Fish Tattoo on Leg
This seems to be a little devilish version of the koi fish 😀
Celebrities with Koi Fish Tattoos
- Miss Mulatto Koi Fish Tattoo
Miss Mulato has a red colored koi fish tattoo design on her hand. It is a small tattoo that is done in a unicolor pattern.
- Ruby Rose Koi Fish Tattoo
Ruby Rose has a yellow and orange colored koi fish tattoo on her upper arm. It is hidden by other elements.
- Allison Green Koi Fish Tattoo
Allison Green has a colorful koi fish tattooed design which is added with a pretty little pink-colored tattoo. It is done by Jared Wright on her arm in Japanese style. The background is of the splashing water on which the black and grey shaded fish blooms!
- Charlize Theron Koi Fish Tattoo
Charlize has a very tiny yellow koi fish inked on her skin!
- Sammi Doll Koi Fish Tattoo
Sammi Doll’s koi fish tattoo is done in yellow ink with a hint of orange. It is also added with blue water background and pink floral pattern that looks amazing.
