Koi fish tattoos are definitely one of the most popular Japanese tattoos. The koi fishes are beautiful and are symbol of beauty making them most popular tattoo designs. The koi fish tattoos have a history in the Japanese tattoo world and are gaining interest very well in Western world also. The best place to get koi fish tattoos of original variety is koi fish sleeve tattoo.

Size And Location

The main reason for the koi fish being such a popular design of tattoos, mainly in a sleeve tattoo, is the shape. The rectangular shape of the fish perfectly gets into the canvas picked for any arm. Because the design is placed on the arm, the depiction of the fish swimming looks very natural. This makes the koi a perfect choice for a sleeve tattoo.

The very first thing to be considered is the size of sleeve that is wanted. One can choose from a wider array of choices like a quarter sleeve pattern, half sleeve pattern, full sleeve design. This will create a very big change in the size and the accurate placement of the koi fish. One should talk to the tattoo artist about the placement and size before proceeding.

Historical Symbolism

Besides being the perfect choice in terms of size and placement to fit on the arm, koi fish is very popular for the history and symbolism. They form a traditional symbol in incredible Japanese culture. This fact is evident from the indispensable culture of having koi ponds in temple premises. The koi fishes are thus are a symbol of spirituality for the Japanese. The love for the koi has been integrated into tattoos for a very long time. The legend goes that koi fish will always swim upstream and fighting against the opposing current. This displays their strength and incessant power and the koi fish are capable of making it to the top and will foray the Dragon Gate and transform into huge dragons. thus it is conventionally a religious symbol for pushing up stream, going opposite to the boulders of life to achieve divinity. Anyhow, the symbolism holds right in a secular and rational way also. It is a identity of power and might.

Modern Symbolism

The ancient symbolism of the past has been modified to the life of today and definitely is the same thing but koi has also taken a new set of symbolic meanings also. The myth of its struggle opposing the current has taught to those of us who are less religious to vitalize the struggle to move through the life and get to become a different individual. The koi is a path breaker in the current trend of giving up easily. This is not the original Japanese meaning because they had a very united culture but with the tattoo popularity boom v in the western areas most of the symbolism have been adapted and modified. symbol is also used to depict protection in the western regions.