The Name Spirit Of The Dragon Martial Arts in Chinese/Japanese on a Personalized Wall Scroll.

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  1. Spirit Of The Dragon Martial Arts

  2. No man knows what he owes to his parents until he comes to have children of his own

  3. Beauty of Nature

  4. Beautiful Soul

  5. Beautiful Spirit

  6. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder

  7. Best Love / Most Sincere Love

  8. Feeling of Bliss

  9. Character

10. Child of God

11. Grace of God / Divine Blessing

12. Emperor of Japan

13. Failure is the Origin of Success

14. Failure is the Mother of Success

15. Fighting Spirit

16. Fortune favors the brave

17. Free Spirit

18. Venus / Amor / God of Love

19. God of War

20. A Moment of Time is as Precious as Gold

21. Grace from Heaven / Grace from God

22. The Great Wall of China

23. The Guts Theory

24. Man of Remarkable Character / Hero

25. Home is where the heart is

26. Book of Hosea

27. Indomitable Spirit / Indomitable Attitude

28. Indomitable Spirit

29. Inner Beauty / Beauty of Spirit

30. A Journey of 1000 Miles Begins with a Single Step

31. Kingdom of Heaven

32. Life Full of Love

33. A Life of Happiness and Prosperity

34. Life is What You Make of It

35. Journey of Life

36. Life of Love

37. Life of Serenity

38. Bolt of Lightning / Lightning Attack

39. Live For The Day / Seize The Day

40. Live for What You Love

41. Live In The Moment / Live In The Now

42. Live Without Regret

43. Live Laugh Love

44. Republic of Mali

45. Marine / Soldier of the Sea

46. Mixed Martial Arts

47. Move On / Change Way of Thinking

48. The Pain of Love / Love Troubles

49. Pain is Weakness Leaving the Body

50. Patience Brings Peace of Mind

51. Person of Character

52. Presence of Mind

53. Pursue Your Dreams

54. Pursuit of Happiness

55. The Red String

56. Reincarnation / Transmigration of Souls

57. School of Happiness

58. Sense of Humor

59. The Single Life

60. Soldier of the Gods

61. Soldier of Fortune

62. Strong-Willed / Strong of Heart

63. With all the strength of your heart

64. The Strong One

65. The Chosen One

66. The Force

67. The Holy Trinity

68. How can you catch tiger cubs without entering the lair of the tiger?

69. Unbreakable

70. United States of America

71. A Vast Sky Full of Stars

72. Have a Walking Stick at the Ready Before You Stumble

73. Warrior of God / Soldier of God

74. Warrior Soul / Spirit of a Fighter

75. The Warrior Within

76. The Warrior’s Word, Dependable as Gold and Steel

77. The Way of the Wave

78. Seeker of Wisdom

79. Go With The Flow

80. Meet the Buddha, Kill the Buddha

81. Democratic Republic of the Congo

82. Welcome to the Dojo

83. Moral Principles Of Life

84. Celestial Dragon

85. The Hawaiian Islands

86. Call Of Duty

87. The Beatles

88. 100 Years of Happy Marriage

89. Five Codes of Tang Soo Do

90. In the Abyss of Infinite Bitterness - Turn to the Shore

91. Optimism / Happy With Your Fate

92. Skill Acquired Through Hard Training

93. Active Duty Military

94. Advance Bravely / Indomitable Spirit

95. Happiness in the Afterlife

96. Aikido

97. Fix the roof before the rain; Dig the well before you are thirsty

98. Angel / Messenger of Heaven

99. Any success can not compensate for failure in the home

100. Goddess of Love: Aphrodite

101. Appreciation of Truth by Meditation

102. Art of Healing

103. The Art of Love

104. Art of War

105. Art of War: 5 Points of Analysis

106. Sun Tzu - Art of War

107. Art

108. Attack When The Enemy Has Low Morale

109. Blue Dragon / Azure Dragon

110. The Beatles

111. Beauty: The art of makeup / cosmetics

112. Beautiful Soul

113. Beautiful Heart / Beautiful Spirit

114. Mind of the Beginner

115. Bellflower / Herb of Bellflower

116. Best Love / Most Sincere Love

117. Beware of the Lawyers

118. The Big Dipper / Ursa Major

119. Black Dragon

120. Blue Dragon

121. The Tree of Enlightenment / The Bodhi Tree

122. The Brave Have No Fears

123. Brave the Waves

124. Brevity: Fewer Words are Best

125. Brief and to the Point

126. You May Learn from Victory, You Will Learn from Failure

127. Broken Hearted

128. Bruce Lee

129. The Aura of Buddha

130. The Eye of the Buddha

131. Triple Truth of Japanese Buddhism

132. Buddha Heart / Mind of Buddha

133. Bushido / The Way of the Samurai

134. Keep Calm in Face of Adversity

135. Canada

136. Carpe Diem / Seize the Day

137. The Catholic Church

138. Mark the boat to find the lost sword / Ignoring the changing circumstances of the world

139. Child of God

140. Battle of Chosin Reservoir

141. Christian / Disciple of Christ

142. Disciple of Christianity

143. Word of God / The Gospel

144. Christianity / Christian

145. Do not shed a tear until you see the coffin

146. Water Dragon / Coiled Dragon

147. The Confident Helmsman Inspires Confidence in the Passengers

148. The Five Tenets of Confucius

149. Confucius: Golden Rule / Ethic of Reciprocity

150. The Foundation of Good Conduct

151. The Ease of the Scholar

152. Considerate of the Needs of Others

153. Control of Power

154. Courage to do what is right

155. Courageous Spirit

156. The Law of Creation and Destruction

157. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

158. Cry in the Dojo - Laugh on the Battlefield

159. Flying Dragon Horse

160. The Original Mind

161. Danketsu Karate-Do

162. Daredevil Warrior / Soul of a Warrior

163. The Night is Darkest Before the Dawn

164. Devotion / Dedication / Attentive / Focused

165. Devotion / Enthusiasm

166. Dharma / The Law

167. Divine Spirit

168. Dojo / Martial Arts Studio

169. Do not fear the task: Cooperation will lead to success

170. Door of Great Wisdom

171. Dragon / Emperor Symbol

172. Dragon Fist

173. The Spirit of the Dragon Horse

174. The Spirit of the Dragon Horse and Power of a Tiger

175. Dragon Lady

176. Dragon and Phoenix

177. Dragon and Phoenix Brings Luck

178. The Five Animals

179. Dragon Spirit

180. The Spirit of Dragon and Tiger

181. Dragon Warrior

182. Drain the pond to get all the fish

183. Drinking the water of a well: One should never forget who dug it

184. Eagle / Falcon / Hawk

185. The Eagle Claw School

186. Earth Dragon

187. Enthusiasm / Warm-Hearted

188. Esprit de Corps / Team Spirit

189. Experience is the Mother of Wisdom

190. Failure in Not an Option

191. Failure is the Mother of Success

192. Faith / Trusting in the Unseen

193. Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark

194. Family / Members of a Family

195. The farts of others stink, but one’s own smells sweet

196. The Mysterious Bond Between People

197. Keep Your Feet on the Ground

198. The one who retreats 50 paces mocks the one to retreats 100

199. Fighter for God

200. Fighting Spirit

201. The Dao of Filial Piety

202. Fire Dragon

203. First Turn of the Dharma Wheel

204. The Five Principles of Reiki

205. A Bright Future

206. Flowers Fall / The End Comes

207. Flying Dragon

208. Forgive Me of My Sins

209. Forgiveness

210. Fortitude / Strength of Character

211. Fortune Favors The Brave

212. Fountain of Youth

213. Four Noble Truths: Elimination of Desire or Attachment

214. The Four Seasons

215. To Be Free / Freedom

216. Free Spirit

217. Free Will

218. Freedom / Liberty

219. Furinkazan

220. Put out a burning wood cart with a cup of water

221. The Geisha’s World

222. Geisha of Unequaled Talent

223. Ghost / Soul / Spirit

224. God in the Glorious Center of Heaven

225. God of Warcraft

226. God of Zion / God of Abraham

227. Allah / God of Islam

228. Goddess of Beauty / Beautiful Spirit

229. Goddess of Mercy and Compassion

230. Goddess of Compassion

231. Golden Dragon

232. Good Heart

233. The Good Life / Beautiful Life

234. House of Good Fortune

235. Doing good is the greatest source of happiness

236. Ultimate Goodness of Water

237. Grace from Heaven / Grace from God

238. The Great Wall of China

239. Green Dragon / Blue Dragon

240. Grim Reaper / God of Death

241. Guandi: God of War

242. Guan Gong / Warrior Saint

243. Guan Shi Yin: Protector Of Life

244. Hachiman: God of War

245. Hiding in the Leaves - Hagakure

246. In Flowers the Cherry Blossom, In Men the Samurai

247. The Hawaiian Islands

248. Heart / Mind / Spirit

249. Heaven Blesses the Diligent

250. Warrior of Heaven

251. Heijoshin / Presence of Mind

252. Hell / Judges of Hell

253. Hell / Kingdom of the Underworld

254. Woman of Strong Character / Woman Hero

255. Heroic Spirit

256. Heroic Spirit / Great Ambition

257. Heroic Spirit / Heroism

258. Hidden Dragon Crouching Tiger

259. Holy Spirit / Holy Ghost

260. Feel at Ease Anywhere / The World is My Home

261. Home of the Black Dragon

262. Home of the Dragon

263. Home of the Auspicious Golden Dragon

264. Home is where the heart is

265. Book of Hosea

266. House of Red Delights

267. The Whole Room Rocks With Laughter

268. Even The 100-Foot Bamboo Can Grow One More Foot

269. The Book of Changes / I Ching

270. The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering

271. Impartial and Fair to the Brotherhood and Sisterhood of the World

272. The incompetent boat pilot blames the river for his shortcomings

273. Independent Spirit / Independent Heart

274. Independent Spirit

275. Indomitable Spirit

276. Inner Beauty / Beauty of Spirit

277. A Life of Serenity Yields Understanding

278. Inner Peace

279. Three Treasures of Chinese Medicine

280. It is the Journey, Not the Destination

281. The Destination is Nothing Without the Journey

282. A Journey of 1000 Miles Begins with a Single Step

283. Through the Ups and Downs of Life

284. One Justice Can Overpower 100 Evils

285. Safety and Well-Being of the Family

286. Karate-Do

287. The Karma/Fate/Destiny that Brings Lovers Together

288. Shadow of Karma / Dogged by Karma

289. Karma

290. Kendo / The Way of the Sword

291. Kempo Karate / Law of the Fist Empty Hand

292. Kingdom of Heaven

293. Hunt Foxes with Stealth, Hunt Wolves in the Open

294. Perception of Knowledge

295. Kowtow - The deepest bow

296. Laughing Dragon Kung Fu

297. Law of the Fist Karate / Kempo Karate

298. A Life of Happiness and Prosperity

299. Life Full of Love

300. Life of Love

301. Lingering Mind

302. Listen to Both Sides and be Enlightened, Listen to One Side and be in the Dark

303. Little Dragon

304. Live For The Day

305. Live Laugh Love

306. Live Without Regret

307. Longing for Lover

308. The LORD is my Shepherd

309. Love

310. Love the Flower, Love the Pot also

311. Love the House and Its Crow

312. Love Gems / Fruit of Love / Children

313. Pledge of Lifelong Love

314. Man of Character

315. Month of March

316. Marine

317. The Planet Mars

318. Martial Morality / Martial Arts Ethics / Virtue

319. Martial Arts

320. Martial Arts Master

321. Martial Arts Skills

322. Martial Arts / Wushu

323. Martial Arts / Budo

324. Be Master of Mind, Not Mastered by Mind

325. The Month of May

326. Mexico

327. The Middle Way

328. Mind Body Spirit

329. Mixed Martial Arts / MMA

330. Mixed Martial Arts

331. Sense of Shame / Sense of Honor / Integrity / Modesty

332. Morality of Deed

333. Morality of Mind

334. Accept the Situation and Move On

335. North American Opossum / Possum

336. The Nature of Martial Arts

337. The Planet Neptune

338. The Noble Eightfold Path

339. All Tenets of the Noble Eightfold Path

340. No one knows a son better than the father

341. The Sea of Knowledge Has No Limits

342. The Old Way / Old School

343. Once in a Lifetime

344. One who walks by the river may end up with wet feet

345. Oneness of Heaven and Humanity

346. Learn New Ways From Old / Onkochishin

347. Open the Minds of the Next Generation To Stimulate Thinking

348. Opossum / Possum

349. Overcome the Devil

350. The Pain of Separation from Your Loves

351. Pain is Weakness Leaving the Body

352. Past experience is the teacher for the future

353. Patience Yields Peace of Mind

354. Do not take action until the time is right

355. Peace of Mind

356. Peaceful Heart / Peace of Mind / Calm Mind

357. Pearl in the Palm

358. Phoenix Rise from the Ashes

359. Pillars of Marriage

360. Power of Understanding and Wisdom

361. Presence of Mind

362. Principles of Life

363. Realize Your Ambitions / Ride on the Crest of Success

364. Proud Of One’s Name

365. Puerto Rico

366. Purity of Mind

367. Purified Spirit / Enlightened Attitude

368. Pursue Your Dreams

369. Pursuit of Happiness

370. One Who Does Not Do Bad Things, Worries Not of Knocks at His Door

371. Radiance / Rays of Light

372. One who is drenched in rain does not fear drops of dew

373. Resurrection / Re-Birth

374. Red Dragon

375. Red Dragon / Vermillion Dragon

376. The Red Thread of Fate

377. Repel Evil / Expel the Devil

378. Resilient in the Face of Adversity

379. Respect out of fear is never genuine; Reverence out of respect is never false

380. River of Literacy, Sea of Learning

381. The Roar of the Lioness

382. Roar of Laughter / Big Laughs

383. Romance of the Three Kingdoms

384. Rose Flowers Given, Frangrance Remains on Hands of Giver

385. The Saint

386. Samsara / Endless Cycle of Rebirth

387. Sangha / Order of Monks

388. Sword of Death

389. School of Happiness

390. Consciousness of Self

391. Power of Oneself / Self-Sufficient

392. If you love your child, send them out into the world

393. Senpai / The Elder or Master

394. Seven Rules of Happiness

395. Shade of a Tree

396. Shakyamuni / The Buddha

397. Shaolin Martial Arts

398. Shiite sect of Islam

399. Shorinji Kempo / Kenpo

400. Shotokan Aikido

401. The Wisdom of the Many

402. Perseverance is the Key

403. Only the sleepless know the length of night

404. Soldier / Private

405. Soldier of Fortune

406. Soldier / Serviceman

407. Soldiers Adapt Actions to the Situation

408. Soul Mates

409. Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child

410. Spirit

411. Spirit / Spiritual Essence

412. Spirit / Soul

413. Spirit of Taekwondo

414. Spiritual Strength / Strength of Spirit

415. State of Anarchy

416. Stir the Chaos

417. The Sun, Moon, and Stars

418. Sunni sect of Islam

419. Survival of the Fittest

420. The More We Sweat in Training, The Less We Bleed in Battle

421. Tactics of War

422. The Tao or Dao of Being Human / Humanity

423. Tao / Dao of the Heart / Soul

424. Tathata / Ultimate Nature of All Things

425. Taekwondo Tenets / Spirit of Taekwon-do

426. Simply the Best

427. The Force

428. Theory of Evolution

429. The Holy Trinity

430. Thirst for Truth

431. A Journey of 1000 Miles Feels Like One

432. Three Treasures of Buddhism

433. God of Thunder

434. How can you catch tiger cubs without entering the lair of the tiger?

435. The White Hairs of Old Age

436. Tomorrow / The Next Sun

437. The Three Truths

438. True Religion / Buddha Truth

439. Truth Flashed Through The Mind

440. Tsuki no Kokoro / Mind like the Moon

441. Under the Protection of the Dragon Saint

442. United States of America

443. The Universe in Balance / Balanced Universe

444. Unselfish: Perfectly Impartial

445. United States Marine Corps

446. A Vast Sky Full of Stars

447. Goddess of Love: Venus

448. Voice of Heaven / Voices from Heaven

449. Elements of the Tea Ceremony

450. Walk in the Way

451. Walking 100 Miles: Stopping at 90 miles, is the same as stopping half-way

452. Value of Warrior Generals

453. Heart of a Warrior / Samurai Heart

454. Warrior of the Heavenly Realm

455. Warrior Saint / Saint of War

456. Warrior Soul / Heroic Spirit

457. Soul of a Warrior

458. Warrior Essence / Warrior Spirit / Martial

459. The Value of Warriors Lies in Their Quality

460. Water Dragon / Rain Dragon

461. Wave

462. The Way of Five Pecks of Rice

463. The Way of the Wave

464. Way of Life / Art of Life

465. The Way of Tea

466. The Way of the Dragon

467. The Weak are Meat, The Strong Eat

468. Overcome: Regardless of the Rain and Wind

469. Regardless of the Weather, We Overcome Troubles Together

470. The Game of Weiqi / Weichi / Go

471. Wheel of Karma

472. Eternal Wheel of Life

473. White Dragon

474. Stay Strong / Iron Will

475. Will of Fire

476. You must endure a harsh winter to appreciate the warmth of springtime

477. No Limitations

478. Endless / Without Limit

479. Wolf Spirit / Soul of a Wolf

480. Sisterhood / Association of Women

481. Work Unselfishly for the Common Good

482. The World

483. Heart of Judo

484. Yellow Dragon

485. Zendo / The Zen Way

486. Dragon

487. Shinken Shobu

488. Soul / Spirit

489. Seeker of Wisdom

490. Go With The Flow

491. Red Leaves of Autumn

492. Journey to the West

493. Brahmavihara - The Four Immeasurables

494. Heart of a Warrior

495. Fortune Favors the Bold

496. I am the Master of My Destiny

497. Dharma Gate of Bliss

498. The Bodhi Mind

499. The Buddha Realm / Buddhahood

500. Wisdom and Insight of the Buddha

501. The Buddha is in Each Sentient Being

502. The Principles of Buddhism

503. Inugami / Dog Spirit

504. Great Illumination of Wisdom

505. Warriors of Light

506. Flower in the Mirror, Moon on Water

507. The Eighteen Arhats

508. The two most important days in your life...

509. The Nature of Enlightenment in One's Mind

510. Old, But More Vigorous in Spirit

511. The Lord's Prayer / Luke 11:2-4

512. The Lord's Prayer / Mathew 6:9-13

513. Conquering Yourself is a Sign of Strength

514. Fight to the End / Fight Until the Bitter End

515. Heart of Aikido

516. Light of the World

517. Take Refuge in the Three Treasures

518. Celestial Dragon / Tian Long

519. Dragon Ball Kai

520. I Am Worthy of Being Loved

521. Mystic Lotus Wisdom of Amitabha

522. Knowledge of Ultimate Truth

523. The True and Complete Enlightenment

524. The Supreme Mahayana Truth

525. Democratic Republic of the Congo

526. The Great Path has No Gate

527. Mumonkan / The Gateless Gate

528. The Gateless Gate

529. Merciful Heart / The Light from a Buddha Mind

530. My life is complete because of you

531. Release of Desires

532. Breath of Life

533. Facing the Wall Nine Years

534. The Book of Five Rings

535. Fundamental Principles of Tai Chi Chuan

536. Mujo no Kaze / Wind of Impermanence

537. Body Mind Spirit

538. Dragon Crane Tiger

539. Fruit of the Spirit

540. Live By The Sword Die By The Sword

541. Iron Dragon

542. Year Of The Water Rabbit

543. Year of the Water Rabbit

544. Call Of Duty

545. Dragon Quest

546. Wind of Change

547. Earth Dragon

548. Golden/Metal Dragon

549. Water Dragon

550. Wood Dragon

551. Fire Dragon

552. Flying Dragon Karate-Do

553. Kuoshu / Martial Arts

554. The Whole World at Peace

555. Strike While the Iron is Hot

556. When the sun rises it first shines on the highest mountain

557. Aiki Budo


Spirit Of The Dragon Martial Arts

 lóng zhī hún wǔ shù
Spirit Of The Dragon Martial Arts Scroll

龍之魂武術 is the title Spirit Of The Dragon Martial Arts in Chinese.

This can also be translated as “Dragon Soul Martial Arts.”

No man knows what he owes to his parents until he comes to have children of his own

 ko wo motte shiru oya no on
No man knows what he owes to his parents until he comes to have children of his own Scroll

子を持って知る親の恩 literally translates as: Only after you have a baby, you would appreciate your parents (feel the way they do, etc).

This is a bit like the “walk a mile in another man's shoes” saying. Basically, it's about you cannot fully understand the plight of others until you experience it yourself. It also shows appreciation for the plight of parents.

This Japanese proverb can also be translated a few more ways:

No man knows what he owes to his parents till he comes to have children of his own.

One knows not what one owes to one's parents till one comes to have children of one's own.

Only after you have a baby, you will appreciate your parents or feel the way they do.

Only after becoming a parent yourself do you realize how much you owe [how indebted you are] to your own parents.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Beauty of Nature

Ka-Chou-Fuu-Getsu

 ka chou fuu getsu
Beauty of Nature Scroll

花鳥風月 is the Japanese Kanji proverb for “Beauties of Nature.”

The dictionary definition is “the traditional themes of natural beauty in Japanese aesthetics.”

The Kanji each represents an element of nature that constitutes beauty in traditional Japanese art and culture.

The Kanji breakdown:
花 = ka = flower (also pronounced “hana”)
鳥 = chou = bird (also pronounced “tori”).
風 = fuu = wind (also pronounced “kaze”).
月 = getsu = moon (also pronounced “tsuki”)

Beautiful Soul

 utsukushii tamashii
Beautiful Soul Scroll

美しい魂 is a common way to write “Beautiful Soul” in Japanese.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Beautiful Soul

 bi tamashi
Beautiful Soul Scroll

美魂 is a very short or abbreviated way to say “Beautiful Soul” in Japanese.

There is a more extended version that might be a little more natural and also closer to the intended meaning. This short title is often translated awkwardly as “Beauty Soul” in Japanese.

Beautiful Spirit

 utsukushi seishin
Beautiful Spirit Scroll

美しい精神 is a common way to write “Beautiful Spirit” in Japanese.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder

 utsukushi-sa wa miru hito no me no naka ni aru
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder Scroll

美しさは見る人の目の中にある means “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder” in Japanese.

Japanese grammar and word order are different than English, but I will partially break this down for you:
美しさ = Beauty
は = is/relates
見る = to look/see
人の = person's
目の = eye's
中にあ = inside
る = !


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Best Love / Most Sincere Love

 moai
Best Love / Most Sincere Love Scroll

最愛 is a Japanese word that means the best love, beloved, or most sincere love of your life.

This could be a romantic love such as your love for your spouse or a boyfriend/girlfriend.

It can also apply to the extreme love you have for your children or a parent and maybe a really good friend.

Feeling of Bliss

 shi fuku kan
Feeling of Bliss Scroll

至福感 is “feelings of bliss” in Japanese.

A breakdown of the Kanji in this title:
至福 (shifuku) beatitude; supreme bliss.
感 (kan) feeling; sensation; emotion; admiration; impression.

 hitogara
Character Scroll

This Japanese word speaks of the quality of your personality, character, personal appearance, or gentility.

Child of God

 kami no kou
Child of God Scroll

神の子 is “Child of God” in Japanese.

Grace of God / Divine Blessing

 shin kei
Grace of God / Divine Blessing Scroll

神惠 can be translated as “God's Blessing,” “Blessed by God,” or “Divine Blessing” in Japanese Kanji.

Emperor of Japan

 tiān huáng
 ten nou
Emperor of Japan Scroll

天皇 is the title of the Emperor of Japan.

This title is used in China, Korea, and Japan to refer specifically to the Emperor of Japan.

Failure is the Origin of Success

 shippai wa seikou no moto
Failure is the Origin of Success Scroll

This Japanese proverb reads, “failure/mistake/blunder/defeat is the origin of success.”

It suggests that failures or defeats are a necessary part of success.

失敗は成功の元 is often translated as “Failure is a stepping stone to success.”


Note: There are a few similar variations of this idiom in Japanese.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.


See Also:  Failure is a Stepping Stone to Success

Failure is the Mother of Success

 shippai wa seikou no haha
Failure is the Mother of Success Scroll

失敗は成功の母 is a Japanese proverb that means exactly what you think.

Every failure that you experience is a chance to learn from it and find success.

Knowing what does not work is just as important as finding out what does work.


Note: This is the Japanese version of an ancient Chinese proverb.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.


See Also:  Experience is the Mother of Wisdom

Fighting Spirit

 tou shi
Fighting Spirit Scroll

This literally means “fighting spirit” or “the will to fight.”

As in the spirit that a warrior, soldier, athlete, or fighter must possess.

Fighting Spirit

Alternate Japanese version

 tou kon
Fighting Spirit Scroll

闘魂 is an alternate title with the meaning “fighting spirit” or “the will to fight.”

Fighting Spirit

 tou ki
Fighting Spirit Scroll

闘気 is an alternate Japanese title for “fighting spirit.”

This one is more like “fighting energy.” The second character is “ki,” the same “ki” in Aikido. This “ki” is the spiritual energy that all martial arts practitioners must master and focus on.

Fortune favors the brave

 yuusha ha kouun ni megumareru
Fortune favors the brave Scroll

勇者は幸運に恵まれる is a Japanese proverb that suggests that in history, the brave or courageous tend to be the ones who win.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

 ji yuu na sei shin
Free Spirit Scroll

自由な精神 is very similar to the English term “free spirit.”

The first two characters mean freedom or liberty.

The middle character is a connecting Hiragana which is needed for Japanese grammar.

The last two characters mean spirit, heart, mind, or soul.


See Also:  Freedom | Independence

Venus / Amor / God of Love

 ainokami
Venus / Amor / God of Love Scroll

愛の神 is the Japanese title for Amor, Eros, Venus, or God of Love.

 gunjin / gunshin / ikusagami
God of War Scroll

軍神 is a Japanese title meaning god of war, or war hero.

This can also be the surname Gunshin.

A Moment of Time is as Precious as Gold

 shunshouikkoku
A Moment of Time is as Precious as Gold Scroll

春宵一刻 is a Japanese proverb that means “A moment of time in a spring evening (is worth a thousand pieces of gold).”

Grace from Heaven / Grace from God

 kami no on kei
Grace from Heaven / Grace from God Scroll

神の恩恵 means God's Grace in Japanese.

The first two characters act to create a word that means “divine,” “God's,” or “The Spirit's.”

The last two Kanji mean grace, favor/favour, blessing, or benefit.

The Great Wall of China

 ban ri no chou jou
The Great Wall of China Scroll

万里の長城 is the Japanese name for the Great Wall of China.

The Guts Theory

The belief that where there's a will, there's a way.

 kon jou ron
The Guts Theory Scroll

根性論 is a Japanese title that refers to the belief that where there's a will, there's a way.

Another way to translate this is “The Guts Theory” or “The Doctrine of Will-Power.” Maybe breaking down the meaning of the characters will help clarify this:
根性 = will-power; guts; temper; nature; spirit; nature and character; the nature of the powers of any sense.
論 = theory; doctrine; treatises on dogma, philosophy, discipline, etc.

Man of Remarkable Character / Hero

 ketsubutsu
Man of Remarkable Character / Hero Scroll

傑物 is a Japanese title that can mean “great man,” “heroic figure,” or “remarkable character.”

You would be giving someone a great honor by presenting this wall scroll to them as a gift.

Home is where the heart is

 ie to wa kokoro ga aru basho da
Home is where the heart is Scroll

家とは心がある場所だ is, “Home is where the heart is,” in Japanese.

Most Japanese will take this to mean:
If you are with the person or at the place you love most, it becomes your true home.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Book of Hosea

 hosea sho
Book of Hosea Scroll

ホセア書 is how to write Hosea (as a book of the Bible) in Japanese.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Katakana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Indomitable Spirit / Indomitable Attitude

Fukutsu no Seishin

 fu kutsu no sei shin
Indomitable Spirit / Indomitable Attitude Scroll

不屈の精神 is one of several versions or ways to write “Indomitable Spirit” in Japanese.

This one is the famous “Fukutsu no Seishin” phrase.

Indomitable Spirit

 ma ke ji damashii
Indomitable Spirit Scroll

負けじ魂 is a Japanese proverb that means “indomitable spirit” or “unyielding spirit.”


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Inner Beauty / Beauty of Spirit

 nai men bi
Inner Beauty / Beauty of Spirit Scroll

内面美 is a three-character title that speaks of beauty on the inside.

It's not about outward or physical beauty but rather the inner beauty possessed by someone. This can also be translated as “beauty of spirit.”

A Journey of 1000 Miles Begins with a Single Step

senri no michi mo ippo kara

 sen ri no michi mo i-ppo ka ra
A Journey of 1000 Miles Begins with a Single Step Scroll

千里の道も一歩から is the Japanese version of an ancient Chinese proverb that means “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Some will also translate this as a 1000-mile road starts with one brick (a small amount).

In this case, the real measurement is an ancient Chinese “li” or 里, which is romanized as “ri” in Japanese. It's about half a kilometer, so three 里 would be a western mile. A journey of 333 miles begins with a single step, just doesn't sound as natural.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Kingdom of Heaven

 tiān guó
 tengoku
Kingdom of Heaven Scroll

天国 is the same meaning and pronunciation as our other entry for “Kingdom of Heaven,” but the second character was simplified in Japan and mainland China to this version.

Choose the appearance that you like best (they will be somewhat universally understood - as most people are aware of this simplification in places where they still use all traditional characters - such as Taiwan and Hong Kong). You can consider the other version to be the “ancient version.”

Life Full of Love

 ai ni afu re ta jin sei
Life Full of Love Scroll

This Japanese proverb means “life full of love” or “life filled with love.”


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

A Life of Happiness and Prosperity

 kou fuku to ha nei no jin sei
A Life of Happiness and Prosperity Scroll

幸福と繁栄の人生 is a Japanese proverb that means “A life of happiness and prosperity” or “A life of happiness and success.”


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.


See Also:  Prosperity

Life is What You Make of It

 jinsei wa tsukuru mono
Life is What You Make of It Scroll

人生は作るもの means “life is what you make of it,” in Japanese.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Journey of Life

 jinseikouro
Journey of Life Scroll

If you believe that life is a journey, this is a nice Japanese title for your wall.

人生行路 means “journey of life” in Japanese Kanji. The actual word order is more like “life (人生) journey (行路)” as Japanese grammar is a bit different than English.

Note: The “journey” part can also be translated as “road,” so this is also how to say “the road of life.”

Life of Love

 aini michita seikatsu
Life of Love Scroll

愛に満ちた生活 is a Japanese phrase that means “a loving life” or “life filled with love.”


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Life of Serenity

 yuu yuu kan kan
Life of Serenity Scroll

悠悠閑閑 means “life of serenity” in Japanese.

However, it can also have these meanings depending on how it's read: “composed and unhurried,” “easygoing and leisurely,” “in indolence,” or “life of idleness.”

Bolt of Lightning / Lightning Attack

Tokkan

 tokkan
Bolt of Lightning / Lightning Attack Scroll

突貫 is a Japanese word that can be translated as lightning attack, charge, or rush.

It's about a fast run or attack at the speed of lightning.

Live For The Day / Seize The Day

 ima wo i ki ru
Live For The Day / Seize The Day Scroll

今を生きる is a Japanese phrase that can be translated as “live for the day,” “live for the moment,” “seize the day,” or “make the most of the present.”

You can think of this as the Japanese version of “Carpe Diem.”


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Live for What You Love

 jin sei ou ka
Live for What You Love Scroll

人生謳歌 means “live for what you love” in Japanese.

The first two characters mean “human life” or simply “living.” The last two characters mean “merit,” “prosperity,” or “what you enjoy.” This phrase can suggest working or staying busy for your own goals (in your career).


See Also:  Prosperity

Live In The Moment / Live In The Now

 xiàn shì
 gen sei
Live In The Moment / Live In The Now Scroll

現世 is a very short way to write “live in the moment” or “live in the now” in Japanese.

This short word is open to interpretation. It's used in Japanese Buddhism to mean “the current epoch” or “the current age” (the current age is but a brief moment in the greater scope of existence). In that context, this is pronounced “utsushiyo” or “ustusiyo” in Japanese. Otherwise, it's pronounced “gensei” in Japanese.

Other translation possibilities include:

Live for now
Earthly world
This world
This life
Earthly life
Present life
Present generation
Present incarnation
Current age
This existence
This (momentary) reality


Note: This is also a word in Chinese and old Korean Hanja. While the meaning is more or less the same, this is not recommended for a wall scroll if your audience is Chinese or Korean. This selection is best if your audience is Japanese.

Live Without Regret

 jinsei kui nashi
Live Without Regret Scroll

人生悔い無し is how to say “live without regrets” in Japanese.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.


See Also:  Live for Today

Live Laugh Love

 ai to warai no seikatsu
Live Laugh Love Scroll

Because a word list of “Live Laugh Love” is not natural in Japanese, this takes the concept and incorporates it into a proper phrase.

愛と笑いの生活 can be translated as “A life of love and laughter” or “Live life with love and laughter.”


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Republic of Mali

 ma ri kyou wa koku
Republic of Mali Scroll

マリ共和國 is The Republic of Mali in Japanese.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Katakana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Marine / Soldier of the Sea

 kai hei
Marine / Soldier of the Sea Scroll

海兵 is a way to express “Marine” as in an individual “Soldier of the Sea” in Japanese Kanji and old Korean Hanja characters (not to be confused with Korean Hangul).

Breaking down each character, this means:
“ocean/sea soldier/army/warrior.”

Please note that this Japanese/Korean version kind of means “sailor” or “navy” in Chinese.


See Also:  Military

Mixed Martial Arts

 sougoukakutougi
Mixed Martial Arts Scroll

総合格闘技 is a Japanese title for mixed martial arts or MMA.

Note: Some will use other titles for this rather new word or evolving concept. This seems to be the most common right now in the Japanese language.

Move On / Change Way of Thinking

 norikaeru
Move On / Change Way of Thinking Scroll

乗り換える is the Japanese way to say “move on.” This can also be translated as “to change one's mind,” “to change methods,” or “to change one's way of thinking.” For instance, if you changed your love interest or political ideology, you might describe the act of that change with this title.

Colloquially in Japan, this is also used to describe the act of transferring trains or changing from one bus or train to another.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

The Pain of Love / Love Troubles

 koinonayami
The Pain of Love / Love Troubles Scroll

恋の悩み is a Japanese title that refers to anyone having love troubles (experiencing the pain of love).


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Pain is Weakness Leaving the Body

 itami wa karada kara nukeru yowasa
Pain is Weakness Leaving the Body Scroll

痛みは体から抜ける弱さ is how to write “pain is weakness leaving the body” in Japanese.

I remember this being shouted a lot during U.S. Marine Corps boot camp.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Patience Brings Peace of Mind

 nintai wa kokoro no heiwa o motarasu
Patience Brings Peace of Mind Scroll

忍耐は心の平和をもたらす means “patience brings peace of mind,” in Japanese.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Person of Character

 jinkakusha
Person of Character Scroll

人格者 is a Japanese and Korean title that means “person of character.”

人格者 is unisex, so it can also be used to mean “man of character,” or “woman of character.”

Presence of Mind

 ochitsuki
Presence of Mind Scroll

落着き is a Japanese word that means calmness, composure, presence of mind, stability, or steadiness.

Pursue Your Dreams

 yume wo oi tsudukeru
Pursue Your Dreams Scroll

夢を追い続ける is the Japanese way to express “pursue your dreams,” “follow your dreams,” or “chase your dreams.”

If you have dreams that you want to pursue and make true, this is the phrase for you.

The first character is “dream” or “dreams.” The rest of the characters establish the idea of chasing or pursuing.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.


See Also:  Pursuit of Happiness

Pursuit of Happiness

 koufuku o motome te
Pursuit of Happiness Scroll

幸福を求めて is “Pursuit of Happiness” or “In Search of Happiness” in Japanese.

Here's how the characters break down:
幸福 (koufuku) happiness; blessedness; joy; well-being.
を (o) particle
求め (motome) to want; to seek; to pursue; to request
て (te) particle


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.


See Also:  Follow Your Dreams

The Red String

Thread of Lover's Destiny / Fate

 akai ito
The Red String Scroll

This literally translates as “the red string” or “the red thread” in Japanese, but the real meaning is much deeper...

In Japanese culture, it's believed that fate, destiny, or karma joins lovers by an unseen string, tied around one little finger of each. 赤い糸 is how soul mates find and are drawn to each other.

The Japanese concept of the red thread of fate, by most estimations, comes from Chinese folklore, where it's known as 姻緣紅線. The only difference is that in China, the celestial red thread is tied around the ankles of the lovers (versus what is usually represented as the pinky finger in Japan).

Reincarnation / Transmigration of Souls

 lún huí
 rin ne
Reincarnation / Transmigration of Souls Scroll

輪回 is a universal word in Japanese and Chinese that expresses the Buddhist idea of “reincarnation,” “transmigration of souls,” or “the eternal cycle of birth and death.”

In some contexts, this can also mean “karma,” and others will say it represents “samsara.”

The first character means wheel, ring, turn, circle, loop, or rotate.
The second character can be thought of as a suffix meaning “-times.” This second character can also refer to something that revolves, returns, goes back, or is a counter of the number of occurrences of some event.
Together the sum supersedes the parts, and it means reincarnation. But knowing the essence of each character may help you understand some of the meaning behind the word.


廻Shown to the right is the more common way to write the second character in Japanese. it’s an alternate form of this character in Chinese (so neither way is technically wrong in either language). If you select a Japanese calligrapher, expect that is will look like the Kanji to the right.


See Also:  Buddhism | Rebirth

School of Happiness

 koufuku no gakkou
School of Happiness Scroll

幸福の学校 means “School of Happiness” in Japanese.

This is not a common phrase in Japanese, but it will be understood.

Sense of Humor

Funny Bone

 warainotsubo
Sense of Humor Scroll

笑いの壺 is the Japanese way to say “sense of humor” (humour), or colloquially a way to say “funny bone.”


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

The Single Life

Dokushin-Kizoku

 do kushin ki zoku
The Single Life Scroll

独身贵族 is a Japanese proverb that means “Single Aristocrat” or “Single Noble.”

The understood meaning is that single people can live freely without a spouse or kids to support them. To put it in an old cliché, they are footloose and fancy-free.

If you are a bachelor or bachelorette with few responsibilities and just a thirst for freedom and a worry-free life, this could be your title.

Soldier of the Gods

 shén bīng
 shin pei
Soldier of the Gods Scroll

神兵 is a Japanese, Chinese, and Korean title that means “soldier dispatched by a god,” or “soldier under the protection of the gods.”

神兵 is used more in Japanese (especially in animation) than the other languages.

Soldier of Fortune

 fuu un ji
Soldier of Fortune Scroll

風雲児 is “soldier of fortune” in Japanese.

It can also be read as “lucky adventurer” or “adventurer who takes advantage of troubled times.”

Strong-Willed / Strong of Heart

 ki no tsuyo i
Strong-Willed / Strong of Heart  Scroll

気の強い means strong-willed or strong of heart in Japanese.

Here's the character breakdown of this Japanese title:
気 (ki) spirit; mind; heart; nature; motivation; intention; feelings; essence.
の (no) possessive particle.
強い (tsuyoi) strong; powerful; mighty; potent; resistant; resilient; durable.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

With all the strength of your heart

 omoi kiri
With all the strength of your heart Scroll

思い切り can be translated as “with all one's strength,” “with all one's heart,” “to the limits of your heart,” or “to the end of your heart/emotions.”

The character breakdown:
思い (omoi) thought; mind; heart; feelings; emotion; sentiment; love; affection; desire; wish; hope; expectation; imagination; experience
切り (kiri) bounds; limits.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

The Strong One

 tsuyoi mono
The Strong One Scroll

強いもの means “strong one,” in Japanese.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

The Chosen One

 erabareshimono
The Chosen One Scroll

選ばれし者 is a Japanese title that means “The chosen one” but can also refer to “The select few” or “the chosen ones.”
The last character clarifies that the “one” refers to a person or persons (male or female).

This can also be written 撰ばれし者 or 択ばれし者 with the same pronunciation and meaning. The one shown above is the most common way to write it.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

 foosu
The Force Scroll

フォース is how Japanese will write The Force, as in Star Wars.

This is phonetic, so it's meant to sound like the English word “force” rather than mean force in Japanese.


Note: Because this title is entirely Japanese Katakana, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

The Holy Trinity

 sanmiittai
The Holy Trinity Scroll

三位一体 is the modern Japanese version of the Holy Trinity.

Some will romanize this as Sanmittai or Sanmiittai.

How can you catch tiger cubs without entering the lair of the tiger?

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

 koketsu ni haira zun ba tora ko o e zu
How can you catch tiger cubs without entering the lair of the tiger? Scroll

虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず is the Japanese version of an ancient Chinese proverb. 虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず is a reminder that you must take risks if you want the reward.

虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず is similar to the English proverb, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

 kowa re na i
Unbreakable Scroll

壊れない means unbreakable in Japanese.

The first two characters mean to be broken, to break, to fall through, and to come to nothing. But the last two characters create a negative meaning (like adding “un-” to “breakable”).


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.


See Also:  Indomitable Spirit

United States of America (USA)

 bei koku
United States of America (USA) Scroll

This is the United States of America (USA) written in Japanese.

A Vast Sky Full of Stars

 sora ichimen no hoshi
A Vast Sky Full of Stars Scroll

空一面の星 is a Japanese phrase that refers to the sky being like a vast page or face full of stars.

Have a Walking Stick at the Ready Before You Stumble

 koro ba nu saki no tsue
Have a Walking Stick at the Ready Before You Stumble Scroll

転ばぬ先の杖 is a Japanese proverb that literally translates as: Have a walking stick ready before stumbling.

This is similar to the English idiom, “A stitch in time saves nine.”

In simple terms, this means: Always being prepared in advance.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.


See Also:  Fix Roof Before the Rain; Dig the Well Before You Are Thirsty

Warrior of God / Soldier of God

 kami no heishi
Warrior of God / Soldier of God Scroll

神の兵士 means “Warrior of God” or “Soldier of God” in Japanese.

Warrior Soul / Spirit of a Fighter

 senshi damashii
Warrior Soul / Spirit of a Fighter Scroll

戦士魂 is “warrior soul” or “warrior spirit” in Japanese.

Here's the breakdown of the Kanji:

戦士 (senshi) warrior; soldier; combatant; fighter.

魂 (damashii/tamashii) soul; spirit; can sometimes mean “ghost.”

The Warrior Within

 chuu no senshi
The Warrior Within Scroll

中の戦士 means “The Warrior Within” in Japanese.

The Warrior’s Word, Dependable as Gold and Steel

 bushi no ichigon kintetsu no gotoshi
The Warrior’s Word, Dependable as Gold and Steel Scroll

武士の一言金鉄の如し is an old Japanese proverb about the value of the word of a warrior.

Here are a couple of versions of how this can be translated:

A warrior's single word is as unchanging and reliable as gold and steel.
A warrior's promise is as dependable as gold, and his [scabbard contains] untarnished steel (a sword).


Note: Sometimes this phrase is written as 男子の一言、金鉄の如し (danshi no ichigon kintetsu no gotoshi)


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

The Way of the Wave

 nami no michi
The Way of the Wave Scroll

波の道 is the simple way to write “The Way of the Wave” in Japanese.

I added this at the request of several customers. 波の道 is not a very common Japanese phrase.

波 = Wave
の = Of
道 = Way
The word order is the opposite of English. Most Japanese phrases that end in “の道” are translated to English as “The Way of...”

Technically, you could write “波道” as a shorter version of “The Way of the Wave.” However, without context, 波道 can mean channel or suggest a path to redirect ocean flow.

Seeker of Wisdom

 chi o motomeru mono
Seeker of Wisdom Scroll

智を求める者 means “seeker of wisdom” in Japanese.

To break it down:
智 is wisdom.
を is a particle that connects wisdom to the next idea.
求める is a transitive verb that means to want, to wish for, to ask for, to seek, to search for, to look for, or to pursue.
者 is a literary way to write “person.”


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Go With The Flow

 namininoru
Go With The Flow Scroll

波に乗る is a Japanese proverb that means to go with the flow or to go with the times.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Meet the Buddha, Kill the Buddha

 butsu ni atte wa butsu o korosu
Meet the Buddha, Kill the Buddha Scroll

This controversial Buddhist koan means “On encountering Buddha, you should kill him.”

This is the short concise Japanese version of an original statement by ninth-century Chinese Buddhist monk Linji Yixuan, “If You Meet The Buddha On The Road, Kill Him.”

This takes some explaining... The concept here is that if you think you have seen, experienced, or achieved true enlightenment, the chances that you really have are so slim that you should kill or dismiss that idea.

Another suggestion is that one's path to becoming a Buddha is one's own, and one should not get caught up in religious fervor, and avoid “showing off” that they are a Buddhist.


Helpful references for this concept:
Lion's Roar addresses "If You Meet The Buddha On The Road, Kill Him"
Kill the Buddha


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

 kongominshukyouwakoku
Democratic Republic of the Congo Scroll

コンゴ民主共和国 is the Japanese name for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Katakana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Welcome to the Dojo

 dou jou e youkoso
Welcome to the Dojo Scroll

道場へようこそ or “Dōjō e yōkoso” means “Welcome to the dojo” or “welcome to [our] dojo” in Japanese.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Moral Principles Of Life

 hitonomichi
Moral Principles Of Life Scroll

人の道 is the Japanese way to express the “moral way of life,” “correct path,” or “moral principles.”

Celestial Dragon

 ten ryuu bito
Celestial Dragon Scroll

天竜人 is Celestial Dragon or Tenryūbito in Japanese.

This title is associated with the One Piece Manga/Anime series. This title is also translated in this context as “World Nobles” with the literal meaning “Heavenly Dragon Folk” or “Heaven Dragon Person/People.”

Can also be romanized as Tenryūbito, Tenryūhito, or Tenryūjin.

The Hawaiian Islands

 hawaishotou
The Hawaiian Islands Scroll

ハワイ諸島 is name of the Hawaiian Islands in Japanese.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Katakana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Call Of Duty

 kooru obu duuti
Call Of Duty Scroll

This is the Japanese name for the Call Of Duty video game.


Note: Because this title is entirely Japanese Katakana, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

 biitoruzu
The Beatles Scroll

ビートルズ is the title of The Beatles in Japanese Katakana.

Sometimes written as ザ・ビートルズ with ザ (za) being a placeholder for the English word “The” - I think just the name Beatles is enough.


Note: Because this title is entirely Japanese Katakana, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

100 Years of Happy Marriage

 bǎi nián hǎo hé
100 Years of Happy Marriage Scroll

百年好合 is a wish or greeting, often heard at Chinese weddings, for a couple to have 100 good years together.

Some will translate this more naturally into English as: “May you live a long and happy life together.”

The character breakdown:
百 = 100
年 = Years
好 = Good (Happy)
合 = Together

Five Codes of Tang Soo Do

 guó jiā zhōng chéng fù mǔ xiào dào péng yǒu yǒu xìn shā shēng yǒu zé lín zhàn wú tuì
Five Codes of Tang Soo Do Scroll

国家忠诚父母孝道朋友有信杀生有择临战无退 are the five codes of Tang Soo Do.

I suggest you have this arranged in five columns when you get to the options page for your custom calligraphy wall scroll.

Here are my translations of each of the five codes:
國家忠誠 Be loyal to your country.
父母孝道 In regards to parents, behave in a filial way.
朋友有信 Be faithful in friendship.
殺生有擇 When fighting for life and death, make noble choices.
臨戰無退 No retreat in battle.

Note: “Tang Soo Do” is a romanization of 唐手道. It's 당수도 in Korean Hangul. It can also be romanized as “Tangsudo” or “Dangsudo.”

In the Abyss of Infinite Bitterness - Turn to the Shore

 kǔ hǎi wú biān huí tóu shì àn
In the Abyss of Infinite Bitterness - Turn to the Shore Scroll

苦海無邊, 回頭是岸 can be translated almost directly as “The sea of bitterness has no bounds, turn your head to see the shore.”

Often this proverb refers to how Buddhist enlightenment can allow one to shed off the abyss of worldly suffering. But it can apply to other religions. If you find yourself trapped in the hardship of this worldly life, take a new turn, and seek a path to salvation.

Optimism / Happy With Your Fate

 lè tiān
 raku ten
Optimism / Happy With Your Fate Scroll

樂天 is about being optimistic and also making the best of whatever life throws at you.

This is hard to define. One dictionary defines this as “acceptance of fate and happy about it.” There is one English word equivalent, which is sanguinity or sanguinary.

You can also say that this means “Be happy with whatever Heaven provides,” or “Find happiness in whatever fate Heaven bestows upon you.” 樂天 suggests being an optimist in life.

Note: This is sometimes a given name in China.


楽 Please note that Japanese tend to write the first character in a slightly-different form (as seen to the right). Let us know if you have a preference when you place your order.

Skill Acquired Through Hard Training

 liàn gōng
 renkou
Skill Acquired Through Hard Training Scroll

練功 is a martial arts term that can mean to practice and attain working skills, feats of practice/practise, or skills acquired through hard training.

練功 is often used as a martial arts term but can apply to other skills (or professions).

Active Duty Military

Person on Active Duty

 xiàn yì jūn rén
 geneki gunjin
Active Duty Military Scroll

現役軍人 means “Active Duty Soldier” or literally “Active Duty Military Person.”

This title is a great way to show pride in being an active duty member of the armed forces.

The first two characters mean “active duty” and the second two characters can be translated as “military personnel,” “soldier,” or “serviceman” (it is unisex, so male or female is not indicated).


See Also:  Military

Advance Bravely / Indomitable Spirit

 yǒng wǎng zhí qián
Advance Bravely / Indomitable Spirit Scroll

This proverb creates an image of a warrior bravely advancing against an enemy regardless of the odds.

This proverb can also be translated as “indomitable spirit” or “march fearlessly onward.”


See Also:  Indomitable | Fortitude

Happiness in the Afterlife

 míng fú
 mei fuku
Happiness in the Afterlife Scroll

冥福 is an unusual Chinese, Japanese, and Korean term that means afterlife happiness, happiness in the next world, or the happiness of the dead.

 hé qì dào
 ai ki dou
Aikido Scroll

合気道 is the modern Japanese way to write Aikido.

Aikido is often referred to as the defensive martial art.

While Aikido was born in Japan, it has become a somewhat famous form of defensive tactics taught to soldiers and Marines, as well as some law enforcement officers in the West.

Looking at the characters, the first means “union” or “harmony.”
The second character means “universal energy” or “spirit.”
The third means “way” or “method.”


Please note that while the original 合氣道 characters can be pronounced in Chinese, this word is not well-known in China and is not considered part of the Chinese lexicon.

Note: It is somewhat accepted that this is the origin of Hapkido in Korea. And other than a modern simplification to the middle Kanji of this 3-Kanji word, it is written the same in Korean Hanja.


See Also:  Martial Arts | Hapkido

Fix the roof before the rain; Dig the well before you are thirsty

 bǔ lòu chèn tiān qíng wèi kě xiān jué jǐng
Fix the roof before the rain; Dig the well before you are thirsty Scroll

补漏趁天晴未渴先掘井 is a Chinese proverb that literally translates as: Mend the roof while the weather is fine, [and when you are] not yet thirsty, dig the well beforehand.

In simple terms, this means: Always being prepared in advance.


See Also:  Have a Walking Stick at the Ready Before You Stumble

Angel / Messenger of Heaven

 tiān shǐ
 ten shi
Angel / Messenger of Heaven Scroll

天使 is the meaning of Angel in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.

The first character means heaven. The second means messenger. Together it makes sense that we are talking about angels as Heaven's Messengers.

If you are an “Angel Junkie,” this may be the wall scroll for you.
I also think it's a great choice if your name happens to be Angel.


See Also:  Angel

Any success can not compensate for failure in the home

 suǒ yǒu de chéng gōng dōu wú fǎ bǔ cháng jiā tíng de shī bài
Any success can not compensate for failure in the home Scroll

所有的成功都無法補償家庭的失敗 is a Chinese proverb that can be translated into English as “No success can compensate for failure in the home.”

Also, the word “home” can be exchanged with “family.”

Goddess of Love: Aphrodite

 à fú luò dí té
Goddess of Love: Aphrodite Scroll

艾福洛迪特 is one of a couple of ways the name Aphrodite, Goddess of Love is written in Chinese characters.

Appreciation of Truth by Meditation

 xīn yìn
 shin nin
Appreciation of Truth by Meditation Scroll

心印 is a Buddhist concept that simply stated is “appreciation of truth by meditation.”

It's a deep subject, but my understanding is that you can find truth through meditation, and once you've found the truth, you can learn to appreciate it more through further meditation. This title is not commonly used outside of the Buddhist community (your Asian friends may or may not understand it). The literal translation would be something like “the mind seal,” I've seen this term translated this way from Japanese Buddhist poetry. But apparently, the seal that is stamped deep in your mind is the truth. You just have to meditate to find it.

Soothill defines it this way: Mental impression, intuitive certainty; the mind is the Buddha-mind in all, which can seal or assure the truth; the term indicates the intuitive method of the Chan (Zen) school, which was independent of the spoken or written word.


Reference: Soothill-Hodous Dictionary of Chinese Buddhism


See Also:  Zen

Art of Healing

 yī dào
 idou
Art of Healing Scroll

醫道 means the art of healing or medical skill.

This can also refer to a Korean TV show, Hur Jun about an ancient doctor. The Chinese-subtitled version of the show is also quite popular in China.

While this is a common title in Chinese and Korean, it's not used as often in Japanese where someone might read it as “medical course” or “the way of medicine.”

The Art of Love

 ài de yì shù
The Art of Love Scroll

愛的藝術 means “art of love” or “art of loving” in Chinese.

This is also the Chinese title of the book “Art of Loving” by Erich Fromm.

 bīng fǎ
 hyou hou
Art of War Scroll

兵法 means “Art of War.”

It is also part of the title of a famous book of tactics by Sun Tzu. 兵法 could also be translated as “military strategy and tactics,” “military skills” or “army procedures.” If you are a military tactician, this is the wall scroll for you.


See Also:  Military

Art of War: 5 Points of Analysis

 dào tiān dì jiàng fǎ
 dou ten chi shou hou
Art of War: 5 Points of Analysis Scroll

道天地將法 is a list of five key points to analyzing your situation from the first chapter of Sun Tzu's Art of War.

This reads like a 5-part military proverb. Sun Tzu says that to sharpen your skills, you must plan. To plan well, you must know your situation. Therefore, you must consider and discuss the following:

1. Philosophy and Politics: Make sure your way or your policy is agreeable among all of your troops (and the citizens of your kingdom as well). For when your soldiers believe in you and your way, they will follow you to their deaths without hesitation and will not question your orders.

2. Heaven/Sky: Consider climate / weather. This can also mean considering whether God is smiling upon you. In the modern military, this could be waiting for clear skies so that you can have air support for an amphibious landing.

3. Ground/Earth: Consider the terrain in which the battle will take place. This includes analyzing defensible positions, and exit routes, while using varying elevations to your advantage. When you plan an ambush, you must know your terrain and the best location from which to stage that ambush. This knowledge will also help you avoid being ambushed, as you will know where the likely places in which to expect an ambush from your enemy.

4. Leadership: This applies to you as the general and your lieutenants. A leader should be smart and be able to develop good strategies. Leaders should keep their word, and if they break a promise, they should punish themselves as harshly as they would punish subordinates. Leaders should be benevolent to their troops, with almost a fatherly love for them. Leaders must have the ability to make brave and fast decisions. Leaders must have steadfast principles.

5. [Military] Methods: This can also mean laws, rules, principles, models, or systems. You must have an efficient organization in place to manage both your troops and supplies. In the modern military, this would be a combination of how your unit is organized and your SOP (Standard Operating Procedure).


Notes: This is a simplistic translation and explanation. Much more is suggested in the actual text of the Art of War (Bing Fa). It would take a lot of study to master all of these aspects. In fact, these five characters can be compared to the modern military acronyms such as BAMCIS or SMEAC.

CJK notes: I have included the Japanese and Korean pronunciations but in Chinese, Korean and Japanese, this does not make a typical phrase (with subject, verb, and object) it is a list that only someone familiar with Sun Tzu’s writings would understand.

Sun Tzu - Art of War

military strategy, tactics, and procedure

 sūn zǐ bīng fǎ
 son shi hyou hou
Sun Tzu - Art of War Scroll

孫子兵法 is the full title of the most famous book of military proverbs about warfare.

The English title is “Sun Tzu's The Art of War.”

The last two characters have come to be known in the west as “The Art of War,” but a better translation would be “military strategy and tactics,” “military skills” or “army procedures.”

Note: Sometimes the author's name is Romanized as “Sun Zi” or “Sunzi.”

It's written the same in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and Korean Hanja.


See Also:  Military | Warrior

 yì shù
 geijutsu
Art Scroll

藝術 is a Chinese, Japanese, and old Korean Hanja word that means art, as in fine art, the arts, or artwork.

Attack When The Enemy Has Low Morale

 bì qí ruì qì jī qí duò guī
Attack When The Enemy Has Low Morale Scroll

避其鋭氣擊其惰歸 is a Chinese proverb that literally translates as: Avoid [your enemy's] fighting spirit [and] attack [when] his [morale is] declining.

Figuratively, this means: Avoid the enemy when his morale is high and strike him when his morale is flagging.

Blue Dragon / Azure Dragon

 qīng lóng
 sei ryuu
Blue Dragon / Azure Dragon Scroll

青龍 is a scholarly title for “Blue Dragon” or “Azure Dragon.”

You'll find this title used in ancient Chinese literature and astronomy. This dragon has dominion over the eastern sky or eastern heavens. The Azure Dragon is also noted for representing the spring season. Also seen as an auspicious omen.

Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty canonized the five colored dragons as “kings.” The Azure Dragon represents the most compassionate of kings.

In Japanese, this title is known with the same meaning but can also be a given name, Seiryuu or Seiryu.


Note, the first character can be written as 青 OR 靑. Same character, just two ways to write it.

 pī tóu shì
The Beatles Scroll

披頭士 is the most common Chinese title for the Beatles.

Of course, this refers to the famous fab-four music band of the 1960s.

Other less-common titles for the Beatles include 披頭四樂隊 and 披頭四樂團.

Beauty: The art of makeup / cosmetics

 měi róng
 biyou
Beauty: The art of makeup / cosmetics Scroll

In Chinese, 美容 is the title for the art of beauty, as applying makeup or cosmetics to enhance beauty.

Note: In Japanese and Korean, this takes the meaning of beautiful face or beauty of figure or form. Be sure you know who your audience is and have matched the desired meaning.

Beautiful Soul

 měi lì de líng hún
Beautiful Soul Scroll

美麗的靈魂 means “Beautiful Soul” in Chinese.

The first two characters mean beautiful, beauty, or gorgeous.
The middle character connects the ideas (a possessive article).
The last two characters mean soul or spirit.

Beautiful Heart / Beautiful Spirit

 měi lì de xīn líng
Beautiful Heart / Beautiful Spirit Scroll

美麗的心靈 means a beautiful heart, a beautiful mind, or a beautiful spirit in Chinese.

Mind of the Beginner

Shoshin

 chū xīn
 sho shin
Mind of the Beginner Scroll

初心 is often translated in Japanese as “beginner's mind” or “beginner's spirit.”

In Chinese, the dictionary definition is “one's original intention.”

The first character means first, initial, primary, junior, beginning, or basic.

The second character means heart, mind, soul, or essence.

初心 is one of the five spirits of the warrior (budo) and is often used as a Japanese martial arts tenet. Under that context, places such as the Budo Dojo define it this way: The state of shoshin is that of a beginners mind. It is a state of awareness that always remains fully conscious, aware, and prepared to see things for the first time. The attitude of shoshin is essential to continued learning.

Bellflower / Herb of Bellflower

 jié gěng
 ki kyou
Bellflower / Herb of Bellflower Scroll

桔梗 means “Chinese bellflower” in Japanese.

In Chinese, it refers to the “Platycodon grandiflorus” (Platycodon grandiflorum), “balloon flower,” or “bellflower.”

Please note that in Chinese, this particular 2-character title suggests that you are talking about the medicinal herb derived from the stem of this flower/plant.

Best Love / Most Sincere Love

 zhì ài
Best Love / Most Sincere Love Scroll

至愛 can mean the best love or most sincere love of your life.

This could be a romantic love such as your love for your spouse or a boyfriend/girlfriend.

It can also apply to the extreme love you have for your children or a parent and maybe a really good friend.


See Also:  I Love You

Beware of the Lawyers

 xiǎo xīn lǜ shī
Beware of the Lawyers Scroll

提防律師 is a kind of Chinese joke about lawyers.

The first two characters mean “guard yourself against (an attack)” or “beware.”
The last two characters can be translated as lawyer, attorney, or solicitor.

Separately, those characters mean law/regulation/control and master/expert/teacher. Here, you can see the attorney meaning is pretty clear in the individual characters.

Please note this is Chinese only (it won't make sense in Japanese, and the last two characters are sometimes translated together as “Buddhist Priest” in Japanese).

The Big Dipper / Ursa Major

 běi dǒu qī xīng
 hoku to shichi sei
The Big Dipper / Ursa Major Scroll

北斗七星 is a Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja title for Ursa Major, The Big Dipper, or The Great She-Bear.

You will also see the shorter title of 北斗星, and sometimes just 斗 is used to refer to the dipper when the astrological context is established.

Black Dragon

 hēi lóng
 koku ryuu
Black Dragon Scroll

黒龍 is a generic title for “Black Dragon.”

The first character is black color.
The second means dragon.

Sometimes written as 黑龍 (just a minor variation in the first character).

Black Dragon

 xuān lóng
Black Dragon Scroll

玄龍 is a sophisticated or scholarly way to say “Black Dragon.”

玄龍 is the title you'd expect in ancient Chinese literature.

The first character means black or mysterious.

The second character means dragon.

This black dragon represents a king dwelling in the depths of the mystic waters.

Black Dragon

 mò lóng
Black Dragon Scroll

墨龍 is a cool way to say “Black Dragon.”

墨龍 is literally “Ink Dragon.” The ink part is black Chinese ink, the deepest, darkest ink available for thousands of years.

Blue Dragon

 cāng lóng
Blue Dragon  Scroll

蒼龍 is one of a couple of possible titles for “blue dragon” (occasionally also translated as “green dragon”).

The first character means “deep blue” or “azure.”

The last character is dragon.

The Tree of Enlightenment / The Bodhi Tree

 pú tí shù
 bodaiju
The Tree of Enlightenment / The Bodhi Tree Scroll

菩提樹 is the full title of the Bodhi tree (a fig tree) under which Siddhartha Gautama (the legendary man who established the Buddhist religion), achieved enlightenment.

Sometimes this is referred to as “the tree of enlightenment.” If you don't have a Bodhi tree to sit under, maybe you can achieve enlightenment under a wall scroll with this title.

The Brave Have No Fears

 yǒng zhě bú jù
 yuu sha fu ku
The Brave Have No Fears Scroll

This proverb means “Brave people [are] without fear,” or “The brave are without fear.”

勇者不懼 is a proverb credited to Confucius. It's one of three phrases in a set of things he said.

This phrase is originally Chinese but has penetrated Japanese culture as well (many Confucian phrases have) back when Japan borrowed Chinese characters into their language.


This phrase has also been converted into modern Japanese grammar when written as 勇者は懼れず. If you want this version just click on those characters.


See Also:  No Fear

Brave the Waves

 pò làng
 ha rou
Brave the Waves Scroll

破浪 can be translated from Chinese as “braving the waves” or “bravely setting sail.”

It literally means: “break/cleave/cut [the] waves.”

破浪 is a great title to encourage yourself or someone else not to be afraid of problems or troubles.

Because of the context, this is especially good for sailors or yachtsmen and surfers too.

Note: While this can be understood in Japanese, it's not commonly used in Japan. Therefore, please consider this to be primarily a Chinese proverb.

Brevity: Fewer Words are Best

 shǎo shuō wéi jiā
Brevity: Fewer Words are Best Scroll

Getting to the point quickly with the fewest words possible is the suggestion of this 少說為佳 Chinese proverb.

But taking it more profound, there is a warning that using too many words may act to “tip your hat” or “show your hand” (to use two American idioms).

It can also be said that using many words does not make the message have more value.

This is really about the art of brevity.

My only hope is that I did not use too many words to explain this proverb.

Brief and to the Point

Speak simply, while expressing your idea completely

 yán jiǎn yì gāi
Brief and to the Point Scroll

言簡意賅 is a Chinese proverb that suggests it is better to be brief and use fewer words while still expressing your main point or idea.

In another way to explain this, one should not use 100 words when 50 will do, or being more concise with your speech.

This can also be translated as concise, compendious, “brief in form but comprehensive in scope” or succinct.

This is a bit more positive than our other proverb for brevity.

You May Learn from Victory, You Will Learn from Failure

 bǎi shèng nán lǜ dí sān zhé nǎi liáng yī
You May Learn from Victory, You Will Learn from Failure Scroll

百胜难虑敌三折乃良医 is a Chinese proverb that literally translates as: [Even a general who has won a] hundred victories [may be] hard put to see through the enemy's [strategy], [but one who has] broken [his] arm three [times] [will] be a good doctor.

Figuratively, this means: One cannot always depend on past successes to guarantee future success but one can always learn from lessons drawn from failure.


See Also:  Failure - Mother of Success | Experience - Mother of Success | Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8 | Hard Knocks

Broken Hearted

 shī liàn
 shitsuren
Broken Hearted Scroll

In Chinese, this can mean losing one's love; to breaking up (in a romantic relationship); to feel jilted.

In Japanese Kanji, this means disappointing love, broken heart, unrequited love, or being lovelorn.

失戀 is also valid in old Korean Hanja, which means unrequited love, unreturned love, a disappointment in love, or a broken heart.

Note: In modern Japan, they will tend to write the more simple 失恋 form instead of 失戀. If you order this from the Japanese master calligrapher, expect the more simple modern version to be written (unless you give us instructions to use the older or more traditional version).

 lǐ xiǎo lóng
 bu ruu su ri
Bruce Lee Scroll

李小龍 is the real full name of Bruce Lee.

Bruce Lee Many people have no idea that Bruce Lee had a “real” Chinese name. In Mandarin and Cantonese, he is known as “Lǐ XiǎoLóng” and “Léi SíuLùng” respectively.

He kept his family name pronunciation (Li = Lee). 李 is a common family name that also means “plum.”

His given name 小龍 (Xiao-Long), literally means “little dragon.” 李小龍 is why you often see the character for dragon associated with Bruce Lee on various posters etc.

For a pronunciation lesson, the “X” in Romanized Mandarin is pronounced like a “sh” sound but with your tongue at the bottom of your mouth. The vowel sound in “Long” is like the English “oh,” not like the “ah” sound in the English word “long.”

If you are a big Bruce Lee fan, you should know this information, and you should have this wall scroll hanging in your room or martial arts studio.

Note: Japanese use these same Chinese characters / Kanji to write Bruce Lee's real name (with different pronunciation - which is a bit like how the name “Bruce Lee” sounds in English).


See Also:  Kung Fu | Martial Arts

The Aura of Buddha

 fó guāng
 bukkou
The Aura of Buddha Scroll

佛光 means Buddha's teachings, or Buddha's Light.

This often refers to the aura around the head of Buddha.

Alternate meanings include Spiritual Enlightenment (from Buddha), Buddha's Halo, Light of the Buddha, or Buddha's Glory.

The Eye of the Buddha

 wǔ yǎn
 butsugen
The Eye of the Buddha Scroll

佛眼 is the “Eye of Buddha,” the enlightened one who sees all and is omniscient.


仏In modern Japan, they also write the first Kanji as shown to the right. Both versions are correct but if you want the modern Japanese version, click on the Kanji to the right instead of the button above.

Triple Truth of Japanese Buddhism

 ningensei o saisei suruno wa kanyou na kokoro shinsetsu na kotoba houshi to omoi yari no seishin
Triple Truth of Japanese Buddhism Scroll

人間性を再生するのは寛容な心親切な言葉奉仕と思いやりの精神 is known as the Triple Truth of Buddhism in Japanese.

The Buddha ordered that all should know this triple truth...
A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things that renew humanity.

That is the English translation most commonly used for this Japanese Buddhist phrase. You might have seen this on a coffee cup or tee shirt.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Buddha Heart / Mind of Buddha

 fó xīn
 busshin
Buddha Heart / Mind of Buddha Scroll

佛心 means the Buddha's mind, Buddha-heart, or the spiritually enlightened heart/mind.

The Buddha Heart is detached from good and evil and other such constructs. The Buddha Heart has mercy, compassion, and loving-kindness for all sentient life, the good, the wicked, and all in between.

The heart and mind (心) are the same concepts in the ancient Orient, so you can use heart and mind interchangeably in this context.

Bushido / The Way of the Samurai

 wǔ shì dào
 bu shi do
Bushido / The Way of the Samurai Scroll

武士道 is the title for “The Code of the Samurai.”

Sometimes called “The Seven Virtues of the Samurai,” “The Bushido Code,” or “The Samurai Code of Chivalry.”

This would be read in Chinese characters, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja as “The Way of the Warrior,” “The Warrior's Way,” or “The Warrior's Code.”

It's a set of virtues that the Samurai of Japan and ancient warriors of China and Korea had to live and die by. However, while known throughout Asia, this title is mostly used in Japan and thought of as being of Japanese origin.

The seven commonly-accepted tenets or virtues of Bushido are Rectitude 義, Courage 勇, Benevolence 仁, Respect 礼(禮), Honour 名誉, Honesty 誠, and Loyalty 忠実. These tenets were part of oral history for generations, thus, you will see variations in the list of Bushido tenets depending on who you talk to.


See our page with just Code of the Samurai / Bushido here


See Also:  Samurai | Warrior

Keep Calm in Face of Adversity

 shitsuitaizen
Keep Calm in Face of Adversity Scroll

失意泰然 is a very old Japanese proverb that suggests “keeping calm and collected at times of disappointment,” or “maintaining a serene state of mind when faced with adversity.”

It's hard to relate individual character meanings to the overall meaning unless you also understand Japanese grammar. The word order is very different than English. That being said, here's the character meaning breakdown:
失 To miss, lose or fail.
意 Feelings, thoughts, meaning.
泰 Safe, peaceful.
然 Like that, in that way, however, although.

Using these definitions in English, we might say, “Although you may fail or lose, have a feeling of peace and calm.”

 jiā ná dà
Canada Scroll

This is the Chinese name for the country of Canada.


See Also:  United States of America | Mexico | North America

Carpe Diem / Seize the Day

 bǎ wò jīn rì
Carpe Diem / Seize the Day Scroll

把握今日 is the closest and most natural way to express this proverb in Chinese.

The first two characters mean “to seize” but can also be translated as “take control of.”

The last two characters mean “today.”

The Catholic Church

 tiān zhǔ jiào huì
The Catholic Church Scroll

天主教會 is the Chinese title for, The Catholic Church.

Mark the boat to find the lost sword / Ignoring the changing circumstances of the world

 kè zhōu qiú jiàn
 kokushuukyuuken
Mark the boat to find the lost sword / Ignoring the changing circumstances of the world Scroll

刻舟求劍 is an originally-Chinese proverb that serves as a warning to people that things are always in a state of change.

Thus, you must consider that and not depend on the old ways or a way that may have worked in the past but is no longer valid.

This idiom/proverb comes from the following story:
A man was traveling in a ferry boat across a river. With him, he carried a treasured sword. Along the way, the man became overwhelmed and intoxicated by the beautiful view and accidentally dropped his prized sword into the river. Thinking quickly, he pulled out a knife and marked on the rail of the boat where exactly he had lost his sword.

When the boat arrived on the other side of the river, the man jumped out of the boat and searched for his sword right under where he'd made the mark. Of course, the boat had moved a great distance since he made the mark, and thus, he could not find the sword.

While this man may seem foolhardy, we must take a great lesson from this parable: Circumstances change, so one should use methods to handle the change. In modern China, this is used in business to mean that one should not depend on old business models for a changing market.


This proverb dates back to the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) of the territory now known as China. It has spread and is somewhat known in Japan and Korea.

Child of God

 shén de hái zi
Child of God Scroll

神的孩子 is “Child of God” in Chinese.

Battle of Chosin Reservoir

 cháng jīn hú zhàn yì
Battle of Chosin Reservoir Scroll

長津湖戰役 is the Chinese title for the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.

Occasionally this is spelled Chosen. The pronunciation has led surviving Marines who fought there to call themselves “The Chosen Few” or “The Chosin Few.”

Christian / Disciple of Christ

 jī dū tú
 kirisuto
Christian / Disciple of Christ Scroll

基督徒 is a very strong and direct word in Chinese for “Christian.”

The literal translation of the first two characters is “Christ.”

The last character means apprentice, follower, or disciple.

Altogether these three characters mean “Christ's Disciple” or “Christ's Apprentice.” 基督徒 is a pretty cool title to hang on your wall if you are a devout Christian.

Also used by Japanese Christians (but may be unfamiliar to non-Christian Japanese people).


See Also:  Jesus Christ | God of Abraham

Disciple of Christianity

 jī dū jiào tú
 kirisutokyouto
Disciple of Christianity Scroll

基督教徒 is the most verbose (longest) word for “Christian” in the Chinese and Japanese languages.

The literal translation of the first two characters is Christ.
The third Character means “Religion” or “Teaching.”
The last character means “apprentice” or “disciple.”

Altogether these three characters mean “Christ's Teaching Disciple” or “Christ's Religion Apprentice.”

Note: The last two characters are sometimes translated together as “follower (of a religion),” so you could also say it means “Follower of Christ.”

This four-character title makes it very clear what you are talking about in Chinese.


See Also:  Jesus Christ | God of Abraham

Word of God / The Gospel

 fú yīn
 fukuin
Word of God / The Gospel Scroll

福音 is the Chinese, Korean and Japanese word for “Gospel” or “Word of God.”

福音 is a specifically Christian word in Asia (not used for any other religion).

The first character means blessing, good fortune, or good luck. This first character is a special character used throughout China to bring good tidings and fortune - especially during Chinese New Year. The second character means sound, noise, or news.

Together, these characters create a word that means “The Good News” or “The Sound of Good Fortune.”

When read by a Chinese or Japanese person, this word is always perceived as “The Christian Gospel,” “Word of God,” or even “The Voice of God.”


See Also:  Christianity | Jesus Christ | God of Abraham

Christianity / Christian

 jī dū jiào
 kirisutokyou
Christianity / Christian Scroll

基督教 is the Chinese, Japanese and Korean word for “Christianity.”

Just as in English, this word is often used to mean “Protestant” but includes Catholics in the true definition.

It is the word used to refer to the whole “Christian religion” or “Christian Faith,” and therefore, it can be translated as “Christianity.” However, used as an adjective in regard to a person, it would translate as “Christian.” But more like saying, “His religion is Christianity,” rather than a noun form.

If you break it apart, the characters mean Base/Foundation Leading/Supervising Religion/Teaching. It makes more sense in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. The first two characters together are translated as “Christ.” So you can also say this means “Christ's Religion” or “Christ's Teachings” when directly translated, or in reverse, “The Religion of Christ” or “The Teaching of Christ.”

Notes: The last character has a slight difference in one stroke - however, in calligraphic form, this will not be apparent. This entry can easily be read by any Korean person who knows Hanja characters (Chinese characters used in Korean).


See Also:  Jesus Christ | God of Abraham

Do not shed a tear until you see the coffin

 bú jiàn guān cái bú luò lèi
Do not shed a tear until you see the coffin Scroll

不見棺材不落淚 is a cautionary tale that suggests you are unknowingly (though it should be obvious)on a bad course.

It further suggests that you will not realize your folly until the worst has happened.

This can also be a warning of inaction until it's too late to take action. Again, not realizing your error until it's too late.

In an alternate interpretation, some will suggest this means doing something bad and not looking back - Then the worst happens.

It should be noted that this is one of the oddest selections for a wall scroll in our whole Asian calligraphy database. All of our translators are convinced that no Chinese person would ever hang this on their wall.

Water Dragon / Coiled Dragon

 pān lóng
 han ryuu
Water Dragon / Coiled Dragon Scroll

蟠龍 is sometimes seen as a lower-level of dragon or a dragon that has not-yet-reached its potential.

蟠龍 is often defined as a “lake dragon” that has not ascended to heaven.
Another way to put that is a dragon coiled on the earth, which has not yet ascended to the sky.

The Confident Helmsman Inspires Confidence in the Passengers

 bǎ tuò de bù huāng chéng chuán de wěn dang
The Confident Helmsman Inspires Confidence in the Passengers Scroll

把舵的不慌乘船的稳当 is a Chinese proverb that literally translates as: [If the] helmsman is not nervous, the passengers [will feel] secure.

Figuratively, this means: If the leader appears confident, his/her followers will gain confidence also.

This is a great suggestion that a confident leader inspires confidence in his/her troops or followers. Of course, a nervous leader will create fear in troops or followers.

The Five Tenets of Confucius

The Five Cardinal Rules / Virtues of Confucius

 rén yì lǐ zhì xìn
 jin gi rei tomo nobu
The Five Tenets of Confucius Scroll

仁義禮智信 are the core of Confucius's philosophy.

Simply stated:
仁 = Benevolence / Charity
義 = Justice / Rectitude
禮 = Courtesy / Politeness / Tact
智 = Wisdom / Knowledge
信 = Fidelity / Trust / Sincerity

Many of these concepts can be found in various religious teachings. It should be clearly understood that Confucianism is not a religion but should instead be considered a moral code for a proper and civilized society.

This title is also labeled “5 Confucian virtues.”


礼 If you order this from the Japanese calligrapher, expect the middle Kanji to be written in a more simple form (as seen to the right). This can also be romanized as "jin gi rei satoshi shin" in Japanese. Not all Japanese will recognize this as Confucian tenets but they will know all the meanings of the characters.


See Also:  Confucius Teachings | Ethics

Confucius: Golden Rule / Ethic of Reciprocity

Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself

 jǐ suǒ bú yù wù shī yú rén
Confucius: Golden Rule / Ethic of Reciprocity Scroll

Some may think of this as a “Christian trait,” but actually, it transcends many religions.

This Chinese teaching dates back to about 2,500 years ago in China. Confucius had always taught the belief in being benevolent (ren), but this idea was hard to grasp for some of his students, as benevolence could be kind-heartedness or an essence of humanity itself.

When answering Zhong Gong's question as to what "ren" actually meant, Confucius said:

己所不欲勿施于人 or "When you go out, you should behave as if you were in the presence of a distinguished guest; when people do favors for you, act as if a great sacrifice was made for you. Whatever you wouldn't like done to you, do not do that thing to others. Don't complain at work or home.”

Hearing this, Zhong Gong said humbly, “Although I am not clever, I will do what you say.”

From this encounter, the Chinese version of the “Golden Rule” or “Ethic of Reciprocity” came to be.
The characters you see above express, “Do not do to others whatever you do not want to be done to yourself.”


See Also:  Confucius Teachings | Benevolence

The Foundation of Good Conduct

Quote from Confucius

 zhì yú dào jù yú dé yī yú rén yóu yú yì
The Foundation of Good Conduct Scroll

This proverb, 志于道据于德依于仁游于艺, from the Analects of Confucius translates as:

Resolve yourself in the Dao/Tao/Way.
Rely on Virtue.
Reside in benevolence.
Revel in the arts.

According to Confucius, these are the tenets of good and proper conduct.


This was written over 2500 years ago. The composition is in ancient Chinese grammar and phrasing. A modern Chinese person would need a background in Chinese literature to understand this without the aid of a reference.

The Ease of the Scholar

Quote from Confucius

 mò ér zhì zhī xué ér bù yàn huǐ rén bù juàn hé yòu yú wǒ zāi
The Ease of the Scholar Scroll

默而识之学而不厌诲人不倦何有于我哉 is a quote from the Analects of Confucius that translates as:

To quietly recite and memorize the classics,
to love learning without tiring of it,
never be bored with teaching,
How could these be difficult for me?

This is a suggestion that for a true scholar, all of these things come with ease.


This was written over 2500 years ago. The composition is in ancient Chinese grammar and phrasing. A modern Chinese person would need a background in Chinese literature to understand this without the aid of a reference.

Considerate of the Needs of Others

 tǐ tiē
Considerate of the Needs of Others Scroll

體貼 is a Chinese word that means to be considerate (of other people's needs).

Control of Power

Him Cho Chung

 lì cào zhèng
Control of Power Scroll

力操正 is a Korean martial arts title meaning “Power Control.”

It's most often cited as one of the 8 key concepts from Tang Soo Do.

This can be pronounced in Chinese but will only be recognized by those familiar with martial arts terms.

Courage to do what is right

 jiàn yì yǒng wéi
Courage to do what is right Scroll

見義勇為 means the courage to do what is right in Chinese.

This could also be translated as “Never hesitate to do what is right.”

This comes from Confucian thought:
Your courage should head in an honorable direction. For example, you should take action when the goal is to attain a just result as, without honorable intent, a person’s gutsy fervor can easily lead them astray.

One who flaunts courage but disregards justice is bound to do wrong; someone who possesses courage and morality is destined to become a hero.


Some text above paraphrased from The World of Chinese - The Character of 勇


See Also:  Work Unselfishly for the Common Good | Justice | Bravery

Courageous Spirit

 gǔ qì
Courageous Spirit Scroll

骨氣 is a Chinese title that means “unyielding character,” “courageous spirit,” “integrity,” or “moral backbone.”

The Law of Creation and Destruction

 shì shēng miè fǎ
 zeshoumeppou
The Law of Creation and Destruction Scroll

是生滅法 is a Buddhist term for “the law of arising and ceasing,” or, “the law of creation and destruction.”

Everything has a beginning and an end, birth and death, etc. All things follow this law.

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

 wò hǔ cáng lóng
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Scroll

臥虎藏龍 is the movie title of the Kung Fu epic that was very popular in the west a few years back.

This is a re-ordering of an ancient Chinese proverb that refers to undiscovered talents.

The movie was one of the most popular Chinese foreign films to ever debut in the USA but received a lukewarm reception in China.

Note: This can be pronounced in Korean, but it's not a commonly used term.

Cry in the Dojo - Laugh on the Battlefield

 doujou de naki senjou de warau
Cry in the Dojo - Laugh on the Battlefield Scroll

道場で泣き戦場で笑う is a Japanese phrase that means “Cry in the dojo, laugh on the battlefield.”

You'll see this phrase in a lot of dojos as a kind of philosophical joke.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.


See Also:  The More We Sweat in Training the Less We Bleed in Battle

Flying Dragon Horse

 fēi lóng mǎ
 hi ryuu me
Flying Dragon Horse Scroll

飛龍馬 is the title for a “flying dragon-horse.”

This can refer to a mythical beast or, more realistically, a very fast horse at the track.

The Original Mind

 běn xīn
 hon shin
The Original Mind Scroll

In Zen Buddhism, 本心 means “original mind” or “original heart,” which refers to one's Buddha-nature present from birth.

This can also be translated as true feelings, real intention, one's own heart, one's right mind, one's senses, one's conscience, or fundamental mind.

Note: 心 can mean heart or mind - thought in ancient Asia to be the same organ.

Danketsu Karate-Do

 dan ketsu kara te dou
Danketsu Karate-Do Scroll

団結空手道 is the title for Danketsu Karate-Do, a dojo located in Stroudsburg, PA.

団結 (danketsu) means union, unity, or combination.

空手道 (karate-do) means “empty hand way.”


If you need you martial arts school/dojo/academy added to my database, just give me the info (actual Chinese/Japanese text if you have it).

Daredevil Warrior / Soul of a Warrior

 oni mu sha
Daredevil Warrior / Soul of a Warrior Scroll

鬼武者 is an unusual title that can be translated two ways, daredevil warrior or demon warrior.

The most common is probably the daredevil warrior. However, the first character means demon, ghost, or soul of the departed. Therefore, it can mean the soul of a warrior or a demon warrior.


This title is Japanese only, and should not be used if your audience is Chinese.

The Night is Darkest Before the Dawn

 lí míng qián de hēi àn
The Night is Darkest Before the Dawn Scroll

黎明前的黑暗 is the most natural way to write “The night is darkest before the dawn,” in Chinese.

The words break down this way by meaning this way:
1.黎明 dawn or daybreak
2.前 before, in front, ago, former, previous, and/or earlier
3.的 (possessive particle) of
4.黑暗 dark, darkly, or darkness

If you try to understand the Chinese word order and grammar, it's like, “Before dawn is the darkest [time].”

Devotion / Dedication / Attentive / Focused

 zhuān xīn
 sen shin
Devotion / Dedication / Attentive / Focused Scroll

專心 makes a word that means “paying attention with your heart.”

It's often translated as “dedication,” as in “be absorbed in” or “concentrate one's efforts.” It's also used to mean “with the single mind,” “whole-heartedly,” “paying attention,” “undivided attention,” “concentration (-ed),” “engrossed,” “devotionally (listening/watching),” and/or “attentive.”

The first character means “for a particular person, occasion, or purpose,” “focused on one single thing,” “concentrated,” and sometimes, “special.”

The second character means “heart” or “mind” by itself.

My favorite translation, which comes from the Oxford Advanced Chinese/English Dictionary, is, “wholehearted devotion.”

If it seems like the meaning of this word is quite open, you are correct. The context in which the word is used matters a lot. It can mean different things depending on how you use it. This makes it kind of nice as you can decide what this means to you (within some limits). This is always positive in meaning, so even if a Chinese person reads it differently than you, it will still have a good meaning.


専In Japanese, they tend to use a variation of the second character which has one less stroke. If you want your calligraphy written this Japanese form, please click on the Kanji shown to the right instead of the button above. Note: Japanese and Chinese people will recognize either form.


See Also:  Faith | Devotion

Devotion / Enthusiasm

 rè chéng
 nessei
Devotion / Enthusiasm Scroll

熱誠 is universal in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.

It can mean earnestness, enthusiasm, ardor, zeal, devotion, spirit, or fervor.

Dharma / The Law

 fǎ
 hou
 
Dharma / The Law Scroll

法 is the simple way to write “law” or in a Buddhist context “Dharma.”

This can also mean method, way, or Buddhist teaching. It's also an abbreviation for the country of France.

The Buddhist context exists in Chinese and Korean Hanja but I have not yet confirmed that this means more than “law” when used alone in Japanese.

Divine Spirit

 yù yǐng
 goei
Divine Spirit Scroll

御影 is a Japanese word that means divine spirit or honorific language for “spirit of the dead.”

This can also refer to an image of a deity, buddha, royal, noble, etc.)

In the Buddhist context, it can mean (wooden) images of saints or deities.

御影 is also a Japanese name, Mikage.


Note: This is also a word in Chinese but not used very often in China (except perhaps by certain Buddhists).

Dojo / Martial Arts Studio

 dào cháng
 dou jou
Dojo / Martial Arts Studio Scroll

道場 is the Japanese term for a room or hall in which martial arts are taught.

道場 is often spelled “dojo” which has become a word in the English lexicon. However, the true Romaji is doujou or dōjō.

Please note: The Chinese definition of these characters is quite different. In Chinese, this is a place where Buddhist or Taoist mass is held. It could also be a place where spiritual or psychic events are performed.

Do not fear the task: Cooperation will lead to success

Do not fear strong winds waves; just be sure to row in unison

 bù pà fēng làng dà jiù pà jiǎng bù qí
Do not fear the task: Cooperation will lead to success Scroll

不怕风浪大就怕桨不齐 is a Chinese proverb that literally translates as: Do not fear strong winds [and] high waves; what [one should] worry about whether or not you're rowing in unison.

Figuratively, this means: However difficult the task, the key to success lies in making collective efforts.

I like to translate this as “Don't sweat the details, just get together and get it done.”

Door of Great Wisdom

 dà zhì huì mén
 dai chi e mon
Door of Great Wisdom Scroll

大智慧門 is the title for “The Great Wisdom Door,” or “The Gate to Great Wisdom.”

This refers to a portal to all wisdom and knowledge in Buddhism.

Dragon / Emperor Symbol

 lóng
 ryuu / tatsu
 
Dragon / Emperor Symbol Scroll

竜 is an alternate form of the dragon.

Still pronounced the same in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

This particular Kanji is often associated as an imperial symbol as well as representing the mythical Asian dragon. You may have seen it on the chest or flag of the emperor in old Japanese and Chinese movies.

Note: I would rate this as a non-universal alternate form. The other dragon character is by far more common, and universally understood.


We strongly recommend symbol of dragon if you are looking for the symbol of dragon.


See Also:  Phoenix | Emperor | King

 lóng quán
Dragon Fist Scroll

龍拳 is a title that literally means “Dragon Fist.”

The Spirit of the Dragon Horse

 lóng mǎ jīng shén
The Spirit of the Dragon Horse Scroll

龍馬精神 is an old proverb that is used to wish someone good health and success combined as a great compliment.

The meaning is “The vigor and spirit of the legendary dragon-horse.” These four characters are often accompanied by four more which mean “...and the power and prestige of the tiger.” Here we are just offering the first part which is considered the short version.

By giving a wall scroll like this to someone, you were either wishing or telling them that they have an amazing quality. There is also a suggestion of good health - at least anyone with the vigor of a dragon horse would seem to also be in good health.


Note: In Japanese, this would be read as the spirit of 坂本龍馬 (Sakamoto_Ryōma), a beloved rebel who help abolish the old Japanese feudal system. This can be confusing, so I am declaring this proverb to be Chinese only.

The Spirit of the Dragon Horse and Power of a Tiger

 lóng mǎ jīng shén hǔ hǔ shēng wēi
The Spirit of the Dragon Horse and Power of a Tiger Scroll

龍馬精神虎虎生威 is an old proverb that is used to wish someone great health and success combined as a great compliment.

The meaning is “The vigor and spirit of the legendary dragon-horse and the power and prestige of the tiger.”

By giving a wall scroll like this to someone, you were either wishing or telling them that they have these qualities. There is also a suggestion of good health - at least anyone with the vigor of a dragon horse would seem to also be in good health.

 lóng nǚ
Dragon Lady Scroll

龍女 is literally “Dragon Lady” or “Dragon Woman.”

Dragon and Phoenix

 lóng fèng
 ryuu hou
Dragon and Phoenix Scroll

龍鳳 is the simplest way to express “Dragon and Phoenix” in Chinese and Japanese.

This title can be used to represent, “The emperor and empress,” or a metaphor for an outstanding personage.

It should be noted that this is most often used as a given name, “Ryuuhou” in Japanese. It may be read more as a name than by meaning in Japanese.

Dragon and Phoenix Brings Luck

 lóng fèng chéng xiáng
Dragon and Phoenix Brings Luck  Scroll

龍鳳呈祥 is often seen at weddings and other celebrations in China.

It suggests that the dragon and phoenix will bring you auspicious tidings.

The first character is a dragon.
The second is a phoenix.
The third is presents or brings.
And the last means auspicious, propitious, or luck.

Throughout China, the dragon and phoenix are symbols of good fortune. You will see these auspicious figures as decorative symbols on everything from buildings, furniture, wedding costumes, and sculptures in public parks to caskets and items used in ceremonies.

The Five Animals

Dragon Snake Tiger Leopard Crane

 lóng shé hǔ bào hè
 ryuu hebi tora hyou tsuru
The Five Animals Scroll

龍蛇虎豹鶴 is a list of the Chinese characters for the five animals of Shaolin Kung Fu in a comfortable order (meaning that they are in the proper order and will “feel right” to a Chinese person who views this arrangement).

Dragon Spirit

 lóng hún
Dragon Spirit Scroll

龍魂 means “Dragon Spirit” or “Dragon Ghost.”

Dragon Spirit

 lóng shén
 ryuu jin
Dragon Spirit Scroll

龍神 is a Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja title that can mean “dragon god,” “dragon king,” or “dragon spirit.”

In the context of Buddhism, this is one of eight kinds of spiritual beings found in Mahāyāna texts.

The Spirit of Dragon and Tiger

 lóng hǔ jīng shén
 ryu ko sei shin
The Spirit of Dragon and Tiger Scroll

龍虎精神 means the spirit of the dragon and tiger.

It speaks to the vitality and vigor that is the nature of these two creatures.

Beyond “spirit,” the last two characters can also mean mind, soul, or heart. Therefore, you can also say this means “Heart of the Dragon and Tiger,” etc.

龍虎精神 is often titled “Ryukoseishin” in many Japanese martial arts.

Dragon Warrior

 lóng wǔ shì
 ryuu bu shi
Dragon Warrior Scroll

龍武士 is a generic title for “Dragon Warrior.”

Just as in English, it's a bit ambiguous. It can mean one who fights against dragons or the title of a warrior himself (imagine a warrior with a dragon symbol on his chest).

Dragon Warrior

 lóng zhàn shì
Dragon Warrior Scroll

龍戰士 is another version of “Dragon Warrior.”

It's still a bit ambiguous. This one reads more like “Dragon Fighter” than “Dragon Warrior.” Perhaps you can also translate this one as “One who fights like a dragon.”

Dragon Warrior

 dòu lóng zhàn shì
Dragon Warrior Scroll

斗龍戰士 or “Dragon Warrior” is specifically one who fights against dragons.

This can also be read as “Dragon Fighter.”

Drain the pond to get all the fish

Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs

 jié zé ér yú
Drain the pond to get all the fish Scroll

In 632 BC, Duke Wen of the Kingdom of Jin was about to lead an army against the forces of the Kingdom of Chu.
The Duke asked one of his advisers, Jiu Fan, how they could win the impending battle, as they were drastically outnumbered.
Jiu Fan said, “All is fair in war,” and suggested a plan of dishonorable tactics (cheating).
The Duke was unsure of this advice, so he asked another adviser, Yong Ji, who replied, “If you catch fish by draining the pond, you can certainly get all the fish. But there will be no fish the following year. You can cheat this one time in battle, but such tactics can only be used once, as the enemy will be wise in future encounters.”

The Duke heard the words of his wiser adviser but cheated to gain victory in the battle. However, he rewarded Yong Ji more than Jiu Fan at the victory celebration, stating that while Jiu Fan's advice gained one victory, the wise words of Yong Ji would last forever.

This Chinese idiom/proverb is still used, over 2600 years later to remind people not to burn bridges, cheat, or dishonor themselves in exchange for a short-term gain while sacrificing the future.

竭澤而漁 is very similar to the meaning of the English phrase, “Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.”

Drinking the water of a well: One should never forget who dug it

 chī shuǐ bú wàng jué jǐng rén
Drinking the water of a well: One should never forget who dug it Scroll

This proverb suggests that one should always be grateful to those who helped one succeed.

And remember your ancestors and those that came before you whose sacrifices made your present life better.

Some Chinese will separate the intended meaning from this proverb and translate this as “Don't forget the people who once helped you.” In Modern China, this idiom is virtually never used to refer to an actual well.

Note: This can be pronounced in Korean but it's not a commonly used phrase.

Eagle / Falcon / Hawk

 yīng
 taka
 
Eagle / Falcon / Hawk Scroll

鷹 is the way to write eagle, falcon, or hawk in Chinese.

It means hawk or falcon in Japanese Kanji, and simply “eagle” in old Korean Hanja. Though we have different words for them in English, eagles, falcons, and hawks are all seen as the same general type of bird in Asian languages.

If you are looking for the Dutch surname Valk, or the German surname Falco by meaning, this would be a good character for you.


There are other multi-character words (most of them contain this character) which express different specific species of birds of prey (bald eagle, osprey, golden eagle, etc). If you need a more specific title, just contact me.

The Eagle Claw School

 yīng zhuǎ pài
The Eagle Claw School Scroll

鷹爪派 is the title of a Chinese martial arts style known as “The Eagle Claw School.”

It is believed this style was developed by General Yue Fei in the early 12th Century.

Earth Dragon

 dì lóng
Earth Dragon Scroll

地龍 is the Earth Dragon, king of rivers and seas.

地龍 is sometimes used in Chinese as a nickname for earthworms.

Enthusiasm / Warm-Hearted

 rè xīn
 nesshin
Enthusiasm / Warm-Hearted Scroll

熱心 literally means “warm-hearted” (can also mean warm-spirited or warm-souled).

This is one of a few ways to say Enthusiasm in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.

熱心 is also used to express the ideas of earnestness or eagerness.

Can mean “zeal” in Japanese.

Esprit de Corps / Team Spirit

 tuán duì jīng shén
Esprit de Corps / Team Spirit Scroll

團隊精神 is a Chinese word that can mean “esprit de corps” or “team spirit.”

Other translations include collectivism, teamwork, or solidarity.

Experience is the Mother of Wisdom

 jīng yàn shì zhì huì zhī mǔ
Experience is the Mother of Wisdom Scroll

It's been said that wisdom comes from good judgment, and good judgment comes from experience, while experience comes from a series of times when you used bad judgment.

經驗是智慧之母 is a Chinese proverb that makes the simplest connection between experience and wisdom.


See Also:  Failure is the Mother of Success | Wisdom | Learn From Wisdom

Failure in Not an Option

 shī bài bìng fēi yì zhǒng xuǎn zé
Failure in Not an Option Scroll

失敗並非一種選擇 is probably the best way to say, “Failure is not an option,” in Chinese.

Just don't forget that some ancient Chinese proverbs suggest that failure is a learning opportunity that leads to success or innovation. So don't plan to fail but failure is only a waste if nothing is learned from the failure.


See Also:  Failure is a Stepping Stone to Success | Failure is the Mother of Success

Failure is the Mother of Success

 shī bài shì chéng gōng zhī mǔ
Failure is the Mother of Success Scroll

失败是成功之母 is a Chinese and Korean proverb that means “Every failure that you experience is a chance to learn from it and find success.”

Knowing what does not work is just as important as finding out what does work.


See Also:  Experience is the Mother of Wisdom

Faith / Trusting in the Unseen

 xìn niàn
 shinnen
Faith / Trusting in the Unseen Scroll

信念 expresses the idea of “having a belief” or “trusting in the unseen.”

信念 could also be translated as beliefs or convictions.


Note: Also considered to be one of the Seven Heavenly Virtues.


See Also:  Devotion | Dedication | Trust

Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark

 xìn niǎn shì zài lí míng qián de hēi àn zhōng néng gǎn dào guāng míng de niǎo
Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark Scroll

信唸是在黎明前的黑闇中能感到光明的鳥 is a philosophical poem/quote from Indian Poet and Philosopher, Rabindranath Tagore.

Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore, 1915

This quote is not sourced, and therefore several variations exist in English. Some suggest the original was in the Bengali language.

This, of course, is the Chinese translation that has the meaning of, “Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.”

More about Rabindranath Tagore

Family / Members of a Family

 jiā zú
 ka zoku
Family / Members of a Family Scroll

家族 is family in Japanese Kanji, Chinese and Korean.

This represents all the members of a family.

This can also mean household or clan, depending on the context.

The farts of others stink, but one’s own smells sweet

 bié rén pì chòu zì jiā xiāng
The farts of others stink, but one’s own smells sweet Scroll

别人屁臭自家香 literally translates as:
Other people's flatulence stinks, [but] one's own is fragrant.

Figuratively, this means:
Some people criticize defects in others that they (seem to) treasure in themselves.

The Mysterious Bond Between People

The invisible force that brings people together forever

 yuán
 en
 
The Mysterious Bond Between People Scroll

緣 represents the fate that brings and bonds people together.

緣 is a complicated single character. It can mean a lot of different things depending on how you read it.

In Japanese, it can mean fate, destiny, a mysterious force that binds two people together, a relationship between two people, bond, link, connection, family ties, affinity, opportunity, or chance (to meet someone and start a relationship). It can also mean “someone to rely on,” relative, reminder, memento, or the female given name, Yori.

It's the same in Chinese, where it's defined as cause, reason, karma, fate, or predestined affinity.

In the Buddhist context, it's Pratyaya. This is the concept of indirect conditions, as opposed to direct causes. It's when something happens (meeting someone) by circumstance or a contributing environment. Instead of a direct cause or act, it is a conditioning cause without direct input or action by the involved people.

Occasionally, this character is used in a facetious way to say hem, seam, or edge of clothing. In this case, it's the seam that brings or holds the clothing together.


縁Note: Japanese will tend to use the variant of this Kanji shown to the right. If you want this version (and are ordering this from the Japanese master calligrapher), click on the Kanji at the right instead of the button above.

Keep Your Feet on the Ground

Be Down-to-Earth

 jiǎo tà shí dì
Keep Your Feet on the Ground Scroll

腳踏實地 is a four-character proverb that suggests that you should be practical, realistic, and grounded.

Some translate this as a suggestion to be down-to-earth.

The first character means “feet.”
The second means “step on” or “stand.”
The third means “solid,” “real,” or “true.”
The last character means “ground,” “earth,” or “terra.”

Literally, this means “[keep your] Feet Standing [on] Solid Ground.”

The one who retreats 50 paces mocks the one to retreats 100

The pot calls the kettle black

 wù shí bù xiào bǎi bù
The one who retreats 50 paces mocks the one to retreats 100 Scroll

五十步笑百步 is a Chinese proverb that means the one who retreats 50 paces mocks the one who retreats 100 paces.

During the Warring States Period of what is now China (475 - 221 B.C.), the King of Wei was in love with war. He often fought with other kingdoms just for spite or fun.

One day, the King of Wei asked the philosopher Mencius, “I love my people, and all say I do the best for them. I move the people from famine-stricken areas to places of plenty and transport grains from rich areas to the poor. Nobody goes hungry in my kingdom, and I treat my people far better than other kings. But why does the population of my kingdom not increase, and why does the population of other kingdoms not decrease?”

Mencius answered, “Since you love war, I will make this example: When going to war, and the drums beat to start the attack, some soldiers flee for their lives in fear. Some run 100 paces in retreat, and others run 50 steps. Then the ones who retreated 50 paces laugh and taunt those who retreated 100 paces, calling them cowards mortally afraid of death. Do you think this is reasonable?

The King of Wei answered, “Of course not! Those who run 50 paces are just as timid as those who run 100 paces.”

Mencius then said, “You are a king who treats his subjects better than other kings treat their people, but you are so fond of war that your people suffer from great losses in battle. Therefore, your population does not grow. While other kings allow their people to starve to death, you send your people to die in war. Is there any difference?”

This famous conversation led to the six-character proverb shown here. It serves as a warning to avoid hypocrisy. It goes hand-in-hand with the western phrase, “The pot calls the kettle black,” or the Biblical phrase, “Before trying to remove a splinter from your neighbor's eye, first remove the plank from your own eye.”

Fighter for God

 shàng dì de dòu shì
Fighter for God Scroll

上帝的鬥士 means “God's Fighter.”

While a lot of people search for “Warrior of God,” or “Soldier of God,” this is actually the most natural way to say something like this in Chinese.

Fighting Spirit

The Will to Fight

 dòu zhì
Fighting Spirit Scroll

斗志 literally means fighting spirit in Chinese.

As in the spirit that a warrior, soldier, athlete, or fighter must possess.

斗Note: There is more than one way to write the first character of this word. It is sometimes written like the version shown to the right (yes, it's completely different but has the same meaning & pronunciation). If you have a preference, please let us know in the special instructions about your order.

The Dao of Filial Piety

 xiào dào
 kou dou
The Dao of Filial Piety Scroll

孝道 most clearly expresses the Confucian philosophy of filial piety.

Confucius taught that all should be respectful and obedient to their parents. Included in this idea is honoring your ancestors.

The second character is “dao/tao” or “the way” as in Taoism. You can say this title is “The Tao of Filial Piety” or “The Way of Filial Piety.”


See Also:  Confucius

 huǒ lóng
 hi ryuu
Fire Dragon Scroll

火龍 is how to write “Fire Dragon” in Chinese and Japanese Kanji.

This title is used more often in Chinese, a little lesser known in Japanese.

First Turn of the Dharma Wheel

 chū zhuàn fǎ lún
 sho ten bourin
First Turn of the Dharma Wheel Scroll

初轉法輪 is the Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja for the first turning of the wheel of the dharma.

The Five Principles of Reiki

Reiki Gokai

 kyou da ke wa oko ru na shin pai su na kan sha shi te gyou wo ha ke me hito ni shin setsu ni
The Five Principles of Reiki Scroll

These are the five principles of Reiki.

They translate into English as...

At least for today:
Do not be angry,
Do not worry,
Be grateful,
Work with diligence,
Be kind to people.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

A Bright Future

Incredible 10,000-Mile Flight of the Peng

 péng chéng wàn lǐ
A Bright Future Scroll

鵬程萬里 is an ancient Chinese proverb used in modern times to wish someone a long and successful career.

It's really about the 10,000 Flight of the Peng (Peng, also known as Roc is a mythical fish that can turn into a bird and take flight).

Zhuangzi

莊子
Zhuangzi or Chuang Tzu

Breaking down each character:
1. Peng or Roc (a kind of bird).
2. Journey (in this case, a flight).
3. 10,000 (Ten Thousand).
4. Li is a unit of distance often referred to as a “Chinese Mile,” though the real distance is about half a kilometer.

Direct Translation: “Peng's Journey [of] 10,000 Li.”
Literal meaning: “The 10,000-Li Flying Range Of The Roc.”
Perceived meaning: “To have a bright future” or “To go far.”

This proverb/idiom comes from the book of Zhuangzi or Chuang Tzu. It tells the tale of a huge fish that could turn into a gigantic bird. This bird was called a “peng” and was many miles long. This legendary size allowed the Peng to fly from the Northern Sea to the Southern Sea in a single bound.

Wishing someone “a Peng's Journey of 10,000 Li” will imply that they can travel far without stopping and will have great success, a long career, and a prosperous future.

Flowers Fall / The End Comes

 huā sà
Flowers Fall / The End Comes Scroll

花落 means flower fall (closes and loses its petals).

It suggests nearing the end of something. A time that some might call “The sunset of life.” 花落 often follows 花開 or “flower open” to talk of the cycle of life.

We offer this as a possible companion to a “flower open” scroll (to be placed side by side or at either side of a doorway to say “things come and go” - a cool metaphor for a doorway). If placed in a doorway, it could be used to suggest to your guests that things bloom when they arrive through your door but wither when they leave (a great compliment).


See Also:  Flowers Bloom

Flying Dragon

 téng
 
Flying Dragon Scroll

螣 is the Chinese character and old Korean Hanja that means “flying dragon.”

Forgive Me of My Sins

 yuán liàng wǒ de zuì niè
Forgive Me of My Sins Scroll

原諒我的罪孽 is a religious phrase, which means exactly what the title suggests.


See Also:  Christian

Forgiveness (from the top down)

 róng shè
 you sha
Forgiveness (from the top down) Scroll

容赦 is the kind of forgiveness that a king might give to his subjects for crimes or wrong-doings.

容赦 is a rather high-level forgiveness. Meaning that it goes from a higher level to a lower (not the reverse).

Alone, the first character can mean “to bear,” “to allow,” and/or “to tolerate,” and the second can mean “to forgive,” “to pardon,” and/or “to excuse.”

When you put both characters together, you get forgiveness, pardon, mercy, leniency, or going easy (on someone).


See Also:  Benevolence

Fortitude / Strength of Character

 gāng yì
 gouki
Fortitude / Strength of Character Scroll

剛毅 is a Japanese and Chinese word that means resolute and firm, fortitude, firmness of character, hardihood, manliness, or macho.


See Also:  Perseverance | Strength | Tenacity

Fortune Favors The Brave

 mìng yùn zhōng qíng yú yǒng shì
Fortune Favors The Brave Scroll

命運鐘情於勇士 means “Fortune favors the brave” in Chinese.

This is not the only way to express the idea of fortune favoring the bold or brave.

It's not originally a Chinese phrase, so it's been translated into Chinese in various ways.

Fountain of Youth

 bù lǎo quán
 furousen
Fountain of Youth Scroll

不老泉 is a fountain of youth in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.

不老 directly means not [getting] old. 不老泉 is usually translated as eternal youth.

泉 means fountain.

Four Noble Truths: Elimination of Desire or Attachment

Nirodha

 miè dì
 mettai
Four Noble Truths: Elimination of Desire or Attachment Scroll

滅諦 suggests that once you eliminate desire or attachment to worldly things, only then can you achieve enlightenment.

Realize that things are impermanent. That fancy car, beautiful spouse, big house, and impressive career are things you can't take with you. These things are a flash in the pan compared to the infinite span of history, generations to come, time, and space.


This term is exclusively used by devout Buddhists. It is not a common term, and is remains an unknown concept to most Japanese, Korean, and Chinese people.


See Also:  Buddhism | Enlightenment

The Four Seasons

Short version

 sì jì
 shi ki
The Four Seasons Scroll

四季 is the 2-character way to say “Four Seasons.”

四季 literally means “4” and “seasons.”

The Four Seasons

 chūn xià qiū dōng
 shunkashuutou
The Four Seasons Scroll

春夏秋冬 is one way to express “The Four Seasons “ or “All Year Round “.

The characters here represent Spring, Summer, Autumn (Fall), and Winter.

To Be Free / Freedom

 xiāo yáo
 shou you
To Be Free / Freedom Scroll

逍遙 means freedom in Chinese characters.

This has a well-written meaning for a wall scroll. What I mean by that is while there is a way to say “freedom” orally, this word seems more appropriate for calligraphy. This can also be translated as “free and unfettered” in Chinese.

Note: In Korean and Japanese, this means one who rambles, saunters, or strolls (this entry is best if your audience is Chinese).

 zì yóu jīng shén
Free Spirit Scroll

The first two characters mean freedom or liberty.

The second two characters mean spirit, heart, mind, or soul.

Together, 自由精神 is a title that is very similar to the English term “free spirit.”


See Also:  Freedom | Independence

 zì yóu yì zhì
 jiyuu ishi
Free Will Scroll

自由意志 is a concept that has existed for thousands of years that humans can understand right and wrong, then make a decision one way or the other (thus affecting their fate).

Sources such as Confucius, Buddhist scriptures, the Qur'an, and the Bible all address this idea.

As for the characters shown here, the first two mean free, freedom, or liberty. The last two mean “will.”

Can be romanized from Japanese as jiyū-ishi, jiyuu-ishi, and sometimes jiyuu-ishii.
It's 자유의지 or jayuu-yiji in Korean and zìyóu yìzhì in Chinese.


See Also:  Freedom | Strong Willed | Fate

Freedom / Liberty

 zì yóu
 jiyuu
Freedom / Liberty Scroll

自由 is a common word to express the idea of freedom in both Chinese and Japanese.

This word is the essence of “being free” but also acts as the suffix to create words like freestyle swimming, free trade, civil liberties, free will, freedom fighter, religious freedom, and liberal.

Furinkazan

military strategy

 fēng lín huǒ shān
 fuu rin ka zan
Furinkazan Scroll

風林火山 is the battle strategy and proverb of Japanese feudal lord Takeda Shingen (1521-1573 AD).

This came from the Art of War by Chinese strategist and tactician Sun Tzu (Sunzi).

You can think of this as an abbreviation to remind officers and troops how to conduct battle.

風林火山 is a word list: Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain.

The more expanded meaning is supposed to be...

“Swift as the wind, quiet as the forest, fierce as fire, and immovable as a mountain”

“As fast as the wind, as quiet as the forest, as daring as fire, and immovable as the mountain”

“Move as swift as the wind, stay as silent as a forest, attack as fierce as fire, undefeatable defense like a mountain”

“Move swiftly like the wind, stay silent like the forest, attack fiercely like fire, take a tactical position on the mountain”


See Also:  Art of War

Put out a burning wood cart with a cup of water

An utterly inadequate measure

 bēi shuǐ chē xīn
Put out a burning wood cart with a cup of water Scroll

杯水車薪 is a warning against a futile effort.

This proverb literally refers to one who is “trying to put out a burning cart of wood with a cup of water,” or “throw a cup of water on a cartload of wood.” The lesson to be learned is about using the right measure or tool for the job and not wasting your effort if you are inadequately equipped for the task at hand - in other words the postscript should be “go get a bucket or a fire hose.”

The Geisha’s World

 huā liǔ jiè
 karyuukai
The Geisha’s World Scroll

花柳界 literally means “Flower Willow World/Kingdom.”

In Japanese, this means “The Realm of the Geisha” or “World of the Geisha.” I suppose there is a presumption that the Geisha is surrounded by flowers in their residence. In Chinese and Korean, this pretty much has colloquially come to mean “The Red Light District” or to refer to pimps, prostitutes, and johns as a group.

Geisha of Unequaled Talent

(Danger: Can mean prostitute!)

 míng jì
 mei gi
Geisha of Unequaled Talent Scroll

In Japanese, 名妓 means “distinguished/talented/beautiful geisha.”

The meaning in Chinese (and the deeper meaning in Japanese) would be “distinguished/talented/beautiful prostitute.”

I am not sure that our master calligrapher will even write this, so please note that fact if you decide to place the order. Of course, we'll refund your money if he refuses.

Ghost / Soul / Spirit

 hún pò
 kon paku
Ghost / Soul / Spirit Scroll

魂魄 is a Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja term for ghost, soul, or spirit.

It's used in the context of Buddhism as:
Animus and anima; the spiritual nature or mind, and the animal soul; the two are defined as mind and body or mental and physical, the invisible soul inhabiting the visible body, the former being celestial, the latter terrestrial.

God in the Glorious Center of Heaven

 tiān zhī yù zhōng zhǔ shén
God in the Glorious Center of Heaven Scroll

天之御中主神 is a phrase submitted by a customer.

I do not have information on the origin of this phrase.

God of Warcraft

 chī yóu
 shi yuu
God of Warcraft Scroll

蚩尤 is the name Chi You, legendary creator of metalworking and weapons.

There is also a comet named in his honor. Some refer to him as the Chinese god of war. He is also somewhat-known in Japan as “Shiyu.”

God of Zion / God of Abraham

 shàng dì
 joutei
God of Zion / God of Abraham Scroll

上帝 is how Chinese Christians and Jews refer to God, AKA The Judeo-Christian God.

There are Chinese Jews whose ancestry dates back to Jewish traders on the silk road. They are known as the Kaifeng Jews. Most have left China for Israel now.

There are also plenty of Christians in China of the Protestant and Catholic varieties. However, the churches are basically run by the government, and the Chinese Catholic church does not recognize the Pope.

Oddly, in my experience, I found the Chinese Protestant church to be much less political compared to Baptist and other Protestant churches that I have visited in America.

上帝 is also the typically-used title for God in Japanese.

While you may find this term in old Korean dictionaries, it is an obscure and rarely-used title for God in modern Korean.


See Also:  Christianity | Jesus Christ

Allah / God of Islam

 zhēn zhǔ
Allah / God of Islam Scroll

真主 is how Chinese Muslims refer to God (it literally means “True Master”).

Oddly, in China, two different names for God have emerged. Even though Muslims, Christians, and Jews all worship the same God of Abraham.

In Arabic, the word Allah is just the Arabic way to say, God. Arab Christians pray to Allah, just like Arab Muslims. Somehow in China, the title of God diverged.

If you are curious, there are millions of Muslims throughout China but especially in the northwest portion of China known as Xinjiang. Here you will find descendants of Turkmen, Persian, Arab, and other ethnicities. Some are mixed with Han-Chinese blood; others appear to be pure Turkmen. Many have fair complexions, green eyes, and light hair but all are citizens of China. A visit to Xinjiang will shift your paradigm and blow away all of your stereotypes about what it means to be Chinese.

Goddess of Beauty / Beautiful Spirit

 měi shén
 mikami
Goddess of Beauty / Beautiful Spirit Scroll

In Chinese, 美神 means Goddess of Beauty.

The first character means beauty or beautiful.
The second character means spirit (can also mean god, goddess, or soul).
Some will use this as a short way to say, “Beautiful Spirit.”

This has a similar meaning in Japanese but is used more often as a female given name in Japan. As a Japanese given name, it can be pronounced Mikami, Mikan, or Binasu.

Goddess of Mercy and Compassion

 guān yīn
 kwun yum
 kan non
Goddess of Mercy and Compassion Scroll

觀音/観音 is the Buddhist deity known as the Goddess of Mercy or Bodhisattva of Compassion.

In Chinese, the proper name of this being is Guan Yin. There is some debate as to whether Guan Yin is female. The argument comes from some scripture that suggests Buddhist deities take on the male form. Others say that Guan Yin has no sex. And still, others are okay with the female representation of Guan Yin.

This bodhisattva is also known or Romanized in the following ways:
Mandarin Chinese: Guan Yin, Kuan Yin, Kwan Yin.
Japanese: Kannon, Kwannon.
Sanskrit: Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara.
Korean: Gwan-eum.
Vietnamese: Quan Âm.
Thai: Kuan Eim.
English: Bodhisattva of Mercy and Salvation, Goddess of Compassion, Buddha of Mercy, et al.

Note: The first character has a slight variation in Japanese. If your audience is specifically Japanese, you may want to select that version.


See Also:  Buddhism | Goddess | Namo Amitabha | Bodhisattva

Goddess of Mercy and Compassion

This is the long or more formal version of this title

 guān shì yīn
Goddess of Mercy and Compassion Scroll

觀世音 is the longer and perhaps more formal title for the Buddhist deity known as the Goddess of Mercy or Bodhisattva of Compassion.

The longer title of this bodhisattva is Romanized in the following ways:
Mandarin Chinese: Guanshi Yin, Kuan-shih Yin.
Japanese: Kanzeon.
Sanskrit: Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara.
Korean: Gwan-se-eum.
Vietnamese: Quan Thế Âm.
Thai: Prah Mae Kuan Eim.
English: Bodhisattva of Mercy and Salvation, Goddess of Compassion, Buddha of Mercy, et al.

Please view our more common and shorter version, “Guan Yin” before you make a decision. Also, note that the first character has a slight variation in Japanese. If your audience is specifically Japanese, you may want to select that version.


See Also:  Buddhism | Goddess

Goddess of Compassion

 guān yīn
 kan non
Goddess of Compassion Scroll

観音 is the specifically Japanese version of Bodhisattva of Compassion or Guan Yin.

In Japanese, this is pronounced Kannon and occasionally spelled Kwannon. The Chinese version is a bit more commonly seen in Asia. However, in Japanese, there is a slight variation with the first character.

Some time ago, a camera company in Japan named their company after this Buddhist deity. That camera company is still known as Canon (they chose a “C” instead of a “K” when they Romanized this name).

Goddess of Compassion

Long or more formal Japanese version of this title

 guān shì yīn
 kan ze on
Goddess of Compassion Scroll

観世音 is the more extended and more formal Japanese version of Bodhisattva of Compassion or Guan Yin.

In Japanese, this is pronounced Kanzeon. The Chinese version is a bit more common in Asia, but in Japanese, they use a slight variation of the first character. Choose this version only if your intended audience is specifically Japanese.

Golden Dragon

 jīn lóng
 kin ryuu
Golden Dragon Scroll

金龍 is the Chinese title for Golden Dragon.

The first character means gold, golden, or metal.

The second character is dragon.

This title has the same meaning in Japanese but is used mainly as a given name, Kinryu, or in reference to a certain kind of noodle soup in Japan.

Good Heart

A heart of kindness, benevolence, and virtuous intentions

 shàn xīn
 yoshinaka
Good Heart Scroll

善心 literally reads “Good Heart” but is used to refer to the ideas of kindness, benevolence, philanthropy, virtuous intentions, moral sense, and conscience.

Some will also translate this as the morality of mind (as the character for the heart is often used to mean mind).

In Japanese, this can be the given name Yoshinaka.

The Good Life / Beautiful Life

 měi hǎo de shēng huó
The Good Life / Beautiful Life Scroll

In Chinese, 美好的生活 means “Beautiful Life,” or “The Good Life.”

House of Good Fortune

 fú zhái
House of Good Fortune Scroll

福宅 is perhaps the Chinese equivalent of “This blessed house” or perhaps “home sweet home.”

This phrase literally means “Good fortune house” or “Good luck household.” It makes any Chinese person who sees it feel that good things happen in the home in which this calligraphy is hung.

Doing good is the greatest source of happiness

 wéi shàn zuì lè
Doing good is the greatest source of happiness Scroll

為善最樂 can be translated as “Doing good is the greatest source of happiness” or “doing good deeds brings the greatest joy.”

The origin is not known but is sometimes used in the context of Buddhism. However, this Chinese proverb or philosophy is a relatively mainstream idea of benevolence.

Ultimate Goodness of Water

Quote from Lao Tzu

 shàng shàn ruò shuǐ
Ultimate Goodness of Water Scroll

上善若水 is a quote that is sometimes presented as “Be like water.”

However, this is an ancient quote from the great philosopher Lao Tzu. It suggests that the ultimate goodness and purity (in the world) is water. Many take this as a suggestion to be like pure/good water.

Grace from Heaven / Grace from God

 tiān ēn
Grace from Heaven / Grace from God Scroll

天恩 is the deepest way to say “Heaven's Grace” or “God's Grace” in Chinese.

The first character means Heaven or sky (referring, in this case, to the domain of God).
The second character means grace, blessings, benevolence, favor/favour, acts of kindness, merits, or beneficial influence.

This title can also be defined as:
Blessings of Heaven, Favor of the Emperor, Divination's luckiest day, or blessings of nature. Note: When you see “Emperor” above, remember that the Emperor, like the Pope, is theoretically chosen by God or seen as an emissary or conduit of God in ancient Asian culture. It would only be read that way in a certain context, such as “The Emperor, in his mercy, bestowed upon him Heaven's Grace, and the prisoner was set free.”


Note: Technically, this is a Japanese word too (pronounced "ten-on") but it’s rarely used in Japan anymore. Therefore, this title is best if your audience is Chinese.

The Great Wall of China

 cháng chéng
 chou jou
The Great Wall of China Scroll

長城 is the Chinese name for the Great Wall.

Built at the northern border of China to protect from Mongol attack.


Notes:
In Japanese, this can be a surname Nagaki. Japanese often use a longer title for the Great Wall of China.
In Korean, this refers to Changsŏng (a city in Changsŏng-kun county, Chŏllanam-to province).

Green Dragon / Blue Dragon

 qīng lóng
 sei ryū
Green Dragon / Blue Dragon Scroll

靑龍 is a title that can mean blue or green dragon.

The first character can mean blue, green, azure, or celadon.

The second character means dragon.


This is mostly a Chinese title (especially in Buddhism). It will be understood but less commonly used in Japanese and Korean.

Grim Reaper / God of Death

 sǐ shén
 shinigami
Grim Reaper / God of Death Scroll

死神 is the title of the mythological figure (often called the Grim Reaper in western culture) in charge of taking the souls of those who die.

This title can be translated directly as “god of death” or “spirit of death.” The first character literally means “death,” and the second means “spirit” or “god.”

死神 is a very strange title for a calligraphy wall scroll. I'm not even sure if my calligraphers will write it, as it has some bad superstitious feelings attached to it.

Guandi: God of War

 Guān dì
 kan tei
Guandi: God of War Scroll

關帝 is the title, Guandi, the God of War, a deified hero of the Three Kingdoms, and a protector of Buddhism.

Guan Gong / Warrior Saint

 guān gōng
Guan Gong / Warrior Saint Scroll

關公 is a Chinese title, Guan Gong, that means Lord Guan (The warrior saint of ancient China).

Guan Gong Warrior Saint While his real name was Guan Yu / 關羽, he is commonly known by the title of Guan Gong (關公).

Some Chinese soldiers still pray to Guan Gong for protection. They would especially do this before going into battle. Statues of Guan Gong are seen throughout China.

Guan Shi Yin: Protector Of Life

 guān shì yīn
 kanzeon
Guan Shi Yin: Protector Of Life Scroll

觀世音 is an alternate title for Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion or Goddess of Mercy.

觀世音 is the Buddhist bestower of children, the protector of life and all in distress (especially of those at sea).

Hachiman: God of War

 hachi man jin
Hachiman: God of War Scroll

八幡神 is the Japanese God of War.

He is often known by the short name “Hachiman.” This version has the “God” title “jin” at the end, completing the idea of “God of War.”

Hiding in the Leaves - Hagakure

 hagakure
Hiding in the Leaves - Hagakure Scroll

葉隠れ is the Japanese word hagakure, which means “hidden in the leaves.”

葉隠れ is also used as a semi-idiom to mean “doing good deeds without calling attention to oneself.”

In Flowers the Cherry Blossom, In Men the Samurai

 hana wa sakuragi hito wa bushi
In Flowers the Cherry Blossom, In Men the Samurai Scroll

This Japanese proverb simply reads, “[In] Flowers it's Cherry Blossoms, [In] Men it's Warriors.”

花は櫻木人は武士 is meant to say that of all the flowers in the world, the cherry blossom is the best. And of all men in the world, the Samurai or Warrior is the best

This proverb has been around for a long time. It's believed to have been composed sometime before the Edo Period in Japan (which started in 1603).

Some will drop one syllable and pronounce this, “hana wa sakura hito wa bushi.” That's “sakura” instead of “sakuragi,” which is like saying “cherry blossom” instead of “cherry tree.”


The third character was traditionally written as 櫻. But in modern Japan, that became 桜. You may still see 櫻 used from time to time on older pieces of calligraphy. We can do either one, so just make a special request if you want 櫻.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

The Hawaiian Islands

 xià wēi yí dǎo
The Hawaiian Islands Scroll

夏威夷島 is how to write “The Hawaiian Islands” or “The Island of Hawaii” in Mandarin Chinese.

The island character in this title can be singular or plural.

Heart / Mind / Spirit

 xīn
 kokoro
 
Heart / Mind / Spirit Scroll

心 would often be translated as “heart.”

However, because it was believed in Chinese culture for thousands of years that your consciousness and thoughts came from the big red organ in the middle of your chest, it also means “mind” or “spirit” and sometimes even “soul.”

In Korean, beyond heart, mind, and spirit, this character can mean moral, nature, mind, affections, intentions, core, and center. In fact, it is used in Chinese to mean “center” as well but only with another character in front of it. For instance, “medical center” or even “shopping center.” Separately and alone, it will not be read with that “center” meaning unless thought of as “the center of your soul.”

Heaven Blesses the Diligent

 tiān dào chóu qín
Heaven Blesses the Diligent Scroll

天道酬勤 can be interpreted in a few different ways:
God blesses those who work hard.
It is the way of Heaven to smile on the diligent.
God will reward those that are worthy.
Heaven blesses those who are diligent.

Whichever translation you like, a scroll like this on your wall may serve as a reminder to work hard because your diligence will pay off both in this life and the next.


Note: This can be pronounced in Korean, but it's not a commonly used term.

Warrior of Heaven

 tiān lì shì
 ten riki shi
Warrior of Heaven Scroll

天力士 means “Heavenly Warrior,” or “Hero of Heaven,” in Chinese, old Korean, and Japanese.

Often used in a Buddhist context.

Heijoshin / Presence of Mind

 píng cháng xīn
 hei jou shin
Heijoshin / Presence of Mind Scroll

平常心 is the title Heijoshin, as associated with Kendo and Aikido schools of Japanese martial arts.

平常心 is also a word in Japanese that can be translated as “one's self-possession” or “presence of mind.”

In Chinese and Korean, this means “simplicity heart,” “composure,” “calmness,” or a “sense of orderliness.” In Chinese and Korean, this implies that you enjoy what you have, keep your heart in balance, and have no over-blown ambitions.

Hell / Judges of Hell

Ancient way to say Hell

 yīn sī
Hell / Judges of Hell Scroll

陰司 is the ancient way to say “Hell” or “Netherworld” in Chinese.

This title can also refer to the officials of Hell or the judges of Hades or the Netherworld.

Please note that this is a somewhat terrible selection for a wall scroll. Hanging this in your home is like telling the world that your home is hell. Oddly, a lot of people search for this on my website, so I added it for reference.

Hell / Kingdom of the Underworld

 yīn cáo dì fǔ
Hell / Kingdom of the Underworld Scroll

陰曹地府 can mean Hell, Hades, Kingdom of the Underworld, or the Netherworld.

When Chinese people talk about Hell, this is usually the term they use. Please note that this is a somewhat oral and informal word.

This is a really weird selection for a wall scroll, so consider this for educational purposes only.

Woman of Strong Character / Woman Hero

 nǚ jié
 joketsu
Woman of Strong Character / Woman Hero Scroll

女傑 can mean brave woman, heroine, lady of character, distinguished woman, outstanding woman, and sometimes prominent woman.

Some people might use this to give a title to women like Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, Queen Elizabeth the First, Joan of Arc, Mulan Fa, Yevdokiya Nikolayevna Zavaliy, Harriet Tubman, Anne Frank, Clara Barton, and Jane Eyre.

I use it for a woman like Araceli Segarra (the first woman from Spain to climb Mt. Everest) and gave one of my daughters the middle name of Araceli.

Heroic Spirit

 yīng qì
Heroic Spirit Scroll

英氣 is a way to write heroic spirit in Chinese.

This may be an arrogant thing to hang on your wall.

Heroic Spirit / Great Ambition

 xióng xīn
 yuushin
Heroic Spirit / Great Ambition Scroll

雄心 are the Chinese characters and Japanese Kanji for great ambition, lofty aspiration, or heroic spirit.

Heroic Spirit / Heroism

 háo qì
Heroic Spirit / Heroism Scroll

豪氣 is heroic spirit or heroism in Chinese and old Korean Hanja.

This might come across as a bit arrogant to hang on your wall.

Hidden Dragon Crouching Tiger

Undiscovered persons of exceptional ability

 cáng lóng wò hǔ
Hidden Dragon Crouching Tiger Scroll

The meaning of 藏龍臥虎 is that both the tiger and dragon have amazing talents, but if they are out of view, you may not have discovered them.

This old Chinese idiom/proverb is appropriate for someone with an amazing ability that keeps that ability hidden.

You might think this title is in reverse, but actually, this is the original Chinese proverb.
The movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, popularized this alternate version.

Holy Spirit / Holy Ghost

 shèng líng
 sei rei
Holy Spirit / Holy Ghost Scroll

聖靈 is the title for the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost as used by Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant (and other Christian) Chinese people.

And yes, Chinese Jews do exist, but there are not many of them.

The first character means Holy, Sacred, Saint, or Sage. The second means ghost, spirit, efficacious, or intelligence.

This is valid in Chinese characters and old Korean Hanja. This will be recognized in Japan but see the note below...


霊 In modern Japan, they now use a variant/simplified Kanji of the second character of Holy Spirit. If you want this Japanese version, click on the Kanji to the right instead of the button above.

Feel at Ease Anywhere / The World is My Home

 sì hǎi wéi jiā
Feel at Ease Anywhere / The World is My Home Scroll

四海為家 literally reads, “Four Seas Serve-As [my/one's] Home.”

Together, 四海 which literally means “four seas” is understood to mean “the whole world” or “the seven seas.” It's presumed to be an ancient word from back when only four seas were known - so it equates to the modern English term, “seven seas.”

This can be translated or understood in a few different ways:
To regard the four corners of the world all as home.
To feel at home anywhere.
To roam about unconstrained.
To consider the entire country, or the world, to be one's own.

Home of the Black Dragon

 hēi lóng zhī jiā
Home of the Black Dragon Scroll

黑龍之家 was added by special request of a customer. This phase is natural in Chinese, but it is not a common or ancient title.

The first character is black.
The second is dragon.
The third is a possessive modifier (like making “dragon” into “dragon's”).
The fourth character means home (but in some context can mean “family” - however, here it would generally be understood as “home”).

Home of the Dragon

 lóng zhī jiā
Home of the Dragon Scroll

Added by special request of a customer. This phase is natural in Chinese, but it is not a common or ancient title.

The first character is dragon.
The second is a possessive modifier (like making “dragon” into “dragon's”).
The third character means home (but in some context can mean “family” - however, here, it would generally be understood as “home”).

Home of the Auspicious Golden Dragon

 jīn ruì xiáng lóng zhī jiā
Home of the Auspicious Golden Dragon Scroll

This 金瑞祥龍之家 or “home golden auspicious dragon” title was added by special request of a customer.

The first character means gold or golden.
The second and third characters hold the meaning of auspiciousness and good luck.
The fourth character is dragon.
The fifth is a possessive modifier (like making “dragon” into “dragon's”).
The last character means home (but in some context can mean “family” - however, here it would generally be understood as “home”).

Note: The word order is different than the English title because of grammar differences between English and Chinese. This phrase sounds very natural in Chinese in this character order. If written in the English word order, it would sound very strange and lose its impact in Chinese.


Note: Korean pronunciation is included above, but this has not been reviewed by a Korean translator.

Home is where the heart is

 jiā yóu xīn shēng
Home is where the heart is Scroll

家由心生 is an old Chinese proverb that is roughly equal to the English idiom “Home is where the heart is.”

If you know Chinese, you may recognize the first character as home and the third as the heart.

Book of Hosea

 hé xī ā shū
Book of Hosea Scroll

何西阿書 is how to write the book of Hosea from the Bible in Mandarin Chinese.

House of Red Delights

 yí hóng yuàn
House of Red Delights Scroll

怡紅院 is from “The Story of the Stone” by Cao Xueqin.

For some reason, this phrase was translated as “House of Green Delights” when the novel was published in English. The translator took some liberties and believed that “green” had a more positive feel than red to a western audience. Therefore, the phrase shown to the right is “House of Red Delights” (which is the most original and correct way).

The Whole Room Rocks With Laughter

The perfect scroll if you love humor or as a gift for the comedian in your life

 hōng tāng dà xiào
The Whole Room Rocks With Laughter Scroll

In China, 哄堂大笑 is a proverb that is used in response to a good joke or witty comment.

The story goes that Mr. Feng and Mr. He were both senior officials in the Song Dynasty (about a thousand years ago). One day, Mr. Feng walked into their shared office wearing a new pair of boots. The boots caught the eye of Mr. He who said, “New boots! - how much were they?.” Mr. Feng lifted one of the boots off the ground as if to show it off and responded, “900 coins.”
Astonished, Mr. Feng explained, “900? How can that be? - I paid 1800 coins for my boots!.” Mr. Feng then lifted his other foot off the ground and said, “This boot was also 900 coins.”

It is said that the whole room was shaking from the laughter of all that heard Mr. Feng's joke on Mr. He.

Even The 100-Foot Bamboo Can Grow One More Foot

 bǎi chǐ gān tóu gèng jìng yī bù
Even The 100-Foot Bamboo Can Grow One More Foot Scroll

百尺竿头更进一步 is a proverb that literally translates as: [Even a] one-hundred foot [tall] bamboo [can] progress even one [more] step.

Figuratively, this means: After having achieved a fair degree of success, one should try to do still better.

The Book of Changes / I Ching

 yì jīng
The Book of Changes / I Ching Scroll

易經 is the Chinese title for “The Book of Changes,” also known as “I Ching” or “Yi Jing.”

The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering

 huò dé yǒng shēng de yào shí shì xiān yào huó dé jīng cǎi
The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering Scroll

獲得永生的鑰匙是先要活得精彩 is a famous quote from Bruce Lee.

However, when quoted, he was speaking in English. So this is a translation of his English quote into Chinese. Since Bruce spoke both Chinese and English, his quotes sometimes go both ways.

Impartial and Fair to the Brotherhood and Sisterhood of the World

 yí shì tóng rén
 isshidoujin
Impartial and Fair to the Brotherhood and Sisterhood of the World Scroll

一視同仁 is how to write “universal benevolence.” This is also how to express the idea that you see all people the same.

If you are kind and charitable to everyone, this is the best way to state that virtue. It is the essence of being impartial to all mankind, regardless of social standing, background, race, sex, etc. You do not judge others, but instead, you see them eye to eye on the same level as you.


See Also:  Benevolence | Compassion | Equality | Justice | Right Decision | Selflessness | Work Unselfishly for the Common

The incompetent boat pilot blames the river for his shortcomings

 bù huì chēng chuán lài hé wān
The incompetent boat pilot blames the river for his shortcomings Scroll

不會撐船賴河灣 literally translates as: [One who] cannot steer the boat blames the bends in the river.

Figuratively, this means: One who is incompetent always tries to shift the blame elsewhere.
This is similar to the English idiom, “a poor workman/craftsman blames his tools.”

Independent Spirit / Independent Heart

 dokuritsushin
Independent Spirit / Independent Heart Scroll

獨立心 means independent spirit or independent heart in Japanese.

The first two characters mean independent or independence. The third character means spirit, heart, or mind.

獨立心 is a Japanese term, although Chinese people could guess the meaning (the characters make sense individually in Chinese but are not often used this way). Also, the first character would be written 獨 in Traditional Chinese versus 独 which is the Simplified Chinese and modern Japanese version.

Independent Spirit

 dú lì jīng shén
Independent Spirit Scroll

獨立精神 means independent spirit in Chinese.

The first two characters mean independent, independence, or to stand alone.

The last two characters mean spirit, spiritual, vigor, vitality, drive, mind, consciousness, thought, essence, heart, or soul.

With this information, you can make your translation combination such as “independent heart,” “stand-alone spirit,” or more creatively, “the drive to stand alone” in English. There are a lot of ways to interpret 獨立精神.

Indomitable Spirit

Korean Only

 bǎi shé bù qū
Indomitable Spirit Scroll

百折不屈 is a Korean proverb that means “indomitable spirit,” at least, that is the way it is commonly translated in martial arts circles (Taekwondo, Hapkido, etc.).

The literal translation is “[one] hundred [times] broken [still] don't succumb.”
Or more naturally translated, “Even if attacked/beaten one hundred times, still be undaunted/indomitable.”

Notes:
Some will say this is one long word rather than a proverb.
This is also a proverb/word in Chinese though rarely used in modern times.

Inner Beauty / Beauty of Spirit

 nèi zài měi
Inner Beauty / Beauty of Spirit Scroll

內在美 is a title that speaks of beauty on the inside.

It's not about outward or physical beauty but rather the inner beauty possessed by someone. This can also be translated as “beauty of spirit.”

A Life of Serenity Yields Understanding

 dàn bó yǐ míng zhì, níng jìng ér zhì yuǎn
A Life of Serenity Yields Understanding Scroll

淡泊以明志寧靜而致遠 is a kind of complex ten-character proverb composed by Zhuge Liang about 1800 years ago.

This is a Chinese proverb that means “Leading a simple life will yield a clear mind, and having inner peace will help you see far (into the world).”

What I have translated as “simple life” means NOT being materialistic and NOT competing in the rat race.

The last word means “far” but the deeper meaning is that you will surpass what you can currently see or understand. Perhaps even the idea of opening up vast knowledge and understanding of complex ideas.

The whole phrase has a theme that suggests if you are NOT an aggressive cut-throat person who fights his way to the top no matter how many people he crushes on the way, and instead seek inner peace, you will have a happier existence and be more likely to understand the meaning of life.


See Also:  Serenity

 nèi xīn píng jìng
 naishin heizyou
Inner Peace Scroll

內心平靜 is a Chinese and Japanese phrase that is a direct translation of the western idea of inner peace.

The first two characters contain the idea of “heart,” “innermost being,” or “deep in the/your inner mind.”

The last two characters mean “tranquil” and “serene.”

I have seen this phrase used as “inner peace” for art prints and even on the side of coffee cups. But I think the translation is too literal. It feels like a direct translation from English rather than a nicely composed Chinese or Japanese phrase. See my other entries for “inner peace.”


See Also:  Serenity | Simplicity | Peace

Three Treasures of Chinese Medicine

 jīng qì shén
Three Treasures of Chinese Medicine Scroll

精, 氣, 神 are the characters jing, qi, and shen.

As a set, these three characters are known in English as the treasures of traditional Chinese medicine, the treasures of Qi Gong, or the three treasures of Taoism / Daoism.

Sometimes this set is titled 三寶 (sānbǎo) or “three treasures,” but here, we're writing each treasure out.

Here's how these characters are perceived in this context...
Jing: nutritive essence; refined; perfected; pure
Qi: vitality; energy; force; breath; vigor
Shen: spirit; soul; mind; being

To keep it simple, you can use “essence, vitality, and spirit” to define these.

It is the Journey, Not the Destination

 shì lǚ tú bú shì mù dì
It is the Journey, Not the Destination Scroll

是旅途不是目的 is the English proverb, “It's the journey, not the destination,” translated into Chinese.

The Destination is Nothing Without the Journey

 bù jīng lǚ tú bù chéng mù dì
The Destination is Nothing Without the Journey Scroll

不經旅途不成目的 is the English proverb, “The destination is nothing without the journey,” translated into Chinese.

A Journey of 1000 Miles Begins with a Single Step

 qiān lǐ zhī xíng shǐ yú zú xià
A Journey of 1000 Miles Begins with a Single Step Scroll

千里之行始於足下 is a Chinese proverb that means “a thousand-mile journey begins with the first step.”

This proverb figuratively means “big accomplishments come from an accumulation of little achievements made one by one.”

Through the Ups and Downs of Life

 tóng gān gòng kǔ
Through the Ups and Downs of Life Scroll

同甘共苦 is a Chinese proverb that talks of “shared delights and common hardships.”

This can be translated and understood in a few different ways, including...
To share life's joys and sorrows.
For better or for worse.
Through joys and sorrows of life.
Through all life's ups and downs.
To go through thick and thin.
To stick together through thick and thin.
To share the joys and sorrows of life.
To share pleasures and pains.
To partake in each other's joys and sorrows.
To take “for better or for worse.”

One Justice Can Overpower 100 Evils

 yī zhèng yā bǎi xié
One Justice Can Overpower 100 Evils Scroll

一正压百邪 is an ancient Chinese proverb and idiom that means “One Justice Can Overpower a Hundred Evils.”

While this proverb is famous in China, it has been around so long that its origins have been forgotten.

It could be something that Confucius or one of his disciples said, but no one can say for sure.

Safety and Well-Being of the Family

Kanai Anzen

 ka nai an zen
Safety and Well-Being of the Family Scroll

家內安全 is the Japanese way of saying “Family First.”

It's a Japanese proverb about the safety and well-being of your family and/or peace and prosperity in the household.

Some Japanese will hang an amulet in their home with these Kanji. The purpose is to keep your family safe from harm.

According to Shinto followers, hanging this in your home is seen as an invocation to God to always keep family members free from harm.

We were looking for a way to say “family first” in Japanese when this proverb came up in the conversation and research. While it doesn't say “family first,” it shows that the safety and well-being of your family is your first or most important priority. So, this proverb is the most natural way to express the idea that you put your family first.


See Also:  Peace and Prosperity

 kōng shǒu dào
 kara te dou
Karate-Do Scroll

The literal meaning of 空手道 is “empty hand method” or “empty hand way.”

Credit is given that karate started in China but migrated and became refined and vastly popular in Japan.

Karate is a martial art that uses no blades or weapons other than the “natural weapons” God gave to humans (fists and feet). The last character somehow became optional, but the meaning of that character is “method” or “the way” as in Taoism / Daoism.

Karate-Do reached Korea, where it is known as 공수도 which can be romanized as “Kong Soo Do” or “Gong Su Do.”

The Karma/Fate/Destiny that Brings Lovers Together

 yīn yuán
The Karma/Fate/Destiny that Brings Lovers Together Scroll

姻緣 means “Destiny that brings lovers together.” It can also be translated technically as “Predestined matrimonial affinity” (wow, talk about taking the romance out of this word - that was from the Oxford C-E dictionary).

This speaks to the fate (or karma) that brings a husband and wife together. I would translate this as “Together by fate” or “Joined by destiny” but in the context of marriage. You could use this for non-married lovers, but the first character has a suggestion that this refers to those that are married.

Shadow of Karma / Dogged by Karma

 yè yǐng
 gou you
Shadow of Karma / Dogged by Karma Scroll

業影 is a Buddhist title that literally means “Karma Shadow.”

It figuratively means karma dogging one's steps like a shadow.

It's similar to the western idea of “karma is a bitch.”

Karma (of your past lives)

 sù yè
 shukugou
Karma (of your past lives) Scroll

宿業 is the Buddhist concept of Past Karma. Simply put, it's the sum of all the good and bad from all previous lives (perhaps earlier in your current life). This term is not commonly used outside of the Buddhist faith (you'll have a tough time finding a non-Buddhist Asian person that knows this word).

Other ways to translate this are “The karma of previous existence,” “The karma remaining from prior existences,” or simply “Former karma.”


See Also:  Buddhism

Kendo / The Way of the Sword

 jiàn dào
 kendou
Kendo / The Way of the Sword Scroll

Often associated with Kenjutsu, 剱道/劍道 means “The way of the sword” in Japanese (and Korean with an alternate form of the first character).
This is also the term used for swordsmanship and even fencing in Japanese and Korean, depending on context.

Note: These same characters are also used separately in Chinese, but this exact combination yields a common title in Japanese only (perhaps someone who is really into swords would use this in China).

Note: There is more than one way to write the “sword” character (shown above is the Japanese version - if you want the Korean version, please let me know when you place your order).


See Also:  Sword | Katana

Kempo Karate / Law of the Fist Empty Hand

 kōng shǒu quán fǎ
 kara te ken pou
Kempo Karate / Law of the Fist Empty Hand Scroll

空手拳法 is the Kanji title for Kempo Karate.

The first two characters mean “karate” - technically they express “empty hand.”

The last two express “fist law” which is Romanized from Japanese as “Kenpo” or “Kempo.”

That “empty hand” translation can be understood better when you grasp the idea that karate is a martial art without weapons (other than the weapons organic to your body, such as your foot, hand, fist, etc). When you practice karate, you do so with empty hands (no weapons).

Note: There is also an antiquated way to write karate. It has the same pronunciation but a different first character which means “Tang” as in the Tang Dynasty. Some dojos use that form - let us know if you need that alternate form, and we'll add it.

Kingdom of Heaven

 tiān guó
 tengoku
Kingdom of Heaven Scroll

天國 is the very Christian way to refer to the “Kingdom of Heaven” in Chinese, old Korean, and Japanese. 天國 is also the translation for “paradise.”

The first character means “Heaven.” The second character means “kingdom” but, in modern times, has been extended to mean “country” (but no one will translate this particular character combination as “Heaven Country”). 天國 is the ancient version of this word, as in modern times (after WWII), the second character was simplified in mainland China and Japan.

Hunt Foxes with Stealth, Hunt Wolves in the Open

 àn dǎ hú li míng dǎ láng
Hunt Foxes with Stealth, Hunt Wolves in the Open Scroll

闇打狐狸明打狼 is a Chinese proverb that translates as: Hunt foxes stealthily, [and] hunt wolves openly [just as they do].

Figuratively, this means:
Different opponents require different appropriate strategies.

This is a suggestion that you should know your enemy and know that each enemy is different, therefore requires a specialized approach (attack).


See Also:  Art of War Military

Perception of Knowledge

 zhī shi
 chishiki
Perception of Knowledge Scroll

知識 has the very strong meaning of “knowledge” and, in some contexts, “learning.”

The first character represents “to know” or “to realize.”

The second character alone refers to the ability to “recognize” or “realize” and can also be used to mean “knowing.”


See Also:  Wisdom | Learn From Wisdom

Kowtow - The deepest bow

 kòu tóu
 koutou
Kowtow - The deepest bow Scroll

叩頭 is the term that seems to be known worldwide as kowtow.

In Japanese and Chinese, it simply means a deep bow, especially one so low that one's head touches the ground in submission. However, in western culture, it has sometimes come to mean “giving in” or “surrendering to someone else's will.” Sometimes even said of a person who stoops to flattery at the expense of their dignity.

I don't know if you would really want this on a wall scroll, but enough people have searched for this term on our website that I guess it was time to add it. It just feels strange to see such a word on a wall scroll, so please order with caution. 叩頭 is antiquated in both Japanese and Chinese. The act is seldom done anymore and is seen as an ancient ritual.

Laughing Dragon Kung Fu

 xiào lóng gōng fu
Laughing Dragon Kung Fu Scroll

笑龍功夫 is the title for a Martial Arts studio (custom-made at by request of the owner of the studio).

Law of the Fist Karate / Kempo Karate

 quán fǎ táng shǒu
 ken pou kara te
Law of the Fist Karate / Kempo Karate Scroll

The first two characters mean “fist law” which is Romanized from Japanese as “Kenpo” or “Kempo.”

The last two are a secondary way to express “karate.”

Notes:
The more common way to express “karate” is literally “empty hand” (meaning “without weapons in your hand”). This version would be translated literally as “Tang hand” (as in the Tang Dynasty) or “China hand” (sometimes “Tang” means “China” in Japanese). Even though the character for “Tang” is used instead of “empty,” it's still pronounced “kara-te” in Japanese.

拳法唐手 is not commonly used in China - so please consider it to be a Japanese-only title.

Many Japanese people will say the last two Kanji are the old and antiquated way of saying Karate. This fact does not stop this title from existing, as these four characters are often seen in Kenpo / Kempo Dojos around the western world.

A Life of Happiness and Prosperity

 xìng fú chéng gōng de yì shēng
A Life of Happiness and Prosperity Scroll

幸福成功的一生 means “A life of happiness and prosperity” or “A life of happiness and success.”

It's a very positive and inspirational wall scroll selection.


See Also:  Prosperity

Life Full of Love

 chōng mǎn ài de shēng huó
Life Full of Love Scroll

充滿沖愛的生活 is the Chinese way to say “life full of love,” “life brimming with love,” or “life overflowing with love.”

Life of Love

 ài qíng shēng huó
 aijyou seikatsu
Life of Love Scroll

愛情生活 is the Chinese proverb for “Loving Life.” Some also translate this as “[your] Loving Life” or “Life full of Love.”

This is about being a loving person (to your spouse and/or family) during your life. This is not the same as loving the state of being alive - not “love of living” but rather “being a loving person during your life.”


Note: Korean pronunciation is included above, though use of this proverb in Korean has not been verified.

This proverb can be understood in Japanese but it’s primarily a Chinese proverb (it will "feel" Chinese to a Japanese person).

Lingering Mind

Zanshin

 cán xīn
 zan shin
Lingering Mind Scroll

First off, 殘心 should only be used in the context of Japanese martial arts. In Chinese, it's a rather sad title (like a broken heart). In Chinese, the first character alone means destroyed, spoiled, ruined, injured, cruel, oppressive, savage, incomplete, or disabled. However, in Japanese, it's remainder, leftover, balance, or lingering.
The second character means heart, mind, soul, or essence in both languages.

殘心 is one of the five spirits of the warrior (budo) and is often used as a Japanese martial arts tenet. Under that context, places such as the Budo Dojo define it this way: The spirit of zanshin is the state of the remaining or lingering spirit. It is often described as a sustained and heightened state of awareness and mental follow-through. However, true zanshin is a state of focus or concentration before, during, and after the execution of a technique, where a link or connection between uke and nage is preserved. Zanshin is the state of mind that allows us to stay spiritually connected, not only to a single attacker but to multiple attackers and even an entire context; a space, a time, an event.


残In modern Japan (and Simplified Chinese), they use a different version of the first character, as seen to the right. Click on this character to the right instead of the button above if you want this modern Japanese version of lingering mind / zanshin.

Listen to Both Sides and be Enlightened, Listen to One Side and be in the Dark

 jiān tīng zé míng, piān tīng zé àn
Listen to Both Sides and be Enlightened, Listen to One Side and be in the Dark Scroll

兼聽則明偏聽則暗 is an ancient Chinese proverb about getting all the information from all sides so that you truly understand a situation.

Wei Zheng

Wei Zheng

A man named Wei Zheng lived between 580-643 AD. He was a noble and wise historian and minister in the court of the early Tang Dynasty. The emperor once asked him, “What should an emperor do to understand the real-world situation, and what makes an emperor out-of-touch with reality?”

Wei Zheng replied, “Listen to both sides and you will be enlightened; listen to only one side and you will be left in the dark.”

Then Wei Zheng went on to cite examples of leaders in history that were victorious after heeding both sides of the story, and other leaders that met their doom because they believed one-sided stories which often came from flattering lips.

Please note that there is an unwritten rule when the same character appears twice in the same phrase, the calligrapher will alter the appearance so that no two characters are exactly alike in the same piece. This calligraphy has two repeating characters that will be written differently than they appear here.

Little Dragon

 xiǎo lóng
Little Dragon Scroll

小龍 literally means “little dragon” or “young dragon.”

小龍 is often used as a given name in Chinese.

In fact, Bruce Lee's real given name is “Little Dragon.”


See Also:  Bruce Lee

Live For The Day

 huó zài jīn tiān
Live For The Day Scroll

活在今天 is not an eastern concept, so it does not translate into a phrase that seems natural on a wall scroll.

However, if this is your philosophy, the characters shown here do capture your idea of living for today or living in the moment. 活在今天 says “Live in today,” and they are grammatically correct in Chinese.


Note: This kind of makes sense in Korean Hanja but the grammar is Chinese, so it’s not that natural in Korean.

Live Laugh Love

 xiào ài shēng huó
Live Laugh Love Scroll

In English, the word order shown in the title is the most natural or popular. In Chinese, the natural order is a little different:

The first character means laugh (sometimes means smile).

The second character means love.

The last two characters mean “live” as in “to be alive” or “pursue life.”

Please note: 笑愛生活 is not a normal phrase in that it does not have a subject, verb, or object. It is a word list. Word lists are not common in Asian languages/grammar (at least not as normal as in English). We only added this entry because so many people requested it.

We put the characters in the order shown above, as it almost makes a single word with the meaning “A life of laughter and love.” It's a made-up word, but it sounds good in Chinese.


We removed the Japanese pronunciation guide from this entry, as the professional Japanese translator deemed it "near nonsense" from a Japanese perspective. Choose this only if your audience is Chinese and you want the fewest-possible characters to express this idea.

In Korean, this would be 소애생활 or "so ae saeng hwar" but I have not confirmed that this makes sense in Korean.

Live Without Regret

 shēng ér wú huǐ
Live Without Regret Scroll

生而無悔 is how to say “live without regrets” in Mandarin Chinese.


Note: There is some debate about whether this makes sense in Japanese. It would be read, "nama ji mu ke," and be understood in Japanese. But, a Japanese person will probably think it’s Chinese (not Japanese).


See Also:  Live for Today

Longing for Lover

 sī liàn
Longing for Lover Scroll

思戀 is a term used for when you miss a lover.

It suggests that you are separated (not by choice) and have longed for each other. It's a strong feeling of missing your lover.

The LORD is my Shepherd

 yē hé huá shì wǒ de mù zhě
The LORD is my Shepherd Scroll

耶和華是我的牧者 is the first line from Psalms 23 straight out of the Chinese Union Bible.

This reads, “The LORD is my shepherd,” or “Jehovah is my shepherd.”

The character breakdown:
耶和華 = Jehovah (most English Bibles translate as LORD or God). This Chinese title is meant to sound a bit like the original Hebrew YHWH or Yahweh.
是 = is.
我的 = my.
牧者 = shepherd.

 ài
 ai
 
Love Scroll

愛 universally means love in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, old Korean Hanja, and old Vietnamese.

愛 is one of the most recognized Asian symbols in the West and is often seen on tee shirts, coffee mugs, tattoos, and more.

愛 can also be defined as affection, to be fond of, to like, or to be keen on. It often refers to romantic love, and is found in phrases like, “I love you.” But in Chinese, one can say, “I love that movie” using this character as well.

This can also be a pet name or part of a pet name in the way we say “dear” or “honey” in English.

This can be a girl’s name “Ai” in both Chinese and Japanese.


More about this character:

This may be hard to imagine as a westerner but the strokes at the top of this love character symbolize family & marriage.

心The symbol in the middle is a little easier to identify. It is the character for "heart" (it can also mean "mind" or "soul"). I guess you can say that no matter if you are from the East or the West, you must put your heart into your love.

友The strokes at the bottom create a modified character that means "friend" or "friendship."

I suppose you could say that the full meaning of this love character is to love your family, spouse, and friends with all of your heart, since all three elements exist in this character.


See Also:  I Love You | Caring | Benevolence | Friendliness | Double Happiness Happy Marriage Wall Scroll

Love the Flower, Love the Pot also

Love Me, Love My Dog

 ài huā lián pén ài ài nǚ téng nǚ xù
Love the Flower, Love the Pot also Scroll

This proverb, 爱花连盆爱爱女疼女婿, literally translates as “If one loves a flower, [one will] love its pot; [if one really] loves [one's] daughter, [one will also] love [one's] son-in-law.”

Figuratively, is similar to the English proverbs:
Love me, love my dog.
Love for a person extends even to the crows on his roof.

Love the House and Its Crow

 ài wū jí wū
Love the House and Its Crow Scroll

愛屋及烏 is the Chinese idiom, “Love the house and its crow.”

It speaks to the fact that if you are involved in a relationship with somebody, you are also in a relationship with everyone connected to that person. In English, we say, “Love me, love my dog.”

Love Gems / Fruit of Love / Children

 ainokesshou
Love Gems / Fruit of Love / Children Scroll

愛の結晶 is a Japanese word that means the crystals or gems of love.

Figuratively, it means the treasures you create with your love (namely, your children). Some will translate this as “fruit of love.”
It's also kind of a nickname for your beloved children.

Pledge of Lifelong Love

 qíng dìng zhōng shēn
Pledge of Lifelong Love Scroll

情定終身 is a pledge of eternal love in Chinese.

This can also be a colloquial way to refer to the act of exchanging marriage vows.

If you and your mate want to express how committed you are to your life-long love, this will be a great piece of calligraphy for your wall. Also, a nice phrase to celebrate an anniversary.

Man of Character

 dà zhàng fu
 dai jou bu
Man of Character Scroll

大丈夫 is a Chinese, Korean, and Japanese title that means a manly man, a man of character, a great man, or a fine figure of a man.

In Japanese, this can also be used to mean safe, all right, alright, OK, sure, or “no problem.” Used in Japanese for something that is undoubted or very acceptable.

Month of March

Third Month of the Year

 sān yuè
 mitsuki / sangatsu
Month of March Scroll

三月 is the Chinese, Japanese, and Chinese way to write the month of March.

This literally reads as “third month” or “third moon.”

Marine

Amphibious Warrior

 hǎi jūn lù zhàn duì yuán
Marine Scroll

海軍陸戰隊員 is the Chinese way to express “Marine.” (as in a member of the Marine Corps). It is not country-specific, so it could be the Royal Marines, U.S. Marines, Chinese Marines, etc.
In Australian English, they would translate this as “Naval Infantryman.”

Breaking down each character this means:
“ocean/sea military/arms shore/land fighting/war/battle corps/team/group person/member.” Note that the first two characters are presented together but outside of this phrase mean “navy” (sea military).


See Also:  Warrior | Military | Navy | Art of War

The Planet Mars

 huǒ xīng
 kasei / kase
The Planet Mars Scroll

火星 is the Japanese Kanji, old Korean Hanja, and Chinese title for the planet Mars.

The characters literally mean “fire star” or “spark.”

Martial Morality / Martial Arts Ethics / Virtue

 wǔ dé
 bu to ku
Martial Morality / Martial Arts Ethics / Virtue Scroll

This refers to the virtue, morality, and ethics that any practitioner of martial arts should possess.

This can be used in both Chinese and Japanese in place of English terms such as “soldierly virtue,” “good conduct” (military), “warrior ethics,” and being honorable regarding any fight or competition.

In Japanese, there is a slight variation in the last character, making it 武徳 instead of 武德 in Japan. And yes, just one little horizontal stroke is omitted. If you need the Japanese version, please choose a Japanese calligrapher, or drop me a note so that I make sure you get the characters you intend.


See Also:  Morality of Mind | Morality of Deed

Martial Arts

 wǔ yì
Martial Arts Scroll

武藝 is a Korean Hanja title that means “martial arts” or “military skill.”

武藝 is also a word in Chinese but used more often in the context of Korean martial arts.

From Korean, this is romanized as either “mu ye” or “moo ye.” If you want to order this in modern Korean Hangul, just click the Hangul characters in the pronunciation box next to the Korean flag above.

Martial Arts Master

 wǔ yún zhě
 bugeisha
Martial Arts Master Scroll

武芸者 is the Japanese Kanji title for “Martial Arts Master.” It suggests that you have reached at least the level of black belt and are probably to the level where you are ready to become an instructor.

Please consider carefully where you stand before ordering this phrase on a wall scroll. If you are not a master, this will make you look a bit foolish.

If you want to get this as a gift for your master at the dojo. Try to discreetly make sure this term is used in your school. Different schools and styles of Japanese martial arts use different terms. You may notice in the Romaji that the last two characters romanize as “geisha” which means “person skilled in arts” (what a geisha girl really is). The title here has the character for “martial,” “warrior,” and/or “military” in front of it. Therefore the literal translation is “martial art person.”

These Kanji are valid Chinese characters and Korean Hanja, but this title does not really make sense in Chinese and is not often used in Korean, though a Chinese or Korean would be able to guess the meaning by looking at the first and last characters.

Martial Arts Skills

 wǔ jì
 bugi
Martial Arts Skills Scroll

武技 can be translated as “martial arts skills,” “warrior skills,” or “military skills,” depending on usage.

In both Japanese and Chinese, rather than meaning martial arts, this speaks more to the skills that you possess in regard to martial arts. This phrase also has a light suggestion of “having the itch to show off these skills.”

Martial Arts / Wushu

 wǔ shù
 bujutsu
Martial Arts / Wushu Scroll

武術 is Wushu or Wu Shu, the very Chinese way to express “Martial Arts.”

Some even use this word to describe Kung Fu directly. But this is a label that fits all disciplines from Karate to Kung Fu to Taekwondo.

Note: This also means Martial Arts with the same appearance as old Korean Hanja characters and is pronounced “musul” or “musur” in Korean.

While this is best if your audience is Chinese or Korean, this also means “martial arts” in Japanese, where the popularity of this term is growing (romanized as Bujutsu or Bujitsu) in Japanese martial arts circles.

Martial Arts / Budo

Way of the Warrior

 wǔ dào
 bu dou
Martial Arts / Budo Scroll

武道 is the very common Japanese way to say “Martial Arts.”

武道 is used mostly in Japanese dojos but is also understood in Chinese and Korean.

Some will use this title to mean chivalry (the conduct of a knight) or military art. The way this word is understood would depend on the context in which it is used.

The first character means “force,” “warlike,” or “essence of a warrior.”

The second character means “method,” “path,” and “the way.” It is the same character used to describe/mean the philosophy of Taoism / Daoism.

Some will also translate this as “The Way of the Warrior”; especially in the context of Korean martial arts.

Be Master of Mind, Not Mastered by Mind

 yuàn zuò xīn shī bù shī yú xīn
Be Master of Mind, Not Mastered by Mind Scroll

願作心師不師於心 means, “Be master of mind, rather than mastered by mind,” in Chinese.

This is not an ancient Chinese phrase but rather something we added at the request of a customer.

The Month of May

Fifth Month

 wǔ yuè
 satsuki / go gatsu
The Month of May Scroll

五月 is the month of May in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.

This was originally the fifth month of the Chinese lunar year, now used for the fifth month of the Gregorian calendar (also known as the Western or Christian calendar). 五月 literally means “fifth month” or “fifth moon.”


Note: Sometimes Japanese parents will use this as a female given name, and use "Mei" (the sound of May in English) as the pronunciation.

 mò xī gē
Mexico Scroll

This is the Chinese name for the country of Mexico.


See Also:  Spain | United States of America | Canada | North America

The Middle Way

 zhōng dào
 chuu dou
The Middle Way Scroll

In the most basic translation, 中道 means road through the middle or middle road.

The expanded meaning can be moderation or the golden mean.

But if you are looking for this title, you are probably seeking the Buddhist definition, which is more complex.

中道 is the middle way or middle path of Buddhism. This has various interpretations. In general, it denotes the mean between two extremes and has special reference to the mean between realism and nihilism, or eternal substantial existence and annihilation.

The Buddha teaches that one should not take things to extremes. Don't be extremely evil and engage in debauchery and murder. But do not spend every waking out trying to be a perfect saint. Instead, take the middle path, try to help others, show loving kindness wherever you can, and try not to do harm. If you inadvertently harm another being, make amends if you can, and move on. Realize you are not perfect, but in time, a path of moderation lead toward proper living and enlightenment.

Mind Body Spirit

 shēn xīn líng
 mi shin rei
Mind Body Spirit Scroll

身心靈 is probably the best way to express the idea of “Body, Mind, and Spirit” in Chinese and old Korean Hanja. We are actually using the word “heart” here because, for thousands of years, the heart was thought to be the place where your thoughts, feelings, and emotions came from. We do something similar in the west when we say “warm-hearted” or “I love you with all of my heart.” In this context, heart = mind in Asian language and culture.

The very literal translation of these three characters is “body, heart & spirit,” which could also be interpreted as “body, mind & soul.”

We have arranged these characters in this order because it simply “feels” like the proper order in the Chinese language. Word lists like this are not so common for calligraphy artwork, so we must be careful to put them in the most natural order. It should be noted that this is not a common title in Asia, nor is it considered an actual phrase (as it lacks a clear subject, verb, and object).


霊In Japanese Kanji, they use an alternate form of the character for soul or spirit. If you want this using the Japanese alternate, please click on the Kanji shown to the right instead of the button above.

Japanese disclaimer: This is not a natural phrase/list in Japanese. While not totally-natural in Chinese, this word list is best if your audience is Chinese.

Mixed Martial Arts / MMA

 sàn dǎ
Mixed Martial Arts / MMA Scroll

散打 is Sanda, a Chinese word for “Mixed Martial Arts” or “MMA.”

Mixed Martial Arts

 zōng hé gé dòu
Mixed Martial Arts Scroll

綜合格鬥 is a common Chinese title for “Mixed Martial Arts” or “MMA.”

The characters or words in this title break down this way:
綜合 zōng hé = composite, synthesized, to sum up, to integrate, and/or to synthesize.
格 gé = style, frame, or rule.
斗 dòu = fight, to battle, or to struggle.

Sense of Shame / Sense of Honor / Integrity / Modesty (Korean)

 lián chǐ
 ren chi
Sense of Shame / Sense of Honor / Integrity / Modesty (Korean) Scroll

廉恥 simultaneously means “sense of honor” and “sense of shame” in Korean.

This term is often used as a tenet of Taekwondo, where the English terms “integrity” and “modesty” are applied.

廉恥 is also a Chinese word, though it is usually read with the “sense of shame” meaning, and is a poor choice for a wall scroll if your audience is Chinese.

Morality of Deed

 xíng dé
Morality of Deed Scroll

The idea of “morality of deed” goes along with 行德 or “wu de” (martial morality or virtues of the warrior).

Here, the first character is a representation of the actions or deeds that you engage in.
The second character refers to morality or virtue.

This translates better in English in the opposite order, as the Chinese order is literally “deed morality.”


See Also:  Morality of Mind | Martial Morality

Morality of Mind

 xīn dé
Morality of Mind Scroll

The idea of 心德 or “morality of mind” goes along with 行德 or “wu de” (martial morality or virtues of the warrior).

Here, the first character is a representation of your heart or mind.
The second character refers to morality or virtue.

This can also be translated as “morality of heart,” “virtue of heart,” or “virtue of the mind.”

Since ancient times in Asia, the idea of your mind (where your soul resides and your thought originates) has been associated with the heart. Just as in western culture, where we say “it comes from the heart” or “heartfelt emotions,” there is a belief that your heart and mind are one and the same (medical science now begs to differ).


See Also:  Morality of Deed | Martial Morality

Accept the Situation and Move On

 xiǎng kāi
Accept the Situation and Move On Scroll

想開 is a Chinese title that translates as “move on.”

It can mean getting over a shock or bereavement. More often, it means avoiding dwelling on unpleasant things or accepting the situation and moving on. It's a suggestion to get over it and get on with life.

The literal meaning of the characters is something like “thoughts opening.” But it's understood more as getting over the same old thoughts and opening yourself up to new thoughts or ways of thinking.

North American Opossum / Possum

 běi měi fù shǔ
North American Opossum / Possum Scroll

北美負鼠 is the full title for North American Opossum (aphesis spelling: Possum). The first two characters mean “North American” as an adjective. The third character means “carries” and refers to the marsupial pouch. The last character means “rat.” You could say the literal translation is “marsupial rat.”

Chinese opossums vary from the North American variety. If you were to use the last two characters alone, it may suggest the species native to China.


See Also:  Year of the Rat

The Nature of Martial Arts

 zì rán wǔ dào
 shi zen bu do
The Nature of Martial Arts Scroll

自然武道 is a means the Nature of Martial Arts.

The first two characters create a word that means nature, natural, or spontaneous.

The last two characters are often translated as martial arts.

The Planet Neptune

 hǎi wáng xīng
 kaiousei
The Planet Neptune Scroll

海王星 is the Japanese Kanji, old Korean Hanja, and Chinese title for the planet Neptune.

海王星 literally means “Sea God Star” (all planets end in the character that also means “star”).

The Noble Eightfold Path

Ashtangika Marga / Astangika-Marga / Atthangika Magga

 bā zhèng dào
 hasshoudou
The Noble Eightfold Path Scroll

八正道 is a complex set of steps that Buddhists much take to cleanse karma, achieve enlightenment, eventually cease the cycle of rebirth and live in a state of Nirvana.


Note: This term is exclusively used by devout Buddhists. It is not a common term and remains an unknown concept to most Japanese and Chinese people. Sometimes written as 八聖道.


See Also:  Buddhism | Enlightenment

All Tenets of the Noble Eightfold Path

 zhèng jiàn zhèng sī wéi zhèng yǔ zhèng yè zhèng mìng zhèng jīng jìn zhèng niàn zhèng dìng

 shouken shoushiyui shougo shougo shoumyou shoushoujin shounen shoujou
All Tenets of the Noble Eightfold Path Scroll

These are the eight tenets of the Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path written altogether.

Here's this list of tenets in English:
1. Right View / Right Understanding / Right Perspective / Perfect View
2. Right Resolve / Right Thought / Right Intention / Perfect Resolve
3. Right Speech / Right Talk / Perfect Speech
4. Right Action / Perfect Conduct
5. Right Living / Right Livelihood / Perfect Livelihood
6. Right Effort / Right Endeavor / Perfect Effort
7. Right Mindfulness / Right Memory / Perfect Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration / Perfect Concentration

No one knows a son better than the father

 zhī zǐ mò ruò fù
No one knows a son better than the father Scroll

知子莫若父 can be translated as “No one knows a son better than his father.”

This idiom is based on the idea that after spending many years together, family members know everything about each other. Better than anyone else, a father knows the qualities and shortcomings of his son.

If you are looking for something about “father and son,” this is probably the best selection.

While this is the original proverb (very old), others have been composed about various combinations of mothers, sons, daughters, and fathers. Let me know if you need a custom version.

The Sea of Knowledge Has No Limits

 xué hǎi wú yá
The Sea of Knowledge Has No Limits Scroll

學海無涯 is a Chinese proverb that reads, “sea of learning, no horizon.”

Colloquially, it means there are no limits to what one still has left to learn.

This would be the Chinese equivalent to the quote from Hippocrates, “ars longa, vita brevis,” meaning “it takes a long time to acquire and perfect one's expertise.”


See Also:  Learning is Eternal

The Old Way / Old School

 kodou
The Old Way / Old School Scroll

古道 is the Japanese word meaning “The Old Way.” The first character means old or ancient. The second character means “the way” and is the same character as used in Taoism / Daoism (Taoism literally means “the way”).

This second character can also be translated as “method,” as in a way of doing things.

古道 is sometimes Romanized as “Kodo,” though officially, the Romaji should be “Kodou.”

My Japanese-English dictionary further translates this word as the old road, ancient methods, ancient moral teachings, and the way of learning.

Note that this would be understood differently in Chinese. Most Chinese people would just read this as “The old road” without the other meanings derived in Japanese.

Once in a Lifetime

 yī qī yī huì
 ichigo ichie
Once in a Lifetime Scroll

This Japanese title can be translated as “for this time only,” “chance meeting,” “one meeting, one opportunity,” “never again,” or “one chance in a lifetime.”

The characters literally mean “one time one meeting” - of course, the Kanji characters have meaning far beyond a direct translation like this.

Some might use this proverb to talk of an opportunity that presents itself just once in your life. It could also be a one-and-only chance meeting with your true soul mate. An expression of any event that might happen once in a lifetime.


This is primarily a Japanese title, however, there is also a Traditional Chinese (and old Korean) version of this proverb. Just the last character is different.
會The traditional form was used in Japan before WWII and in Korea prior to 1900. This title is somewhat known in China.

If you want the older traditional form, just click on the character to the right.

One who walks by the river may end up with wet feet

 cháng zài hé biān zǒu nǎ néng bù shī xié
One who walks by the river may end up with wet feet Scroll

常在河邊走哪能不濕鞋 is an old Chinese proverb that is sometimes compared to the English saying “Shit Happens.”

It's a reflection that there are risks in life, and you should not be surprised when things don't go your way.

A secondary translation might be, “When walking by a river, often one cannot avoid wet shoes.”

Oneness of Heaven and Humanity

 tiān rén hé yī
Oneness of Heaven and Humanity Scroll

天人合一 is a title that represents the oneness of heaven and humanity. It conveys the idea that man is an integral part of nature.

You can also read this as “heaven and man in unity,” or “nature and man in unity.” The “man” is really “people” or “humans” and is not gender-specific in Chinese.

Learn New Ways From Old / Onkochishin

New ideas coming from past history

 wēn gù zhī xīn
 on ko chi shin
Learn New Ways From Old / Onkochishin Scroll

溫故知新 is a proverb from Confucius that is used in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cultures.

It can be translated in several ways:
Coming up with new ideas based on things learned in the past.
Examine things of the past, and obtain new knowledge.
Developing new ideas based on the study of the past.
Gain new insights through restudying old issues.
Understand the present by reviewing the past.
Learning from the past.
Review the old and know the new.
Taking a lesson from the past.
Taking a lesson from the wisdom of the ancients.
Follow the old ways.

The direct translation would be, “By asking old things, know new things.”
The Character meanings breakdown this way:
溫故 = ask old
知新 = know new

Explained: To learn new things that are outside of your experience, you can learn from old things of the past. You can find wisdom in history.


溫 VS. 温

Note: Japanese use a variant of the first Kanji in modern times.
Therefore if you order this from a Japanese calligrapher, expect the first Kanji to look like 温 instead of 溫.

In addition to 温故知新 as mentioned above, this is sometimes written as 温古知新 in Japan.

Open the Minds of the Next Generation To Stimulate Thinking

 qǐ dí
Open the Minds of the Next Generation To Stimulate Thinking Scroll

This word is often used to describe the idea of opening the minds of the young or the new generation.


See Also:  Wisdom | Learning is Eternal | Learn From Wisdom

Opossum / Possum

 fù shǔ
Opossum / Possum Scroll

負鼠 is the name for Opossum (aphesis spelling: Possum) in Chinese.

The first character means “carries” and refers to the marsupial pouch. The second character means “rat.” You could say the literal translation is “marsupial rat.”

Chinese opossums vary from the North American variety. Using the two characters shown here may suggest the species native to China.


See Also:  Year of the Rat

Overcome the Devil

 xiáng mó
 gou ma
Overcome the Devil Scroll

降魔 means to overcome the Devil, Satan, Demons, or Evil.

There are many ways to translate this, including conquering the devil, evil spirits, evil influences, or someone who habitually performs negative/evil acts.

In the Buddhist context, it means to overcome demons, e.g., as the Buddha did at his enlightenment.

The Pain of Separation from Your Loves

 ài bié lí kǔ
 ai betsu ri ku
The Pain of Separation from Your Loves Scroll

愛別離苦 is a Buddhist term that refers to “the pain of separation from loved ones,” or “the suffering of being separated from those whom one loves.”

If you translate each character separately, you get, “love(s) separated [and] departed [yields] pain.”

The pain character can also be defined as anguish; suffering; distress; anxiety; worry; trouble; difficulty; hardship; bitterness; to suffer; anguish; distress; anxiety; worry; trouble; difficulty; bitterness; unhappiness; or misery.

Pain is Weakness Leaving the Body

 téng tòng jiù shì shuāi ruò lí nǐ ér qù de shí hòu
Pain is Weakness Leaving the Body Scroll

I remember this being shouted a lot during U.S. Marine Corps boot camp. 疼痛就是衰弱離你而去的時候 is how to write that phrase in Chinese. At least, this is as close as we could compose/translate it, and hold the full original meaning and connotations.

The version shown here is really, “Pain is weakness leaving your body.” Although it's said in English both ways (the or your), it works better in Chinese with “your.”

Past experience is the teacher for the future

Past events not forgotten serve as teachers for later events.

 qián shì bú wàng hòu shí zhī shī
Past experience is the teacher for the future Scroll

The most literal translation to English of this ancient 前事不忘后事之师 Chinese proverb is:
“Past events not forgotten serve as teachers for later events.”

However, it's been translated several ways:
Don't forget past events, they can guide you in the future.
Benefit from past experience.
Past experience, if not forgotten, is a guide for the future.
Past calamity is my teacher.
A good memory for the past is a teacher for the future.
The remembrance of the past is the teacher of the future.
If one remembers the lessons of the past; They will serve as a guide to avoid mistakes in the future.

The origin:
This proverb comes from the 5th century B.C., just before the Warring States Period in the territory now known as China.
The head of the State of Jin, Zhi Bo, seized power in a coup. He did this with help from the armies of the State of Han and Wei. Instead of being grateful for the help from Han and Wei, he treacherously took the land of Han and Wei. Never satisfied, Zhi Bo employed the armies of Han and Wei to attack and seize the State of Zhao.

The king of Zhao took advice from his minister Zhang Mengtan and secretly contacted the Han and Wei armies to reverse their plans and attack the army of Zhi Bo instead. The plan was successful, and the State of Zhao was not only saved but was set to become a powerful kingdom in the region.

Zhang Mengtan immediately submitted his resignation to a confused king of Zhao. When asked why, Zhang Mengtan said, “I've done my duty to save my kingdom, but looking back at past experience, I know sovereign kings are never satisfied with the power or land at hand. They will join others and fight for more power and more land. I must learn from past experiences, as those experiences are the teachers of future events.”
The king could not dispute the logic in that statement and accepted Zhang Mengtan's resignation.

For generations, the State of Zhao continued to fight for power and land until finally defeated and decimated by the State of Qin (which led to the birth of the Qin Dynasty in 221 B.C.).

Patience Yields Peace of Mind

 néng rěn zì ān
Patience Yields Peace of Mind Scroll

This ancient Chinese proverb can be translated as “Patience brings peace of mind,” “One who has patience finds peace,” and a few other ways.

Do not take action until the time is right

 bù dào huǒ hou bù jiē guō
Do not take action until the time is right Scroll

不到火候不揭锅 translates as: Don't take the lid off the pot until the food is done.

Figuratively, this means: Don't take action until the time is right.

You can take this as a call to be patient or pick just the right time to do something (not too early, not too late).

Peace of Mind

(five-character version)

 nèi xīn de níng jìng
Peace of Mind Scroll

內心的寧靜 is the long way to express the idea of “peace of mind” in Chinese.

The first two characters mean heart or “innermost being.”
The middle character is a connecting modifier.
The last two characters mean peace, tranquility, or serenity.

Some may also translate this as “inner peace,” but I like our other inner-peace options for that idea.

This kind of makes sense in Korean but will have an archaic read - even by those who can understand Korean Hanja.

Peace of Mind

 hé píng
 wa hei
Peace of Mind Scroll

和平 is the Chinese order for these two characters, which means peace but can also be translated as amicability, specifically, or mildness. 和平 is often translated as a simple way to say “peace of mind.” This combination is used in Korean Hanja to mean “peace and harmony.”

Alone, the first character means peace and harmony.
The second character means balance when read by itself.

Note: 和平 are often seen in the opposite order in Japanese with the same meaning (You'll sometimes find them in this order in Japan, so either way is OK).

Peaceful Heart / Peace of Mind / Calm Mind

 ān xīn
 an shin
Peaceful Heart / Peace of Mind / Calm Mind Scroll

安心 can be defined as relief, peace of mind, feeling at ease, to be relieved, to set one's mind at rest, and easiness.

安心 is a nice word that encompasses great meanings within just two characters. Some of the other meanings include pacifying, settling the mind, and peace of mind. It's also the idea of feeling a sense of security, safety, and confidence in your state of well-being.

This can be used by everyone, but some consider it to be a Buddhist concept (You'll find it in your Zen dictionary).

Note: Can be romanized as Anshin or Anjin in Japanese.

Pearl in the Palm

 zhǎng shàng míng zhū
Pearl in the Palm Scroll

掌上明珠 is a Chinese proverb that literally means “a pearl in the palm.”

Figuratively, this is used to describe, or as a title for, a beloved person. This can especially apply to a daughter.

Phoenix Rise from the Ashes

 fèng huáng niè pán
Phoenix Rise from the Ashes Scroll

鳳凰涅磐 is a proverb that suggests “Legendary Phoenix rises from the ashes.” It means “Legendary Phoenix [reaches] Nirvana.”

There is a legend in China of a great bird reborn once every 500 years. This bird gathers all the ill will, suffering, desire, and other negative things of the world. The bird then plunges into the fire to burn away all negative things, sacrificing itself in the process (achieving Nirvana, or perhaps allowing others the opportunity to reach Nirvana).

500 years later, the phoenix is reborn from the ashes again, and the cycle repeats.

Pillars of Marriage

Respect / Loyalty / Honesty

 zūn zhòng zhōng chéng chéng shí
Pillars of Marriage Scroll

尊重忠誠誠實 is a “word list” consisting of “Respect/Loyalty/Honesty.”

Word lists are not as common in Chinese as they are in English but leaving that concern behind, this has a good meaning.

If you want to customize it more, add an inscription with your wedding date or names (just a small extra fee for translation).

Note: Because these are three separate words, the calligrapher may be inclined to leave a small space between each two-character word. Let us know if you have any preference when you place your order.

Power of Understanding and Wisdom

 wù xìng
 gosei
Power of Understanding and Wisdom Scroll

悟性 means the power of understanding and insight in Chinese.

It is often associated with Neo-Confucianism. In that regard, it means to realize, perceive, or have the perception of man's true nature. It can also mean finding your soul, the soul of others, or the soul of the world. Some will translate this simply as the state of being “savvy.”

In Japanese, this is often translated as wisdom and understanding.

Presence of Mind

 tài rán zì ruò
 taizenjijaku
Presence of Mind Scroll

泰然自若 is a Chinese and Japanese proverb/word that means “cool and collected,” “showing no sign of nerves,” “perfectly composed,” “having the presence of mind,” “self-possessed,” “imperturbable,” and/or “calm and self-possessed.”

Principles of Life

 shēng huó xìn tiáo
Principles of Life Scroll

生活信條 is a Chinese proverb that means “principles of life” or “The personal obligations and rules that you live by.”

For instance, if you were a vegetarian, the act of not eating meat fits into this category.
This could also be translated as a “Way of living.”

Realize Your Ambitions / Ride on the Crest of Success

 dà jiǎn hóng tú
Realize Your Ambitions / Ride on the Crest of Success Scroll

大展宏圖 is a four-character proverb used in Chinese to mean “realize your ambitions” or “exhibit your ambition and success.”

It's used to talk about someone with great career ambitions. Almost literally, it expresses the idea of someone unfolding a great career like a map or a set of blueprint plans.

Very literally translated, these four characters mean “Great unfolding of a huge map” or “Great exhibition of a colossal plan.”

Proud Of One’s Name

 xíng bù gēng míng zuò bù gǎi xìng
Proud Of One’s Name Scroll

行不更名坐不改姓 is a Chinese proverb that means “I am who I am (and I'm not ashamed).”

Figuratively, it means to be proud of one's name and stand by one's actions.

 bō duō lí gè
Puerto Rico Scroll

This is the Chinese name for Puerto Rico (overseas territory of the United States) .


See Also:  United States of America | North America

Purity of Mind

 xīn chéng jìng
 shin chou jou
Purity of Mind Scroll

心澄淨 is the Buddhist concept of the pure and calm mind. It is believed that once you achieve a meditative state of pure focused thought, the mind becomes clear and calm. Although, others will say this means that achieving a calm mind will allow you to reach pure thought.

From Sanskrit, this is known as citta-prasāda. The concept of citta-prasāda is sometimes defined as “clear heart-mind,” or “the single and definitive aspiration.”

Purified Spirit / Enlightened Attitude

A Japanese martial arts title/concept

 xǐ xīn
 sen shin
Purified Spirit / Enlightened Attitude Scroll

The first Kanji alone means to wash, bathe, primness, cleanse or purify.

The second Kanji means heart, mind, soul, or essence.

Together, these two Kanji create a word defined as “purified spirit” or “enlightened attitude” within Japanese martial arts.

洗心 is one of the five spirits of the warrior (budo) and is often used as a Japanese martial arts tenet. Under that context, it's often defined as a spirit that protects and harmonizes the universe. Senshin is a spirit of compassion that embraces and serves all humanity and whose function is to reconcile discord in the world. It holds all life to be sacred. It is the Buddha mind.

This title will only be familiar to Japanese who practice certain martial arts. Others may not recognize this word at all.

洗心 does not show up as a word in too many Chinese dictionaries, but it can be read and has the same meaning in Chinese.


先心 There is an issue with the first character. The original, and probably most correct version is shown above. However, many dojo documents and other sources have used a more simple first character. Arguments ensue about which version is correct. If you want to be correct in the Japanese language, use the "Select and Customize" button above. If you want to match the Kanji used by your dojo, click the Kanji shown to the right. There is a slightly different meaning with this first character which means before, ahead, previous, future, precedence.

Pursue Your Dreams

 zhuī xún mèng xiǎng
Pursue Your Dreams Scroll

追尋夢想 means “pursue your dreams,” “follow your dreams,” or “chase your dreams” in Chinese.

The first two characters mean “to pursue,” “to track down,” or “to search for.”

The last two mean dreams. This version of dreams refers to those with an element of reality (not the dreams you have when you sleep but rather your aspirations or goals in life).

This title will tell everyone that you want to make your dreams come true.


See Also:  Pursuit of Happiness

Pursuit of Happiness

 zhuī xún xìng fú
Pursuit of Happiness Scroll

追尋幸福 is the best way to translate the English phrase “pursuit of happiness” into Chinese.

The first two characters mean “to pursue,” “to track down,” or “to search for.”

The last two mean happiness, happy, or being blessed.


See Also:  Follow Your Dreams

One Who Does Not Do Bad Things, Worries Not of Knocks at His Door

 bái tiān bú zuò kuī xīn shì yè bàn qiāo mén bù chī jīng
One Who Does Not Do Bad Things, Worries Not of Knocks at His Door Scroll

白天不做亏心事夜半敲门不吃惊 literally translates as: [If one does] not do bad things in the daytime, one need not be alarmed at knocks on the door in the middle of the night.

The meaning is something like, “A quiet conscience sleeps in thunder.” Basically, the message is, “don't commit crimes and you won't be jumpy every time the doorbell rings (so don't do anything wrong and your life will have fewer worries and you can sleep at night).”

Radiance / Rays of Light

 guāng máng
 koubou
Radiance / Rays of Light Scroll

光芒 is the Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja for radiance meaning rays of light, brilliant rays, beams of light, etc.

光芒 is the radiance you feel when the sun hits your face in the morning, bringing you warmth while kickstarting your vitamin D production.

One who is drenched in rain does not fear drops of dew

 bèi yǔ lín guò de rén bù pà lù shuǐ
One who is drenched in rain does not fear drops of dew Scroll

被雨淋過的人不怕露水 is a Chinese proverb that literally translates as “One who has been drenched by the rain is not afraid of dew drops.”

Figuratively, this means:
One who has gone through hardships is not afraid of (minor)setbacks.

Resurrection / Re-Birth

 fù huó
 hukkatsu
Resurrection / Re-Birth Scroll

復活 is the Chinese, Japanese and Korean word for resurrection or rebirth.

復活 literally means “return to life.”

It is the term used in most Asian Bibles to refer to the resurrection of Christ. In Japanese, it is sometimes used to mean a Christian Revival. In some contexts, it can mean resuscitation.


See Also:  Christianity | Jesus Christ | God of Abraham

 chì lóng
Red Dragon Scroll

赤龍 is a generic title for “Red Dragon.”

The first character can mean red, crimson, or scarlet.

The second character is dragon.

Red Dragon / Vermillion Dragon

 zhū lóng
Red Dragon / Vermillion Dragon Scroll

朱龍 is a sophisticated or scholarly way to say “Red Dragon.” 朱龍 is the title you'd expect in ancient Chinese literature.

The first character means red, cinnabar, or vermillion.

The second character means dragon.

It is said that the Vermillion Dragon represents kings that bestow blessings on lakes or bodies of water. This makes more sense in an ancient Chinese context.

The Red Thread of Fate

 yīn yuán hóng xiàn
The Red Thread of Fate Scroll

姻緣紅線 is the legendary red string of destiny that binds all soul mates or lovers together.

In ancient Chinese culture, a mythological matchmaker named 月老 (Yuè Lǎo) was the controller of the fate that led lovers to meet. He did this by tying a celestial red string to the ankle of each person. Sometime during their life, they will meet and marry as fate dictates.

While the origin of the red string comes from China, it has spread to other parts of Asia (such as Japan, where it's known as 赤い糸).

Repel Evil / Expel the Devil

 qū mó
Repel Evil / Expel the Devil Scroll

驅魔 is the way you would write a sign or symbol to repel the devil or drive away evil in Chinese.

Resilient in the Face of Adversity

 u ta re tsuyo i
Resilient in the Face of Adversity Scroll

打たれ強い is often used as a martial arts term.

It means being able to take a lot of punishment or being able to take a hit. In Japanese baseball, it can also refer to the pitcher's ability to keep his cool when the batter gets a hit. 打たれ強い is generally about being resilient and strong in the face of criticism or adversity.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Respect out of fear is never genuine; Reverence out of respect is never false

 dǎ pà de rén shì jiǎ de jìng pà de rén shì zhēn de
Respect out of fear is never genuine; Reverence out of respect is never false Scroll

打怕的人是假的敬怕的人是真的 is a proverb that seems to be aimed at world leaders or others in power. Perhaps a suggestion to avoid the practice of “fear-mongering” opting instead for a policy of benevolence and justice.

An example: When the Bush administration told Pakistan they could either join America in the “war on terror,” or expect some bombs to be coming their way, Bush gained this kind of “less-than-genuine respect” from Pakistanis.
Leaders in places like North Korea and even Saudi Arabia reap the same bogus respect from their own citizens.


Note that calligraphers do not like to repeat the same characters in exactly the same way in the same piece of artwork. So expect the characters that are repeated to be written in different forms in the real artwork (unlike the way they are displayed to the left).

River of Literacy, Sea of Learning

 wén jiāng xué hǎi
River of Literacy, Sea of Learning Scroll

文江學海 is a Chinese proverb that reads, “river of literacy, a sea of learning”

This suggests that there is a lot to learn in the world, with an eternal amount of reading and things to study.

文江學海 is one way to translate the quote from Hippocrates, “ars longa, vita brevis,” meaning “it takes a long time to acquire and perfect one's expertise.”


See Also:  Learning is Eternal

The Roar of the Lioness

 hé dōng shī hǒu
The Roar of the Lioness Scroll

河東獅吼 is actually a proverb and joke about the plight and fear of a hen-pecked husband.

In ancient times, it was used to describe a wife who would berate her husband or go into jealous rages. However, this phrase currently brings about ideas of a husband that cowers in fear and cringes when his wife screams (or roars) at him.

Please only purchase this as a good-natured joke. If your wife or husband does not have a good sense of humor, it's probably not a good idea to hang this on your wall to irritate your mate.

Roar of Laughter / Big Laughs

 dà xiào
 taishou
Roar of Laughter / Big Laughs Scroll

大笑 can be translated as “roar of laughter,” “loud laughter,” “hearty laugh,” or “cachinnation.”

The first character means big or great, and the second means to laugh or smile.

If you like humor, this is a great wall scroll to hang in your home.


See Also:  The Whole Room Rocks With Laughter

Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Novel Title

 sān guó yǎn yì
Romance of the Three Kingdoms Scroll

三國演義 is the Chinese title for The Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong.

This is one of the most famous novels of Chinese literature.

Rose Flowers Given, Frangrance Remains on Hands of Giver

 zèng rén méi guī shǒu liú yú xiāng
Rose Flowers Given, Frangrance Remains on Hands of Giver Scroll

赠人玫瑰手留余香 is a proverb that has been translated several ways:

1. Roses given, fragrance in hand.

2. You present others roses, and the fragrance remains.

3. The fragrance of the rose always remains on the hand of those that bestow them.

4. A little bit of fragrance always clings to the hands which gives the flowers

However, this literally translates as “Give someone rose flowers, [your] hands keep [the] remaining fragrance.”

 shèng
 sei
 
The Saint Scroll

聖 is the simple, single-character religious form of “saint” in Chinese (also holds the same meaning in Japanese and Korean, though rarely used alone like this).

This can also mean holy, sage, master, or priest.
Note: 聖 is often used in compound words (words of more than one character) to create further meanings. In compounds, it can mean holy, sacred, or divine.

聖 is also used as the first word for Spanish and English place names such as “San Diego” and “St. Louis” in Chinese (not Japanese).

In the Buddhist context, this can represent ārya or sādhu. And mean a sage; wise and good; upright, or correct in all his character; sacred, holy, or saintly.

 shèng zhě
 seija
The Saint Scroll

聖者 is the religious way to express the idea of “Saint” in Chinese, Korean Hanja, and Japanese Kanji.

Some may translate this as “Holy man” or “Holy person.”

Samsara / Endless Cycle of Rebirth

 lún huí
 rinne
Samsara / Endless Cycle of Rebirth Scroll

輪廻 is one of a few ways to express संसार or Saṃsāra in Chinese, Japanese, and old Korean.

The Buddhist term can be translated in several ways, including:
An endless cycle of death and rebirth.
The turning of the wheel.
To revolve.
Transmigration in six ways.
The wheel of transmigration.
The round of existence.

Sangha / Order of Monks

 sēng
 sou
 
Sangha / Order of Monks Scroll

僧 is the single-character or short form of Sangha, the Buddhist idea of community or order (of monks, nuns, or followers of the Buddha).

Alone, this character can simply mean “monk” (Just means monk in Japanese).


僧僧 Note that when writing this as Kanji, Japanese will tend to write this in the form shown to the right. If you select our Japanese master calligrapher, please expect this special Kanji form.

Sword of Death

 satsu jin ken
Sword of Death Scroll

殺人剣 is a Japanese title for “Death Sword,” “Life Taking Sword,” or “satsujinken.”

This is the opposite of katsujinken or the “life-saving sword.” This title is not as commonly used in Japanese but pairs well when hung with katsujinken.

The first two Kanji are a word that translates as homicide, murder or kill (a person). 殺人剣 is specifically to kill a person (as the second character means person or human) as opposed to an animal, etc.

The last Kanji is the Japanese variant of the originally-Chinese character for a sword.


See Also:  Katsujinken

School of Happiness

 xìng fú xué xiào
School of Happiness Scroll

幸福學校 means “School of Happiness” or “Happiness School” in Chinese.

幸福 means happiness, happy, blessed, blessedness, joy, and/or well-being.

學校 means school or college.

Consciousness of Self

 zì jué
 jikaku
Consciousness of Self Scroll

自覺 is the idea of being conscious, self-aware, and sometimes “on one's own initiative.”


覚After WWII, they started using a simplified form of the second Kanji for this word in Japan. That version is shown to the right, and you can click on that Kanji if you want the modern Japanese form. Otherwise, the characters shown in the upper left are the correct ones for ancient/old/traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

Power of Oneself / Self-Sufficient

 zì lì
 jiriki
Power of Oneself / Self-Sufficient Scroll

自力 is a word in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, old Korean, and Buddhist term meaning: the power within oneself; self-sufficient; by oneself; self-made; self-power; inner ability.

If you love your child, send them out into the world

 kawaii ko ni wa tabi o sa seyo
If you love your child, send them out into the world Scroll

可愛い子には旅をさせよ is a Japanese proverb that means “If you love your children, send them out on a journey into the world.”

This is kind of similar to the western phrase, “Spare the rod and spoil the child.”

More literally, this reads, “Cute child, a journey granted.”
That “granted” could also be understood as “should be initiated.”


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Senpai / The Elder or Master

 xiān bèi
 sen pai
Senpai / The Elder or Master Scroll

先輩 is a Chinese, Japanese, and old Korean word or title that means elders, senior (at work or school), superior, older graduate, progenitor, or old-timer.

In American dojos, this is sometimes romanized as Sempai.

Seven Rules of Happiness

 kou fuku no nana ka jou
Seven Rules of Happiness Scroll

幸福の七カ条 is the title for the 7 rules of happiness in Japanese.

The rules themselves take up a lot of space:

1. 成功や栄誉や勝ち負けを目的に、ことを行ってはいけない。
2. しないではいられないことをし続けなさい。
3. 他人との比較ではない、あくまで自分の楽しさを追及すべし。
4. 好きの力を信じる。
5. 才能と収入は別、努力は人を裏切ると心得よ。
6. 怠け者になりなさい。
7. 目に見えない世界を信じる。

...so this title is probably all you need.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Katakana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Shade of a Tree

 shù yìn
 juin / kokage
Shade of a Tree Scroll

樹蔭 means “shade of a tree” in Chinese and Japanese.

It's kind of a poetic term, so it's appropriate if tree shade has personal meaning to you.

Shakyamuni / The Buddha

 shì jiā móu ní
 sha ka mu ni
Shakyamuni / The Buddha Scroll

釋迦牟尼 is a transliteration of “Shakyamuni” or “Sakyamuni” in Chinese, Japanese, and old Korean.

The perceived meaning of the name is roughly translated as “Sage of the Sakyas.”
This same Buddha is also known as “Siddhartha Gautama,” “Gotama Buddha,” “Tathagata,” or simply, “The Supreme Buddha.”

Shakyamuni is the legendary man and prince who eventually established the Buddhist religion.

Note: Occasionally Romanized as “Siddhattha Gotama.”

This combination of characters is sometimes seen and used in South Korea and Japan as well (with the same meaning).


Note: 釋迦牟尼 came from the Sanskrit शाक्यमुनि and can also be romanized with diuretics as Śākyamuni.

Shakyamuni / The Buddha

 shì jiā
 sha ka
Shakyamuni / The Buddha Scroll

釈迦 is the way to write Shakyamuni in Japanese.

It's just two Kanji, the first is a simplified version of the one used in Chinese for Shakyamuni, and the second one is identical to the Chinese.
This refers to the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama, 563 BCE-483 BCE) also known as Sakyamuni and Gautama Buddha.

This has a very good meaning in Japanese but is an odd selection for a wall scroll. It appears here more for reference.

Shaolin Martial Arts

 shǎo lín wǔ gōng
Shaolin Martial Arts Scroll

少林武功 is the title for “Shaolin Wu Gong” or “Shaolin martial arts.”

Shiite sect of Islam

 shí yè pài
Shiite sect of Islam Scroll

什葉派 is the Chinese title for the Shiite sect of Islam.

Shorinji Kempo / Kenpo

 shào lín sì quán fǎ
 shourinji kenpou
Shorinji Kempo / Kenpo Scroll

少林寺拳法 is a specific type of martial art in Japan that claims origins in the Kung Fu practiced in the original Shaolin Monastery of China.

The first three characters mean “Shaolin Monastery,” and you might notice the Japanese is pronounced in a very similar way. The reason is, many words were “borrowed” from the original Chinese when Japan did not have a written language and simply absorbed Chinese characters into their language around the 5th century. When a Japanese word did not exist, the Chinese pronunciation was often absorbed as well as the written form.

The last two characters mean “fist law” or “method of the fist.” It has long been argued as to whether the Japanese for these characters should be Romanized as “kempo” or “kenpo.” The official method should be “kenpou” but it's common to drop the “u” that comes after the “o.”

I imagine if you are looking for this title, you already know what it means, so the above is simply extra information that a student of Shorinji Kempo might want to know.

Shotokan Aikido

 sōng tāo guǎn hé qì dào
 shou tou kan ai ki dou
Shotokan Aikido Scroll

松涛館合気道 is the title for Shotokan Aikido in Japanese.

Note: Chinese and Korean pronunciations of these characters are included above, however, this title would only be understood in Chinese or Korean by someone who practices or is familiar with Shotokan Aikido. Please consider this title to be “Japanese only.”


See Also:  Martial Arts | Hapkido

The Wisdom of the Many

 shuchi
The Wisdom of the Many Scroll

衆智 is a Japanese word that means the wisdom of the many.

Perseverance is the Key

Skills cannot be perfected without perseverance in practice

 bú pà liàn bù chéng jiù pà xīn bù héng
Perseverance is the Key Scroll

不怕练不成就怕心不恒 literally translates as: Do not worry about not being able to master [a skill]; What [one should] be concerned about is lack of perseverance.

Figuratively, this means: One's skills cannot be perfected without perseverance in practice.

For me, I've learned that you can only get so much from school or studying. You've really got to do “on-the-job training” to perfect your ability and skill.

For martial arts students: You can read about a kick in a book, or someone can tell you about a certain kick but until you practice the kick, there's no way you'll master it.

Only the sleepless know the length of night

 bù mián zhī yè cháng jiǔ jiāo zhī rén xīn
Only the sleepless know the length of night Scroll

不眠之夜长久交知人心 literally translates as: [Only one who does] not sleep, learns how long the night is; [Only by] long acquaintance [does one] learn a person ['s true] character.

Basically, this proverb suggests that we really need to experience something intimately and for a long time to really know everything about it.

This can also be translated as “Spending years with someone is the only way to know them.”

Note: Sometimes this proverb is split into just the first or second idea alone (first 5 or last 5 characters only).

Soldier / Private

 shì bīng
Soldier / Private Scroll

士兵 means “Soldier” but more specifically, a rank-and-file soldier (a private or troop - you could say a ground-pounder). Our other entry for “solider / serviceman” is probably better for a wall scroll (since someday, you will be promoted).

Note: In Japanese, they use these characters in the opposite order to create the same meaning word. In that order, it's pronounced “heishi” in Japanese. Just let us know if you want it in Japanese Kanji order when you place your order.

Soldier of Fortune

 gù yōng bīng
Soldier of Fortune Scroll

雇佣兵 is “soldier of fortune” in Chinese.

It can also be read as “mercenary” or “hired gun.”

Soldier / Serviceman

 jūn rén
 gun jin
Soldier / Serviceman Scroll

軍人 means “Soldier” or literally “Military Person.”

This can also be translated as “military personnel,” “soldier,” or “serviceman” (it is unisex, so male or female is not indicated).


See Also:  Military

Soldiers Adapt Actions to the Situation

 bīng lái jiàng dǎng shuǐ lái tǔ yǎn
Soldiers Adapt Actions to the Situation Scroll

This Chinese military proverb means, counter soldiers with arms and counter water with an earthen dam.

兵來將擋水來土掩 is about how different situations call for different actions. You must adopt measures appropriate to the actual situation.

To explain the actual proverb, one would not attack a flood of water with gunfire, nor would you counter-attack soldiers by building an earth weir. You must be adaptable and counter whatever threatens with relevant action.

 líng hún bàn lǚ
 reikon hanryo
Soul Mates Scroll

靈魂伴侶 is the literal translation of “Soul Mates.”

This is kind of the western way to express “soul mates” but translated into Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.
The first two characters mean “soul” or “spirit.”
The second two characters mean “mate,” “companion” or “partner.”

Although not the most common title, these characters have good meaning and will be received well in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. It's a universal title!

Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child

 bàng tóu chū xiào zǐ zhù tóu chū wǔ nì
Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child Scroll

棒頭出孝子箸頭出忤逆 literally translates as:
A stick (or switch) produces filial sons; chopsticks produce disobedient [ones].

Figuratively, this means:
Strict discipline produces dutiful children, whereas indulgence produces disobedient ones.

This proverb is very similar to this English proverb:
“Spare the rod and spoil the child.”

 jīng shén
 sei shin
Spirit Scroll

精神 is the kind of spirit you have if you perform well in sports or competitions. It is the idea of having a good attitude and putting your all into something - so much so that others can see or feel your spirit. It is the essence of your being that can only be subjectively described because there are no words that can fully explain what “spirit” really is.

For your information:
My Japanese dictionary further tries to explain this word by comparing it to mind, soul, heart, or intention.
My Chinese dictionary compares these characters to meanings like vigor, vitality, drive, and mentality.
My Korean dictionary defines this as mind, spirit, and soul.


See Also:  Vitality | Heart | Soul

Spirit / Spiritual Essence

 shén
 shin / kami
 
Spirit / Spiritual Essence Scroll

神 is the simplest way to write spirit in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean.

This single character alone will conjure up ideas of the spiritual world. 神 can also be translated as “vital awareness” as in the fact that one must know they exist to exist (I think, therefore, I am).

Other translations include:
God, deity, mysterious, divine essence, lively, spiritual being, divinity, supernatural, soul, mind, nerves, and energy. In some extended context, it can mean genius or unusual.

Japanese romanizations vary a lot when this character is combined into other words. However, shin is the original pronunciation taken from Chinese into Japanese. You'll also see it romanized as kami, gami, jin, and a few others, depending on context.

Spirit / Soul

 líng
 ryou
 
Spirit / Soul Scroll

靈 is spirit or soul in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.

If you look in the dictionary, you'll also find definitions for this character like:
quick; alert; efficacious; effective; departed soul; coffin; spiritual; energy; effective; clever.


霊There is a modern Japanese version of this character. The button above will get you the traditional/ancient form. But, if you want the modern Japanese, click on the Kanji to the right instead.

Spirit of Taekwondo

 tái quán dào jīng shen
 te kon do sei shin
Spirit of Taekwondo Scroll

跆拳道精神 means “Taekwondo Spirit” or “The Spirit of Taekwondo.”

跆拳道精神 is the title of General Choi's calligraphy often referred to as “The Tenets of Taekwon-do.”

Spiritual Strength / Strength of Spirit

 jīng shén lì liàng
 seishin rikiryou
Spiritual Strength / Strength of Spirit Scroll

精神力量 is a title that speaks of one's soul or spirit and the capacity or strength that soul possesses.

The first two characters mean mind, heart, spirit, and/or soul.

The last two characters mean strength, capacity, or ability.

Note: Separately, these are two words in Japanese and can be pronounced, but this does not make a natural title in Japanese (best if your audience is Chinese).

State of Anarchy

 wú jíng chá
 mukeisatsu
State of Anarchy Scroll

無警察 means the state of anarchy.

More literally it means “without rules or judges.”

This combination of characters makes sense in Korean and Chinese but with a meaning closer to “without police.” 無警察 is kind of a weird selection for a wall scroll and a rather obscure idea (a couple of customers begged for this term, so we added it).

Stir the Chaos

 jiǎo dòng hún dùn
Stir the Chaos Scroll

攪動混沌 means “stir the chaos” in Mandarin Chinese.

This was added to our database at the request of a customer.

It is proper grammar and meaning but is not an ancient Chinese phrase or title.

The Sun, Moon, and Stars

 rì yuè xīng chén
 nichigetsuseishin
The Sun, Moon, and Stars Scroll

日月星辰 is a title that encompasses all of the heavenly bodies or celestial bodies.

Namely, this includes the Sun, Moon, and Stars of our universe.

Sunni sect of Islam

 xùn ní pài
Sunni sect of Islam Scroll

遜尼派 is the Chinese title for the Sunni sect of Islam.

Survival of the Fittest

 shì zhě shēng cún
 teki sha sei zon
Survival of the Fittest Scroll

適者生存 is the Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja for “survival of the fittest.”

The More We Sweat in Training, The Less We Bleed in Battle

 píng shí duō liú hàn zhàn shí shǎo liú xuè
The More We Sweat in Training, The Less We Bleed in Battle Scroll

There is more than one way to translate the ancient Chinese military proverb, 平时多流汗战时少流血. Here are a few interpretations:

A drop of sweat spent in a drill is a drop of blood saved in war.

More practice will give one a better chance of success in real situations.

The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle.

I heard this many times when I was a U.S. Marine but I had no idea at the time that it was actually an old Chinese proverb.


See Also:  Blood Sweat and Tears

Tactics of War

 zhàn shù
 senjutsu
Tactics of War Scroll

戰術 can mean “tactics of war,” “battle tactics” or simply “tactics” (being that warfare is implied in that English word).

This word is written in the ancient and traditional form of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.


戦

In modern Japan, the first character has been simplified or modified. If you want the modern Japanese Kanji version, just click on that character shown to the right.

The Tao or Dao of Being Human / Humanity

 rén dào
 jindou
The Tao or Dao of Being Human / Humanity Scroll

人道 is literally the “The Way of Being Human,” or “The Human Way.” It can also be translated as “humanity.”

人道 has a secondary meaning of “sidewalk” as in “the way for people to walk” (in Japanese and Korean only). But as calligraphy artwork, nobody will read it with that translation.

Please note that there are two ways to Romanize Dao or Tao (Daoism = Taoism). It's the same word in Chinese.

Tao / Dao of the Heart / Soul

 xīn dào
Tao / Dao of the Heart / Soul Scroll

心道 means “The Way of the Heart” or “The Way of the Soul.” The first character means “heart” but can also mean soul, spirit, mind, or your essence. In this case, it is most accurately translated with the heart or soul meaning.

The second character is Dao as in Daoism. Please note, this is the same thing as Tao as in Taoism (just Romanized differently - it's always been the same in Chinese for about 2300 years.

Tathata / Ultimate Nature of All Things

 zhēn rú
 shinnyo
Tathata / Ultimate Nature of All Things Scroll

真如 comes from the Sanskrit and Pali word often romanized as “tathata” or “tathatā.” Originally written, “तथता.”

It's a Buddhist term often translated as “thusness” or “suchness,” but this does not explain it.
A better explanation may be “the ultimate nature of all things” or “ultimate truth.” However, this gives it too strong of a feeling. This concept is sometimes described as being in awe of the simple nature of something - like a blade of grass blowing in the wind or ripples on water. It is what it is supposed to be, these things follow their nature. Amazing in their mundane simplicity.

Every sect of Buddhism will have a slightly different flavor or explanation, so don't get fixated on one definition.


Notes: Sometimes Buddhists use the word dharmatā, a synonym to tathatā.

In Japan, this can also be the female given name Mayuki, or the surname Majo.

Taekwondo Tenets / Spirit of Taekwon-do

 tái quán dào jīng shén lǐ yì lián chǐ rěn nài kè jǐ bǎi zhé bù qū
Taekwondo Tenets / Spirit of Taekwon-do Scroll

跆拳道精神禮義廉耻忍耐克己百折不屈 is General Choi's writing that is often called “The Tenets of Taekwon-do.”

Taekwondo Tenets

The actual title would be translated as “Taekwondo Spirit” or “The Spirit of Taekwondo.” It was originally written in Korean Hanja (Chinese characters used in Korea for about 1600 years).

General Choi's original calligraphy is shown to the right. Your custom calligraphy will be unique, and not an exact match, as each calligrapher has their own style.

In modern times, the common form of written Korean is Hangul (a phonetic character set). The table below shows the text in Hangul and Hanja along with a pronunciation guide and a brief English translation:

Traditional Korean HanjaModern Korean HangulPronunciationEnglish
跆拳道精神태권도정신tae gweon do jeong sinTaekwondo Spirit
禮儀예의ye yiCourtesy / Etiquette / Propriety / Decorum / Formality
廉耻염치yeom ciIntegrity / Sense of Honor
忍耐인내in naePatience / Perseverance / Endurance
克己극기geug giSelf-Control / Self-Denial / Self-Abnegation
百折不屈백절불굴baeg jeor bur gurIndomitable Spirit (Undaunted even after repeated attacks from the opponent)
Note that the pronunciation is the official version now used in South Korea. However, it is different than what you may be used to. For instance, “Taekwon-do” is “tae gweon do.” This new romanization is supposed to be closer to actual Korean pronunciation.

Simply the Best

Supreme / Highest

 zuì gāo
 sai kou
Simply the Best Scroll

最高 means the highest level, supreme, top, the most, or the best.

Depending on the context, it can mean the most expensive or highest quality.

 yuán lì
The Force Scroll

原力 is how “The Force” is written in Chinese.

This regards “The Force” is referred to in the Star Wars universe and fandom in China. The characters can be literally translated as “prime power.”

Theory of Evolution

 jìn huà lùn
 shinkaron
Theory of Evolution Scroll

進化論 can be translated as “Darwin's theory of evolution,” “evolutionary theory,” or “theory of evolution.”

Same translation for Chinese, Japanese, and old Korean. Therefore, this title is very universal.

The Holy Trinity

 sān wèi yì tǐ
The Holy Trinity Scroll

三位一體 is the Chinese and old Korean way to write Holy Trinity.

This would be understood in Japanese as well, but they tend to write it with the last character simplified like 三位一体 in modern Japan.

This can be translated literally as “Three Thrones, One Body.”
Asian Christians will understand this as the Trinity, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Thirst for Truth

 kě fǎ
 katsuhō
Thirst for Truth Scroll

渴法 means to thirst for the truth or the Buddha-way.

渴法 is the internal need to seek the way of the truth in Buddhism.

A Journey of 1000 Miles Feels Like One

 sen ri mo ichi ri
A Journey of 1000 Miles Feels Like One Scroll

千里も一里 is a Japanese proverb that states “A journey of a thousand miles feels like only one mile.” It is understood that in the proverb, this applies when going to see the one you love.

Note that the “mile” or 里 used in this proverb is an old Chinese “li” (pronounced “ri” in Japanese). It's not actually a mile, as the measurement is really closer to 500 meters (it would take 3 of these to get close to a western mile). Still, 1000里 (333 miles) is a long way.

Three Treasures of Buddhism

The Triple Gem

 sān bǎo
 san bou
Three Treasures of Buddhism Scroll

三寶 is the title for “Three Precious Treasures of Buddhism” or “The Triple Gem.”

These three treasures are the Buddha 佛, the Dharma 法 (teachings or the law of the Buddha), and the Sangha 僧 (the community of monks or followers).

This term is used by most (perhaps not all) Buddhists in China, Japan, and South Korea (written the same in the original form but pronounced differently in each language). Non-Buddhists may just read this as “Three Treasures” without the religious context. For instance, there is also a “Three Treasures of Chinese Medicine” that is sometimes titled the same way.


In modern Japanese and Simplified Chinese, this is written 三宝 instead of 三寶.

God of Thunder

 léi shén
 rai jin
God of Thunder Scroll

雷神 is how to write the Japanese “Thunder God.” They don't really have separate words for thunder and lightning in Japanese, so this is also the “Lightning God.”

雷神 makes sense in Chinese (though not a common title).

This is also the origin of the English name Raiden.

How can you catch tiger cubs without entering the lair of the tiger?

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

 bú rù hǔ xué yān dé hǔ zǐ
How can you catch tiger cubs without entering the lair of the tiger? Scroll

While perhaps no longer politically correct, this Chinese proverb is a reminder that you must take risks if you want rewards.

不入虎穴焉得虎子 is similar to the English proverb, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

The literal word order of the Chinese is, “If (you) don't enter the tiger's lair/cave, how can (you) get/obtain tiger cubs?.”

The White Hairs of Old Age

Until death do us part

 bái tóu xié lǎo
The White Hairs of Old Age Scroll

白頭偕老 is a Chinese proverb that means (to live together until the) white hairs of old age.

This is the Chinese way of saying “to live to a ripe old age in conjugal bliss” or “until death do us part.”

Tomorrow / The Next Sun

 míng rì
 ashita / meibi
Tomorrow / The Next Sun Scroll

明日 is a common way to say “tomorrow” in Chinese and Japanese Kanji.

This temporal noun literally means “next sun[rise].” In addition to “tomorrow,” it can also mean “near future.”

In Japanese, this can also be the female given name Meibi.

The Three Truths

 sān dì
 san dai / san tai
The Three Truths Scroll

三諦 is a Buddhist term that means “threefold truth” or “three dogmas.”

The three truths are:
1. All things are void (卽空).
2. All things are temporary (卽假).
3. All things are in the middle state between these two (卽中).

True Religion / Buddha Truth

The way of the truth

 shí dào
 jitsu dou
True Religion / Buddha Truth Scroll

實道 is a Buddhist title that means “The true way,” “The true religion,” “The way of the truth,” or “The absolute Buddha-truth.”

Truth Flashed Through The Mind

 cān wù
Truth Flashed Through The Mind Scroll

參悟 is a Chan / Zen Buddhism concept that means “to understand (mystery) from meditation” or “to see truth flash through the mind.”

參悟 is a pretty deep idea; therefore, your study and contemplation may be required before fully appreciating it.

Tsuki no Kokoro / Mind like the Moon

 tsuki no kokoro
Tsuki no Kokoro / Mind like the Moon Scroll

月の心 means “Mind like the Moon” or, more directly translated, “Moon of Mind.”

月の心 is a phrase used in Zen Buddhism and some Japanese martial arts.

Under the Protection of the Dragon Saint

 shén lóng bì hù
Under the Protection of the Dragon Saint Scroll

神龍庇護 is not the most common thing to say in Chinese, but it is grammatically correct and a cool title.

The first character means “supernatural or saintly.” The second is “dragon.” The last two mean protection. You could also translate this as something like “Protected by the Dragon God” or more closely “Holy Dragon.”

United States of America (USA)

 měi guó
United States of America (USA) Scroll

This is the Chinese name for the United States of America (USA).


See Also:  North America

The Universe in Balance / Balanced Universe

 yǔ zhòu píng héng
 u chuu hei kou
The Universe in Balance / Balanced Universe Scroll

宇宙平衡 is a proverb that is simply Universe Balanced (we might say “Balanced Universe” in English).

The first two characters mean the Universe. However, in some contexts, it can mean cosmic, cosmos, or outer space.
The second two characters mean balance or balanced (can also mean equilibrium).

Unselfish: Perfectly Impartial

 dà gōng wú sī
Unselfish: Perfectly Impartial Scroll

大公無私 is a Chinese proverb that comes from an old story from some time before 476 BC. About a man named Qi Huangyang, who was commissioned by the king to select the best person for a certain job in the Imperial Court.

Qi Huangyang selected his enemy for the job. The king was very confused by the selection, but Qi Huangyang explained that he was asked to find the best person for the job, not necessarily someone that he liked or had a friendship with.

Later, Confucius commented on how unselfish and impartial Qi Huangyang was by saying, “Da Gong Wu Si” which, if you look it up in a Chinese dictionary, is generally translated as “Unselfish” or “Just and Fair.”

If you translate each character, you'd have something like

“Big/Deep Justice Without Self.”

Direct translations like this leave out a lot of what the Chinese characters really say. Use your imagination, and suddenly you realize that “without self” means “without thinking about yourself in the decision” - together, these two words mean “unselfish.” The first two characters serve to drive the point home that we are talking about a concept that is similar to “blind justice.”

One of my Chinese-English dictionaries translates this simply as “just and fair.” So that is the short and simple version.

Note: This can be pronounced in Korean, but it's not a commonly used term.


See Also:  Selflessness | Work Unselfishly for the Common Good | Altruism

United States Marine Corps

 bei kai hei tai
United States Marine Corps Scroll

米海兵隊 is the Japanese way to write “United States Marine Corps” or simply “U.S. Marines.”

Breaking down each Kanji, this means:
“rice (American) ocean/sea soldiers/army/military corps/regiment/group.”

This title will only make sense in Japanese, it is not the same in Chinese! Make sure you know your audience before ordering a custom wall scroll.

If you are wondering about rice, America is known as “rice country” or “rice kingdom” when literally translated. The Kanji for rice is often used as an abbreviation in front of words (like a sub-adjective) to make something “American.” Americans say “rice burner” for a Japanese car and “rice rocket” for a Japanese motorcycle. If you did the same in Japanese, it would have the opposite meaning.


Note: I have not verified this but I’ve found this title used for U.S. Marines in Korean articles, so it’s most likely a normal Korean term as well (but only in Korean Hanja).


See Also:  Marine Corps | Navy | Army | Art of War | Warrior | Military

A Vast Sky Full of Stars

 fán xīng
A Vast Sky Full of Stars Scroll

繁星 is a title that literally means a cluster or huge number of stars in the sky.

Goddess of Love: Venus

 wēi nà sī
Goddess of Love: Venus Scroll

維納斯 is how the name for Venus, Goddess of Love, is written in Chinese characters.

Voice of Heaven / Voices from Heaven

 tiān táng zhī yīn
Voice of Heaven / Voices from Heaven Scroll

天堂之音 is a title that can be translated as either “voice of heaven” or “voices from heaven.”

The first two characters mean heaven.
The third character is a possessive article (kind of like making heaven into heaven's).
The last character means voice but can also mean sound.

Note: This can be pronounced in Korean, but it's not a commonly used term.

Elements of the Tea Ceremony

Wa Kei Sei Jaku

 wa kei sei jaku
Elements of the Tea Ceremony Scroll

和, 敬, 清, 寂 or Wa, Kei, Sei, Jaku are the principles of the way of tea or 茶道.

The meanings are:
Harmony 和 (wa).
Respect 敬 (kei).
Purity 清 (sei).
Tranquility 寂 (jaku).


These principles or tenets were created by tea master Sen Rikyu (1522-1591). More about these ideas: Chanoyu


See Also:  The Way of Tea

Walk in the Way

The Way of Buddha Truth

 xíng dào
 yukimichi
Walk in the Way Scroll

In Taoist and Buddhist contexts, 行道 means to “Walk in the Way.” In Buddhism, that further means to follow the Buddha truth. In some Buddhist sects, this can mean making a procession around a statue of the Buddha (always with the right shoulder towards the Buddha).

Outside of that context, this can mean route (when going somewhere), the way to get somewhere, etc.

In Japanese, this can be the surname or given name Yukimichi.

Walking 100 Miles: Stopping at 90 miles, is the same as stopping half-way

 xíng bǎi lǐ zhě bàn jiǔ shí
Walking 100 Miles: Stopping at 90 miles, is the same as stopping half-way Scroll

行百里者半九十 is an old Chinese proverb that speaks to the act of giving up. This phrase suggests that no matter how close you are to finishing your task or journey, giving up just before you finish is just as bad as giving up halfway.

50% finished or 90% finished, the result is the same: “You are not finished.”

You can take what you want from this proverb, but I think it suggests that you should finish what you start, and especially finish that last 10% of your journey or project so that you can honestly say “it's finished.”

Some notes: The character, 里, that I am translating as “mile” is an ancient “Chinese mile” which is actually about half a kilometer - it just doesn't sound right to say “When walking 100 half-kilometers...”

Value of Warrior Generals

 bīng zài jīng ér bú zài duō jiàng zài móu ér bú zài yǒng
Value of Warrior Generals Scroll

兵在精而不在多將在謀而不在勇 is a proverb that informs how it is better to have warriors of quality, rather than just a large quantity of warriors in your army/force.

This literally means: [Just as] warriors [are valued for their] quality and not [just] for quantity, [so] generals [are valued] for their tactics, not [just] for [their] bravery.


See Also:  兵在精而不在多

Heart of a Warrior / Samurai Heart

 wǔ shì xīn
 bu shi kokoro
Heart of a Warrior / Samurai Heart Scroll

武士心 means “Warrior Heart.”

武士心 is more a Japanese title than Chinese, but it is understood in both languages.

Warrior of the Heavenly Realm

 tiān jiè lì shì
 ten kai riki shi
Warrior of the Heavenly Realm Scroll

天界力士 means “warrior of the heavenly realm” in Chinese, old Korean Hanja, and Japanese Kanji.

This is also known as Narayana in Buddhism.

Warrior Saint / Saint of War

 wǔ shèng
Warrior Saint / Saint of War Scroll

This Chinese title, Wusheng, means Saint of War.

武聖 is usually a reference to Guan Yu (關羽), also known as Guan Gong (關公).

Some Chinese soldiers still pray to Wusheng for protection. They would especially do this before going into battle.

Warrior Soul / Heroic Spirit

 yǒng shì jīng shén
Warrior Soul / Heroic Spirit Scroll

勇士精神 can be translated as the warrior's spirit or warrior's soul. The first two characters can be translated as “warrior” or literally “brave soldier/man,” although some will translate this word as “hero.” Therefore, this is also how to say “heroic spirit.”

The second two characters mean vigor, vitality, drive, spirit, mind, heart, mental essence, and psychological component. Basically “your soul.”


We have two versions of this phrase. The only difference is the first two and last two characters are swapped. The version here suggests that you admire or like the idea of the spirit of a warrior. The other version suggests that you are the warrior or hero.

Soul of a Warrior

 jīng shén yǒng shì
Soul of a Warrior Scroll

精神勇士 can be translated as the spirit or soul of a warrior. The first two characters can be translated as vigor, vitality, drive, spirit, mind, heart, mental essence, and psychological component. Basically, “your soul.”

The second two characters mean “warrior” or literally “brave soldier/man,” although some will translate this word as “hero.” Therefore, this is also how to say “soul of a hero.”

Note: This title is best for Chinese and old Korean. It does make sense in Japanese but is not a common or natural Kanji combination in Japanese.


We have two versions of this phrase. The only difference is the first two and last two characters are swapped. The version here suggests that you are the warrior or hero. The other version suggests that you admire or like the idea of the spirit of a warrior.

Warrior Essence / Warrior Spirit / Martial

 wǔ
 bu
 
Warrior Essence / Warrior Spirit / Martial Scroll

武 is the essence or spirit of a warrior. 武 is part of the word “wu shu” which is sometimes translated as “martial arts” or “kung fu.”

In more modern speech and another context, this can mean military, martial, warlike, fierce, and perhaps violent but usually as a prefix for a longer word or phrase.

The Value of Warriors Lies in Their Quality

 bīng zài jīng
The Value of Warriors Lies in Their Quality Scroll

This literally means: [The value of] soldiers/warriors lies in [their] quality.
兵在精 is part of a longer phrase that ends with “not [just] in [their] quantity.”

兵在精 is a well-known phrase in military circles, so the second part is suggested when one hears or reads these three characters.


See Also:  兵在精而不在多

Water Dragon / Rain Dragon

 jiāo
 kou ryuu
Water Dragon / Rain Dragon Scroll

蛟龍 is the title for the water dragon is the hornless or scaled dragon. 蛟龍 is the king of all aquatic animals with the ability to control rain and floods.

In Japanese, the rain dragon can represent hidden genius. This dragon's domain is the deep murky water, thus with hidden potential. This can also be the Japanese given name Kouryuu.

 bō làng
 harou
Wave Scroll

If you like to ride a surfboard, and/or “The Way of the Wave” is your life, 波浪 could be the scroll for you.

The additional meanings contained in these characters include ripple, storm, surge, breaker, wandering, and unrestrained.

The Way of Five Pecks of Rice

 wǔ dǒu mǐ dào
 gotobeidou
The Way of Five Pecks of Rice Scroll

This Chinese and Japanese Kanji title means “Way of the Five Pecks of Rice.”

五斗米道 is a Taoist/Daoist movement that later became known as “The Way of the Celestial Masters.”

The Way of the Wave

The Tao of the Waves

 làng zhī dào
The Way of the Wave Scroll

浪之道 is a great title for a surfer whose lifestyle is entwined with the surf and waves.

This can be translated a few different ways:
The Way of the Wave
The Dao of the Wave
The Tao of the Waves
Note: Dao and Tao are the same character (道), just sometimes romanized differently.

Way of Life / Art of Life

 shēng huó fǎ
 seikatsuhou
Way of Life / Art of Life Scroll

生活法 is a Japanese and Chinese title meaning “art of living” or “way of life.”

This can also be translated in a few other ways, such as “rule of life” and “the act of living.”

The “art” title kind of comes from the fact that the last character is the same as the book, “The Art of War.” So when you write your book, this is the title for “The Art of Life,” in Chinese and Japanese.

The Way of Tea

 chá dào
 cha dou
The Way of Tea Scroll

茶道 means The Way of Tea (literally, “tea way”) in Chinese and Japanese.

This may refer to a tea ceremony or a general lifestyle of tea preparation and drinking.

In Japanese, this can be pronounced sadō or chadō (seems that sadō refers more often to a tea ceremony, and chadō when it's the Way of Tea).

茶道 is also used in the Buddhist context with the same meaning as the Way of Tea.

The Way of the Dragon

 lóng zhī dào
The Way of the Dragon Scroll

龍之道 is how the way of the dragon is written in Chinese.

龍之道 is not the same as the Chinese movie that was titled in English as “The Way of the Dragon.” 龍之道 is, rather, the literal meaning of the dragon's way. The first character is dragon, the second is a possessive article, and the third character means way or path.

The Way of the Dragon

 měng lóng guò jiāng
The Way of the Dragon Scroll

猛龍過江 is the title of the 1972 movie, “The Way of the Dragon.”

This means “Fierce dragons crossing the river.”
If you want a title that means “way of the dragon,” please see the more accurate 龍之道 3-character title.

The Weak are Meat, The Strong Eat

Meaning: Survival of the fittest

 ruò ròu qiáng shí
 jaku niku kyoo shoku
The Weak are Meat, The Strong Eat Scroll

弱肉強食 is a Japanese and Chinese proverb that literally means “The weak are meat; the strong eat” or “The weak are prey to the strong.”

The closest English version is, “Survival of the fittest.” It also fits with the ideas of, “predatory behavior,” or “The law of the jungle.”

Overcome: Regardless of the Rain and Wind

 fēng yǔ wú zǔ
Overcome: Regardless of the Rain and Wind Scroll

風雨無阻 is a proverb that is often translated as “Go ahead as planned regardless of the weather” or, “[Overcome] despite the rain and wind.”

This is a Chinese proverb that suggests that you are willing (or should be willing) to overcome any adversity, and accomplish your task at hand.

There is a second/optional part to this phrase that suggests that you should do this together with someone (see our other 8-character version if you want the full phrase).

Regardless of the Weather, We Overcome Troubles Together

 fēng yǔ wú zǔ tóng zhōu gòng jì
Regardless of the Weather, We Overcome Troubles Together Scroll

The first four characters are often translated as “Go ahead as planned regardless of the weather” or, “[Overcome] despite the rain and wind.” The last four characters can mean “Stick together” but literally means “Take the same boat [together].”

風雨無阻同舟共濟 is a Chinese proverb that suggests that you are willing (or should be willing) to overcome any adversity, and accomplish your task at hand. The second part (last four characters) is sometimes left off but this second part strongly suggests that you should overcome that adversity together.

The Game of Weiqi / Weichi / Go

 wéi qí
The Game of Weiqi / Weichi / Go Scroll

圍棋 is the Chinese title for the ancient game of strategy known as Weiqi or Wei Chi in Chinese and Go in Japanese.


碁 Note: In Japanese, this game is known by a different single Kanji as seen to the right. If you want this Japanese "Go" character, click the Kanji to the right instead of the button above.

Wheel of Karma

 yè lún
 gōrin
Wheel of Karma Scroll

業輪 is the Chinese and Japanese Kanji for “The wheel of karma.”

This wheel is the metaphorical Buddhist mechanism that turns people into the six paths of transmigration.

Eternal Wheel of Life

 fǎ lún
 hourin / horin
Eternal Wheel of Life Scroll

法輪 is the Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja title, “The Eternal Wheel of Life,” in Buddhism.

Also known as the wheel of the law, or Buddha-truth, which can crush all evil and all opposition. It is likened to Indra's wheel, which rolls on from man-to-man, place-to-place, age-to-age.

Colloquially used in some sects to mean preaching or spreading Buddha-truth.

White Dragon

 bái lóng
White Dragon Scroll

白龍 is a sophisticated or scholarly way to say “White Dragon.” 白龍 is the title you'd expect in ancient Chinese literature.

The first character means white, pure, or bright.

The second character means dragon.

The White Dragon represents a king who is virtuous and pure.

Stay Strong / Iron Will

 tesshin sekichou
Stay Strong / Iron Will Scroll

鉄心石腸 is a Japanese proverb that suggests you should have the inner-strength and will as hard and steadfast as iron.

It's the Japanese way of saying, “stay strong.” This is an especially uplifting thing to say to a person in distress or recovering from a disaster. It's kind of the survivor's creed.

If you literally translate this, it means “iron will, stone guts” or “iron heart, rock-hard bowels.”

Will of Fire

 hi no ishi
Will of Fire Scroll

火の意志 or the “Will of Fire” is an element from the Naruto series.

The word order in Japanese makes this more like “Fire's Will.”

火 is fire.

の is a possessive article.

意志 means will, volition, intention, or intent.

You must endure a harsh winter to appreciate the warmth of springtime

You must know hardship to appreciate happiness

 bù jīng dōng hán bù zhī chūn nuǎn
You must endure a harsh winter to appreciate the warmth of springtime Scroll

This literally translates as: Without having experienced the cold of winter, one cannot appreciate the warmth of spring.

Figuratively, this means: One cannot truly appreciate happiness without having gone through hardship.

There are many contrasts in life. One simply cannot fully know what joy is without having experienced misery, difficulty, and pain. How could you explain “light” if you did not have “darkness” to compare it to?

Embrace hardship, as it makes the good times seem even better.

No Limitations

 màn lán
 man ran
No Limitations Scroll

漫瀾 is the Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja for “Having no boundaries or limitations.”

This literally talks of the vastness of an ocean or river.

Character breakdown:
漫 = free; unrestrained; to inundate; overflowing; boundless.
澜 = swelling water; large wave.

Endless / Without Limit

 wú jìn
 mu jin
Endless / Without Limit Scroll

無盡 is the Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja for endless; inexhaustible; without limits; infinite.

In the Buddhist context, this can refer to the infinitude of living beings, of worlds, of space, of the dharmadhātu, of nirvāṇa, etc.

Wolf Spirit / Soul of a Wolf

 láng hún
 routama / ookami tamashii
Wolf Spirit / Soul of a Wolf Scroll

狼魂 means wolf spirit, but is an unusual title in Chinese and Japanese.

Many people have searched for this title, so I added it. The wolf is not usually seen in a positive light in Asian culture, so this may not be the best title to label yourself.

Sisterhood / Association of Women

 fù nǚ huì
 fu jo kai
Sisterhood / Association of Women Scroll

婦女會 is an expression that means “sisterhood” as in a women's association, club, or group.

The first two characters mean “women.”

The last character means to assemble, to meet, to gather, to see, union, group, or association.

Work Unselfishly for the Common Good

 kè jǐ fèng gōng
Work Unselfishly for the Common Good Scroll

克己奉公 is a Chinese proverb that is often used to express how one should act as a government official. Most of us wish our public officials would hold themselves to higher standards. I wish I could send this scroll, along with the meaning to every member of Congress, and the President (or if I was from the UK, all the members of Parliament, and the PM)

This can also mean: “Place Strict Standards on Oneself in Public Service.”
The story behind this ancient Chinese idiom:
Cai Zun was born in China a little over 2000 years ago. In 24 AD, he joined an uprising led by Liu Xiu, who later became the emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Later, the new emperor put Cai Zun in charge of the military court. Cai Zun exercised his power in strict accordance with military law, regardless of the offender's rank or background. He even ordered the execution of one of the emperor's close servants after the servant committed a serious crime.

Cai Zun led a simple life but put great demands on himself to do all things honorably. The emperor rewarded him for his honest character and honorable nature by promoting him to the rank of General and granting him the title of Marquis.

Whenever Cai Zun would receive an award, he would give credit to his men and share the reward with them.
Cai Zun was always praised by historians who found many examples of his selfless acts that served the public interest.
Sometime long ago in history, people began to refer to Cai Zun as “ke ji feng gong.”


See Also:  Unselfish | Selflessness | Altruism

 shì jiè
 sei kai
The World Scroll

世界 is the Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja for the world.

Beyond the world, this can refer to society, the universe, space, a sphere, or a circle.

In Buddhism, this would mean the realm governed by one Buddha.

Heart of Judo

 róu
 yawara
 
Heart of Judo Scroll

This 柔 Kanji literally means flexible, pliable, gentle, or yielding.

柔 is also the first Kanji of the Japanese martial arts titles of Judo and Jujutsu (Jujitsu). In those cases, it's pronounced “ju” in Japanese. However, alone, the classic pronunciation is “yawara.” Some translate this Kanji (in the context of martial arts) as “The Heart of Judo.”

Please note that this just means pliable, gentle, and yielding in Chinese and old Korean Hanja. They do know what Judo and Jujitsu are but if this character is seen alone in China or Korea, people generally will not think of the martial arts context.

Yellow Dragon

 huáng lóng
Yellow Dragon Scroll

黃龍 is a sophisticated or scholarly way to say “Yellow Dragon.” 黃龍 is the title you'd expect in ancient Chinese literature.

The first character means yellow.

The second character means dragon.

The Yellow Dragon represents a king that favorably hears all petitions of his subjects.


Note: This title can be the name of Huanglong county in Yan’an, located in Shaanxi province of China.

Zendo / The Zen Way

 chán dào
 zen dou
Zendo / The Zen Way Scroll

禪道 is a title used in certain contexts but is not widely known by the general population of China or Japan.

In Japanese, you will see this title romanized as “zendo,” which is the brand name of a board game, and also a title used by some martial arts studios and karate dojos. Oddly, many translate this as “zen fist,” although there is no “fist” in the title. If you literally translated this title, it would be “meditation way” or “meditation method.”

In Chinese, this would be “chan dao” with the same literal meaning as the Japanese title. It's used in China by just a handful of martial arts styles/studios.

You should only order this title if you really understand the meaning, and it has some personal connection to you (such as practicing a martial art style that uses this title, or if you love the board game Zendo). Many who see your wall scroll will not be familiar with this title, and you'll have some explaining to do.


禪The first character can also be written in a more complex traditional way as shown to the right. Let us know in the special instructions for your calligraphy project if you want this style.

禅If you order this from the Japanese master calligrapher, the first character will automatically be written with an extra dot on top. This is the variant form of the original Chinese character which is commonly used in modern Japan Kanji. See sample to the right.

Dragon

Year of the Dragon / Zodiac Sign

 lóng
 ryuu / tatsu
Dragon Scroll

龍 is the character for dragon in Chinese, old Korean Hanja, and Japanese Kanji.

The dragon is a creature of myth and legend that dominates Chinese, Japanese, and even European folklore. In China, the dragon is the symbol of the Emperor, strength, and power, and the Chinese dragon is known as the god of water.

From the Chinese Zodiac, if you were born in the year of the Dragon, you . . .

Have a strong body and spirit.
Are full of energy.
Have vast goals.
Have a deep level of self-awareness.
Will do whatever you can to “save face.”


See also our Chinese Zodiac or Dragon Calligraphy pages.

Shinken Shobu

Death Match

 shinken shoubu
Shinken Shobu Scroll

In modern Japanese, 真剣勝負 means to take something very seriously.

The literal and historical meaning is “real sword battle.” In old times, a Samurai apprentice would practice with a wooden practice sword. Once trained and qualified, they would wield a real steel sword made for battle and killing. They were ready for a “death match” or Shinken Shobu.

真剣 is an adjective that has come to mean serious/earnest. The literal translation is “real sword.”

勝負 in the simplest terms, means match, contest, game, or bout. Depending on the context, it could also mean victory or defeat, winning and losing, or the outcome of a battle.

There is a suggestion in Shinken Shobu that you train with serious and real intent, as we should train with the same fervor and dedication as if the battle was real. “Train as we fight.”


See Also:  The More We Sweat in Training the Less We Bleed in Battle | Cry in the Dojo - Laugh on the Battlefield

Soul / Spirit

 hún
 tamashi / kon
 
Soul / Spirit Scroll

魂 means soul or spirit as in the immortal soul that can be detached from the body.

This can also refer to one's Yang energy or spirit.

In the Buddhist context, this can be the soul, conscious mind, or vijñāna.

Seeker of Wisdom

 xún zhì zhě
Seeker of Wisdom Scroll

尋智者 is a Chinese title that means “Seeker of Wisdom.”

It's a little ambiguous, as you can also read this as “Seeking a Wise Person.”

Whether you are the person seeking wisdom or in the process of seeking a wise person (you will probably gain wisdom from the wise) this short phrase should suit your needs.

Go With The Flow

 suí bō zhú liú
Go With The Flow Scroll

隨波逐流 is a Chinese proverb that means to drift with the waves and go with the flow.

This can be positive or negative, as it can also be used to mean following the crowd blindly.

Red Leaves of Autumn

 hóng yè
 moyo
Red Leaves of Autumn Scroll

This refers to the red autumnal leaves or autumn colors.

You can also say fall colors, leaves changing color, or leaves turning red.

The characters themselves mean red leaves. The rest of the meaning is implied and understood to include autumn and the fact that they are changing.

Journey to the West

 xī yóu jì
 sei yuu ki
Journey to the West Scroll

西遊記 is the original title of the novel Journey to the West.

Written during the Ming dynasty, this novel by Wu Cheng'en (吳承恩) is one of the four classic stories of Chinese literature.

Sometimes this book is titled, Pilgrimage to the West, Monkey King, or Magic Monkey.

Many movies and TV series depict or adapt portions of this story.

Brahmavihara - The Four Immeasurables

 sì wú liàng xīn
 shi mur you shin
Brahmavihara - The Four Immeasurables Scroll

四無量心 is the cattāri brahmavihārā or catvāri apramāṇāni.

The four immeasurables, or infinite Buddha-states of mind. These four dhyānas include:
1. 慈無量心 boundless kindness, maitrī, or bestowing of joy or happiness.
2. 悲無量心 boundless pity, karuṇā, to save from suffering.
3. 喜無量心 boundless joy, muditā, on seeing others rescued from suffering.
4. 捨無量心 limitless indifference, upekṣā, i.e., rising above these emotions or giving up all things.

Heart of a Warrior

 zhàn shì zhī xīn
Heart of a Warrior Scroll

戰士之心 can mean “Heart of a Warrior” or “Heart of a Fighter” in Chinese.

Fortune Favors the Bold

 xìng yùn juàn gù yǒng gǎn de rén
Fortune Favors the Bold Scroll

幸运眷顾勇敢的人 can be translated as “Fortune favors the brave/bold/courageous” in Chinese.

I am the Master of My Destiny

 wǒ mìng yóu wǒ bù yóu tiān
I am the Master of My Destiny Scroll

我命由我不由天 is often translated as “The one that shapes my destiny will always be myself rather than the God” or “Rather than Heaven, I am the master of my fate.”

Breaking down the words directly:
我命 = My fate/destiny
由我 = depends (on) me
不 = not
由天 dependant (on) Heaven.


See Also:  Choose Your Own Destiny

Dharma Gate of Bliss

 an raku no hou mon
Dharma Gate of Bliss Scroll

安樂の法門 represents that the Dharma Gate or the Door to Enlightenment leads to peace and happiness.

The Dharma Gate is the method of attaining or actualizing peace and happiness in Zen and other Buddhist traditions.

The Bodhi Mind

 pú tí xīn
 bo dai shin
The Bodhi Mind Scroll

菩提心 means Bodhi-mind or Bodhi-heart.

This title represents the will to realize supreme enlightenment. The awakening of the Bodhi-mind is of utmost importance in Buddhist training.

Other definitions include the mind for or of bodhi, the awakened, enlightened mind, or having Buddha-nature.

The Buddha Realm / Buddhahood

 fó jìng
 bukkyou
The Buddha Realm / Buddhahood Scroll

佛境 means the spiritual region of Buddhas, the state of the Buddha, or the Buddha realm.

佛境 is Bukkyō in Japanese and Fójìng in Mandarin Chinese.

If you are contemplating the Metaverse, in contrast, 佛境 is the Buddha-sphere or Buddhaverse.

Wisdom and Insight of the Buddha

 fó zhī jiàn
 bucchiken
Wisdom and Insight of the Buddha Scroll

This title represents the wisdom and insight of the Buddha, or the penetrative power of Buddha's wisdom, or vision.

佛知見 is a term derived from the Lotus Sutra, perhaps up to 1900 years ago.

The Buddha is in Each Sentient Being

 butsu wa shujou no naka ni ari
The Buddha is in Each Sentient Being Scroll

佛は衆生の中に在り is “Butsu wa shujo no naka ni ari” and means that the Buddha (potential for Buddhahood) exists in all beings in the universe.

So yes, your dog has the potential to be a Buddha (but only in a future reincarnation as a human). But all things, from the tiny cricket to the humpback whale have Buddha nature within them. If one takes the time to look and contemplate, one will see the Buddha in all things.

In Japan, sometimes the Buddha character is written 仏 instead of 佛, so you might see the whole phrase written as 仏は衆生の中に在り.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

The Principles of Buddhism

 fó yì
 butsu gi
The Principles of Buddhism Scroll

In short, 佛義 is the Principles of Buddhism, but there is more (especially for the second character):

佛 is the character for the Buddha and Buddhism.

義 has deeper meanings including justice, righteousness, morality, honour/honor, teachings, doctrine, right, proper, righteous, loyalty, purpose, or meaning. So the single word “principles” is often used to encompass all these ideas.

Inugami / Dog Spirit

 inugami
Inugami / Dog Spirit Scroll

犬神 is the title Inugami, meaning dog spirit or dog god in Japanese.

In some cases, this is an evil spirit of a dog, but it depends on the context.

Great Illumination of Wisdom

 dà zhì míng
 dai chi myou
Great Illumination of Wisdom Scroll

大智明 is a Zen Buddhist title that means the great illumination of wisdom.

This refers to wisdom so bright that it shines through obviously to all in its presence.

Warriors of Light

 hikari no senshi
Warriors of Light Scroll

光の戦士 is the Japanese title for Warrior(s) of Light. This usually refers to the Four Warriors of Light theme from the Final Fantasy series.

Also called Light Warriors, Warriors of the Light, Knights of Light, or Heroes of Light, depending on who is translating.

There are no direct plural forms in Japanese, so warrior or warriors is the same word, 戦士 (which can also be soldier, fighter, combatant, etc.).

Flower in the Mirror, Moon on Water

 jìng huā shuǐ yuè
 kyou ka sui getsu
Flower in the Mirror, Moon on Water Scroll

鏡花水月 is an old Asian proverb that means “flowers in a mirror and the moon reflected in the lake” or “flowers reflected on a mirror and the moon reflected on the water's surface.”

Literally, 鏡花水月 reads “Mirror Flower, Water Moon.”

Figuratively this can be used to represent a lot of different ideas. It can be used to express an unrealistic rosy view or viewing things through rose-tinted spectacles. So you can use it to relay an idea about something that is visible but has no substance, something that can be seen but not touched, or something beautiful but unattainable such as dreams or a mirage.

This expression is used to describe things like the subtle and profound beauty of poems that cannot be described in words.

鏡 = Mirror (or lens)
花 = Flower(s)
水 = Water
月 = Moon


Can also be written 水月鏡花 (just a slight change in word/character order).

The Eighteen Arhats

 shí bā luó hàn
The Eighteen Arhats Scroll

十八羅漢 is “The Eighteen Arhats” in Chinese.

The two most important days in your life...

 Jinsei de ichiban daijina hi wa futsuka aru. Umaretahi to, naze umareta ka o wakatta hi
The two most important days in your life... Scroll

人生で一番大事な日は二日ある。生まれた日と、なぜ生まれたかを分かった日 is Mark Twain's quote, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why” in Japanese.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

The Nature of Enlightenment in One's Mind

 jué xìng
 kakushou
The Nature of Enlightenment in One's Mind Scroll

覺性 represents “The enlightened mind free from all illusion,” “The nature of enlightenment in one's mind,” or “The Buddha-nature.”

To reach this “enlightened nature,” one must form their mind into and utilize their mind as the agent of knowledge, or enlightenment.

Old, But More Vigorous in Spirit

Age is just a number

 lǎo dāng yì zhuàng
Old, But More Vigorous in Spirit Scroll

老當益壯 is a Chinese proverb that means “old but vigorous” or “hale and hearty despite the years.”

Said of someone who is more spirited when he/she grows older.

The story behind this Chinese proverb:

In the Eastern Han Dynasty, there was a man named Ma Yuan. He had been planning to herd animals on the frontier since he was young. When he grew up, Ma became a minor official of a county.

Once, he was sending some prisoners to another location. He felt pity for them, so he set them free, and then he fled to another county in the north. He herded animals there, and thus his dream came true. He always said: “If you want to be a great man, the poorer you are, the firmer in spirit you have to be; the older you are, the more spirited you should be.”

Later, when he was even older, Ma Yuan became a famous general of the Eastern Han Dynasty and contributed to many battles.

The Lord's Prayer / Luke 11:2-4

 wǒ men zài tiān shàng de fù yǒu gǔ juǎn zhǐ zuò fù ā yuàn rén dōu zūn nǐ de míng wèi shèng yuàn nǐ de guó jiàng lín yuàn nǐ de zhǐ yì xíng zài dì shàng rú tóng xíng zài tiān shàng yǒu gǔ juǎn wú yuàn nǐ de zhǐ yì yún yún wǒ men rì yòng de yǐn shí tiān tiān cì gěi wǒ men shè miǎn wǒ men de zuì yīn wèi wǒ men yě shè miǎn fán kuī qiàn wǒ men de rén bù jiào wǒ men yù jiàn shì tàn jiù wǒ men tuō lí xiōng è yǒu gǔ juǎn wú mò jù
The Lord's Prayer / Luke 11:2-4 Scroll

Here is the Lord's Prayer in Chinese from Luke 11:2-4.

The Chinese text with punctuation is:
Part of 11:2 ...我们在天上的父,有古卷只作父阿愿人都尊你的名为圣。愿你的国降临。愿你的旨意行在地上,如同行在天上。有古卷无愿你的旨意云云。
11:3 我们日用的饮食,天天赐给我们。
11:4 赦免我们的罪,因为我们也赦免凡亏欠我们的人。不叫我们遇见试探。救我们脱离凶恶。有古卷无末句。
Note that punctuation is not included in traditional Chinese calligraphy artwork.

From KJV, this is:
Part of 11:2 ...Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

The Lord's Prayer / Mathew 6:9-13

 wǒ men zài tiān shàng de fù yuàn rén dōu zūn nǐ de míng wèi shèng yuàn nǐ de guó jiàng lín yuàn nǐ de zhǐ yì xíng zài dì shàng rú tóng xíng zài tiān shàng wǒ men rì yòng de yǐn shí jīn rì cì gěi wǒ men miǎn wǒ men de zhài rú tóng wǒ men miǎn le rén de zhài bù jiào wǒ men yù jiàn shì tàn jiù wǒ men tuō lí xiōng è yīn wèi guó dù quán bǐng róng yào quán shì nǐ de zhí dào yǒng yuǎn ā men
The Lord's Prayer / Mathew 6:9-13 Scroll

Here is the Lord's Prayer in Chinese from Mathew 6:9-13.

The Chinese text with punctuation is:
Part of 6:9 ...我们在天上的父,愿人都尊你的名为圣。
6:10 愿你的国降临,愿你的旨意行在地上,如同行在天上。
6:11 我们日用的饮食,今日赐给我们。
6:12 免我们的债,如同我们免了人的债。
6:13 不叫我们遇见试探,救我们脱离凶恶,因为国度,权柄,荣耀,全是你的,直到永远,阿们。
Note that punctuation is not included in traditional Chinese calligraphy artwork.

From KJV, this is:
Part of 6:9 ...Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Conquering Yourself is a Sign of Strength

 zì shèng zhě qiáng yě
Conquering Yourself is a Sign of Strength Scroll

自勝者強也 means “One who conquers oneself is strong” in Chinese.

自勝 = Self-overcoming or self-conquering
者 = is
強 = Strength
也 = Also

Fight to the End / Fight Until the Bitter End

 tataka-i nu-ku
Fight to the End / Fight Until the Bitter End Scroll

戦い抜く means “To fight to the bitter end” in Japanese.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Heart of Aikido

Aikido no Kokoro

 ai ki dou no kokoro
Heart of Aikido Scroll

合気道の心 is often translated as “The Spirit of Aikido,” but it is more directly translated as “Heart of Aikido.”

Light of the World

 shì guāng
 toshimitsu
Light of the World Scroll

世光 means “light of the world” in a Buddhist context in Chinese and Japanese.

This can also be the personal name Toshimitsu in Japanese.

Take Refuge in the Three Treasures

 nán mo sān bǎo
 na mu san bou
Take Refuge in the Three Treasures Scroll

南無三寶 means to take refuge in the three treasures (of Buddhism).

This starts with the phonetic “南無” or “Namo/Namu” trying to sound like the original Pali or Sanskrit, followed by “三寶” being more literally the three treasures.

Take Refuge in the Three Treasures

 guī yī sān bǎo
 ki e san bou
Take Refuge in the Three Treasures Scroll

歸依三寶 means to take refuge in the three treasures (of Buddhism).

This is the literal (there is also a partially-phonetic version) way to express taking refuge in the three treasures by the actual meaning of the characters.

Celestial Dragon / Tian Long

 tiān lóng
 tenryuu
Celestial Dragon / Tian Long Scroll

天龍 can mean Heavenly Dragon (Dragon of Heaven), Sky Dragon, Holy Dragon, Celestial Dragon, or Divine Dragon.

This can be a given name in both China and Japan (天龍 is pronounced Tenryū and sometimes written 天竜 in Japanese).

In an older Buddhist context, this can refer to Brahma, Indra, and the devas, together with the nāgas. It can also refer to celestials and snake spirits.

Dragon Ball Kai

 doragon bouru kai
Dragon Ball Kai Scroll

ドラゴンボール改 is the name for Doragon Bōru Kai (Dragon Ball Revised), a high-definition remastered and recut of the original Dragon Ball Z, released on the 20th anniversary.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Katakana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

I Am Worthy of Being Loved

 wǒ zhí dé bèi ài
I Am Worthy of Being Loved Scroll

我值得被愛 means “I am worthy of being loved” in Chinese.

Mystic Lotus Wisdom of Amitabha

 lián huá zhì
 renge chi
Mystic Lotus Wisdom of Amitabha Scroll

蓮華智 is the lotus or mystic wisdom of Amitābha.

It's one of the five kinds of wisdom in Buddhism.

Knowledge of Ultimate Truth

 zhēn zhì
 masatoshi
Knowledge of Ultimate Truth Scroll

眞智 can mean the wisdom or knowledge of ultimate truth.

眞智 is also the absolute knowledge of the non-thing or that which is immaterial. This makes more sense when you consider that true wisdom includes the knowledge of both the real and unreal, or what is material and immaterial.

In Japan, 眞智 (Masatoshi) can also be a given name.

The True and Complete Enlightenment

 zhēn jué
 shinkaku
The True and Complete Enlightenment Scroll

眞覺 means true and complete enlightenment.

This can refer to the perfect nirvana of the Buddha or the perception of ultimate truth or true awareness of all things (reality and unreality).

The Supreme Mahayana Truth

 dà shèng wú shàng fǎ
 dai jou mu jou hou
The Supreme Mahayana Truth Scroll

大乘無上法 means the supreme Mahāyāna truth.

This refers to the ultimate reality in contrast with the temporary and apparent. Other translations include “the reliance on the power of the vow of the bodhisattva” or “the peerless great vehicle teaching.”


Note: This may suggest that Mahayana Buddhism, as practiced in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and other regions is superior (with subtle arrogance) to the original Theravada (or old school) Buddhism. Mahayana and Theravada Buddhists generally get along better than Catholics and Protestants, but there have been schisms.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

 gāng guǒ mín zhǔ gòng hé guó
Democratic Republic of the Congo Scroll

剛果民主共和國 is the Chinese title for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).

The Great Path has No Gate

 dà dào wú mén
 dai dou mu mon
The Great Path has No Gate Scroll

大道無門 is a Buddhist proverb that means “The Great Way has no entrance,” “The Great Way is gateless,” or “The Great Path lacks a gate.”

This can be translated in many other ways.

This concept was authored within a long sacred text by 無門慧開 (known as Wúmén Huìkāi in Chinese or Mumon Ekai in Japanese). He was a Chinese Chan Master (in Japanese, a Zen Master) who lived between 1183 and 1260 AD. His most famous work was a 48-koan collection titled “The Gateless Barrier” or “The Gateless Gate” (無門關 Wú Mén Guān in Chinese, or 無門関 Mu Mon Kan in Japanese). This calligraphy title is a notable line from this collection.


I like this reference to the source of this proverb: The Gateless Gate 無門關

Mumonkan / The Gateless Gate

 mu mon kan
Mumonkan / The Gateless Gate Scroll

無門関 is the specifically Japanese title for “The Gateless Barrier.” This has both direct meaning and is the title of a 13th-century collection of koans, compiled by Zen Master Mumon (actually a Chinese Chan Master known as Wumen in China).

The original title is 無門關, but the last Kanji was simplified to 関 in modern Japan.

The Gateless Gate

 wú mén guān
 mu mon kan
The Gateless Gate Scroll

無門關 is the ancient title for “The Gateless Barrier.” This has both direct meaning and is the title of a 13th-century collection of koans, compiled by a Chinese Chan Master known as Wumen in China (known in Japan as Zen Master Mumon).

While this is the original title, you may see this written as 無門関 in Japan, where the last character, 關, was simplified to 関 after 1945.

Merciful Heart / The Light from a Buddha Mind

 xīn guāng
 shin kou
Merciful Heart / The Light from a Buddha Mind Scroll

心光 can mean the light from a Buddha's mind or “merciful heart.”

This would especially be the light emanating from Amitābha.

Note that the character 心 can mean mind or heart. 光 means light or brightness - but in this context can suggest a glow of mercy or compassion. This can also be a Japanese surname that is romanized as Shinkou or Shinko.

My life is complete because of you

 wǒ de shēng mìng yīn wèi yǒu nǐ jiù wán zhěng
My life is complete because of you Scroll

我的生命因为有你就完整 means “My life is complete because of you” in Chinese.

Release of Desires

 guǎ yù
 keyoku
Release of Desires Scroll

寡欲 is a Buddhist word meaning unselfishness, wanting little, giving up desires, or achieving a reduction of desires in one's life.

When one achieves this, one has a more content and happy life.

Breath of Life

 qì xī
 kisoku
Breath of Life Scroll

氣息 can mean breath of life or panting for want of breath in the Buddhist context.

In other contexts, it can mean breath, smell, odor, or flavor.

Facing the Wall Nine Years

 miàn bì jiǔ nián
 menpeki kyunen
Facing the Wall Nine Years Scroll

面壁九年 is a Buddhist term that means “facing a wall for nine years.”

This refers to the Bodhidharma who stared at a wall in meditation at the Shaolin Temple (or in a cave) for nine years until reaching full enlightenment.

The Book of Five Rings

 go rin sho
The Book of Five Rings Scroll

五輪書 is the Japanese title for “The Book of Five Rings.”

五輪書 is a martial arts treatise by Miyamoto Musashi written around 1643.

Technically, these three characters are “Go Rin Sho” but an unwritten “の” or “no” which is a possessive article like the English “of” is verbally added by most Japanese. Therefore, many write this in Romaji as “Go Rin No Sho.”

Fundamental Principles of Tai Chi Chuan

 péng lǚ jǐ àn cǎi liè zhǒu kào
Fundamental Principles of Tai Chi Chuan Scroll

Peng, Lu, Ji, An, Cai, Lie, Zhou, and Kao are the eight fundamentals or forces of Tai Chi Chuan or Taiqiquan.

棚 (Peng) refers to the outward (or upward) expansion of energy.
履 (Lu) is often referred to as “rollback.” Lu is the ability to absorb, yield/deflect incoming force.
擠 (Ji) is often thought of as a “forward press.” However, it is also best described as a “squeezing out of space.”
按 (An) is a downward movement of energy, best translated as “(relaxed) sinking.”
採 (Cai or Tsai) translated as “downward pluck.” Cai is a combination of Lu and An.
列 (Lie or Lieh) is “Split” and is a combination of Peng and Ji.
肘 (Zhou) Elbowing.
靠 (Kao) Shouldering (for when the arms are bound/distance is too close to punch).

Source: https://combativecorner.wordpress.com/2015/12/03/the-8-energies-and-5-movements-of-taijiquan/

Mujo no Kaze / Wind of Impermanence

 mu jou no kaze
Mujo no Kaze / Wind of Impermanence Scroll

無常の風 is an old Japanese proverb that means the wind of impermanence or the wind of change in Japanese.

This can refer to the force that ends life, like the wind scattering a flower's petals. Life is yet another impermanent existence that is fragile, blown out like a candle.

The first two characters mean uncertainty, transiency, impermanence, mutability, variable, and/or changeable.

In some Buddhist contexts, 無常 can be analogous to a spirit departing at death (with a suggestion of the impermanence of life).

The last two characters mean “of wind” or a possessive like “wind of...” but Japanese grammar will have the wind come last in the phrase.

Body Mind Spirit

 mi shin rei
Body Mind Spirit Scroll

身心霊 means “body mind spirit” in Japanese.

This refers to your physical, mental, and spiritual presence.

This can also be translated as “body heart spirit” as 心 can mean mind or heart.


Note that this is a "word list" and not a proper phrase (with a subject, verb, and object) nor a typical title in Japanese. So it's not too commonly seen in Japan. However, the term 身心霊整合性医療 that refers to holistic medicine is gaining popularity.

Dragon Crane Tiger

 lóng hè hǔ
Dragon Crane Tiger Scroll

龍鶴虎 is Dragon Crane Tiger in Chinese.

Fruit of the Spirit

 jīng shén de guǒ shí
Fruit of the Spirit Scroll

精神的果實 means “Fruit of the Spirit” in Chinese.

Live By The Sword Die By The Sword

Matthew 26:52

 fán dòng dāo de bì sǐ zài dāo xià
Live By The Sword Die By The Sword Scroll

凡动刀的,必死在刀下 is the second part of Matthew 26:52 from the Chinese Union Bible where Jesus suggests that one who uses a sword will also die by it.

 tiě lóng
Iron Dragon Scroll

鐵龍 is the title Iron Dragon in Chinese.

Year Of The Water Rabbit

 guǐ mǎo
 mizunotou / kibou
Year Of The Water Rabbit Scroll

癸卯 is the designation for the 40th year of the 60-year or sexagenary cycle, e.g. 1903, 1963, or 2023.

This is the year of the Water Rabbit. The characters here designate the year in a special way, but do not literally mean water and rabbit.


The 60 year cycle has 5 elements and 12 animals. As each cycles every year, the math works out to 5 x 12 = 60.

Year of the Water Rabbit

1903 1963 2023

 shuǐ tù nián
 mizu usagi toshi
Year of the Water Rabbit Scroll

水兔年 means water rabbit year.

This happens to be the combination in the 60-year cycle for the year 2023, starting on Feb 4th, 2023.

Call Of Duty

 jué shèng shí kè
Call Of Duty Scroll

This is the Chinese title for the Call Of Duty video game.

Dragon Quest

 yǒng zhě dòu è lóng xì liè
Dragon Quest Scroll

This is the title of the Nintendo Dragon Quest series/game in Chinese.

Wind of Change

 fēng yún biàn huàn
Wind of Change Scroll

風雲變幻 is a Chinese proverb that means “wind of change” or “changeable situation.”

The first character, 風, means wind, but when combined with the second character, 風雲, you have weather, winds and clouds, nature, or the elements. Colloquially, this can refer to an unstable situation or state of affairs.

The last two characters, 變幻, mean change or fluctuate.

Earth Dragon

The Year of the Earth Dragon

 tǔ lóng
Earth Dragon Scroll

土龍 is Earth Dragon in Chinese.

In the Chinese zodiac and sexagenary (60-year) cycle, this combination occurs in years that include 1868, 1928, 1988, and 2048.

In the sexagenary cycle, this year is represented by 戊辰.


See Also:  Dragon

Golden/Metal Dragon

The Year of the Golden/Metal Dragon

 jīn lóng
Golden/Metal Dragon Scroll

金龍 is Golden/Metal Dragon in Chinese.

In the Chinese zodiac and sexagenary (60-year) cycle, this combination occurs in years that include 1880, 1940, 2000, and 2060.

In the sexagenary cycle, this year is represented by 庚辰.


See Also:  Dragon

Water Dragon

The Year of the Water Dragon

 shuǐ lóng
Water Dragon Scroll

水龍 is Water Dragon in Chinese.

In the Chinese zodiac and sexagenary (60-year) cycle, this combination occurs in years that include 1892, 1952, 2012, and 2072.

In the sexagenary cycle, this year is represented by 壬辰.


See Also:  Dragon

Wood Dragon

The Year of the Wood Dragon

 mù lóng
Wood Dragon Scroll

木龍 is Wood Dragon in Chinese.

In the Chinese zodiac and sexagenary (60-year) cycle, this combination occurs in years that include 1904, 1964, 2024, and 2084.

In the sexagenary cycle, this year is represented by 甲辰.


See Also:  Dragon

Fire Dragon

The Year of the Fire Dragon

 huǒ lóng
Fire Dragon Scroll

火龍 is Fire Dragon in Chinese.

In the Chinese zodiac and sexagenary (60-year) cycle, this combination occurs in years that include 1916, 1976, 2036, and 2096.

In the sexagenary cycle, this year is represented by 丙辰.


See Also:  Dragon

Flying Dragon Karate-Do

 fēi lóng kòng shǒu dào

 hi ryuu kara te dou
Flying Dragon Karate-Do Scroll

飛龍空手道 is the title Flying Dragon Karate-Do.

Kuoshu / Martial Arts

 guó shù
Kuoshu / Martial Arts Scroll

This is a way to write martial arts in Chinese.

This can be romanized as Kuoshu, Kuo Shu, Guoshu, or Guo Shu.

The Whole World at Peace

 tiān xià tài píng

 tenkataihei
The Whole World at Peace Scroll

This proverb can be translated as the whole world at peace, peace and prosperity, peaceful and tranquil, peace reigns over the land, times of peace, peace and tranquillity, peaceful world, or from the Greek, times of halcyon.


Sometimes (rarely) written as 天下泰平 (variant 3rd character).

Strike While the Iron is Hot

 chéng shì
Strike While the Iron is Hot Scroll

乘勢 is a short Chinese word that means to “seize the opportunity” and is similar to the English provers, “to strike while the iron is hot.”

When the sun rises it first shines on the highest mountain

 rì chū xiān zhào gāo shān
 hiide temazu kousan wo terasu yama
When the sun rises it first shines on the highest mountain Scroll

This old Buddhist phrase means, “When the sun rises it always shines first on the highest mountain,” or “When the sun appears, it first casts its light upon the highest mountain.”

This comes from the Avatamsaka Sutra and has been used as the name or portion of the name for temples in Japan and sites in China.

The Buddha's first round of teaching (Avatamsaka period) is likened to the time when the sun rises from the east horizon. When the sun first rises it illuminates the high mountains. In this analogy, the high mountains represent the great Bodhisattvas and/or those most ready to receive enlightenment and liberation.


This can be romanized from Japanese as “Nichi shutsu sen shō kō san,” “Nisshutsu saki teru takayama,” or “Hide temazu kōzan wo terasu yama.” The last one is probably the most common. Ask three Japanese people what they think the pronunciation is, and you will get three different opinions.

 hé qì wǔ dào
 ai ki bu dou
Aiki Budo Scroll

合気武道 is the title Aiki-Budo or “Aiki Martial Arts” in Japanese Kanji.

合 means “union” or “harmony.”
気/氣 means “universal energy” or “spirit.”
武 means “martial” or “military.”
道 means “way” or “method.”

合気武道 is the modern Japanese way to write this. You may also see 合氣武道, where the second character is written in the older traditional (pre-1945) form. If you want this written 合氣武道, just include a note or email with your order.

合氣武道 are all Chinese characters as well, so I included the Chinese pronunciation above. However, while it can be understood in Chinese, this is not a common term in that language and is not used in any Chinese martial arts. Also, 気 is only used in Japan - Chinese will understand 気 to be the Japanese form of 氣.


See Also:  Martial Arts | Hapkido




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Dictionary

Lookup in my Japanese & Chinese Dictionary

All of our calligraphy wall scrolls are handmade.

When the calligrapher finishes creating your artwork, it is taken to my art mounting workshop in Beijing where a wall scroll is made by hand from a combination of silk, rice paper, and wood.
After we create your wall scroll, it takes at least two weeks for air mail delivery from Beijing to you.

Allow a few weeks for delivery. Rush service speeds it up by a week or two for $10!

When you select your calligraphy, you'll be taken to another page where you can choose various custom options.


A nice Chinese calligraphy wall scroll

The wall scroll that Sandy is holding in this picture is a "large size"
single-character wall scroll.
We also offer custom wall scrolls in small, medium, and an even-larger jumbo size.

A professional Chinese Calligrapher

Professional calligraphers are getting to be hard to find these days.
Instead of drawing characters by hand, the new generation in China merely type roman letters into their computer keyboards and pick the character that they want from a list that pops up.

There is some fear that true Chinese calligraphy may become a lost art in the coming years. Many art institutes in China are now promoting calligraphy programs in hopes of keeping this unique form of art alive.

Trying to learn Chinese calligrapher - a futile effort

Even with the teachings of a top-ranked calligrapher in China, my calligraphy will never be good enough to sell. I will leave that to the experts.

A high-ranked Chinese master calligrapher that I met in Zhongwei

The same calligrapher who gave me those lessons also attracted a crowd of thousands and a TV crew as he created characters over 6-feet high. He happens to be ranked as one of the top 100 calligraphers in all of China. He is also one of very few that would actually attempt such a feat.