New Ink!!!!

Finally got a decent pic up...

So if you're like other people, you're wondering why I got a koi fish tattoo... well, here's your answer...

Koi fish tattoos are as varied and as popular as the animal they represent. Koi tattoo designs are often combined with splashing water, cherry blossom and lotus flowers.

Koi fish are a species of carp (Koi is the Japanese word for carp) that are specially bred to have wild, brilliant color schemes. Originally a ravenous pet species that stirred up silt in waterways, the Japanese have inbred them and turned them into gemlike marvels.

The general symbolic meaning of koi and koi tattoos is good luck.

The Japanese word Koi translates as carp, but also as love, therefore koi fish are a symbol of love (the kind of love you have for your lover, not for your parents for example).

In Japan, the koi as a symbol is very masculine. When a son is born in Japan, flags with koi fish images are displayed. Nowadays, koi tattoos are popular amongst men as well as women.

Since they are considered to be extremely energetic, koi fish tattoo designs usually have very lively colors and lots of movement. The koi fish is powerful enough to fight river currents and swim against the stream in order to reach its food sources or spawning grounds.

There are a few ways that this power can be interpreted:

First, koi fish tattoos depicting the animal swimming upstream may represent strength during trying times. It takes a lot to be able to go against the tide of fate if life has stacked the odds up against you. Koi fish tattoos often represent victory despite terrible adversity: courageous triumph over a struggle.

Second, and perhaps more influenced by Western thought (the Japanese had and have a very close-knit society), is the koi fish tattoo for someone who is very independent. Proudly going against the grain, with little care for the opinions of others and society, a koi fish tattoo depicting the animal swimming through a tumultuous torrent is a powerful and personal image.

If that doesn't describe your boy HW, what does? LOL...