What does a Koi fish symbolize?

Question

Im just wondering why so many people have koi fish tattoos?

Answer 1

I have answered this question very recently, and would love to explain my idea with you again.

The Coy or Koi fish has a colorful history in religions and beliefs...One of the Buddhist Ashtamangala (Eight Auspicious Signs) is a pair of golden Koi fish called in Sanskrit, Suvarnamatsya (in Tibetan, gSer.nya) that generally symbolize happiness.

In the Indian tradition, they represent the two rivers of north India, the Ganges and the Yamuna.

Besides their universal appeal as symbols of the beauty and the abundance of the natural world, they also represent the condition of all samsaric beings.

Koi fish live in the upper level of water and know only about water. They generally have little or no awareness of the world just above and unless something intrudes into their sphere, are not concerned by it. Hence, the fish is a potent symbol for embodied consciousness, such as ordinary human awareness.

While we are caught in the confusion and ignorance of our minds, we may be unaware of the potential that is inherent in our nature -- just like fish with their ignorance of the world outside the water. But like them, a few manage to experience the wider reality often unknowingly, seeing as they are not attentive to it (leaping after an insect, perhaps) and sometimes, at great risk to their lives.

Koi fish are thought to move smoothly and swiftly, able to leap barriers and obstacles so they are also understood as indomitable, determined travelers.

In the Matsya Purana a sacred Indian myth, a cycle of Brahma is about to end when an immortal saint called Markandeya, who has been wandering inside the body of Lord Vishnu, creator of the cosmos, slips out of His mouth and falls into the Ocean. It is there that terrified, he begins to question the nature of Reality and the nature of Maya, or illusion. Then the holy man notices a gigantic Fish and, helpless to prevent it, is swallowed up.

This fish which was a KOI is the first of ten manifestations, or avatars, of Vishnu. Vishnavites [worshippers of Vishnu] count Buddha Shakyamuni as the ninth of these.

To Chinese, the carp is the king of fish, and once it was thought it could turn into a dragon. Like our salmon, it has to reach the headwaters of a stream to spawn, so it was observed leaping the Wu Men cataract and swimming the Long Men rapids in the third month of the year. Due to this remarkable display of power and perseverance, the carp was held up to the young as an example.

The Chinese word for "fish" (yu) is a homophone for "surplus," while "carp" sounds like "profit." This fish is a traditional component of the Chinese New Year's meal, but one doesn't actually eat them.

Hope I have been able to share my knowledge about KOI with you.

Answer 2

Koi Fish Symbolism

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What does a Koi fish symbolize?
Im just wondering why so many people have koi fish tattoos?

Answer 4

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 (also known as carp) with perserverance 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.

Others say it means good fortune or luck.

More input:

The Koi Fish is symbolic in the Buddhist Religion, representing courage. Humans 'swim' through the 'ocean of suffering' without fear, just like a fish swims through water.

The Koi is symbolic with family. On Childrens Day Koi flags are raised, Black Koi the father, Orange/Red mother, Blue/White for a boy, 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.

In general Koi are associated with good luck, plain and simple. The colors and size doesn't mean anything.

Answer 5

good luck, strength, good fortune. there are many symbols attributed to koi. they are beautiful fish as well

Answer 6

1000's of Tattoo Designs & Ideas

Answer 7

Expensive fish.

Answer 8

I beleive they stand for Luck

Answer 9

And the same question pops up again

Answer 10

good fortune