Tattoo Motifs Part 3 : KOI FISH - Authent/Ink

koi fish kian forreal

Photo taken by Kian Horisumi Forreal at Nikko Temple in Japan

 

The koi fish arrived from China in Japan in the early 1600’s as prized pets of the rich aristocrats. Considered ‘living flowers’ bred for the unusual shapes and color. Now almost everyone has some in their pond in japan.

In Chinese legend, koi became dragons after successfully braving the Wu Men (five gates) rapids and swimming up the Longmen Falls (dragons gate) on the yellow river in the JiShiShan  Mountain. The determination for this feat gave rise to the expression “passing through the dragon gate”

12798948_10153371496807050_5261922723164150617_n

The koi is known as the ‘fish of success’. Pairs of kois symbolize happy marriage and long life, koi also means ‘love’. Koi is also known as ‘king of the river fish’ and can live over 50 years. The koi is a masculine symbol and emblem of the boys day festival in japan where multicolored streamers and banners of carp are flown from poles. Samuari identified with the bravery and tenacity of the koi and celebrated the birth of baby boys with koi-nobori banners outside the homes after birth.

10624921_10153081797037050_6345137215423565918_n

11990432_10153081798662050_8653144835489510388_n

Kois in tattooing are usually swimming upstream against the current and are seen with accompanying cherry blossoms or maple leaves depending on the season depicted.

13315703_10153595896777050_7394553977077985612_n

 

Shopping Cart
0