Men can wear the koi fish tattoo as well as women. There are also masculine versions of the koi fish tattoo that depict this mythic creature’s transformation from fish to dragon.
Full back spreads can be created tracking the voyage and quest of the koi fish on its way to being transformed into the dragon at the mouth of the Dragon Gate on the Yellow River. Men who are secure n their masculinity can leave off the dragon aspect and simply embrace the symbolism of a single solitary koi fish tattoo.