Tomorrow I'm getting my 10th tattoo.
I've always wanted a Koi fish.
According to Japanese legend, if a koi succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate on the Yellow River, it would be transformed into a dragon. Based on that legend, it became a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement.
More generally, the Japanese associate koi with perseverance in adversity and strength of purpose. Because of its strength and determination to overcome obstacles, it stands for courage and the ability to attain high goals.
I've always been told they are good luck and around here the Koi is also known as a Carp. I caught a carp once. Once. They are HUGE fish, tough, stubborn and Strong for a river fish.
I have also heard about the Kio transforming to a dragon but I'll stick with a Koi (which sounds better than, 'I'm getting a Carp'). I need all the luck I can get. Trust me.
So more meanings for the Koi:
It means good fortune or luck.
Symbolic in the Buddhism to represent courage. Humans "swim" through the "ocean of suffering" without fear, just like a fish swims through water.
The Koi is symbolic with family. On Children's Day Koi flags are raised: Black Koi, the father; Orange/Red, the mother; Blue/White for a boy; and red/pink for a girl.
There is another word to describe "love" which is "koi". The kanji character for "kokoro (heart)" is included as part of both kanji characters. Both "ai" and "koi" are probably translated as "love" in English. However, they have slightly different nuance: "Koi" is a love for the opposite sex, or a longing feeling for a specific person. It can be described as "romantic love" or "passionate love". While "ai" has the same meaning as "koi," it also has a definition of a general feeling of love. "Koi" can be selfish, but "ai" is a real love. Here are some lines that explain them well: Koi is always wanting. Ai is always giving."
A koi tattoo is supposed to represent different things it just depends on the color and the amount of them and the direction they are swimming in the stream. 5 golden koi is supposed to represent eternal wealth and well being. Each color represents a specific meaning. Some people believe that the color of Koi Tattoo on your body should be in harmony with you and your surroundings.
Now I'm having it done on my foot, where exactly I'm leaving to the judgment of my Artist, Mark. I trusted him with my back piece and neck cover up, I'll trust him with this placement as well.
This is the design I'm leaning towards,
I like the long 'whiskers' and the fins forward and facing downwards and I am a color freak that leans towards blues and greens. Again I am leaving the coloring up to Mark.
Now when I had the tattoo done around my the top of my foot, some of the design went over my ankle. OMG! it hurt like a mother f*cker! and from I've read and heard foot tattoos are just as painful. Not that I'm saying tattoos are pain free, I know they aren't; and I may have big feet but I don't have a whole lot of 'padding' on my feet, pretty much skin and bone. NOT to mention I've been trying to think of ways to keep my feet from cramping because when they start my feet contort in most painful and awkward ways which I don't need while getting inked. Nope, I don't need permanent crooked lines and an irritable artist because I can't hold still. Besides I know, the longer you can hold still, the faster the tattooing process goes.
And now, to spam you with Koi pictures.
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