What does a goldfish tattoo mean? The meaning of the fish tattoo. Does a goldfish tattoo have any meaning?

A fish tattoo has deep philosophical meaning. She is very popular among both men and women. It attracts with its diversity, appearance and meaning..

Regular fish

According to ancient legends, such a tattoo meant that the fish symbol could be related to changes in a person’s life, which is a very mysterious and purely personal phenomenon.

Among various peoples, this symbol denotes both the light and the dark side. Often on the human body you can find two fish, made in the form of a Yin-Yang sign, uniting two sides.

The Chinese believe that fish is a symbol of wealth and rebirth. Africans have long believed that the sign of fish is the embodiment of the souls of the dead.

It is believed that a tattoo in the form of a carp can bring good luck to its owner. This type of fish is mainly worn by people who were born under this sign. The most common designs for tattoos are fish such as carp, shark, trout, whales and dolphins.. Even though they are not goldfish, they can bring good luck.

gold fish

An image of a goldfish can easily be called a fairytale tattoo. It indicates that the owner has considerable imagination and loves to immerse himself in dream worlds. This is a fairly popular tattoo among the fair sex.

Often such an image is made out of mischief; it speaks of the cheerful and playful nature of the owner of the picture. The goldfish seems to beckon you.

For girls

It is not uncommon to see a tattoo in the form of a fish on a girl, which basically means immersion in her inner world, sometimes isolation. Fish also has such significance as fertility. A tattoo can be of a base nature, containing anger and fear; a light fish represents light and cheerfulness. It is very common to see two fish on opposite sides, which means harmony.

Among girls, a goldfish tattoo is very common. Which means the desire for beauty, grace, wealth, longevity.

Girls, graceful and laconic, apply these fish to themselves, emphasizing their inner world and complementing it with the veil of femininity of a goldfish.

Thanks to its appearance, it received another meaning as a fire fish, the attraction of opposites. When applying, it is very important to convey all the beauty of this excellent fish; even gold paint is often used.

The guys


Pisces are a fairly common tattoo for guys. There is no particular difference in the meaning of tattoos between men and women. It is a symbol of health, fertility, sexual power, wisdom and abundance.

But you can often come across such a designation as: indifference and stupidity.

Each person puts something of their own into the meaning of a tattoo. That which complements his inner world, that which gives him confidence, or is his amulet or mysterious symbol.

Quite often, fish can be found on a woman’s body in places such as the neck, behind the ear, on the hips, wrists or on the stomach.

Men prefer to get a tattoo on their back, arm or calf. Unlike women, men do not stop at just a few fish, but paint entire masterpieces on their bodies.

To depict such beauty, it is very important to select a master who knows his business inside and out and is able to fully realize your dreams and fantasies.

It’s not uncommon for artists to provide a catalog with similar sketches, but often tattoo lovers want a tattoo that they themselves found on the Internet or based on their own sketch.

The goldfish, like most tattoos, came into tattoo culture from the East and is rightfully considered one of the oldest symbols. According to one ancient Chinese legend, a goldfish was given to a poor fisherman by deities from the ocean depths for a service rendered (so that’s where the fins come from in Pushkin’s fairy tale!). That is why this tattoo is a talisman against failures and misfortunes, is a symbol of luxury, prosperity and wealth, it can bring longevity and a calm, serene life in the circle of loved ones.

The goldfish tattoo is even mentioned in one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories from the Sherlock Holmes series (we are talking about “The Red-Headed Union”), which indicates the popularity of this tattoo already in the Victorian era - the era of real gentlemen and charming ladies!

Also, the goldfish was a talisman against bad luck and evil sea spirits. There are legends that in some villages fishermen performed mystical rituals to satisfy their patroness in her person (or what is the fish’s muzzle? Snout?), and Taoist philosophers in Eastern culture attributed to the goldfish the unity of the two elements of fire and water, which may mean unity of opposites.

That is why a tattoo with a goldfish or even a couple of aquatic inhabitants will mean a strong, happy union for many years.

By the way, a schematic image of several goldfish served as the basis for the well-known yin-yang symbol - also one of the very common tattoos of oriental themes.

The “goldfish” tattoo came to Europe, America and Africa along with sailors and travelers. The inhabitant of reservoirs quickly gained popularity among the fair sex and soon ceased to be a distinctive feature of the regulars of port taverns and brothels. It was here that the history of the goldfish had a fork in the road: on the one hand, it gained a foothold among the male part of the population and began to inform that its owner had seen a lot in his life, on the other hand, among girls, the goldfish tattoo followed a more elegant development and turned into Gorgeous watercolor paintings.

It is worth noting that now the majority of those who want to immortalize a legendary creature on their bodies are girls. In connection with this fact, when creating a sketch, the artist makes the tails and fins of the fish gracefully curved and decorated with some interesting element. This gives the tattoo a certain meaning - femininity, tenderness, fragility, grace and lightness.

Where and in what style to get a tattoo?

One of the most common places to get a goldfish tattoo is on the leg: on the foot, from the knee to the base of the foot, from the thigh to the knee, on the calves and on the inner thigh (which adds some spice to an already beautiful image). Initially, sailors who first learned about them got tattoos on their legs. This was done in order to hide the image if it was unsuccessful. However, very soon they forgot the real reason and began to stuff a goldfish on their leg simply because it looks impressive there. Now the image is displayed on the legs of hundreds (or even thousands) of girls to attract the attention of guys to these most wonderful legs and what is located just above.

Since we are talking about location, we can say that due to its compactness, a goldfish can be stuffed absolutely anywhere, and it will look advantageous. But as statistics show, the next most popular locations for goldfish tattoos are the arms and shoulder blades.

Now a few words about what style to perform. As mentioned above, the goldfish came to Europe, America and Africa as a fundamental element of the Old school, as it remains to this day. However, you should not limit yourself to just this - it will look good in realism, and in New school, and in minimalism, and in orientalism, and in both traditional styles, but the goldfish will feel most organic in its element - in watercolor. Essentially, the limitation in styles is color (it’s not difficult to knock out a goldfish in black and white - it’s harder to prove that it’s really gold).

Asia, Europe, America and Africa have already been mentioned, but we are all familiar with the goldfish, first of all, as a character in the fairy tale of the same name by Alexander Sergeevich. This explains the presence of a crown on the head of the wish-fulfiller (in fact, the fulfillment of wishes is what many argue for the reason for applying this tattoo).

Goldfish tattoos are quite popular among girls, especially when it comes to colored tattoos. All over the world, goldfish are associated with luck, beauty and love, and only in Russia are they credited with the properties of getting rich quickly, attracting money and power.

Goldfish tattoo symbolism

The main purpose of domesticated fish is aesthetic; many people just like to watch them, admire their beauty and grace. Likewise, the main meaning of a goldfish tattoo is beauty. A skillfully executed tattoo can decorate the body of a beautiful girl, highlight her refined curves, and give a bright, memorable image.

Apart from their obvious symbols, goldfish have a semi-superstitious quality and are believed to bring good luck. This far-fetched property allowed pet stores to sell essentially domesticated crucian carp at exorbitant prices, but it worked and this belief became widespread. And why not, the image of a goldfish in tattoo art is perfect for giving it the function of a talisman; a fish can attract good luck, and avoid adversity and misfortune.

Also, tattoos with goldfish have the meaning of the desire for self-improvement, the desire for spiritual purity, everything sublime; in this one can find similarities with a tattoo of a fish skeleton, which indicates the path of development.

The absolutely local meaning of a goldfish tattoo is wealth, success. Most likely, this belief arose due to the fairy tale about a goldfish that granted wishes, although for attentive readers it is obvious that the moral of that fairy tale is completely different, and it relates to the previous meaning of spiritual purity.

Of course, a goldfish tattoo is more suitable for girls, but it can also be found as a talisman on guys, sometimes it is used as a couple tattoo, and sometimes a lover or wife acts as a goldfish.

A fish tattoo is not uncommon. It attracts people not only because it can be done in many different styles and look completely different, but also because it has many meanings. If you don’t know where to get such a tattoo, fish are quite common on the wrist; it’s quite popular.

Story

Many cultures have images of fish. Tattoos with similar designs have a fairly deep history. Many believe that such a drawing can influence a person’s fate and life.

Both women and men often choose the image of a fish. A tattoo of this type usually means a deepening into the inner world, and for a woman it is a symbol of fertility. But this is not all of its meaning. The image of a fish can take on not only the light side, but also the dark side. Sometimes it can convey the meaning of anger and fear. But what looks even more interesting is the combination of these two opposite sides, merging into the Yin-Yang symbol.

Religious significance

In addition to all this, fish is one of the central symbols of the Christian religion. Once upon a time, this sign was an identification for the first Christians subject to persecution. So there may be a religious meaning hidden in the image of a fish. Tattoos of this type characterize love for God.

Fish symbol in different cultures

In Buddhist culture, fish means liberation from dark passions and desires. In China it symbolizes wealth or rebirth. The inhabitants of Ancient Greece considered it sacred, and for Hindus it is a symbol of marriage. In Japan, fish is characterized by courage, bravery, courage, and African countries recognize it as a symbol of the spirit of the dead.

Do you want to get a fish tattoo? The photo will give you some sketch ideas.

Different fish and the meaning of their images

In addition to the fact that the fish symbol can have a different meaning in each country, if we turn to astrology, then it symbolizes different concepts there too. For example, carp – courage and luck, shark – power, dolphin – openness and friendliness.

Carp is a good option if you want a picture of a fish. A carp tattoo carries a positive meaning. Carp brings good luck and adds determination. The image of two carps means harmony between a man and a woman. The Japanese consider the carp to be an exclusively male symbol, carrying courage, willpower and courage. Such a tattoo, in their opinion, is ideal for a purposeful man who, despite any difficulties, is firmly moving towards his goal. In China, carp is considered a symbol of power and superiority. The Chinese believe that his image on the body will help in pure, bright plans and will add good luck in all endeavors.

This is the meaning of a fish tattoo. You can use ready-made sketches, and the master can offer you your own and original drawings.

Another equally interesting common fish on the body is the shark. It symbolizes luck and fearlessness. According to Japanese myths, the shark is a messenger of God who will help anyone who respects it in everything. This tattoo is most suitable for persistent people who will never stop at any restrictions. The general meaning of the image of a shark is rage, lack of fear and perseverance.

Christians recognized the whale as a symbol of the devil. Moreover, they are sure that his jaws are the gates to hell, and his stomach is hell itself.

The starfish is a symbol of purity, true love, devotion and help.

The seahorse is a symbol of love of life and perseverance. But it can also sometimes mean single fathers.

Salmon symbolizes wisdom, knowledge, inspiration, and is sometimes even credited with prophetic abilities. Salmon is unique in that it can swim even against the current. That is why it is recognized as a symbol of perseverance, perseverance, and determination.

A trout tattoo will be most suitable for people leading an active lifestyle. It symbolizes mobility and energy. The peculiarity of trout is that this fish lives only in clean water, so one can also attribute the meaning of purity, love of freedom and independence. According to the legends of various peoples, it is somewhat similar to salmon, as it is associated with wisdom, wealth and prophecy. The image of a trout can also serve as a talisman, imparting good luck, knowledge, and luck.

Golden fish - luxury, beauty, grace, wealth, desire for beauty, fulfillment of desires.

The image of a fish on the body has many different meanings, which can sometimes even contradict each other. Most often, fish on the body are symbols somehow related to water, but they also sometimes act as intermediaries between heaven and earth.

Does a goldfish tattoo have any meaning???

Little Rain

Traditionally, tattoos with fish are symbols of health and happiness, in contrast to Japanese fish, which mean strength, endurance, and courage.

A positive symbol associated with fertility, sexual harmony; phallic sign. Depicted on the soles of the Buddha, they symbolized liberation from the burden of worldly desires. The sexual symbolism of fish is present in many cultures, due to their abundance of eggs, water as an emblem of fertility, and the comparison of fish to a penis. They are associated with the goddesses of the moon and motherhood and childbirth. In China, fish is an emblem of abundance and good luck. Three intertwined fish, representing the Trinity

Carp tattoos are as varied and popular as the fish themselves.
Koi tattoo designs often feature sakura, waves or splashes, and lotus flowers.

Koi are a species of carp (in Japanese, koi is carp) bred in artificial conditions and characterized by incredible colors. In nature, carp are river fish hiding in the muddy places of rivers, but the Japanese, through selection, turned ordinary fish into floating gems.

The main meaning of a koi tattoo is good luck.

The Japanese distinguish different symbol meanings for pond and wild carp

But the Chinese interpret such tattoos completely differently.

Japanese meaning of carp tattoo:

The Japanese translate the word koi not only as carp, but also as love (love specifically for a partner, not for parents).

In Japan, carp is a male symbol. When a boy is born in a family, flags with images of carp are hung above the house. But nowadays carp is equally popular among both men and women.

Tattoos with carp are considered extremely energetic; carp have a rich range of colors and their image is dynamic. In nature, carp constantly struggle with the current, overcoming streams in search of food and for procreation.

This force is usually interpreted as follows:

Firstly, the tattoo depicts a fish that is constantly swimming against the current, gaining strength for a new fight. This means the ability to go against fate, the tide of life, and overcome obstacles along the way. Often carp represents a symbol of victory over circumstances, the triumph of courage in struggle.

Secondly, this perception is due to the influence of the West; carp is for the most independent natures. Those who rebel against everything that they don’t like, those who don’t care about the opinions of society and other people. Carp overcoming a stormy stream is a symbol of fortitude.

Chinese meaning of carp tattoo:

Koi, the dragon fish, the king of all fish, has special significance in China.

The legend says:

Each carp must travel to the Dragon Gate up the Yellow River, where it will be transformed into a dragon.

Thus, carp is a symbol of inspiration for people striving for special, sometimes ambitious goals, for those who dream of more.

Thus, in general, a carp tattoo is a symbol of determination, strength and good luck.

Such a tattoo will bring prosperity to its owner; the larger the carp, the luckier its owner.

A positive symbol associated with fertility, sexual harmony; phallic sign. Depicted on the soles of the Buddha, they symbolized liberation from the burden of worldly desires. The sexual symbolism of fish is present in many cultures, due to their abundance of eggs, water as an emblem of fertility, and the comparison of fish to a penis. They are associated with the goddesses of the moon and motherhood and childbirth. In China, fish is an emblem of abundance and good luck. Three intertwined fish represent the Trinity.

Fish. Symbol of fertility, abundance, sexual energy, wisdom, wealth. At the same time as this interpretation, there is another, where the fish acts as a symbol of stupidity, stinginess and spiritual callousness. The image of a fish on the body is often used as a symbol of faith, purity, baptism and communion.

Meaning of fish lantern tattoo

Yuri Polyakov

A fish tattoo means a symbol of health, happiness, fertility, abundance, sexual power, wisdom.
In Japan, fish mean a symbol of strength, endurance and courage.
In China, fish signifies abundance, good luck and rebirth.
For Africans it means the embodiment of the soul of the deceased.
Among the Iranians, fish were considered creatures that had a beneficial effect on humans.
Pisces can serve as a symbol of faith, purity, the Virgin Mary, baptism, and communion.
Some of the fish species are highlighted.
One of the most common fish tattoos is tattoos with Japanese Koi Carps.
Carp (Koi) is a symbol of courage, there is also an opinion that: black carp is the father, red is the mother, blue is the son, green is the daughter.
Carp in China symbolizes great literary abilities, perseverance in the fight against difficulties, and courage.
Karp is also the personification of calmness and composure. “Messenger of good luck”, “purity of soul”, loyalty and wisdom.
Two carp are a symbol of harmony in the relationship between a man and a woman.
Goldfish are a symbol of beauty, grace, the desire for beauty, wealth, prosperity, fulfillment of desires, happiness and

The seahorse is a symbol of vitality. Useful for sea voyages and water trips; it helps to establish a connection with the element of water.
The seahorse can symbolize single fathers.
Salmon is the personification of wisdom, knowledge, inspiration; prophetic abilities were attributed to it.
Salmon were revered for their ability to go against the current. Thanks to its persistence in achieving a goal, salmon is still a recognized symbol of determination, perseverance, dedication, and devotion. A tattoo with the image of a salmon will be a wonderful amulet that will help you achieve what you want and overcome any difficulties in life.
Trout is a symbol of mobility, energy, and active life. Trout lives only in clean water, so this type of fish is also associated with independence, love of freedom, and purity.
Just like salmon, trout in the legends of many peoples is associated with divine wisdom, abundance, and foresight. The image of a trout was considered a talisman, attracting prosperity and bestowing knowledge.

The beauty and inexplicability of the surrounding world has attracted people since ancient times. Man was interested not only in earthly space, but also in heaven, not only land, but also water. The wonders of the underwater world seemed all the more attractive to ancient people, because none of our ancestors could penetrate the water space for a long time, much less study its laws. The inhabitants of the water world simultaneously attracted and frightened man, forcing him to find explanations for mysteries in the words and images available to him, to invent myths and legends. The image of a goldfish can be found among the Slavs, in the mythologies and beliefs of the Far East.

The image of a goldfish in world culture

In Chinese mythology and Taoism, the goldfish acts as a symbol of abundance and family happiness. The Chinese believe that placing a figurine of a man holding a fish in a prominent place in the house will attract success and joy to the family. In our time, it is customary to give such amulets to family and friends.

The Slavs also associated goldfish with wealth and good luck. The famous fairy tale by A.S. Pushkin's story about the old man and the fish is inspired by folk tales and legends. However, we must not forget that a goldfish is not only capable of fulfilling any desire, it can also punish a person for greed, anger and envy. Therefore, among the Slavs, the image of a goldfish is also associated with the fulfillment of the highest justice.

In Buddhism, the goldfish is a symbol of spiritual purity, longevity and wealth. This creature serves as decoration for many temples, and small images of fish are usually given as amulets against the influence of evil forces.

The Japanese associate the image of a goldfish with femininity, motherhood and home.

As we see, in Eastern culture and among the Slavs, the goldfish has exclusively positive symbolism. When choosing a tattoo with the image of this creature, you should take into account the spiritual basis of the symbol.

Interesting. Speaking about the symbolism of the goldfish, we can highlight two main aspects, the first of which is associated with water as an element of the other world, and the second with the gold color as a sign of wealth, aristocracy and abundance. The goldfish, thus, combines in its image the concept of spiritual knowledge and material well-being.

Who is suitable for a goldfish tattoo?

A goldfish tattoo, the meaning of which is associated with the symbolism of this image described above, can become a good amulet for a person, protecting against misfortune and failure. However, it should be remembered that such a tattoo can play a cruel joke with evil and deceitful people. Remember how the goldfish punished the old woman who wanted to become the mistress of the sea.

The image of a sea creature is suitable for those who:

  • values ​​honesty in others and tries to be an honest person himself;
  • has an optimistic outlook on things, always believes in the best;
  • believes that the world is naturally wonderful and full of beauty;
  • strives to create a home;
  • faithful in love and friendship, does not tolerate betrayal;
  • believes in the ultimate triumph of justice;
  • wants to achieve success and material well-being in life;
  • has a gentle character, is afraid of offending and hurting loved ones;
  • I am sure that good deeds should be done without excessive publicity and pride.

The goldfish tattoo is a universal one, but it is more popular among the fair sex. Men most often put into this image the meaning of attracting good luck and financial well-being, and for girls such a tattoo symbolizes fragility, softness and femininity.

Advice. There is an opinion that the image of sea creatures is ideal for water signs: Scorpio, Fisherman and Cancer, as well as people belonging to the air element: Libra, Gemini and Aquarius.

Goldfish tattoo options

The goldfish tattoo, the sketches of which are known to every professional artist, has many variations, among which the most common are the following:

  1. Goldfish with a long tail and fins. This type of tattoo is typically feminine and symbolizes beauty, flexibility, and nobility. The fish can be depicted from the side or from the front, as if swimming towards the viewer.
  2. Goldfish with a crown. This sketch goes back to the subjects of Slavic folklore and the tale of A.S. Pushkin, because the goldfish was not a simple inhabitant of the underwater world, but its queen. This tattoo symbolizes faith in luck and justice, hope for help from higher powers.
  3. Goldfish with flowers and algae. This naturalistic image is used to show the magnificence of the underwater world, its diversity and richness. Such tattoos are made by people who are in love with life, admire the beauty of our planet and believe in goodness. Men often complement the tattoo composition with the image of foaming waves.
  4. Goldfish and lotus. This tattoo goes back to the symbolism of the East. The lotus is a sign of wisdom and spiritual wealth, and the fish is a sign of material wealth. The combination of a sea creature and a lotus can be perceived as a symbol of the desire for harmony of the physical and spiritual, the desire to achieve success through honest work.
  5. Two goldfish. This image is used by lovers to talk about the purity and strength of their feelings. Sometimes they do