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Goldfish are free to swim wherever they wish, which makes them a symbol of victory over earthly desires.
Now a typical pet, goldfish have a fascinating history and symbolism. As early as the ninth century, when Chinese anglers caught goldfish, they did not eat them. Instead, they released them into Buddhist mercy ponds, which is an act of self-purification.
In Buddhism, goldfish represents cleanliness of mind and longevity. In tattoo art, goldfish can represent money, but the wearer must decide what it means to them.
It is not only monetary wealth that goldfish tattoos represent, but also emotional and mental well-being. The golden hue of the fish body means the results of spiritual improvement. However, goldfish tattoos can mean different things to different people, depending on their beliefs.
It is not only monetary wealth that a goldfish tattoo symbolizes but also emotional and mental well-being. The golden hue of the fish body means the results of spiritual improvement. However, goldfish tattoos can mean different things to different people, depending on their beliefs.
With their flowing tails and eye-catching hues, even the most casual of art enthusiasts will be in awe of the color combination with gold representing wealth and red warding off misfortune or illness. This fascination is strong enough to inspire people to tattoo their likeness onto their skin permanently.
Popular goldfish tattoo design idea inspiration:
The different types of goldfish to consider: 1. Bubble Eye
2. Oranda
3. Lionhead
4. Ryukin
5. Celestial Eye
6. Telescope
7. Veiltail
8. Fantail
9. Black Moor
10. Pearlscale
11. Ranchu
12. Pom-Pon
13. Shubunkin
14. Comet
15. Jikin
16. Nymph
17. Tosakin
18. Butterfly Tail
Gracefully swim through life with this cute deep purple goldfish tattoo. Placed on the lower arm, this female tattoo is a unique symbol that stands out with its distinctive color choice. Even with its small size, this modern body art piece has stunning gradients and elegant details like the delicate fins.
With such strong symbolism behind the iconic goldfish, why not take advantage of the endless number of meanings and it make things personal? Here’s a fun example of either a husband and wife, or brother and sister with matching rib cage side tattoos. Some say the goldfish is a sign of trust, and if you have a deep trust with one another, then perhaps it can be the perfect design to represent your close connection.
Check out this stunning orange forearm goldfish tattoo done in a cool watercolor style. I love how the fins fade in and out of the skin thanks to the gradient effect that is produced when a watercolor style is used. Note the placement of the fish relative the long area of the forearm to give off the impression of the fish having plenty of room to swim upwards. Perhaps for some women, this can be a sign to always swim up in life; strive to reach the top in everything that you do.
While this goldfish isn’t girly, it should still give you a lot of creative ideas to run with. For instance, take a look at how the fins and gills are a different color for a more artistic vibe. A bright red eye is hard to miss and makes wonder why? What I like best is the usage of white ink and just how well the fin colors are blended in a gradient effect.
Here’s a classic, old-school traditional fish design featuring your typical orange and golden yellow color scheme. Placed on the leg, just above the ankle, this fish is as basic as it gets, but it serves as a good starting point for any design. When going with a goldfish tattoo, keep in mind that it’s not such much the design that matters, but the symbolism behind the design. In this case, even a simple fish can represent so much. Many claim the goldfish symbolizes warmth, friendship, royalty, while others say it’s a sign of abundance, prosperity and good fortune.
The orange and golden yellow color of the goldfish is an iconic color scheme that’s hard to forget. But for some women, going color-free is simply the way to go. This black and white ink goldfish is a brilliant example of how you can have an amazing tattoo without the need for color. Instead of separating the fins, gills, and so on through the use of color, the artist has effectively used shading to their advantage. If you look closely, you’ll find white ink lines for that added pop of detail, plus tiny dots along the fins. All of which comes together for a super cool, swimming fish design.
Not a fan of realistic tattoos? No problem, just consider this fun, artistic variation of the goldfish tattoo. Placed on the rib cage side of the body, this female tattoo features a hand painted style that combines fun, cute and feminine styles. Note the addition of another fish nearby which can even more meaning to your design.
If the word pet comes to mind when you think of goldfish, then you might find this design a bit bizarre or creepy. Personally, I find it rather cool. Here’s a more modern style featuring an X-ray design. It’s a see-through style that gives you an inside look at the fish bones. Beyond the X-ray theme, what I really like is the double fish design which gives the impression of movement in the water.
For anyone looking for a bold goldfish tattoo this is the one for you. With the old school sailor look of this piece you’re sure to be ecstatic with your choice to commit to this tattoo. With the use of the black as well as throwing in the gold for the smaller goldfish, that gold almost shimmers as well. What a beautiful contrast to the black background.
I’m not sure about you, but when I think of goldfish, rose isn’t something that normally comes to mind, but this black tattoo has managed to create something beautiful out of two things you wouldn’t normally combine. The use of shading managed to achieve such detail in this single goldfish. From the dots on the fins to the bubble on its face this goldfish is absolute perfection.
This gorgeous watercolor tattoo of two goldfish swimming in a line, likely following each other to another destination. These goldfish aren’t traditionally colored, but the artist managed to make them consistent by sharing one of the colors, the blue, between the two fish. The movement in this tattoo is obvious in the way each of these goldfishes’ bodies are curved.
This tattoo uses colors to its advantage! All the lines, except for this goldfish’s eye, are created with the color making the fish just look so gorgeous. The fins even fade into a clear like most fish’s fins do, the variations of colors are amazing and the fact they managed to make this a 3D tattoo even looking from the profile of this goldfish. The bubbles even make sure you know that this fish is underwater, this work is simply gorgeous.
This gorgeous tattoo combines not only the goldfish but something else of similar color as well, a peach! This cartoony goldfish melds into the peach and the colors are extremely vibrant. I’m a sucker for the use of the thicker lines like what was used in old school tattoos, then pairing that with the wonderful choices of color.
This goldfish is clearly swimming in water past a pink water lily. I love that the artist pointed the focus of detail towards the goldfish and the waterlily but adding the lines to give the obvious flow of water around them. The pink of the waterlily is unmistakable and the choice of blue with shading for the goldfish makes this tattoo unique and marvelous.
Everything about this tattoo is perfect. From the location choice so that the fins go along her shoulder to the choice of red as well as the choice to leave out the lines to trace it. Everything is in the same maroon color; some spots have just been gone over more than once to create darker and lighter shades. This tattoo looks extremely simple but upon further look it’s much more intricate than originally thought.
Here’s another goldfish on the shoulder but this on is black and shading. The focus of this ones seems to be the large, flowing fins coming just about every which way, it’s hard to tell but it seems like the biggest fin is even flowing over the shoulder onto her back. It’s interesting to note how different two tattoos of the same thing can end up manifesting as art.
This goldfish is part of a bigger sleeve tattoo, it looks like the new flowers on the top match the older, colored in flowers. The lines used to make up the outline are perfect, it’s giant but still obvious it’s a goldfish, even without the color applied to it yet. It seems part of the sleeve is a Maneki-neko, which also means good luck in some areas of the world as well as in some cultures.
Want a tattoo that you can look at while you’re walking in water, and it looks like there is a fish? This adorable tattoo could be the perfect choice for you. It’s tiny but perfect for anyone who wears sandals much of the time or just has a love for goldfish that they want to share with the world. Either way, this tattoo is small but mighty!
Using purple, black, and even white this tiny tattoo of a goldfish on this person’s ankle has shaped up to be a cute little goldfish. Having it on your foot may symbolize that you’re heading somewhere or even just implying you’re headed in the right direction. Whatever this tattoo means to you it’s cute and I can see myself getting this tattoo one day!
This is the first tattoo that I’ve seen the goldfish swimming around in a fishbowl. I can appreciate how tiny this tattoo is yet it manages to hold an extreme amount of not only detail but also managed to utilize many colors. Positioned on the forearm, the fish inside the bowl are each in different positions and swimming in different ways, the detail on this is fantastic. I can’t get over how cute this is!
More goldfish inspiration:
Goldfish tattoos have been around for centuries, with the earliest known examples dating back to 12th century China. In Chinese culture, goldfish are a symbol of good luck and fortune. This is likely why they became such a popular motif in tattoo art.
Goldfish tattoos are usually small and minimalist in design. They are often depicted as a single fish or a school of fish swimming in a circular pattern. This tattoo design is perfect for women who want a simple and elegant tattoo that they can easily conceal if need be.
Goldfish can symbolize good luck as well as abundance and wealth. In Chinese culture, goldfish are often given as gifts during the New Year holiday. They are also a popular tattoo design choice for people looking for a more subtle way to express their cultural heritage.They can also symbolize strength and perseverance in the face of adversity. Goldfish are known for their ability to survive and thrive in challenging environments. This makes them a powerful symbol of hope and resilience.
Goldfish tattoos can also be seen as a representation of the wearer’s journey through life. Just like these fish, we all face challenges and obstacles. But if we stay strong and keep swimming, we will eventually reach our goals.
There are countless choices available for goldfish tattoo designs. You can keep it simple with a single fish or go for a more complex design featuring a school of fish. You can also add other elements to your tattoos, such as lotus flowers, waves, or clouds.
Alternatively, you can incorporate the Chinese character for “fish” into your design. This can add an extra layer of meaning to your tattoo and make it even more personal. No matter what you choose, a goldfish tattoo is undoubtedly a beautiful and stylish addition to your body art collection.
Goldfish tattoo meanings and symbolism:
What do Goldfish themed designs mean and symbolize?: Goldfish have long been associated with many different symbols, meanings and interpretations. In Chinese culture, for example, goldfish are commonly used to symbolize wealth, fortune and abundance. This can be seen in the popular phrase “goldfish swimming in a pond” which is used to describe someone who has achieved great success and prosperity. The Chinese also believe that goldfish represent good luck, longevity and friendship.
In Japan, goldfish have a much different meaning. Here, they are thought to bring courage, strength and determination to those who house them. Furthermore, the Japanese believe that goldfish can bring good luck and harmony to any home.
The ancient Egyptians also revered goldfish for their symbolism. They believed that the fish could help them connect with the gods of the underworld and bring them closer to the afterlife. As such, they often included images of goldfish in their tombs and artwork.
In Europe and North America, goldfish were often used as a symbol of fertility and growth. The bright colors of the fish were thought to attract positive energy into one’s life as well as bring good luck. Goldfish were also said to be a sign of eternal life due to their ability to adapt to almost any environment or conditions.
Goldfish also have spiritual significance in some cultures around the world. For instance, in Hinduism, the fish is seen as a symbol of love and fertility due to its powerful connection with water (which is seen as a powerful source of life-giving energy). In Buddhism, goldfish are often used as symbols of enlightenment due to their appearance when swimming in water (which is seen as linked to spiritual transformation).
Finally, goldfish are often associated with beauty and elegance due to their vibrant colors and graceful movements. As such, they are frequently used in artwork and jewelry as symbols of grace and beauty. In addition, they are sometimes used as symbols of gentleness, innocence and purity since they appear peaceful and delicate when swimming in ponds or aquariums.
