This traditional Japanese tattoo inspired design is of two KOI fish in perpetual motion and are as one - a yin yang.

Colours are … Black, Dark Grey, Grey, Light Grey, White

Hope you all like it!

I really like this. The only thing that bothers me is the symbol having white.. appendages? Also not sure about the 'appendage' on his tail. Yep, that's about it. I really like this otherwise.

It's been done...

beautiful!

Eh.

shouldn't the black fish have black fingery-fin-things instead of white ones ?

there are too many damn koi shrts. how about some trout, or flounder, hell, why not a whale? goddamn koi. pretty boys.

i'm actually rather sick of the whole eastern themes (yin yangs, kois, warriors, tigers, etc.) maybe i've just been looking at too many tattoo websites....

center it, it looks wierd off center since yin tang is all about balance

really great for a first sub. i don't know why everyone has an issue with the yin yang (or the kois). do we have one printed? i've only seen one other design like this in the last 3 months, and i check pretty often. i have seen kois in designs, yes, but they are not the main feature. let's put it this way: kois aren't the new panda. although it may not be the most original idea, the artwork is nicely executed and the style is very unique.

if this one doesn't print, keep trying!

First sub for you---fine. However, I'm eyeball-deep in the koi, yin & yang, asian cliches which nobody understands.

Firstly, thanks for all the comments!!!

Now, to clear up some misconceptions.
The 'appendages' are traditional japanese waves, the water showing the movement of the kois.
The design is not in the centre, rather it is placed over the heart not only to make it more interesting but to also emphasise the importance of finding balance in ones life and heart.

Secondly, i don't like the comment that people don't understand 'asian cliches'.

A number of tales in Japanese legend have lead people to associate the Koi fish with many important human qualities:
– worldly aspiration and advancement
– good fortune or luck
– perseverance in adversity and strength of purpose
– and due to its strength and determination to overcome obstacles, it stands for courage and the ability to attain high goals

It is all these qualities and more that I believe you have to keep in balance (ie. yin, yang) and in continual movement always assessing your surroundings and adapting yourself overcoming obstacles and achieving your dreams!

Thanks everyone! Please support my design!

Amazing! I'd wear it!

Come on guys...keep the comments coming!

The white waves look like fins, which is not good cuz then the fins really look like claws on deformed fish. Moreover the waves are the most striking element because of being thick lines on a dark shirt- and i fel they do not balance the design, they throw it off.. i realise the fish faces must be very fat to do the outline of the traditional teardrop shape but they dont please me as heads. Also, the tails need not be so long ...unless you want them to.

sorry its been over done...both ying-yang and koi themes are kind generic now.

*kinda

I think their faces should be a little better defined.

well
first i saw it and i was like, ooh i love it
but idk
the positioning is weird
and it's either too big or too small
but it's gorgeous

Don't like the faces on the koi.

Even if you don't like the size or placement of the design or some of the line thicknesses ... PLEASE STILL VOTE FOR THE TEE!!!!

All these minor changes can be done before the Hi RES image is sent to threadless!!
And threadless itself can change these variables to their liking!!

Nicely done, certainly better than the yin yang sub I came across yesterday of 2 dogs sniffing each others arses.

they dont' look enough like fish

Go to the design forums and check out the critique for this design... one of them is an swf so you can zoom in on the image!

You'll see that although stylistic they are very recognisable as koi fish and the unique little details that will be beautiful on the tee are more visible!

I love your depiction of the koi. I wouldn't have realized those were Japanese styled waves had you not told us. In fact that'd be one thing holding me back from buying. 4

If you guys all vote to have the waves removed I'm sure i can make it happen... just help me to get this TEE printed!

I enjoy the art on the shirt.

But remeber that this kind of art needs to stand on its own without description because you can't be there to explain your ideas to everyone that buys the shirt.