Koi fish tattoo design is a favorite design for many tattoo enthusiasts due their beauty and meaning. Probably most surprising to many Westerners is the large amount of ancient myth that surrounds these beautiful fish from the Orient and their elevated status there. Most widely known here as the brightly colored fish that are found in ponds and fountains, carp (koi is Japanese for carp) can be found in a variety of colors that include white, yellow, gold, deep orange, and calico-colored. Especially exotic specimens of koi have been known to sell for prices over half-a-million dollars from private collectors who specialize in their breeding and showing. Although, the koi is far from just an ordinary colorful and collectible fish.
Koi are also one of the most popular and beautiful of Japanese tattoo symbols. Although Chinese in origin, the carp is now widely celebrated in Japan, particularly for its manly qualities. It is said to climb waterfalls bravely, and, if caught, it lies upon the cutting board awaiting the knife without a quiver, not unlike a samurai (warrior) facing a sword. This theme dates back to ancient China, where a legend tells of how any koi that succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate (on the Yellow River) would be transformed into a dragon. Based on that legend, it became a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement.
If you are doing research to find the meaning of dragon tattoos you’ve come to the right place. As with most tattoos, the dragon tattoo can have different meaning based on the style you choose. One of the more popular types of dragons that people get tattooed is the Chinese dragon. The meaning behind this tattoo is based upon how the Chinese view dragons. This tattoo will symbolize wisdom and good will, which is how the ancient Chinese saw their dragons as. Getting this tattoo symbolizes good will in your future.
Another popular style of dragon tattoo is the Japanese style which represents balance. The dragon is seen as a creature that is able to balance the yin and the yang of life. When choosing this style of tattoo you may be trying to find a balance in your life. It is also symbol of supernatural powers in Japanese culture, with incredible strength and a hidden wisdom. It was said the only way to journey past a dragon was to answer its riddles. There are also Celtic dragons, thought to bring order to their kingdom. They are similar to Japanese dragons in this sense,and also represent power.
The anchor is one of a handful of symbols in the tattoo world which has remained both popular and true to its origins for the better part of two centuries, and has even more ancient symbolic roots going back several millennia.
The anchor tattoo is a a symbol that is often incorporated with other design elements and is a central nautical design theme of many military service tattoos, particularly those tattoos found among sailors, marines and naval aviators. Other common design elements found with anchors are sailing ships, mermaids and other nautical symbols.
In Maritime lore, the tattooed anchor showed that a seaman had sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. In ancient times among Mediterranean seafarers, the anchor symbolized the sea gods. In early Christianity, the anchor (with horizontal tie bar under the ring) was used as a covert symbol by virtue of its resemblance to a cross. An anchor tattoo can be thought of as holding one steadfast, like an anchor holding a great sailing ship safe in harbor, against winds and currents that might carry it astray.
