Carp fish tattoo. Meanings of Japanese tattoos

In China, there is a legend that those fish that can climb up the Yellow River enter the Dragon Realm and as a result of their struggle for success, the koi becomes a dragon or dragon fish. Therefore, this fish is called the king of all fish, it is considered a symbol of power and superiority. Also, the koi carp symbolizes the pursuit of ambitious goals and serves as an example of success achieved through overcoming difficulties and obstacles. In the Buddhist tradition, carp means fearlessness and courage. And since carps live for 200 years, they also symbolize longevity.Be that as it may, but the image of a goldfish is associated with koi in European countries.

A gold watch in the form of a koi carp of indescribable beauty was released at the beginning of the year by Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry House, one of the oldest in Europe.

Maybe the fault is with aquarists, among whom the breeding of goldfish is especially popular. A large role in this was played by the tradition of breeding koi in the reservoirs of Japanese gardens. Japan has an old legendabout the artist Kinko, who painted a fish but didn't eat it. For this, the Dragonfish King took him to visit his castle at the bottom of the ocean. And although neither Pushkin's goldfish nor the fairy tale of the Brothers Grimm is associated with this legend, you will agree that they have something in common. In Asia, the koi symbol is believed to bring success and wealth, and its image is often used in feng shui. In Europe and in Russia, in particular, a goldfish is also perceived as a symbol of good luck, fulfillment of desires and wealth.

European jewelers also pay tribute to the symbol of the koi carp. Clock in the form of a goldfish Van Cleef & Arpels a masterpiece of its kind. The fish is made of white and yellow gold and about 800 precious stones are used to decorate it. Including diamonds, yellow sapphires, black spinels and tourmalines. The dial is in the mouth of the fish, and in order for it to open its mouth, you need to click on the tail.

When a boy was born in Japan, a koi flag was hung over the house. But, as they say, hope for luck, but don't make a mistake yourself - carps have to fight for life, overcome obstacles in order to get food and continue the race. Koi is a symbol of not only good luck, but also victory, perseverance, courage in the fight. And also a symbol of independent nature and fortitude. But at the same time, koi in Japan are a symbol of love, even the words "love" and "koi" are the same in Japanese.

In Asia and in all countries where feng shui is practiced, the image of a koi carp is very popular. It is believed that fish can bring good luck. For many Chinese, the koi fish symbolizes wealth, and depictions of one, two, or 9 fish are common in Chinese painting.

Painting by Japanese artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi.

A koi pond in a Japanese garden. According to tradition, koi often swim in Japanese rock gardens, colorful fish look like real gems. .

Nagoya carp - a symbol of Nagoya, a fish with a dragon's head, installed on the roof of Nagoya Castle (Japan)

Kinko riding a giant carp, Satsuma pottery, Meiji period, 1870-1880. Polychrome painting, gilded enamel. Satsuma pottery was very popular in Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The figurine depicts a carp at the moment when he jumps out of the water, on his back is an old man in a scientist's hat with a scroll in his hand. Satsuma products often used scenes from folk legends. This figurine illustrates the story of Kinko, an artist who painted a fish but refused to eat it. To thank him, the Dragon King invited the artist to visit his underwater palace. Our hero is depicted on the way back, at the moment when he emerged from the ocean.

Netsuke Carp

Hair clip "Royal koi fish in seaweed", China, Qing Dynasty. Gilded silver, inlay.

Edo tortoiseshell comb with koi carp, black lacquer

The Tokugawa Shogunate ruled Japan from 1637 to 1867. During this period, Japan was closed to foreigners and Japanese arts and crafts remained unknown to the Western world, only porcelain was supplied from Japan. In the Meiji era (since 1868), Japan slowly begins to emerge from isolation. At the Paris Exhibition of 1878, Japanese art lovers first saw Japanese Edo combs. From that moment on, a real Japanese mania began in Europe. This comb was one of three exhibited at the Paris exhibition.

Koi fish themselves resemble jewelry or gems floating in the water. However Jewelry in our understanding in Japan were not widespread - the kimono and hairstyle of a Japanese woman would still hide them. Therefore, from ancient jewelry, mainly hair ornaments and various accessories have survived to our time. The carp symbol has been very popular since the last century in Europe and it is often used in jewelry.

0 Have you ever been fascinated by the breathtaking view of the peaceful Carp in the pond? These colorful creatures are wonderful nourishment, but if you're thinking about getting a Carp tattoo, do you know what this totem image means?

Koi is the Japanese name for carp, and the full name of this fish is " nishikigoi", which translates as" colored carp. Although this fish has become the most important symbol of Japanese culture, it actually acquired its royal status on the shores yellow river in China in the Middle Ages. It is said that Carp did the impossible by swimming against the current of a full-flowing waterfall known as " Dragon Gate". This legend spread with the help of Chinese merchants and sailors, and eventually found their way to the islands of Japan.
Before I continue, I want to advise you to pay your attention to a couple of interesting publications on the subject of tattoos. For example, what does Tattoo Kangaroo mean; how to understand Kiwi Tattoo; what does Tattoo Knife mean; the meaning of the Antelope Tattoo, etc.
So let's continue Carp Tattoo Meaning?

Over a thousand years ago, the Prussian carp was originally domesticated and selectively bred in China to display the graceful beauty we now all love. Although the exact date when Karp got into Japan Although it is not known exactly, records show that the beginning of Koi breeding on the tiny island of Honshu dates back to the early 1800s. By the 1900s, Japan was completely infatuated with this charming fish, and this affection eventually spread to the entire outside world, with the help of the outbreak of hostilities. With the outbreak of the First World War, Japan began to gradually open its borders, and the world learned about the Japanese love for the delicate fish Koi.

The traditional Japanese art of tattooing, known as Irezumi, is practiced by skilled craftsmen who spend countless years perfecting their craft. tattoos Irezumi are intricate designs that are almost always done without the use of electric needles or pre-mixed inks. When creating Irezumi, you need to show a certain determination and perseverance, since making such intricate details using only old-fashioned methods is not an occupation for the faint of heart. These artworks are commonly worn by members of the Japanese underworld, and often contain brightly colored Koi fish. The fish is considered a totem of courage, nobility, ambition, loyalty and the personification of strength of character, the traits that criminals cherish so much. Irezumi tattoos with the Koi motif were considered badges of honor, and the only men who proved worthy to wear these designs were those who showed no fear in the face of a certain danger.

The fish has also become a symbol of many other useful human qualities. His name " Koi" in a homophone (words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings) for the Japanese word for "affection" or "love" is a sign of a close relationship. They are also emblems of success, good luck, prosperity and ambition, which is why many businesses have beautiful Koi ponds at the entrance to the establishment. Feng Shui principles dictate that the direction in which the Koi swims will greatly influence your future wealth and prosperity. A koi that swims against the current (upstream) brings good luck to its owners.

You don't have to be a devout fan Japanese culture to appreciate the symbolism of the Koi tattoo. It is enough for you to be a lover of beautiful art.

Meaning of Koi Tattoo

• perseverance
• Ambition
• Love and friendship
• Elegance and Grace
• Hidden strength and power
• Wealth and prosperity

Carp tattoo options

Dragon and Koi Tattoo

Tribal carp tattoo

Koi and Lotus Flower Tattoos

Koi and Cherry Blossom Tattoos

Carp and Yin Yang Tattoo

carp tattoo

No matter which option you choose, Carp Tattoos are a great way to show that you have a strong spirit and great adaptability. You can include any element in your design and create a tattoo that speaks to your personality. The only limit is your imagination. For inspiration, go to the "tattoo" section on our website, and you are sure to find what suits you the most.

By reading this article, you have learned Meaning of Carp Tattoo, and now you won’t get into a quandary when choosing a new tattoo.

In China and Japan, carp is treated with great respect, endowing it with numerous virtues. According to the inhabitants of both states, carp is a strong, purposeful and wise fish. She is able to penetrate into the most dense corners of nature, overcoming serious distances. carp is a symbol of longevity and masculinity.

The history of the appearance of the character

Many years ago, carp were bred in Japan for food, highly appreciating their taste and the presence of protein in the meat, which is so necessary for residents of mountainous prefectures. Particularly in Niigata Prefecture, carp have gradually become a staple food. They were once imported from China and had dark color scales. However, over time, the color of the fish mutated, leading to the fact that many specimens appeared with a bizarre color that aroused admiration and mystical reverence. Japanese peasants and nobility wished to preserve the wonderful fish, which is why they began to grow it in small reservoirs, perceiving it as pets. As a result of experiments on crossing the most remarkable specimens, a carp koi. At the moment, there are 14 canonical color variants that arose through 6 crosses. Each of these options is approved and strictly controlled.

For the Japanese, Koi is good luck symbol. He is just as popular and revered as Sakura or the Dragon, which are also perceived as a symbol of luck, determination and achievement. old age. Along with this, the fish means masculinity, and many years ago, in the houses where a boy was born, they set up a small flag with the image of a Koi Carp. A little later, the picture received a different interpretation and began to symbolize home warmth and comfort. The red carp is the symbol of the mother. Pink is the daughter's color. White or blue Koi is the symbol of the son. The black fish represents the father.

Approximately the same situation has developed around the Koi carp in China. Impressed by the extraordinary endurance and strength of the fish, the Chinese called it royal. Carp for the inhabitants of the Middle Kingdom is a symbol of power and wisdom, perseverance in achieving goals and authority, fearlessness and courage. One of the Chinese legends says that as soon as the Koi Carp reaches the Dragon Gate, swimming to them along the Yellow River, it will immediately turn into a Dragon.

The meaning of the tattoo

As we have already found out, the Koi Carp has every chance to turn into a mythical creature - the Dragon. To do this, he needs to pass a series of tests, striving for the goal. This is what the tattoo with the corresponding character symbolizes, i.e. achievement of the goal, regardless of life circumstances and what others think about it. If you want to reach unprecedented heights in a professional career or free creativity, then this tattoo is for you. The image of Karp will also help those who seek enlightenment. Koi will give its owner energy and make him believe in his own strength. This unusual fish is a talisman that attracts happiness. The larger the image of a Koi Carp on the body, the higher the chances that the numerous virtues of this mythical creature will pass to a person.

There is a strong energy in the tattoo that allows people to learn the principles of managing their own lives and the circumstances that accompany it. The magic of fish is such that composure, absolute calmness and a wise analysis of what is happening pass from it to a person. Gradually, the owner of the tattoo transforms into a strong leader (even if he was not before), capable of igniting and leading the crowd. The new leader is authoritative, fair, constantly improving spiritually.

Visualization

A narrower meaning of the Koi Carp tattoo is achieved by adding additional elements to the graphic concept. For example, two fish symbolize a harmonious relationship between partners. A carp with a dragon's head means a strong male amulet. In this case, a large mythical character enhances the magical power of a relatively small fish, multiplying its energy and having the maximum impact on a person with a tattoo. The best place for such a tattoo is the back or arm. An important point it is also believed that the fish should live in an environment suitable for it, and therefore (in accordance with the principles of Feng Shui) it becomes a full-fledged talisman only if there is water nearby. Therefore, very often stylized waves become the background for Koi Carp.

Another character, organically combined with the mythical carp, is the Japanese boy Kintaro. According to the legend, the child had a strength uncharacteristic of children and was able to defeat the King of Pisces. The depiction of Kintaro's fight with a Koi carp signifies doubly multiplied spiritual strength and fearlessness. Usually on a tattoo, a boy is depicted with orange skin, which makes him related to carps. The child must wear a special belt, which is a kind of belly charm, i.e. the dwelling place of the soul. Sometimes an old man is drawn next to Koi, symbolizing longevity. However, there is no need for this, since the carp itself often lives to an advanced age.

Tattoo for men and women

Koi is especially popular with men. By applying his image to the body, a representative of the strong half of humanity adopts all the positive qualities from the mythical fish: perseverance in achieving the goal, courage in judgments, wisdom in evaluating events, and the ability to soberly analyze what is happening. A man with a Koi carp tattoo is sure to succeed, as in professional field as well as on the love front. In women, this tattoo symbolizes masculine character traits: determination, pressure, determination, faith in one's own strengths.

There are some recommendations regarding the choice of tattoo color. In particular, girls who have not given birth are advised not to overuse a rich palette and depict fish in soft pink tones. Red carp, being a symbol of the feminine, is the prerogative of adult women. For men, it is better not to use a similar color, but to turn your attention to yellow shades or a combination of black and gray.

Another prominent representative of the tattoo culture is the carp, or, as the Japanese call it, “koi”. Koi carp is a symbol of courage, wisdom, strength and perseverance in achieving your goals. Rumor has it that if someone makes himself such a tattoo with a Japanese fish, then he will be accompanied by success and good luck in subsequent affairs, and the larger the body area is occupied by the image of a carp, the more luck it will bring.

Significance in men

Carp is considered the king of fish that live in the sea and river depths of the whole world - hence the carp tattoo got the meaning of power and absolute leadership over others. The man who wants to depict a carp on his body usually acts as a mentor, overseer or leader, since he has the ability to lead a crowd of people, can direct the situation in the right direction and he will return in the right direction. Since koi are known to have a fairly long lifespan, this has long fascinated Buddhists, and they have pondered the relativity of the time that is given to each of us.

The meaning of a koi carp tattoo in women

A tattoo depicting a Japanese carp is often found only in males, so it is rather difficult to call it female, but this does not mean that a girl will not want to get such a tattoo. Many female representatives would love to make such a pattern on their bodies. The tattoo will practically not change in its own way and will mean that its owner has a tough masculine character, she can independently cope with life's hardships and difficulties. Such a girl is quite decisive in all her endeavors.

Where and in what style to get a tattoo

As already mentioned, koi love to occupy large areas of the body, so the most suitable place for a tattoo is the back. A large number of we can find images with a carp on the back on the Internet and make sure that the tact drawings are original, it’s quite difficult to find two similar tattoos, because not armed with a glance, differences are noticeable not only in the sizes and diverse colors of the carps themselves, but even the shape of their scales, tail and fin can differ significantly. Although, despite the fact that we highlight large tattoos with a Japanese carp on the back, on the other hand, thanks to its oblong shape, it will fit perfectly both on the hands and on the legs of those who wish.

Traditionally, carp is depicted surrounded by waves, water, or. You can also find options where a koi carp is adjacent to another carp or even a Dragon. Sometimes you can find a sketch where a koi has a Dragon's head instead of its head, but these are already variations ...

Usually, a koi tattoo is inked in color to show all its beauty, but do not forget that initially the carp was a nondescript gray fish, and hid from the eyes of people in the muddy places of freshwater rivers and in algae. And such a handsome man, which we can observe today, carp owes to Chinese and Japanese breeders who spent a lot of time before the world saw such a variety of colors of the fish we mentioned. Therefore, koi can be done in classic black and white or trash polka, not limited to watercolor, oriental or realism. As you can see from the photos, a carp tattoo looks spectacular in any style and on any part of the body, so there shouldn’t be any problems with choosing the place of application.

Girls most often choose tattoos of small sizes, so the back is not the most common place for such a picture. It is not uncommon to see an image of a carp on a girl's shoulder, a slightly larger tattoo on her thigh or on her side. More original girls choose such places as the neck, wrist or ankle.

The koi carp tattoo is a motif that originated in Japanese culture and then, thanks to its extraordinary beauty, spread to the whole world. In the article, we will analyze the meaning of a carp tattoo for men and women, and also consider beautiful sketches and photos of finished works.

The cultural significance of the koi fish

Koi belong to the carp family - common freshwater fish. Initially they were bred as a source of food, but later their breeding became a noble hobby, which was considered a symbol of high social status.

Japanese carps have a special cultural significance for the Asian people.

Koi carps, in addition to their extraordinary beauty, have a special ability to swim against the current. According to legend, if a Japanese carp could climb the Dragon Gate waterfall along the Yellow River, then at the end it would turn into a dragon.

There is an opinion that the yin yang element is an image of two koi fish - a male and a female, with dots in each half, which are their eyes.

The meaning of the carp tattoo

With a rich cultural history, carp tattoos have accumulated many symbolic meanings and associations. The main meaning of the drawing focuses on the ability of the fish to resist the current and climb up the waterfalls. This fact leads to the association of koi tattoos with courage, ambition and perseverance. The tendency to go against the grain also suggests overcoming obstacles and succeeding in the face of adversity.

Also, koi has meanings associated with happiness, prosperity, success and longevity. Two carps are considered a symbol of good luck for a long and happy marriage.

In Japan, carp tattoos change meaning, depending on the color, for example:

• The golden koi (Yamabuki) symbolizes wealth and prosperity;
• Silver koi (Obon) signifies success in business;
• (Kumonryu) Black carp is a symbol of life changes and transformations;
• White koi (Kohaku) - has a designation of career success;
• The white and red koi (Kuchibeni) represents love, long-term relationships, energy and courage.

The blue carp tattoo is a symbol of potency and male power.

Also, the tattoo takes into account specific components and aspects, such as the size of the picture, the orientation of the picture, the location of the fish and their number.

Design Ideas for Carp Tattoos

This motif can be depicted in any style, although they are most often applied in the traditional Japanese aesthetic: with well-defined shapes and bright colors.

Two fish arranged in a Yin and Yang shape is the most popular design.

In order to add additional meaning to a tattoo, it can be diluted with other elements and symbols. These can be lotuses or other flower arrangements, dragons, water, Chinese or Japanese characters, etc.

Accommodation Guide

One of the benefits of carp tattoo designs is that they are versatile. In size, they can vary from small drawings to large enough images covering the entire back.

The most popular place on the body on which this motif is applied are the hands. Most often, the entire area on the arm, which forms a kind of sleeve, is clogged with fish. This option is especially popular with men and young guys. Women most often apply the pattern only on the forearm.

For the same reasons, legs are also a popular place for tattoos. In addition, on the hips, due to their large surface, you can stuff more daring designs.

For the largest or most complex artistic tattoos, back, chest, or hips are used.

Koi fish tattoo: photo

Below are the photos the best works craftsmen from all over the world. In the gallery you will find feminine motifs for girls and brutal sketches for men. We hope that this selection will help you decide on the design of the future drawing.