Koi fish Tattoo Ideas
Koi fish tattoos are a pillar of Japanese tattooing, usually shown swimming upstream through waves. They look bold in colour and work well as large flowing pieces. Pick any of these 11 designs to see it on a photo of your own skin.
What does a koi fish tattoo mean?
In Japanese and Chinese legend a koi that swims up the waterfall becomes a dragon, so koi stand for perseverance, ambition and good fortune. Swimming upward means struggle; downward means a goal reached.
Where to place a koi fish tattoo
Koi follow the shape of a limb, so they suit the forearm, the calf, the thigh and the upper arm, and are a classic centrepiece for a sleeve or a back piece.
See a koi fish tattoo on your own body
Upload a photo, drag the design to the spot you are thinking of, and get a realistic preview before you book.
More tattoo ideas by motif
- Butterfly tattoos
- Dragon tattoos
- Rose tattoos
- Cross tattoos
- Phoenix tattoos
- Eye tattoos
- Snake tattoos
- Mandala tattoos
- Spider tattoos
- Lion tattoos
- Wolf tattoos
- Angel tattoos
- Tiger tattoos
- Skull tattoos
- Sun tattoos
- Eagle tattoos
- Scorpion tattoos
- Moon tattoos
- Lotus tattoos
- Compass tattoos
- Heart tattoos
- Shark tattoos
- Owl tattoos
- Sunflower tattoos
- Hummingbird tattoos
- Cat tattoos
- Octopus tattoos
- Raven tattoos
- Elephant tattoos