Does anyone know of a good site where I can find out what a dragon or a tiger, or a coy (spelling?) or a other tattoo meanings.

thanks

A dragon is a protector, a Koi is good luck. That's all I know.

Try a search for symbolism + "whatever it is you want to know about" on Google or Ask.

For example, a Koi fish is considered to be lucky; fish are also elusive and mysterious as they live in the water.

Other animals are part of the Chinese zodiac (a tiger being one of them). There are different meanins associated with them in that context.

Best of luck!

-e-

just on a side note of coolness, i recall them once saying on the show that it is believed that the koi becomes a dragon.

TRY YOUR LIBRARY... i know most people find it easiest to go on the web but i found when researching my peices that diffrent sites gave different information and since its not regulated people don't even know when they are getting false information...sometimes reading a book is still the best way to go!

I agree. My son was seeing a tutor for reading. We met with him on Saturdays for about 6 weeks. While my son was with the tutor I would take the time to look up meanings of symbols. I'm into celtic art so I could always be found in the celtic section. I did find a lot more at the library than I did on the internet.

I've never heard of a koi meaning good luck. It depends on the particular tradition you're talking about anyway. You're far better off getting a tattoo you like and endowing it with the meaning that's important to you than picking a given image because you think it has a particular meaning. The only reason I can think of for doing that is so that others will be able to see your tattoo and know what it means, and that's never going to happen reliably. Go with what you like.

they've said on the show tons of times that the koi means good luck.

Well, koi are associated with the Japanese tradition, and that's not what they mean there. I think they're just making it up.

so then what do they mean. i'm curious.

The Japanese consider it the most spirited of fish, so full of energy and power that it can fight its way up swift-running streams and cascades. Because of its strength and determination to overcome all obstacles, it stands for courage and the ability to attain high goals.Because these fish had to leap in treacherous waters to spawn, they were chosen as symbols of vigor and endurance. A legend tells of how any koi that succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate (on the Yellow River) would be transformed into a dragon. Based on that legend, it became a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement

This is mainly for humor and to reveal my more hickish side....

Koi are related to carp. Carp are fish who are considered bottom feeders and relatively good for nothing (in northern wisconsin). So if you got a more carpish looking koi, it probably wouldn't relfect back on you too well, since most of the people around me would associate it with the bottom feeders!

However, I like Koi. Just giving ya two cents from a hick point of view.

steny,

I think your humour is catching...

I guess a "Koi" in Canada would be classified as a "Salmon" fish. They also swim against strong running water. In hopes to reach it's spawning territory. I don't know about it having magical powers. However cooked with lemon and garlic butter. That's pure magic to me!

Please I mean no disrespect to the Asian Koi legend!

Hey TQ,

With kind of a definition maybe he should get a tattoo of Dinner.

Ruby

Different folks for different strokes, as it were. Koi are indeed related to carp and are just larger versions of the common (or not so common) goldfish you can buy just about anywhere.
On the other hand, one man's carp is another man's legendary mover and shaker. I am planning to get a koi on my thigh in the not-too-distant future, mostly because I think they look cool, but partially because I can dig the oriental point of view and who can't use a little more luck?

I love koi as well and someday I would wish to have one as well.