Fish Tattoos

January-18-10

Fish tattoos are becoming more and more popular nowadays. Fish have certain air of grace and mystery in them. The Chinese and the Japanese consider fish as a symbol of perseverance and strength. Life in the ocean is hard and full of obstacles. Fish survive because of their uncanny determination to overcome hardships. Aside from their beauty, many people choose to get a fish tattoo because of this symbolism.

For many cultures, fish is a symbol of water, and essential part of survival. In Greek mythology, the fish represents femininity and fertility. For the Celts, it is a symbol of female sexuality and birth. In most Asian cultures, fish are believed to bring harmony and prosperity into one’s life.

Probably the most popular fish tattoo is the koi. Koi is a specie of carp and have been bred and raised in Japan for many years. They exhibit bright and stunning colors of orange, yellow, red and white. They are a common feature in most oriental gardens. They are believed to be bringers of good fortune and luck. In many Japanese festivals, the Koi fish is oftentimes the center of the celebration. Wearers of koi tattoos usually have them as a back piece or an arm piece.

The goldfish is another popular fish tattoo. They can be depicted as whimsical or as colorful as it can be. Different hues of orange are usually chosen for this design. The goldfish, like the koi, is also believed to attract good tidings. It also represents longevity, wisdom, loyalty and knowledge.

For the Celts, the salmon is a symbol of wisdom. It was told that the salmon swallowed sacred hazel nuts at the well of knowledge. For aboriginal and indigenous people, the salmon is one of the most powerful animal totems. It is considered as the symbol of abundance, fertility and wealth. It is admired for its instinct and perseverance because of the many obstacles it has to face while migrating to spawn. This is also the reason why the salmon is a symbol of courage, tenacity, steadfastness and dependability.

Other popular fish used for fish tattoos are the sailfish, dolphin, shark, and swordfish.

Fish tattoos can be beautiful or cute and still remain a powerful symbol in the world of tattooing. It can be more than just a design; it can be a powerful statement of one’s true characteristics.