Japanese tattoos are known for their designs that perfectly mix Japanese folklore with more current motifs, constantly renewing but maintaining a very recognizable style. Without a doubt one of the most popular designs within the Japanese tattoo culture is the Koi Carp. In today’s post we will analyze what the Koi Fish tattoo means in Japanese culture and we will give you ideas to find your perfect koi tattoo carp style. Ready?
Koi Carp is one of the most popular motifs within Japanese tattoos. Along with other animals such as the Kitsuné (fox) or the Japanese tiger, they mix tradition and folklore perfectly.
The legend of the Koi carp is a declaration of intent in terms of motivation and overcoming difficulties. The myth tells that a bank of carps came out of a pond trying to swim upstream against the current, while demons made their lives impossible and made their task even more difficult. But they did not stop in their efforts, until they reached a waterfall that they had to overcome. Finally, one of the tents managed to jump over the last waterfall, becoming a powerful dragon.
The myth of the carp and the dragon is a fundamental part of the Japanese tradition, and it comes to say that if you do not give up, you finally get everything you want and more. This legend has been used in many popular stories, such as the Pokémon saga. Magikarp is one of the most useless Pokémon since it is very weak and its attacks have no effect, but with patience and affection it ends up evolving into the fearsome Gyarados, the sea dragon.
Without further delay, let’s take a look at the top koi fish tattoos for men!
