Buy a Custom Light Chinese or Japanese Calligraphy Wall Scroll

We have many options to create artwork with the Chinese characters / Asian symbols / Japanese Kanji for Light on a wall scroll or portrait.
If you want to create a cool Light wall scroll, this is the place. Below you will find a few Asian symbols that express the idea of Light.


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  1. Comparison Leads to Truth and Enlightenment

  2. Divine Light

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

  4. Inner Light / Intelligence

  5. Intuitive Wisdom / Inner Light

  6. Light / Bright and Promising Future

  7. Light / Bright / Shine

  8. Light / Bright

  9. Moonlight

10. Radiance / Rays of Light

11. Warriors of Light

12. Light of the World

13. Merciful Heart / The Light from a Buddha Mind

14. Mirror: Beautiful Clarity

15. Bright and Promising Future

16. The Aura of Buddha

17. Happy Buddha

18. Clarity

19. Crazy / Mad / Wild

20. Daoism / Taoism

21. Diligent Study Proverb

22. A Bright Future

23. The Geisha’s World

24. Allah / God of Islam

25. Hakko-Ryu

26. Double Happiness

27. Hikari

28. Johrei / Jyorei

29. Kodokan

30. Lamp / Lantern

31. Marici / Marishiten

32. Martial Arts Skills

33. Nichiren

34. Purple / Violet

35. Reiki - Master Symbol

36. Ruby

37. Scarlet / Bright Red

38. Shiken Haramitsu Daikomyo

39. Sunny / Clear and Bright

40. Time and Tide Wait for No Man

41. Wealth / Riches / Fortune

42. A Traditional Warm Welcome

43. White

44. White Dragon

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

46. Wolf Spirit / Soul of a Wolf

47. Zen Buddhism

48. Great Illumination of Wisdom

49. Katsu Hayabi

50. Bright Pearl

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


Comparison Leads to Truth and Enlightenment

 bù bǐ bù zhī dào yī bǐ xià yì tiào
Comparison Leads to Truth and Enlightenment Scroll

不比不知道一比吓一跳 is a Chinese proverb that literally means: [If one not does] not make comparisons, [one will] not know [the truth] when [one] compares, [one will be] greatly surprised.

This goes to the idea that if you do not know bad times, you cannot know what good times are.
...And...
You can not know light without experiencing darkness.

Another way to translate this would be: If you wish to be enlightened, you need to make comparisons and analyze every aspect (of a situation, issue, or problem).

Divine Light

 líng guāng
Divine Light Scroll

靈光 is a Chinese word that means “divine light.”

This can refer to the glow or halo around the Buddha. It can also be a miraculous column of light.

In slang, it can be like saying “jolly good!.”

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

Inner Light / Intelligence

 xīn dēng
 shin tou
Inner Light / Intelligence Scroll

心燈 is the Buddhist concept of “The Lamp of the Mind” or “Inner Light.”

It's kind of the Buddhist way to express intelligence.

Directly translated, this means “heart light” or “heart lamp.”
Note: In ancient China, the ideas of heart and mind are interchangeable.

Intuitive Wisdom / Inner Light

 yī dào shén guāng
 ichidou no shinkou
Intuitive Wisdom / Inner Light Scroll

一道神光 is a Buddhist term that means “inner light,” or “intuitive wisdom.”

This actually reads, “[the] one path/way [of] spiritual light.” It implies that your spirit knows the way, and will light the path for you.

Light / Bright and Promising Future

 guāng míng
 kou mei / mitsu haru
Light / Bright and Promising Future Scroll

光明 is a nice way to say “light” in Chinese and old Korean Hanja.

This is because the word also suggests a bright future or refers to someone who is very promising (great future potential).

The first character means light or bright.

The second character means bright and clear (in this context).

This word appears in most Japanese dictionaries, but it is not the most common Japanese Kanji word for light (more commonly used for the name Mitsuharu).

In old Korean Hanja, this can also mean brightness or brilliance.

In the context of Buddhism, this means “Light emanating from a Buddha or Bodhisattva, symbolizing their wisdom and compassion.”

Light / Bright / Shine

 guāng
 hikari
 
Light / Bright / Shine Scroll

光 is the simplest way to express “light” in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.

It can also mean ray or bright. Chinese tend to use a two-character word for light/bright, so this character is probably best if your audience is Japanese. Also, when pronounced Rei, this can be a Japanese female given name.

In the Zen Buddhist context, this is the pure light that everyone possesses at their origin.

Light / Bright

 míng
 mei / myou
 
Light / Bright Scroll

明 means light, bright, clear, clarity, to understand, or wise.

In Chinese, this can refer to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) where it can also be the surname Ming.

In Japanese, this can be romanized many different ways when used as surnames or given names. 明 is a partial list of those names: Meishuu, Mei, Min, Myoujin, Myou, Hinata, Haru, Toshi, Tooru, Sayaka, Saya, Satoshi, Asumi, Akera, Akemine, Akesaki, Ake, Akuru, Akiraka, and Akira.

In the Buddhist context, this represents vidyā (knowledge). To expand that, Buddhists understand this to mean bright, clear, enlightenment, wisdom, or to understand. It represents Buddha-wisdom and its revelation; also the manifestation of a Buddha's light or effulgence.

 yuè guāng
 gekkou
Moonlight Scroll

月光 is the Chinese, old Korean Hanja, and Japanese Kanji title for moonlight.

This can also be used to describe a moonbeam and can be a given name in all three languages (pronounced as Rumi when used as a female given name in Japanese).

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.

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.).

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.

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.

Mirror: Beautiful Clarity

 míng jìng
 mei kyou
Mirror: Beautiful Clarity Scroll

While 明鏡 means mirror in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja, it's commonly used as a metaphor for something beautiful and bright or something that provides clarity and insight.

Bright and Promising Future

 akarui mirai
Bright and Promising Future Scroll

明るい未来 is a Japanese proverb that means “Bright Future.”

It suggests a lot of possibilities and potential awaits in your future. A great gift for a graduate.

The first part of this proverb literally means bright or light. The second part means the future but can also be translated as “the world to come.”


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

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.

Happy Buddha

Buddha of Joyful Light

 huān xǐ guāng fó
 kan gi kou butsu
Happy Buddha Scroll

This title is Buddha of Joyful Light.

歡喜光佛 is Amitābha from Sanskrit but pronounced very differently in Chinese and Japanese.

 qīng
 sei
 
Clarity Scroll

清 is a word that means clarity or clear in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.

Looking at the parts of this character, you have three splashes of water on the left, “life” on the top right, and the moon on the lower right.

Because of something Confucius said about 2500 years ago, you can imagine that this character means “live life with clarity like bright moonlight piercing pure water.” The Confucian idea is something like “Keep clear what is pure in yourself, and let your pure nature show through.” Kind of like saying, “Don't pollute your mind or body, so that they remain clear.”

This might be stretching the definition of this single Chinese character but the elements are there, and “clarity” is a powerful idea.


Korean note: Korean pronunciation is given above but this character is written with a slight difference in the "moon radical" in Korean. However, anyone who can read Korean Hanja, will understand this character with no problem (this is considered an alternate form in Korean). If you want the more standard Korean Hanja form (which is an alternate form in Chinese), just let me know.

Japanese note: When reading in Japanese, this Kanji has additional meanings of pure, purify, or cleanse (sometimes to remove demons or "exorcise"). Used more in compound words in Japanese than as a stand-alone Kanji.

Crazy / Mad / Wild

 kuáng
 kyou
 
Crazy / Mad / Wild Scroll

狂 is a single character that means “crazy” in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.

狂 means crazy, unrestrained, lunatic, insane, confused, deranged, wild, or mad.

This can also refer to an extreme enthusiast (like a football fan). But then, it can also refer to a person possessing a mental abnormality.

In some contexts, this can mean conceited (it probably won't be read that way on a wall scroll).

A warning: 狂 is an odd selection for a wall scroll. You should only order this if you plan to bewilder or confuse those who see it. It kind of says something about you, something that most native Asian people will not view in a good light.

Daoism / Taoism

Literally: The Way or Road

 dào
 michi / -do
 
Daoism / Taoism Scroll

道 is the character “dao” which is sometimes written as “tao” but pronounced like “dow” in Mandarin.

道 is the base of what is known as “Taoism.” If you translate this literally, it can mean “the way” or “the path.”

Dao is believed to be that which flows through all things and keeps them in balance. It incorporates the ideas of yin and yang (e.g. there would be no love without hate, no light without dark, no male without female.)

The beginning of Taoism can be traced to a mystical man named
Lao Zi (604-531 BC), who followed, and added to the teachings of Confucius.

More about Taoism / Daoism here.

Note that this is pronounced “dou” and sometimes “michi” when written alone in Japanese but pronounced “do” in word compounds such as Karate-do and Bushido. It's also “do” in Korean.

Alternate translations and meanings: road, way, path; truth, principle province.

Important Japanese note: In Japanese, this will generally be read with the road, way, or path meaning. Taoism is not as popular or well-known in Japan so Daoist/Taoist philosophy is not the first thing a Japanese person will think of when they read this character.


See our Taoism Page

Diligent Study Proverb

Drill a hole in the wall to get light to read by.

 záo bì tōu guāng
Diligent Study Proverb Scroll

鑿壁偷光 is a Chinese proverb that means “Bore a hole in the wall to make use of the neighbor's light to study.”

This is a nice gift for a very studious person.

Kuang Heng was born during the Western Han period. He has been very fond of reading ever since he was young. However, he could not attend school since his family was poor, and he had to borrow books from people to learn.

To borrow these books, he normally did chores for people who had them. When he became older, he had to work in the field from sunrise to sunset since his family's financial situation did not improve. Thus, he tried to study at night, but he had no lamp.

One day, he noticed the light from the neighbor's house coming through a crack in the wall. This made him very happy, so he dug a larger hole from the crack and read in the light that shone through. This diligent study eventually made him an accomplished person.

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.

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.

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.

 hakkou ryuu
Hakko-Ryu Scroll

八光流 (Hakkō-Ryū) is a style of jujutsu associated with Daito-Ryu.

The title Hakko-Ryu comes from the Japanese phrase which translates as “The Style of the Eighth Light,” or more literally, “Eighth Light Style.”

The 光 character is associated with brightness or brilliance. It can be used to describe someone of great talent or potential. So the meaning goes far beyond just light.

Double Happiness

(Happy wedding and marriage)

 xǐ
Double Happiness Scroll

囍 is a common gift for Chinese couples getting married or newly married couples.

As we say in the west, “Two heads are better than one” Well, in the east, two “happinesses” are certainly better than one.

Some will suggest this is a symbol of two happinesses coming together. Others see it as a multiplication of happiness because of the union or marriage.

囍 is not really a character that is pronounced very often - it's almost exclusively used in written form. However, if pressed, most Chinese people will pronounce this “shuang xi” (double happy) although literally there are two “xi” characters combined in this calligraphy (but nobody will say “xi xi”).

Double Happiness Portrait Red If you select this character, I strongly suggest the festive bright red paper for your calligraphy. Part of my suggestion comes from the fact that red is a good luck color in China, and this will add to the sentiment that you wish to convey with this scroll to the happy couple.

 huī
 hikari
 
Hikari Scroll

暉 is a Kanji that often represents a Japanese name romanized as Hikari.

The literal meaning can be sunshine, light, or to shine upon. It has the same meaning in Chinese and Korean. From ancient Chinese, it is a variant of 輝/辉.

Other Japanese romanizations include Hikaru, Hikatsu, Teru, Terasu, Ki, and Akira.

Johrei / Jyorei

 jourei
Johrei / Jyorei Scroll

Jyorei or Johrei is a healing art that uses divine light to dissolve the spiritual impurities that are the source of all physical, emotional, and personal problems.

浄霊/浄靈 is a Japanese title that can refer to the purification of the spirit described above, but this is also the word for exorcism in Japanese.


Romanization variations include Jyorei, Johrei, Jourei and Jore. Regardless of romanization, the actual pronunciation is like "Joe Ray."

 kou dou kan
Kodokan Scroll

光道館 is Kodokan.

This is the title of an Aikido dojo, studio, or hall.

Be careful in selecting the correct Kodokan, as there are a few different titles that romanize as Kodokan.

Here's how the characters break down in meaning for this one:
1. Light / Bright
2. Way / Path (the Tao/Dao as in Taoism/Daoism)
3. Schoolroom / Building / Establishment / Mansion / Hall (of learning)

Altogether, you get something like “The Path of Light Establishment.”

Lamp / Lantern

 dēng
 tou
 
Lamp / Lantern Scroll

燈 is a Chinese character, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja that means lamp, light, or lantern.

This can also be the Japanese female given name Hikaru.

In the Buddhist context, this is used to express the Sanskrit word, dīpa (the same meaning as a lamp or lantern).

Marici / Marishiten

 mó lì zhī tiān
 ma ri shi ten
Marici / Marishiten Scroll

This is the Chinese and Japanese title for Marici, the Buddhist god of war.

Pronounced as Marishiten in Japan or Molizhitian in China.

The original name Mārīcī comes from the Sanskrit मारीची which literally means “Ray of Light.”

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.”

 rì lián
 nichi ren
Nichiren Scroll

日蓮 is the title Nichiren.

This title refers to a Buddhist priest who lived from 1222 to 1282. He is the founder of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism.
According to historical documents, the Nichiren sect was established in 1252. Adding the character 宗 for sect, this would be 日蓮宗 (Nichiren sect), which is also known as the 法華宗 or Lotus sect.

According to Soothill-Hodous...
Nichiren's chief tenets are the three great mysteries 三大祕法, representing the trikāya:
1. 本尊 or chief object of worship, being the great maṇḍala of the worlds of the ten directions, or universe, i.e., the body or nirmāṇakāya of Buddha.
2. 題目 the title of the Lotus Sutra 妙法蓮華經 Myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo, preceded by Namo, or “Adoration to the scripture of the lotus of the wonderful law,” for it is Buddha's spiritual body.
3. 戒壇 the altar of the law, which is also the title of the Lotus as above; the believer, wherever he is, dwells in the Pure-land of calm light 寂光淨土, the saṃbhogakāya.

Purple / Violet

 zǐ
 murasaki
 
Purple / Violet Scroll

紫 is the single-character Chinese, Japanese, and old Korean title for the color violet/purple.

The difference between violet and purple is not really distinguished in Asian languages. However, sometimes a character for “light” is added to the front of this one, which might be closer to the meaning of violet.

Reiki - Master Symbol

 dà guāng míng
 dai kou myou
Reiki - Master Symbol Scroll

大光明 is the master symbol “Daikomyo” or “Dai Ko Myo,” which is usually associated with the healing practice of Reiki.

This title can be translated as “Great Bright Light.” This symbol, as used in Reiki, alludes to “Enlightened Nature” or the radiance of a purified soul or deity.

Pronunciations in Chinese and Korean are included above but this title has no meaning except when used by a Reiki practitioner. In fact, this title is not that well known by those outside the Reiki community in Japan.

In Chinese, this would be interpreted as “Great Bright Future” (the second two characters alone create a word that means “bright future” in Chinese).

 hóng bǎo shí
Ruby Scroll

This is the Chinese word for Ruby (as in the bright red gem).

Scarlet / Bright Red

 xiān hóng
 sen kou
Scarlet / Bright Red Scroll

鮮紅 is a Japanese and Chinese title for scarlet or bright red color.

Shiken Haramitsu Daikomyo

 shi ken ha ra mitsu dai kou myou
Shiken Haramitsu Daikomyo Scroll

四拳波羅蜜大光明 is “shiken haramitsu daikōmyō,” a famous Japanese Buddhist mantra.

四拳 = shi-ken = four fists (many translate this as “four hearts”).
波羅蜜 = ha-ra-mitsu = A loanword representing pāramitā, or entrance into Nirvana. Awkwardly, it also means jackfruit.
大光明 = dai-kou-myo = big/great light bright (great bright light).

Shiken represents four hearts:
1. The Merciful Heart - Love and caring for all living things.
2. The Sincere Heart - Pursues righteousness, or the right path - sincerely trying to do what is right.
3. The Attuned Heart - Knows that nature and fate have their ways, and thus stay in tune with the universe.
4. The Dedicated Heart - Steadfast on the chosen path to the end.

Sunny / Clear and Bright

 qíng lǎng
 seirou / sero
Sunny / Clear and Bright Scroll

晴朗 is the Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja for sunny and cloudless.

This can also mean fair, serene, clear, and bright.

This usually refers to clear weather and sunny skies.

Time and Tide Wait for No Man

 kouinya no goto shi
Time and Tide Wait for No Man Scroll

光陰矢の如し is a Japanese proverb that means “time flies like an arrow.” It's very similar to the English idiom, “time and tide wait for no man,” or “life is short.”

The Kanji breakdown:
光陰 = Time (the cycle of light and dark).
[and an]
矢 = Arrow
の = are
如し = Alike


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

Wealth / Riches / Fortune

 cái fù
Wealth / Riches / Fortune Scroll

財富 means wealth or riches in Chinese.

Hanging this on your wall will label you as a “lover of money” or a “greedy person.” Order this only if you don't mind being seen in this light.

A Traditional Warm Welcome

 huān yíng guāng lín
A Traditional Warm Welcome Scroll

歡迎光臨 would be the ultimate Chinese “welcome mat.” Except it will be on your wall, and people will not step on it.

In a somewhat literal translation, you could say it means “I feel happy as I welcome you, as you have brought a shining light to this place with your arrival,” or more simply, “I am happy you've come as your presents brightens up the place.”

It has become common for this greeting to be announced by the staff upon the arrival of any customer into a fancy store in China. You will also see these characters on the “welcome mats” in front of 4 and 5-star hotels in China.

Having this on a wall scroll is an extra nice touch. I have seen a few horizontal scrolls with this phrase on the wall behind the reception desk of better hotels or near the front door of fine shops. At the fanciest department stores and restaurants in China, several greeters (almost always young women) will stand by the front door, all wearing sashes with this phrase embroidered. As you walk in, they will bow and say “huan ying guang lin” to welcome you to the establishment.

Note: The first two and last two characters do make words in Korean Hanja but are seldom used as a sentence like this in Korean.

 bái
 shiro
 
White Scroll

A lot of people search our website for “white.” I am not sure of the purpose unless your family name is white.

白 is the universal character for white in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.

In a certain context, outside of the white definition, it can mean snowy, empty, blank, bright, clear, plain, pure, or innocent. In Korean, this can be a family name romanized as Paek or Baeg.

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.

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.

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.

Zen Buddhism

 chán zōng
 zen shuu
Zen Buddhism Scroll

禪宗 is one way to title “Zen Buddhism.” Because the original pronunciation of Zen in Chinese is Chan, you'll also see this expressed as Chan Buddhism.

From the Buddhist Dictionary:
The Chan, meditative or intuitional, sect is usually said to have been established in China by Bodhidharma, the twenty-eighth patriarch, who brought the tradition of the Buddha-mind from India. This sect, believing in direct enlightenment, disregarded ritual and sūtras and depended upon the inner light and personal influence for the propagation of its tenets, founding itself on the esoteric tradition supposed to have been imparted to Kāśyapa by the Buddha, who indicated his meaning by plucking a flower without further explanation. Kāśyapa smiled in apprehension and is supposed to have passed on this mystic method to the patriarchs. The successor of Bodhidharma was 慧可 Huike, and he was succeeded by 僧璨 Sengcan, 道信 Daoxin, 弘忍 Hongren, 慧能 Huineng, and 神秀 Shenxiu, the sect dividing under the two latter into the southern and northern schools: the southern school became prominent, producing 南嶽 Nanyue and 靑原 Qingyuan, the former succeeded by 馬祖 Mazu, the latter by 石頭 Shitou. From Mazu's school arose the five later schools.

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.

Katsu Hayabi

 katsu hayabi
Katsu Hayabi Scroll

Katsu Hayabi or 勝速日 means victory at the speed of light.

勝速日 is a highly developed state in which an Aikido practitioner has reached spiritual and moral perfection.

Bright Pearl

 míng zhū
 mei shu
Bright Pearl Scroll

This means bright pearl or jewel of great value.

明珠 is a female given name Mingzhu in Chinese or Meishu in Japanese.

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.




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The following table may be helpful for those studying Chinese or Japanese...

Title CharactersRomaji (Romanized Japanese)Various forms of Romanized Chinese
Comparison Leads to Truth and Enlightenment不比不知道一比嚇一跳
不比不知道一比吓一跳
bù bǐ bù zhī dào yī bǐ xià yì tiào
bu4 bi3 bu4 zhi1 dao4 yi1 bi3 xia4 yi4 tiao4
bu bi bu zhi dao yi bi xia yi tiao
pu pi pu chih tao i pi hsia i t`iao
pu pi pu chih tao i pi hsia i tiao
Divine Light靈光
灵光
líng guāng
ling2 guang1
ling guang
lingguang
ling kuang
lingkuang
Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark信唸是在黎明前的黑闇中能感到光明的鳥
信念是在黎明前的黑暗中能感到光明的鸟
xìn niǎn shì zài lí míng qián de hēi àn zhōng néng gǎn dào guāng míng de niǎo
xin4 nian3 shi4 zai4 li2 ming2 qian2 de hei1 an4 zhong1 neng2 gan3 dao4 guang1 ming2 de niao3
xin nian shi zai li ming qian de hei an zhong neng gan dao guang ming de niao
hsin nien shih tsai li ming ch`ien te hei an chung neng kan tao kuang ming te niao
hsin nien shih tsai li ming chien te hei an chung neng kan tao kuang ming te niao
Inner Light
Intelligence
心燈
心灯
shin tou / shintou / shin toxīn dēng / xin1 deng1 / xin deng / xindenghsin teng / hsinteng
Intuitive Wisdom
Inner Light
一道神光ichidou no shinkou
ichidounoshinkou
ichido no shinko
yī dào shén guāng
yi1 dao4 shen2 guang1
yi dao shen guang
yidaoshenguang
i tao shen kuang
itaoshenkuang
Light
Bright and Promising Future
光明kou mei / mitsu haru
koumei / mitsuharu
ko mei / mitsu haru
guāng míng
guang1 ming2
guang ming
guangming
kuang ming
kuangming
Light
Bright
Shine
hikariguāng / guang1 / guangkuang
Light
Bright
mei / myou / mei / myomíng / ming2 / ming
Moonlight月光gekkou / gekoyuè guāng
yue4 guang1
yue guang
yueguang
yüeh kuang
yüehkuang
Radiance
Rays of Light
光芒koubou / koboguāng máng
guang1 mang2
guang mang
guangmang
kuang mang
kuangmang
Warriors of Light光の戦士hikari no senshi
hikarinosenshi
Light of the World世光toshimitsushì guāng
shi4 guang1
shi guang
shiguang
shih kuang
shihkuang
Merciful Heart
The Light from a Buddha Mind
心光shin kou / shinkou / shin koxīn guāng
xin1 guang1
xin guang
xinguang
hsin kuang
hsinkuang
Mirror: Beautiful Clarity明鏡
明镜
mei kyou / meikyou / mei kyomíng jìng
ming2 jing4
ming jing
mingjing
ming ching
mingching
Bright and Promising Future明るい未来akarui mirai
akaruimirai
The Aura of Buddha佛光bukkou / bukofó guāng / fo2 guang1 / fo guang / foguangfo kuang / fokuang
Happy Buddha歡喜光佛
欢喜光佛
kan gi kou butsu
kangikoubutsu
kan gi ko butsu
huān xǐ guāng fó
huan1 xi3 guang1 fo2
huan xi guang fo
huanxiguangfo
huan hsi kuang fo
huanhsikuangfo
Clarityseiqīng / qing1 / qingch`ing / ching
Crazy
Mad
Wild

kyou / kyokuáng / kuang2 / kuangk`uang / kuang
Daoism
Taoism
michi / -dodào / dao4 / daotao
Diligent Study Proverb鑿壁偷光
凿壁偷光
záo bì tōu guāng
zao2 bi4 tou1 guang1
zao bi tou guang
zaobitouguang
tsao pi t`ou kuang
tsaopitoukuang
tsao pi tou kuang
A Bright Future鵬程萬里
鹏程万里
péng chéng wàn lǐ
peng2 cheng2 wan4 li3
peng cheng wan li
pengchengwanli
p`eng ch`eng wan li
pengchengwanli
peng cheng wan li
The Geisha’s World花柳界karyuukai / karyukaihuā liǔ jiè
hua1 liu3 jie4
hua liu jie
hualiujie
hua liu chieh
hualiuchieh
Allah
God of Islam
真主zhēn zhǔ / zhen1 zhu3 / zhen zhu / zhenzhuchen chu / chenchu
Hakko-Ryu八光流hakkou ryuu
hakkouryuu
hako ryu
Double Happiness
喜喜
xǐ / xi3 / xihsi
Hikari
hikarihuī / hui1 / hui
Johrei
Jyorei
浄霊 / 浄靈
浄霊 / 浄灵
jourei / jorei
Kodokan光道館
讲道馆
kou dou kan
koudoukan
ko do kan
Lamp
Lantern

tou / todēng / deng1 / dengteng
Marici
Marishiten
摩利支天ma ri shi ten
marishiten
mó lì zhī tiān
mo2 li4 zhi1 tian1
mo li zhi tian
molizhitian
mo li chih t`ien
molichihtien
mo li chih tien
Martial Arts Skills武技bugiwǔ jì / wu3 ji4 / wu ji / wujiwu chi / wuchi
Nichiren日蓮
日莲
nichi ren / nichirenrì lián / ri4 lian2 / ri lian / rilianjih lien / jihlien
Purple
Violet
murasakizǐ / zi3 / zitzu
Reiki - Master Symbol大光明dai kou myou
daikoumyou
dai ko myo
dà guāng míng
da4 guang1 ming2
da guang ming
daguangming
ta kuang ming
takuangming
Ruby紅寶石
红宝石
hóng bǎo shí
hong2 bao3 shi2
hong bao shi
hongbaoshi
hung pao shih
hungpaoshih
Scarlet
Bright Red
鮮紅
鲜红
sen kou / senkou / sen koxiān hóng
xian1 hong2
xian hong
xianhong
hsien hung
hsienhung
Shiken Haramitsu Daikomyo四拳波羅蜜大光明shi ken ha ra mitsu dai kou myou
shi ken ha ra mitsu dai ko myo
Sunny
Clear and Bright
晴朗seirou / sero
seiro / sero
qíng lǎng
qing2 lang3
qing lang
qinglang
ch`ing lang
chinglang
ching lang
Time and Tide Wait for No Man光陰矢の如し
光阴矢の如し
kouinya no goto shi
kouinyanogotoshi
koinya no goto shi
Wealth
Riches
Fortune
財富
财富
cái fù / cai2 fu4 / cai fu / caifuts`ai fu / tsaifu / tsai fu
A Traditional Warm Welcome歡迎光臨
欢迎光临
huān yíng guāng lín
huan1 ying2 guang1 lin2
huan ying guang lin
huanyingguanglin
huan ying kuang lin
huanyingkuanglin
Whiteshirobái / bai2 / baipai
White Dragon白龍
白龙
bái lóng / bai2 long2 / bai long / bailongpai lung / pailung
You must endure a harsh winter to appreciate the warmth of springtime不經冬寒不知春暖
不经冬寒不知春暖
bù jīng dōng hán bù zhī chūn nuǎn
bu4 jing1 dong1 han2 bu4 zhi1 chun1 nuan3
bu jing dong han bu zhi chun nuan
pu ching tung han pu chih ch`un nuan
pu ching tung han pu chih chun nuan
Wolf Spirit
Soul of a Wolf
狼魂routama / ookami tamashii
routama / ookamitamashii
rotama / okami tamashi
láng hún / lang2 hun2 / lang hun / langhun
Zen Buddhism禪宗
禅宗
zen shuu / zenshuu / zen shuchán zōng
chan2 zong1
chan zong
chanzong
ch`an tsung
chantsung
chan tsung
Great Illumination of Wisdom大智明dai chi myou
daichimyou
dai chi myo
dà zhì míng
da4 zhi4 ming2
da zhi ming
dazhiming
ta chih ming
tachihming
Katsu Hayabi勝速日katsu hayabi
katsuhayabi
Bright Pearl明珠mei shu / meishumíng zhū / ming2 zhu1 / ming zhu / mingzhuming chu / mingchu
When the sun rises it first shines on the highest mountain日出先照高山hiide temazu kousan wo terasu yama
hide temazu kosan wo terasu yama
rì chū xiān zhào gāo shān
ri4 chu1 xian1 zhao4 gao1 shan1
ri chu xian zhao gao shan
richuxianzhaogaoshan
jih ch`u hsien chao kao shan
jihchuhsienchaokaoshan
jih chu hsien chao kao shan
In some entries above you will see that characters have different versions above and below a line.
In these cases, the characters above the line are Traditional Chinese, while the ones below are Simplified Chinese.


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.