I was watching an episode where I believe either Ami or Garver tattooed a guy that wanted a koi fish with a dragon head. I have been researching and I cant find what its called. Im not sure exactly the meaning either. I know that the koi swims upstream and if it crosses the gates it turns into a dragon. Well I guess what Im talking about is it being half way through this transformation stage. Im just trying to find the name of the creature and its actual meaning. Also if anyone has a picture of the tattoo ami did that would be great. heres a pic I found.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f20/woptang22/koidragon.jpg

It is, to the best of my knowledge, called a koi dragon.

I have been trying to do some research on them and the picture above is the only one I can find. I really cant figure out its sybolizm either. Except its in the middle of its transformation? If anyone else has any info that would be great.

If you are referring to the image of a carp leaping through the Dragon gate I am not sure if the transforming carp has a special name.

http://www.irezumi.us/eg/touryuumon.html

that painting was done by erik keifer from annapolis md.

http://www.koifishtattoos.net/thankyou.html

Im currently looking for all that info myself and this link offers a free e-book with the whole history/legend behind the koi and also heaps of clip art for ideas.

Its a bit of a download, but well worth it.

Enjoy.

Just checked that site a listed above, and the FREE e-book is only on offer until 30th September 2008.

So get in quick!!

Hey i recorded that last night on foxtel and it was Chris Garver that did a Koi Dragon on a kids leg that was born with cystic fibrosis i think that was the desease. Yeah and did a beautiful one on his leg.. you should be able to get it off the discovery channel..
hugs
angelrecruiter