The Koi fish is pure perseverance - Koi swimming upstream can be interpreted as showing perseverance because of the fact that the Koi does not "go with the flow". This can show a person how to be strong in the face of adversity and develop strength of character or purpose. The Carp can also represents wisdom, knowledge, longevity, and loyalty.

Strength in time of adversity - Koi fish also symbolizes persistence and the willingness to go on even though it is being swept away. It also symbolizes surpassing obstacles. The Koi fish swimming upriver can show how to overcome various obstacles and how come win victory over outside influences.

Strength in time of adversity - The koi fish can also symbolize the strenth to go on even with big obstacles in front of us. Even when it seems we are being swept backwards we keep on going forward and making progress.

Koi fish tattoo - Koi fish, or carp, are ornamental carp. Koi in tattooing plays an important role in Japanese myths and stories. In many of the Japanese stories, Koi are transformed through their efforts and perseverance, it is said that if they climb the dragonds gate they great become dragons. The Koi as a symbol that represents perseverance in the face of adversity. The Carp can also represents love, longevity, loyalty and knowledge,. There is a short story by Mukoda Kuniko called the Koi-san that describe the koi as symbolizing friendship and love.

Japanese Tattoos include different varieties

Kohaku - a red pattern and white-skinned Koi

Taisho Sanshoku - a white-skinned Koi with a red and black pattern

Showa Sanshoku - black-skin Koi with a red and white pattern

Tancho Showa, Tancho Sanke, or even Tancho Goshiki

Asagi - a Koi with light blue scales on its top and red scales on its bottom

Shusui - Asagi the partially scaled version

Bekko -black pattern with red, white, or yellow-skinned Koi

Utsurimono - black Koi Fish with a red, white, or yellow pattern

Goshiki - a mostly black Koi with red, white, brown, and blue accents

Ogon - Koi known colors - red, orange, platinum, yellow and cream that is one solid color, can be regular or metallic.

Kin Gin Rin - Koi Fish with shiny scales. "Gold Silver Scales" There are also Gin Rin versions of almost any other type of koi.

Kawarimono (kawarigoi) - Miscellaneous types of Koi

Doitsu-goi - German Carp

Koromo - Koi with areas of blue-edged scales aligned neatly