Way to pick up on that!
Well the story goes like this, the kanji has been there for a long time, long before I ever got the koi done. See, when I was younger martial arts was a big part of my life and something that me and my father shared as a common hobby. Its practically all we did lol. So after almost 13 years of work me and my father got our black belts together, big deal for both of us. In the ceremony they welcome you to the yudansha, the holders of black belts, saying that once you are in the yuudansha you are a black belt for the rest of your life whether you ever do martial arts again or not. My dad and I saw some cool symbolism in this and decided to get the tattoo, so we both have that kanji.
To me though, as Ive grown older, my tattoo has seemed incomplete. Rather than most kanjis which are symbolize a belief or ideal mine was an event, an accomplishment in time. As I was looking for something to add, something to make it more complete I came across Koi fish (which Ive always though make beautiful tattoos). The story of the Koi is fighting up the river to the Dragons Gate with the symbolism of goal achievement and worldly accomplishment, which Im sure most of you know.
So I thought this fit perfectly and what I plan to do throughout my life, for other extremely significant and important events is to add a kanji to the river my koi swims through as symbolism of a goal finally reached. For example, the next one I will get will be after college. Finishing college has been extremely difficult for me and a very emotional journey. So when I graduate (this may!!!) I will add a kanji to the river symbolizing this achievement. And so forth throughout my life.
Aaaaaaaanyway this is the idea/symbolism behind my ink!
