Faithful / Honorable / Trustworthy Fidelity / Loyalty
xìn yì shingi 신의
This is a word that is often used to describe a person with an honest and loyal reputation. To put it simply, this applies to somebody you can trust (with your life).
In Chinese, this is often defined as good faith, honor, trust and justice.
In Korean, this word means fidelity, truthfulness, or faithfulness.
In Japanese: faith, fidelity and loyalty. It's also a Japanese male given name when pronounced "Nobuyoshi".
Integrity - Sincere Honest and Faithful
sei jitsu
This is the Japanese version of integrity which can also be defined as a combination of "sincere, honest and faithful".
Some may also define this as "loyal" or "loyalty". In some context, it can mean "genuine". Yes, all of this meaning in just one Japanese word!
Loyalty / Faithful / Devoted
chuujitsu
This is a Japanese way to write "Loyalty" - it also contains the ideas of being faithful, devoted, true, and obedient.
The second character is a modified form only used in the Japanese lexicon, however, Chinese speakers can easily guess the meaning.
This is also a virtue of the Samurai Warrior See our page with just Code of the Samurai / Bushido here
Semper Fidelis / Always FaithfulU.S. Marines Slogan
yǒng yuǎn zhōng chéng
This is the clearest and most natural way to translate "Semper Fidelis" or "Always Faithful" into Mandarin Chinese. This is specifically meant for U.S. Marines who often use the shortened term "Semper Fi".
The first two characters are a word that means always, forever, and/or eternally. The last two characters are a word that means fidelity, loyal, and/or devoted.
I spent 10 years in the Marines, so it was a no-brainer to add this to our calligraphy database.
Sincerity and Faithfulness
dǔ shí 독실
This word means sincere, solid, and faithful.
Believe / Faith / Trust(single character)
xìn shin 신
This single character is often part of other words with similar meanings. Alone, this character can mean to believe, truth, faith, fidelity, sincerity, trust and confidence in Chinese, old Korean Hanja and Japanese Kanji.
It is one of the five basic tenets of Confucius.
In Chinese, it sometimes has the secondary meaning of a letter (as in the mail) depending on context, but it will not be read that way when seen on a wall scroll.
See Also... Trust | Confucius
Faith
xìn niàn shinnen 신념
These characters express the idea of "having a belief", or "trusting in the unseen".
This word could also be translated as beliefs or convictions.
Note: Also considered to be one of the Seven Heavenly Virtues.
See Also... Devotion | Dedication | Trust
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Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark
xìn niǎn shì zài lí míng qián de hēn àn zhōng néng gǎn dào guāng míng de niǎo
Characters shown above are read vertically, starting from the right
This is a philosophical poem/quote from Indian Poet and Philosopher, Rabindranath Tagore. 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 which has the meaning of, "Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark".
Faith (Religious)
xìn yǎng shinkou 신앙
This is the more religious form of "faith". It has this same meaning in Chinese, Korean Hanja and Japanese Kanji. This is often used to refer to a person of faith or a religious person. Can be directly translated as "firm belief", "creed", "conviction" or simply as "religious" depending on context.
Some will also use this to mean "trust in God" in Japanese (though the term for God is not actually in this title).
See Also... Devotion | Trust | Trust In God
Respect and Loyalty
zūn jìng zhōng chéng son kei chu sei
This is a custom word list scroll created at the special request of a customer. This is a word list (not a normal Chinese or Japanese phrase). Please contact me before deciding to purchase this phrase.
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Loyalty to Duty or Master
zhōng chuu 충
This is the simplest way to write the word loyalty in Chinese and Japanese. A single character like this leaves the meaning open. But alone, a Chinese or Japanese person would think of loyalty to duty or loyalty to one's master (in ancient times). I suppose that it could be loyalty to your boss or company in this day in age. This character can also mean fidelity or faithfulness.
LoyaltyJapanese Chinese Korean
zhōng chéng chuu sei 충성
Loyalty is staying true to someone. It is standing up for something you believe in without wavering. It is being faithful to your family, country, school, friends or ideals, when the going gets tough as well as when things are good. With loyalty, you build relationships that last forever.
Notes: 1. This written form of loyalty is universal in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.
2. There is also a Japanese version that is part of the Bushido Code which may be more desirable depending on whether your intended audience is Japanese or Chinese.
3. This version of loyalty is sometimes translated as devotion, sincerity, fidelity, or allegiance.
See Also... Honor | Trust | Integrity | Sincerity
Loyalty / DevotionChinese, Korean, and Japanese
zhōng yì chuu gi 충의
This is another form of loyalty or devotion.
In Chinese, this is more specifically about being loyal and devoted to your friends.
In Japanese, this is more often used to mean loyalty to your country or nation.
Except for the slight difference noted above between Japanese and Chinese, this word is understood universally in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja. It can also be used to describe devotion or fidelity.
It should be noted that this Kanji combination is being used less and less in modern Japan (this is a better choice if your audience is Chinese, though any Japanese person will clearly understand it).
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Ultimate Loyalty to Your CountryThe most famous tattoo in Chinese history
jìn zhōng bào guó
This is the tattoo worn on the back of Yue Fei, a famous Chinese warrior who lived until 1142 A.D.
The tattoo can be translated as "Serve the country with the utmost loyalty". More literally, it means, "[The] Ultimate Loyalty [is too] Duty [of] Country".
Legend has it that this tattoo once saved his life when he was accused of treason.
The first two characters have come to create a word that means "serve the country faithfully" or "die for the country". Note: It's more a willingness to die for one's country than the actual act of dying.
The last two characters have come to mean, "Dedicate oneself to the service of one's country".
Both of these words are probably only in the Chinese lexicon because of this famous tattoo.
If you break it down, character-by-character, here is what you get:
1. To the utmost, to the limit of something, the ultimate.
2. Loyalty or duty (a sense of duty to one's master, lord, country, job).
3. Report, recompense, give back to (in this case, you are giving yourself to your country as payback).
4. Country, state, nation, kingdom.
More about the famous warrior and army general, Yue Fei
Passionate Love Ardent Love and Devotion
rè ài netsu ai 열애
This means love passionately, ardent love, devotion. The literal meaning is "hot love", as the first character means heat, fervent, hot and warm. Sometimes it can mean fever, restless, or zeal. The second character is, of course, love.
Devotion / Dedication
xiàn shēn ken shin 헌신
This can be translated as "to dedicate oneself to...", "self-devotion" or "dedication". Some would also translate this as "commit ones energy to", "devote to", or "self-sacrifice" (especially in Korean).
While the form shown to the left is considered an ancient Japanese version, in modern Japan, they use the simplified version of the first Kanji (shown to the right). Click on this Kanji instead of the button above if you want this modern Japanese version.
If you are looking for a more religious meaning, see faith.
See Also... Confidence | Dedication
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Devotion / Dedication Attentive / Focused
zhuān xīn sen shin 전심
This means "paying attention".
The first character means "for a particular person, occasion, or purpose", "focused on one thing", "concentrated" and sometimes, "special".
The second character means "heart" by itself.
Together, these two characters make 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, "concentration (-ed)" and "engrossed", "devotionally (listening/watching)", "attentive".
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 word is always positive in meaning, so even if a Chinese person reads it differently than you, it will still have a good meaning.
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... Devotion
Devotion / Diligence Vigorous / Energeticvīrya
jīng jìn shoujin 정진
This is a wide-ranging word that is used in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. It can mean aggressive, enterprising, vigorous, energetic, devotion, diligence, concentration of mind, purification, pushing, or assiduity. Used in the context of Buddhism, it means making earnest efforts to cultivate virtue and get rid of evil.
Devotion / Enthusiasm
rè chéng nessei 열성
This word is universal in Chinese, Japanese Kanji and old Korean Hanja.
It can mean earnestness, enthusiasm, ardor, zeal, devotion, spirit, or fervor.
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Devotion to your Profession / CareerChinese Korean
cóng shì jyuu ji 종사
This word is often used to describe the devotion someone has to their profession - However, it can just mean career, depending on context. We don't highly-recommend this selection for a wall scroll.
In more simple terms, this word also means undertake / to deal with / to handle / to do. It does not have to refer to a career issue, as it could be used to encourage someone that is beginning their university studies etc.
This kind of makes sense in Japanese, however, there is a slight deviation in the way they write the first Kanji in Japanese.
Please note that Japanese use an alternate version of the first character. Click on the character to the right if you want the Japanese version of this two-character Devotion-to-your-Profession calligraphy.
Devotion (Religious)
xìn yǎng shin kou 신앙
This means firm belief, faith, persuasion, conviction, and sometimes religion or creed in Chinese, Japanese Kanji and old Korean Hanja.
This word clearly fits religious connotation of the English word "devotion".
See Also... Trust
Sincerity and Devotion
zhì chéng shisei 지성
This is the idea that you enter into something with the utmost sincerity and fidelity. Ideas such as devotion, honesty, and "one's true heart" are also contained in this word.
This is a universal word as the Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and Korean Hanja are all identical.
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This is the Chinese way to say believe. This specifically means to be convinced that something is true or to accept something as true or real. This can also be translated as "convinced of", "have trust in", "have faith in"
Chastity
zhēn jié teisetsu 정절
In Chinese, this would be defined as "The state of being sexually pure" or "chaste". Culturally, this especially applies to young women. This is not actually far off from our western view on this subject. In Japanese and Korean, this could also be used to express virtue, faithfulness and fidelity.
See Also... Modesty
Chastity / Pure HeartAlso: Clean / Innocent / Pure
chún jié jun ketsu 순결
This would be associated with "chastity" but with the direct meaning of clean, innocent, and pure. If you were expressing the idea of a "pure heart" in Chinese, while not literal, this would be the word you would use.
In Japanese, this word is sometimes used to express purity.
In Korean, it describes purity, chastity, virginity, and innocence (basically the same as the Chinese definition).
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Christian Friend
jiào yǒu 교우
Depending on context, this word can mean Christian or "friend of the same religion". While technically it could be any religion, this is used mostly within the Christian faith. You can also translate this as "Christian friend" and in some cases "Church member".
Christianity / Christian
jī dū jiào kirisutokyou 기독교
This 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 regards 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
Confidence
xìn xīn shinjin 신심
Confidence is having faith in someone. Self-confidence is trusting that you have what it takes, to handle whatever happens. You feel sure of yourself and enjoy trying new things, without letting doubts or fears hold you back. When you have confidence in others, you rely on them.
The first character means faith, and the second can mean heart or soul. So you could say this means "faithful heart" or "faithful soul". In Korean especially, this word has a religious connotation.
In Japanese, this word can mean "faith", "belief" or "devotion".
See Also... Self-Confidence
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The Five Tenets of ConfuciusAlso known as the Five Cardinal Rules of Confucius
rén yì lǐ zhì xìn 인의예지신
These are the core of Confucius philosophy. Simply stated they are: benevolence / charity justice / rectitude politeness / tact wisdom / knowledge fidelity / trust
Many of these concepts can be found in various religious teachings. Though 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.
See Also... Confucius Teachings | Ethics
DedicationDedicated to One Thing
zhuān yòng 전용
This is the kind of dedication you might have to your job, or a person.
Trivia: It is the same word used as an adjective in front of the word for "network" to say "dedicated network" in Chinese.
Please note: While this is a word in Korean, the meaning is private or "exclusive use". So this is best if your audience is Chinese.
See Also... Devotion | Passion | Tenacious | Commitment
Dedication (Japanese)
sennen 수념
This is the Japanese word for dedication. It means "give undivided attention" or "devote oneself to (something)".
Note: This can be pronounced in Korean, but it's not a commonly-used term.
See Also... Devotion | Passion | Tenacious | Commitment
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Dependable
jiān yì kě kào 견의가고
The first two characters mean resolute with firm determination. The second two characters mean reliable.
Together, this creates a 4-character expression that clearly means dependable.
Determination
jué xīn kesshin 결심
You focus your energy and efforts on a task and stick with it until it is finished. Determination is using your will power to do something when it isn't easy. You are determined to meet your goals even when it is hard or you are being tested. With determination we make our dreams come true.
The first characters means "to determine" or "determined". The second character means "heart" or "soul", so you can imagine that this form of "determination" partially means to put your heart into something. It can also be translated as resolve, resolution, or decision (as in a decision made and followed).
See Also... Devotion | Tenacious | Passion | Dedication | Will-Power
Ethics / EthicalAlso translates as morality
dào dé doutoku 도덕
This Chinese, Japanese, and old Korean word can also be defined as "moral principles". The first character is the same that is associated with Daoism / Taoism. This word is also used to express morality, virtue, or simply morals.
There is a slight deviation in the Japanese Kanji form. If you want the modern Japanese version, please click on the special Kanji shown to the right instead of the button above. Note that the traditional Chinese form is still readable and understood by Japanese people.
See Also... Chastity | Prudence
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Fidelity Honor Courage
xìn yì zūn yán yǒng qì
This is a word list that was requested by a customer. Word lists are not that common in Chinese, but we've put this one on the best order/context to make it as natural as possible.
We used the "honor" that leans toward the definition of "dignity" since that seemed like the best match for the other two words.
Please note: These are three two-character words. You should choose the single-column format when you get to the options when you order this selection. The two-column option would split one word or it would be arranged with four characters on one side and two on the other.
This single character means "forgive" in Chinese. In Korean, this kind of means forgive, but also has slightly different definitions of consider, excuse, faithful, believe.
Giri(obligation or duty in Japanese)
yì lǐ giri 의리
This term means obligation or a sense of duty that one may have to their employer, country or culture.
This is a specifically Japanese term, as in Chinese, these two characters form a word that means "religious doctrine" or refers to the argument presented in an essay.
This term has similar meaning in Korean where is can be translated as justice, sense of duty, loyalty, integrity or obligation.
This is kind of a weird selection for a wall scroll. So this entry is intended more for educational purposes.
More information about Giri
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Industrious / Hard Working
ài gǎng jìng yè
Used to refer to someone who puts forth maximum effort and achieves much. We might call this kind of person a "go-getter" in English.
See Also... Dedication | Tenacious | Devotion
Honesty / Fidelity
xìn shin 신
This is another character that expresses the idea of honesty. It can also mean truth, faith, believe in, fidelity, sincerity, trust and/or confidence.
Some have included this in the list for the Bushido, although "makoto" is probably more common/popular.
Note: In some context, this character can mean letter; news or envoy. However, alone, it will generally be read with the honesty-meaning.
See our page with just Code of the Samurai / Bushido here
See Also... Loyalty Trustworthiness Trustworthy
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Honor and Integrity
jié cāo sessou
There are a few ways to relay integrity in Asian languages, and more than one way to define honor in English. Here's what this entry means:
...honorable, integrity of principle, constancy, honor, and in certain context, chastity.
Besides "to hope" this also means "to wish for" or "to desire". It can also mean expectation or aspiration depending on context.
Note: Also considered to be one of the Seven Heavenly Virtues.
See Also... Desire
John 3:16
shén ài shì rén shèn zhì jiāng tā de dú shēng zǐ cì gè tā mén jiào yí qiè xìn tā de bú zhì miè wáng fǎn dé yǒng shēng
Characters shown above are read vertically, starting from the right
This is the full translation of John 3:16 into Chinese.
This translation comes from the Chinese Union Bible which comes from a revised version of the King James. This Chinese Bible was originally translated and printed in 1919 (several revisions since then).
Because of the origin being the KJV, I'll say that in English, this would be, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life".
As with any translation, there are interesting cultural and linguistic issues. For instance, the word used for "world" in Chinese can also mean "common people". So you could say that it means "For God so loved the common people..." This does not take away from the text, as it will be understood with the same meaning and connotation.
There is no direct Greek to Chinese translation in print (that I know of), so this is the best available. Of course, you can ask any Greek person of faith, and they will claim that a bit is lost from the original Greek of the New Testament to any of the English versions of the Bible in print.
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Joshua 24:15 - This House Serves the LORD
zhì yú wǒ hé wǒ jiā wǒ men bì dìng shì fèng yē hé huá
Depending on which English translation you like, here are the full English language version of Joshua 24:15 Joshua 24:15 (KJV) And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:15 (NIV) But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
The characters shown here just dwell on the last line of the verse, "...as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
We used the only official Christian Chinese Bible that I know of so that the translation would be as accurate and standard as possible. Any Chinese Christian worth their salt will easily be able to identify this verse from the Chinese words on this scroll.
I think it is a bit like having a secret code on your wall that quietly expresses to whom your are faithful.
A great gift for your devout Christian or Jewish friend if they happen to be fond of Asian art.
Or perhaps a wonderful "conversation starter" for your own home.
Note: If you are curious, the last three characters represent they way "LORD" is used in most English Bibles. In Chinese, this is actually the phonetic name in Mandarin Chinese for "Jehovah".
Justice / Rectitude / Right Decision
yì gi 의
This is about doing the right thing or making the right decision, not because it's easy, but because it's ethically and morally correct. No matter the outcome or result, one does not lose face if tempering proper justice.
This character can also be defined as righteousness, justice, morality, honor, or "right conduct". In more a more expanded definition, it can mean loyalty to friends, loyalty to the public good, or patriotism. This idea of loyalty and friendship comes from the fact that you will treat those you are loyal to with morality and justice.
This is also one of the five tenets of Confucius doctrine.
There's also an alternate version of this character sometimes seen in Bushido or Korean Taekwondo tenets. It's just the addition of a radical on the left side of the character. If you want this version, click on the image to the right instead of the button above.
This is also a virtue of the Samurai Warrior See our page with just Code of the Samurai / Bushido here
See Also... Judgement | Impartial | Confucius Tenets
Karma (of your past lives)
sù yè shukugou 숙업
This is the Buddhist concept of Past Karma. To put it simply, it's the sum of all the good and bad from all previous lives (and 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: "The karma of previous existence", "The karma remaining from prior existences", or simply "Former karma".
See Also... Buddhism
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Karma - Cause and Effect
yīn guǒ inga 인과
This is a label that is used inside and outside of the Buddhist faith to speak of Karma.
Along with the meaning of Karma, this word can be translated as "retribution" or "chain of cause and effect".
See Also... Buddhism
Love and Affection
ài qíng aijou 애정
This is a universal word in Japanese, Korean and Chinese which means love and affection. Some may translate this as "love between a man and a woman". Depending on context, it can mean utter devotion or favorite.
Modesty
qiān xùn kenson 겸손
We have also used this word as "Humility" in another listing. Depending on context, it can be translated as modesty, humbleness or humility. The first character means "modesty" while the second means "yielding". Together it could be stated as "yielding modesty".
See Also... Chastity | Prudence | Moderation
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Moral and Virtuous
dé toku 덕
This is the simple way to express the ideas of having virtue, morals, kindness, benevolence, goodness etc. This character also happens to be the first character of the Chinese word for Germany.
There is a slight deviation in the Japanese Kanji form. If you want the modern Japanese version, please click on the special Kanji shown to the right instead of the button above. Note that the traditional Chinese form is still readable and understood by Japanese people.
See Also... Ethics | Chastity | Prudence | Benevolence | Morality
Morality
dào dé dotoku 도덕
Beyond "morality" this can also mean ethics, ethical, morals or virtue.
There is a slight deviation in the Japanese Kanji form. If you want the modern Japanese version, please click on the special Kanji shown to the right instead of the button above. Note that the traditional Chinese form is still readable and understood by Japanese people.
See Also... Chastity | Prudence
Lotus Sutra / Namu Myoho Renge Kyo
nán wú miào fǎ lián huá jīng na mu myo hou ren ge kyo
Characters shown above are read vertically, starting from the right
This is sometimes translated as the "Devotion to the Law of the Lotus Flower Scripture". It's actually a meditation chant used by Nichiren Buddhists in Japan. It's also a chant used in China by certain sects of Buddhism that celebrate the deity Guanyin.
Also romanized as "Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō" or without accents as "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo".
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There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger.
wú yī shì zhǔ wéi yǒu ān lā mù hǎn mò dé shì ān lā de chāi shǐ
Characters shown above are read vertically, starting from the right
This is one of the key creeds of Islam.
While perhaps more often seen in Arabic as
 there are many native Chinese Muslims (especially the Hui ethnicity) that do not speak Arabic.
Instead, they use this Chinese phrase to express this idea or statement of faith.
Passion for a Cause(Chinese)
rè qíng netsujou 열정
Depending on context, this word can mean "cordial", "enthusiastic", "passionate" or "passionately".
This version is sometimes used in Japanese, but the character order is more common in Chinese and Korean Hanja. The meaning in Japanese for this Kanji order is "ardour" or "zeal", but rarely used in modern Japan. I suggest you choose a different version of "passion" if your audience is Japanese.
See Also... Persistence | Devotion | Tenacity | Commitment | Motivation
Passion for a CauseJapanese / Korean
qíng rè jou netsu 정열
A reversal of the characters between Chinese and Japanese/Korean languages yields this "passion" meaning. While many characters and even multi-character words have the same meaning in both languages, often some conventions are different or may have changed over time.
Note: This character order is not natural in Chinese. However, a typical Chinese person can guess that this is a Japanese or Korean word and also understand the intended the meaning. This selection is best if your audience is Japanese or old-school Korean.
See Also... Persistence | Devotion | Tenacity | Commitment | Motivation
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Perseverance is being steadfast and persistent. You commit to your goals and overcome obstacles, no matter how long it takes. When you persevere, you don't give up...you keep going. Like a strong ship in a storm, you don't become battered or blown off course. You just ride the waves.
This translation literally means, "something so persistent or steadfast, that it is not uprootable / movable / surpassable".
See Also... Tenacious | Devotion | Persistence | Indomitable
Personal Integrity
zhì cāo 지조
This is personal integrity - basically, holding yourself to a higher standard of honesty and reliability. These two characters also contain the ideas of constancy, principles, and faithfulness.
Pillars of MarriageRespect / Loyalty / Honesty
zūn zhòng zhōng chéng chéng shí
These are the pillars of marriage (at least they are for some - if you have a different set of pillars and want them on a wall scroll, just post a custom phrase request on our forum).
This is actually 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.
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Prudence
shèn zhòng shinchou 신중
Can also mean "cautious" or "careful".
Note: The Chinese and Japanese form is shown here. In Korean Hanja, the first character has a variant in one of the strokes - just let me know when you place your order if you want that Korean version (A Korean who can read Hanja, will know the meaning anyway).
Note: If you order this selection from our Japanese calligrapher, the first Kanji will vary slightly. It is technically the same character, but Japanese tend to leave a space between the upper and lower portions of this particular Kanji (see image to the right).
Note: Also considered to be one of the Seven Heavenly Virtues.
See Also... Moderation | Modesty | Chastity
Pure Land / JodoAlso a sect of Buddhism
jìng tǔ jou do 정토
This literally means "pure land" or "clean earth".
This is also the abbreviated title of a Buddhist sect which involves faith in rebirth of Buddha Amitabha (Amitābha) in the Western Heaven. Sometimes this sect is translated as "Paradise of the West". Other titles of this school of Buddhism include Amidism or Elvsium.
See Also... Nirvana | Shin Buddhism
This is the most simple way to express purity or cleanliness in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja. As a single character, the concept is broad: This can be a verb (the act of cleaning, purifying, or to cleanse), but it can also be the state of being clean, pure, and chaste. In some context, it can be a place to clean (like a bathing room for the soul in Buddhist context). In Japanese, this can be a female given name "Jou" or "jō" (the Japanese equivalent of the English girl's name "Chastity").
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Sangha
sēng qié sougya 승가
In Buddhism, this term refers to a community of monks and/or nuns (one of the "Three Jewels"). In general terms, it can simply mean "all followers of the Buddha".
Notes: Though there are not vast numbers of Chinese Hindus, in the Hindu faith, this term means "community together". The original Sanskrit word is also Romanized as samgha. The first character means "monk". The second character means Buddha or Shakyamuni. This is really a transliteration of the original Sanskrit, but it uses two very profound Chinese characters related to Buddhism.
Some may pronounce this as "seng qie" or "seng jia" in Mandarin (two possible pronunciations for second character). Note that "qie" would sound a bit like "chee-ah" using typical English pronunciation. Chinese Romanization is not actually designed to match English sounds.
Note that when writing this as Kanji, Japanese will tend to write the first character in the form shown to the right. If you select our Japanese master calligrapher, please expect this special Kanji form. However, it should also be noted that this is not a common term in Japanese (except by certain sects of Buddhism or perhaps devout Buddhists in Japan).
Daoism / Taoism
dào jiào doukyou 도교
This is the title often used in both Chinese and Japanese to describe the beliefs or religion of Taoism / Daoism. The first character is simply "dao" and the second character can be translated as "teachings", "faith" or "doctrine".
Tenacious / Tenacity
wán qiáng gan kyou 완강
These two characters together mean "Tenacious", "Hard to Defeat", or "Dogged".
Alone, the first character means mischievous, obstinate or stubborn. But it loses some of the mischievous meaning when the second character is added.
The second character means strength, force, powerful or better.
See Also... Determination | Dedication | Devotion | Never Give Up
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Trust is having faith in someone or something. It is a positive attitude about life. You are confident that the right thing will happen without trying to control it or make it happen. Even when difficult things happen, trust helps us to find the gift or lesson in it.
This word can also be translated as confidence, reliance, or dependence; thus it can also mean "to rely on" or "to depend on".
There is a slight deviation in the Japanese Kanji form of the second character. If you want the modern Japanese version, please click on the special Kanji shown to the right instead of the button above. Note that the traditional Chinese form is still readable and understood by Japanese people.
See Also... Confidence | Truth | Honor
Trust in God
xìn kào shàng dì
This means "Trust in God", "Faith in God", "Rely upon God" and/or "Believe in God".
Trust in God / In God We Trust
xiāng xìn shàng dì
This means exactly what the title suggests. The first two characters mean "trust" or "believe" and the second two mean "God" (as in the God of Abraham and the God of Zion).
This is also how the American phrase "In God We Trust" as seen on U.S. Currency would be translated into Chinese. It would also be correct to say that this means "Believe in God", though in this arrangement/context, one would be more likely to interpret it as "trust".
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DogYear of the Dog / Zodiac Sign
gǒu inu / ku 구
This is the character for dog, canine or hound in Chinese.
If you were born in the year of the dog, you . . .
Are strong-willed Loyal to your friends and mate. Never compromise when you think you are right.
Note: Can be pronounced, and means dog in Japanese, but feels like a very old word (see our other dog if you need a Japanese dog).
See also our Chinese Zodiac page.
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