Tattoo...
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8/4/2008 4:53 am |
Koi fish, or Carp are a fixture of Japanese tattoing and play important roles in both Chinese and Japanese myths, legends, fables, and stories. According to Japanese/Chinese legend if a koi succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate on the Yellow River it would be transformed into a dragon. Based on that legend, it became a symbol of perseverance and advancement. More generally, the Japanese associate koi (also known as carp) with perserverance in adversity and strength of purpose. Because of its strength and determination to overcome obstacles, it stands for courage and the ability to attain high goals. Others say it means good fortune or luck. More input: The Koi Fish is symbolic in the Buddhist Religion, representing courage. Humans 'swim' through the 'ocean of suffering' without fear, just like a fish swims through water. The Koi is symbolic with family. On Childrens Day Koi flags are raised, Black Koi the father, Orange/Red mother, Blue/White for a boy, red/pink for a girl. "There is another word to describe "love" which is "koi". The kanji character for "kokoro (heart)" is included as part of both kanji characters. Both "ai" and "koi" are probably translated as "love" in English. However, they have slightly different nuance: "Koi" is a love for the opposite sex, or a longing feeling for a specific person. It can be described as "romantic love" or "passionate love". While "ai" has the same meaning as "koi," it also has a definition of a general feeling of love. "Koi" can be selfish, but "ai" is a real love. Here are some lines that explain them well: Koi is always wanting. Ai is always giving. A koi tattoo is supposed to represent different things it just depends on the color and the amount of them and the direction they are swimming in the stream. 5 golden koi is supposed to represent eternal wealth and well being. When a Koi in the tattoo is showed swimming upstream, it means that the tattooee is still struggling with their problems whereas a Koi swimming downstream implies that the difficulties were overcomed. The Carp can also represents wisdom, knowledge, longevity and loyalty. Well, all those explanations are just another 'push' to get a tattoo. I have the design ready since many years and it's time to take the final step, I would go for a half-sleeve on my left arm. Do some of you have tattoos? Have a beautiful day, Frenchguy. #2 song of the day: BENJAMIN BIOLAY "Little darlin'" |
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8/5/2008 3:36 pm |
frenchguy> i'm digging this blog.
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8/5/2008 5:48 pm |
Frenchy ... what color will your Koi be and in which direction will it swim? 
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12/10/2008 1:47 am |
Frenchguy, Here in Tahiti, tattoos have a strong significance, but it fade away with time and now, it is more a question of fashion and look. In pre-European Tahitian society, traditional tattoing was very complex and rich. More than a simple body adornment, tatoos were a true social map engraved on each individual's skin. Informations such as which island the person came from, which tribe, family, social rank, acts of bravery during war, marriages...were displayed on Polynesian people skin. But the arriving of the first missionaries at the end of the 18th century turned tattooing from a standard practice into an embarrassing and punishable act of Paganism. I should admit that missionaries were not so worried about tattoo itself, but it was about all the festivities that went with the tattooing's rites, including sexual orgies... The rebirth of tattoos in French Polynesia started at the end of the Seventies, during a festival of Oceanic arts held on Tahiti. The Samoan's delegation displayed an impressive number of traditionaly tattooed men. Seeing these proud men strolling in the streets of Papeete galvanized the Polynesians and exacerbated their desire to find their cultural identity. From this time, tattooing became again a sign of membership which could be shown with pride. Now, to return to your question, am I myself tattooed ? The answer is no. But if we must return to the system of caste which prevailed in pre-colonial time, it would have been of my duty to be tattooed, my maternal family belonging to the warriors' caste and my great-grandmother having been one of the last warriors of Leeward Islands. Some of my male cousins, bi-racial as myself, decided to tattooing themselves in order to facilitate their integration in the family. But it is not my case, having nor the desire to be integrated at this price, nor the need to reinforce my cultural identity, which would be difficult insofar as in my veins run not only Tahitian blood but also French, Chinese and Spanish blood. Then, if I were to carry on my skin a trace of each one of these cultures, I would have to be renamed " Comics' girl" !!! Hope you will enjoy my contribution (all in English!lol) Vainoa. "There are only one truth but several ways of saying it..."
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12/12/2008 7:54 am |
Frenchguy, Here in Tahiti, tattoos have a strong significance, but it fade away with time and now, it is more a question of fashion and look. In pre-European Tahitian society, traditional tattoing was very complex and rich. More than a simple body adornment, tatoos were a true social map engraved on each individual's skin. Informations such as which island the person came from, which tribe, family, social rank, acts of bravery during war, marriages...were displayed on Polynesian people skin. But the arriving of the first missionaries at the end of the 18th century turned tattooing from a standard practice into an embarrassing and punishable act of Paganism. I should admit that missionaries were not so worried about tattoo itself, but it was about all the festivities that went with the tattooing's rites, including sexual orgies... The rebirth of tattoos in French Polynesia started at the end of the Seventies, during a festival of Oceanic arts held on Tahiti. The Samoan's delegation displayed an impressive number of traditionaly tattooed men. Seeing these proud men strolling in the streets of Papeete galvanized the Polynesians and exacerbated their desire to find their cultural identity. From this time, tattooing became again a sign of membership which could be shown with pride. Now, to return to your question, am I myself tattooed ? The answer is no. But if we must return to the system of caste which prevailed in pre-colonial time, it would have been of my duty to be tattooed, my maternal family belonging to the warriors' caste and my great-grandmother having been one of the last warriors of Leeward Islands. Some of my male cousins, bi-racial as myself, decided to tattooing themselves in order to facilitate their integration in the family. But it is not my case, having nor the desire to be integrated at this price, nor the need to reinforce my cultural identity, which would be difficult insofar as in my veins run not only Tahitian blood but also French, Chinese and Spanish blood. Then, if I were to carry on my skin a trace of each one of these cultures, I would have to be renamed " Comics' girl" !!! Hope you will enjoy my contribution (all in English!lol) Vainoa.
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