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1. ...And this above all to thine own self be true
3. Believe
5. You are who you hang out with
6. Confucius
8. Crisis equals Danger plus Opportunity?
10. Daodejing / Tao Te Ching - Chapter 33
11. Daodejing / Tao Te Ching - Chapter 81
12. Dojo / Martial Arts Studio
13. Dream Come True / Enjoy Success
14. Earth
16. Keep Your Feet on the Ground
18. Green
19. Home is where the heart is
20. Honesty
22. Inhale
23. Intense / Serious / Deep / Profound
24. Katana
25. Kenpo / Kempo / Quan Fa / Chuan Fa
26. Ken Zen Ichi Nyo
27. To Know Hardship, One Must Experience It
29. Lingering Mind
30. Loyalty
31. Loyalty / Faithful / Devoted
32. Maintain An Army For 1000 Days, Use It For An Hour
34. My True Love
36. Power of Understanding and Wisdom
38. Reality
41. Seal
43. True Emptiness Yields Transcendent Existence
44. Shoshin-Ryu
47. Only the sleepless know the length of night
48. Strong bones come from hard knocks
49. Tempering Makes Strong Steel
50. Tiger Rumor
52. True Friend
53. True Heart
54. True Love
55. Shin Buddhism
57. True Religion / Buddha Truth
58. True to Yourself
59. True Victory is Victory Over Oneself
63. Mico
64. Meet the Buddha, Kill the Buddha
66. Old, But More Vigorous in Spirit
67. Knowledge of Ultimate Truth
68. The True and Complete Enlightenment
69. True Essence
70. Shobo
71. True Love
72. There is one single thread binding my Way together
73. Faithfulness
74. Nobleman
A line from Shakespeare's Hamlet
相信 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,” or “have faith in.”
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
金似金挨玉似玉 is a Chinese proverb that literally translates as: [One who is] close to gold [is] like gold [and one who is] close to jade [is] like jade.
Figuratively, this means:
A good environment produces good people.
People are influenced by the company they keep.
Basically, if you hang out with good people, you are likely to become or stay good yourself. The opposite also is true. 挨This is like the moral version of “You are what you eat.”
Note: In Japanese, they have a similar phrase, 類は友を呼ぶ (rui wa tomo o yobu) Birds of a feather flock together. However, this is not a good meaning, so we’re not offering it for wall scrolls.
孔子 is how to write the name of the great sage, known in the West as Confucius.
His real name is Kongzi (The name Confucius is a westernized version of his name - his family name is Kong, and “zi” was added as a title of distinction).
He lived some 2500 years ago in Qufu, a town in modern-day Shandong Province of Northern China (about 6 hours south of Beijing by bus). He was a consort to Emperors, and after his death, the impact of his philosophies still served to advise emperors, officials, and common people for generations.
Also during these thousands of years, the Kong family remained powerful in China, and the Kong estate was much like the Vatican in Rome. The Kong estate existed as if on sovereign ground with its own small garrison of guards and the privileges of a kingdom within an empire.
This was true up until the time the Kong family had to flee to Taiwan in 1949 when the Red Army took victory over the Nationalists during the Revolution. The home of Confucius was later razed and all statues were defaced or stolen during the Cultural Revolution. Finally, after years of smearing his name and image, it is once again okay to celebrate the teachings of Confucius in mainland China.
Known as Khổng Tử in Vietnamese.
Quote from Confucius
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.
危機 means crisis in Chinese and Japanese.
Separately, the first character here does mean “danger” or “to endanger,” and the second character can mean “opportunity.”
However, I want to debunk a myth that was propagated by some westerners who did not have a clear understanding of Asian languages...
While often, Chinese/Japanese/Korean compound words (words of two or more characters) are the sum of their parts, this is not always the case. The compound is often understood with a completely different meaning than the two characters individually.
Many have said that the Chinese/Japanese/Korean word for Crisis is made up of the characters for “danger” and “opportunity.” 危機 is true when phrased this way.
However, it's not absolutely correct to say that “danger + opportunity = crisis” in Asian cultures.
English example:
If I tell you that...
Bovine creature + Guy behind the plate in baseball = Locomotive train protection
...you would think I was mad. But consider that “cow + catcher = cowcatcher,” which is the device that used to be found on steam engines to protect them if they hit an animal on the tracks. When we hear the word “cowcatcher,” we don't separate the words into their individual meanings (necessarily).
The same is true with the word for crisis in Chinese/Japanese/Korean. While you can separate the characters, few Asian people would automatically do so in their minds.
The final answer:
It is a half-truth to say, “danger plus opportunity equals crisis” in Chinese/Japanese/Korean. Use this statement and concept with caution.
Also, the second character can mean “secret” or “machine,” depending on context so I guess you have to say “a dangerous machine = crisis” or “danger + a secret = crisis.” Both of these are only slightly more ridiculous than the first premise.
PS: 危機 is probably not a great word for a scroll unless you have a special use for it.
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.
This is referred to as passage or chapter 33 of the Dao De Jing (often Romanized as “Tao Te Ching”).
These are the words of the philosopher Laozi (Lao Tzu).
Notes:
During our research, the Chinese characters shown here are probably the most accurate to the original text of Laozi. These were taken for the most part from the Mawangdui 1973 and Guodan 1993 manuscripts which pre-date other Daodejing texts by about 1000 years.
Grammar was a little different in Laozi’s time. So you should consider this to be the ancient Chinese version. Some have modernized this passage by adding, removing, or swapping articles and changing the grammar (we felt the oldest and most original version would be more desirable). You may find other versions printed in books or online - sometimes these modern texts are simply used to explain to Chinese people what the original text really means.
This language issue can be compared in English by thinking how the King James (known as the Authorized version in Great Britain) Bible from 1611 was written, and comparing it to modern English. Now imagine that the Daodejing was probably written around 403 BCE (2000 years before the King James Version of the Bible). To a Chinese person, the original Daodejing reads like text that is 3 times more detached compared to Shakespeare’s English is to our modern-day speech.
Extended notes:
While on this Biblical text comparison, it should be noted, that just like the Bible, all the original texts of the Daodejing were lost or destroyed long ago. Just as with the scripture used to create the Bible, various manuscripts exist, many with variations or copyist errors. Just as the earliest New Testament scripture (incomplete) is from 170 years after Christ, the earliest Daodejing manuscript (incomplete) is from 100-200 years after the death of Laozi.
The reason that the originals were lost probably has a lot to do with the first Qin Emperor. Upon taking power and unifying China, he ordered the burning and destruction of all books (scrolls/rolls) except those pertaining to Chinese medicine and a few other subjects. The surviving Daodejing manuscripts were either hidden on purpose or simply forgotten about. Some were not unearthed until as late as 1993.
We compared a lot of research by various archeologists and historians before deciding on this as the most accurate and correct version. But one must allow that it may not be perfect, or the actual and original as from the hand of Laozi himself.
信言不美美言不信知者不博博者不知善者不多多者不善聖人無積既以為人己癒有既以予人矣已癒多故天之道利而不害聖人之道為而不爭 is the Mawangdui version of Daodejing chapter 81.
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.
(Used in Japanese version of five elements)
地 is the single-character element and title of the planet Earth in Chinese, old Korean Hanja, and Japanese Kanji.
Because this is a single character, the definition is a little ambiguous and can have many meanings depending on the context in which it is used. These meanings include: earth, ground, land, soil, dirt, place, territory, bottom (of a package, book, etc.), earth (one of the Japanese five elements), the region in question, the local area, skin, texture, fabric, material, weave, base, background, one's true nature, narrative (i.e. descriptive part of a story), real life, actuality, etc.
In Japanese, this Kanji can be pronounced several ways, including chi, ji, tsushi, or tsuchi.
地 is also an element of the Japanese version of the five elements (the original Chinese version uses a different version of earth).
幻想 is illusions or fantasy in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.
This can also refer to delusion or daydreaming. It sort of means a dream or idea that cannot be true or real ( at least not in this realm).
Be Down-to-Earth
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.”
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.
The fresh green of nature
青 is nature's color and can refer to forest green, greenish-blue, or the darkest of greens.
青 and color represent nature, youth, and young people.
In the same way, we refer to green bananas and the rookie being green, the same is true in Chinese and Japanese, where, in a certain context, this can mean immature, unripe, or young.
In Japan, this can also be a female given name “Haru.” It can also be used as a given name (for either sex) in China.
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.
信 is another character that expresses the idea of honesty.
It can also mean truth, faith, belief 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 contexts, this character can mean a letter (mail), 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
吸入 is a Chinese, Japanese, and old Korean word that means inhale, inhalation, or to breathe in.
吸 by itself can mean to inhale or suck in.
入 means to enter (in this case, the body), so it clarifies that this is the true inhalation of air into the body.
If you need a reminder to breathe (slow down and take a deep breath), this may be the word you want hanging on your wall.
深刻 is a Chinese word that is the form of intense that describes a person who is deep, serious, and a true thinker.
If you find yourself contemplating the world and coming up with profound ideas, this might be the word for you. In some contexts (especially Korean), it can mean seriousness, gravity, or acuteness.
In Japanese, this can mean “serious problem” or can be a rare given name, Misa. You should not use this if your audience is Japanese.
Japanese Samurai Sword
刀 is the Japanese Kanji for “sword.” This refers to the style of sword carried by warriors, samurai, and shogun of ancient Japan.
With the pacification of Japan, such swords are now only used for ceremony and decoration. The true art of sword-smithing is all but lost in Japan with new sword production dedicated to making inexpensive replicas for the tourist and foreign market.
For those of you that want to ask whether I can get you a real antique sword. Let me tell you that most real Asian swords were melted down after WWII in Japan, and during the Great Leap Forward in China. Any remaining swords are family heirlooms that nobody will part with.
Please carefully note that the Japanese kanji character shown above is only for a Japanese audience. In China, this character means “knife.” See our other entry for “sword” in Chinese.
Note: 刀 can mean knife, sword, or blade in Korean, depending on context.
See Also: Sword
拳法 is a form of martial arts that can be translated in several ways.
Some will call it “fist principles,” “the way of the fist,” or even “law of the fist.” The first character literally means fist. The second can mean law, method, way, principle, or Buddhist teaching.
Kempo is really a potluck of martial arts. Often a combination of Chinese martial arts such as Shaolin Kung Fu with Japanese martial arts such as Karate, Jujutsu (Jujitsu), Aikido, and others. You may see the term “Kempo Karate,” which basically means Karate with other disciplines added. In this way, Kempo becomes an adjective rather than a title or school of martial arts.
These facts will long be argued by various masters and students of Kempo. Even the argument as to whether it should be spelled “kenpo” or “Kempo” ensues at dojos around the world (the correct Romaji should actually be “kenpou” if you precisely follow the rules).
The benefit of Kempo is that the techniques are easier to learn and master than pure Kung Fu (wu shu). Students are often taught basic Karate moves, kicks, and punches before augmenting the basic skills with complex Kung Fu techniques. This allows students of Kempo to achieve a level where they can defend themselves or fight in a relatively short amount of time (a few years rather than a decade or more).
Because the definition of this word is so fluid, I should make some notes here:
1. Purists in Okinawa will claim that “Okinawa Kenpo” or “Ryukyu Hon Kenpo” is the original and true version of this martial art from the old kingdom. It is actually little or no connection between Okinawa Kenpo and the way the word is used elsewhere.
2. In Chinese, where these characters are pronounced “quan fa” (sometimes Romanized as “chuan fa” because the Chinese-pinyin “q” actually sounds like an English “ch” sound), these characters do not hold the connotation of being a mixed martial art. It is simply defined as “the law of the fist.”
3. My Japanese dictionary oddly defines Kenpo as the “Chinese art of self-defense.” I personally don't feel this is the most common way that people perceive the word but just something you should know.
拳禪一如 is a Japanese phrase that is often translated as “train both body and spirit.”
Here's the breakdown of the words in this phrase:
拳 means fist.
禅 is zen, which means meditation.
一如 is a word that means “to be just like,” “oneness,” “true nature,” or “true character.”
So to get to the translation of “train both body and spirit,” you must understand that “fist” is representing “body” and the idea of meditation is representing “mind.”
I have to say, this is not how I would translate this. To me, it's really about training with your mind and remembering that meditation is a huge part of training, not just your fist. As the Shaolin Buddhist monks show us, meditation is just as important as physical training in martial arts.
不當和尚不知頭冷 is a Chinese proverb that literally translates as: [One who has] not been a monk [does] not know [the feeling of a] cold head.
I need to explain that a Chinese Buddhist monk always has a shaved head, and thus a cold head in winter.
Figuratively, this means: One cannot know the true meaning of hardship until one has experienced it oneself.
This is an idiom in Chinese, so the figurative meaning is what people perceive when they hear or read this phrase. Just as in English, when someone says, "The grass is always greener," one will think about the idea of jealousy, rather than the quality of one’s lawn.
功夫 or Kung Fu is one of the most famous types of martial arts in the world - and not just because of Bruce Lee.
Some translate the meaning as “Accomplishment by Great Effort.” I think this is partially true, but directly translated, it literally means “Merit/Achievement/Accomplishment Man.” The word “fu” can sometimes mean “husband” or “porter,” but in this case, it can only mean “man.” However, few in China will think “man” when they hear the word “Gong Fu” spoken.
This term is also used for things other than martial arts. In fact, it's used to refer to a person with excellent skills in crafts that require a lot of effort to master, such as cooking, tea ceremonies, and calligraphy.
What a lot of people don't know is that the spelling of “Kung Fu” was actually taken from the old Wade Giles form of Romanization. Using this method, the sounds of the English “G” and “K” were both written as “K” and an apostrophe after the “K” told you it was supposed to sound like a “G.” Nobody in the west knew this rule, so most people pronounce it with a “K-sound.” And so, Gong Fu will always be Kung Fu for most westerners.
Also, just to educate you a little more, the “O” in “Gong” has a sound like the English word “oh.”
The popular Chinese dish “Kung Pao Chicken” suffers from the same problem. It should actually be “Gong Bao Chicken.”
Historical note: Many will claim that Kung Fu was invented by the monks of the Shaolin monastery. This fact is argued in both directions by scholars of Chinese history. Perhaps it is more accurate to say that the Shaolin Monks brought the original fame to Kung Fu many generations ago.
Japanese note: While most Japanese martial artists will recognize these characters, Katakana is more often used to approximate the pronunciation of "Kung Fu" with "カンフー." Some will argue as to whether this should be considered a Japanese word at all.
See Also: Bruce Lee
Zanshin
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.
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.
忠誠 is the written form of loyalty that is universal in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.
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 and when things are good. With loyalty, you build relationships that last forever.
Notes:
1. 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.
2. This version of loyalty is sometimes translated as devotion, sincerity, fidelity, or allegiance.
忠実 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
Nothing could be more true. When I was in the Marine Corps, we trained for years for combat that often lasts only hours.
養兵千日用兵一時 is a Chinese proverb that, also reminds me of a common phrase used in the military to describe combat: “Weeks of total boredom, punctuated with five minutes of sheer terror.”
This may have some roots in Sun Tzu's The Art of War. Though I can not find this passage in his writings.
On the subject of the Art of War, if you have a favorite passage, we can create a custom calligraphy scroll with that phrase.
我心真愛 is a slightly poetic way to express this sentiment to someone.
The meaning is “My True Love,” but the characters directly translate as “I/Me/My Heart/Mind True/Real Love.”
Note that Chinese grammar and construction are different, so this sounds very eloquent and artsy in Chinese.
In Korean Hanja, the third character should be written differently. Just let me know when you place your order if you want that version - it will still make sense in Chinese. This phrase makes sense in Korean but is not commonly used.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
醒悟 is a Chinese word that expresses the idea of reality or coming to understand what is true and real.
The first character means to wake up, awaken, comprehend, introspect, or visit.
The second character means to comprehend or understand (be enlightened).
The meanings of Chinese words are not necessarily the sum of their parts. In this case, at best, you can derive that the characters express “understanding what is real” or “knowing what is real.” Any Chinese person will perceive this word in a similar way to how we use “reality” in English.
Note: The first character can also be written in a different form as shown to the right. Same meaning in Chinese, either way it’s written.
Buddhism Concept
現実性 is a Japanese word that expresses the idea of reality or coming to understand what is true and real.
This can also be translated as realistic, practical, or feasible.
See Also: Illusion
According to Soothill 眞空妙有 means:
The true void is the mysteriously existing, truly void, or immaterial, yet transcendentally existing.
眞空妙有 is the state of being nonexistent after removing all errant worldly influences. 眞空妙有 is achieved when all forms of existence are seen for their real nature.
正心流 is a Japanese title that means “right heart style” or “true mind method.”
The first character means right, correct, greater, or true.
The second character means heart, mind, soul, or essence.
The third character means style, method, or some will translate it as a school.
Please note, there is more than one martial arts school that romanizes as Shoshin-Ryu.
真誠 is the true essence of sincerity.
It takes strength of personality to be truly sincere without overdoing it. Speaking of strength, this is probably the strongest way to convey the idea of sincerity in the Chinese language.
The first character literally means true, real, and genuine. While the second character means sincere and honest.
至誠 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.
至誠 is a universal word as the Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and Korean Hanja are all identical.
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).
不磕不碰骨頭不硬 is a Chinese proverb that literally translates as: Without being knocked around a bit, [one's] bones won't become hard.
Figuratively, this means: One can't become strong without first being tempered by “hard knocks.”
While true for everyone, this sounds like the “Iron Body” form of Kung Fu, where practitioners' bodies are beaten (and often bone fractured) in order to become stronger.
For the rest of us, this is just about how we can be tempered and build character through the hardships in our lives.
This is not a common title for a wall scroll in China.
Hardship Develops Strong Character
These four characters together relay the meaning that can be expressed in English as “When three people say there's a tiger running in the street, you believe it.”
Of course, there is an ancient story behind this idiom...
三人成虎 is actually a proverb that resulted from a conversation that occurred around 300 B.C.
The conversation was between the king of the Wei kingdom and one of the king's ministers named Pang Cong.
It was near the end of one of many wars, this time with the Zhao kingdom. Pang Cong was to be sent by the king to the Zhao kingdom with the king's son, who was to be held hostage. It was common at the time for a king to make his son a hostage to secure stable peace between warring kingdoms.
Before minister Pang Cong departed, he asked his king, “If one person told you a tiger was running in the street, would you believe it?.”
“No,” the king said.
The minister continued, “What if two people told you?”
The king replied, “Well, I would have my doubts but I might believe it.”
The minister continued, “So, what if three people told you that a tiger is running in the streets?”
The king replied, “Yes, I would believe it. It must be true if three people say it.”
The minister then reminded the king, “Your son and I are now traveling far away to live in the distant Zhao kingdom - much farther from your palace than the street. Rumors may fly about me in my absence, so I hope your majesty will weight such rumors appropriately.”
The king replied, “I have every trust in you, do not worry”
While the minister was gone, the king's enemies gossiped about minister Pang Cong on many occasions. At first, the king thought nothing of these comments and rumors. But slowly, as the rumors mounted, the king began to suspect ill of his minister.
Sometime later, when peace was well-established, the minister and prince were freed and returned to the kingdom of Wei. The king received his son BUT DID NOT EVEN SUMMON MINISTER PANG CONG TO THE PALACE!
Hopefully, this story will help you see how dangerous words can be when used to promote rumors or create ill will. And perhaps will inspire you not to believe everything you hear.
There is also a secondary suggestion in this idiom that gossip is as ferocious as a tiger. Some Chinese people who don't know the ancient story above may believe that this scroll means that rumors are as vicious as three tigers.
Note: This proverb appears in my Korean dictionary but is not well-known in Korea.
While 真心 literally reads as “true heart” or “genuine heart,” the understood meaning is sincerity, devotion, sincere, or heartfelt. Some will extend the meaning to be like “true love.” It's the idea of doing something or treating someone with genuine feelings.
真心 is valid and has the same meaning in both Chinese characters and Japanese Kanji.
Note: While not too common, this can be the female given name “Mami” in Japanese.
真愛 is literally “True Love” in Chinese.
The first character means “real,” “true,” and “genuine.” The second character means “love” and “affection.”
During the customization of your calligraphy wall scroll, there is a place to add an inscription. You might want that inscription to be your names in Chinese down the side of your wall scroll or perhaps just below these two main characters (just $9 extra). A nice gift to celebrate an anniversary or marriage!
True Pure Land Buddhism
浄土真宗 is known in the west as “Shin Buddhism.”
This is a school of Japanese “Pure Land Buddhism.” This form is also known as “True Pure Land Buddhism” or “Jodoshinshu” (jōdoshinshū).
If you are looking for this title, you probably already know the rest of the story.
See Also: Pure Land Buddhism
真 is a simple way to express the idea that something is real, true, truth, or genuine.
Occasionally, this character refers to a Buddhist sect that originated in the 13th century.
真 is commonly used as a compound with other characters to create ideas like “true love.” It's also used similarly to the English words “really” or “truly” to say “really good” or “He is really knowledgeable.” Those phrases start with “他真的是... (note the second character is 真).
There are two ways to write this character, shown here is the most common way in China; however, a slight stroke variation is used in Korean Hanja. If you want that version, just let us know when you place your order.
See Also: Honesty
The way of the truth
正勝吾勝 is a proverb that is often translated as “True victory is victory over oneself.”
However, literally, Kanji by Kanji, means “True victory [is] my/self victory.”
My Japanese friends rate this very highly for a wall scroll.
See Also: Know Thy Enemy Know Thyself
酒后吐真言 / 酒後吐真言 is a nice Asian proverb if you know a vintner or wine seller - or wine lover - although the actual meaning might not be exactly what you think or hope.
The literal meaning is that someone drinking wine is more likely to let the truth slip out. It can also be translated as “People speak their true feelings after drinking alcohol.”
It's long believed in many parts of Asia that one can not consciously hold up a facade of lies when getting drunk, and therefore the truth will come out with a few drinks.
I've had the experience where a Korean man would not trust me until I got drunk with him (I was trying to gain access to the black market in North Korea which is tough to do as an untrusted outsider) - so I think this idea is still well-practiced in many Asian countries.
Please note that there are two common ways to write the second character of this phrase. The way it's written will be left up to the mood of the calligrapher, unless you let us know that you have a certain preference.
萬事如意 is a Chinese and old Korean proverb that means to have all one's wishes.
When speaking to someone, it's a way to say best wishes, all the best, may all your hopes be fulfilled, or may everything go well.
On your wall as calligraphy, it's meant to inspire all your wishes, hopes, dreams, and life to go well or come true.
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.
知 means realization or true knowing.
This can also translate as to know, to be aware, wisdom, or higher knowledge.
From older Buddhist ideas, this can represent विद्या (Vidyā or Vidya) or ज्ञान (Jñāna or Jnana) and even the combination Sanskrit word विज्ञान (Vijñāna or Vijnana) which can translate as wisdom arising from perception or knowing.
However, 知 should be distinguished as true knowing versus having a relative understanding or 會.
Age is just a number
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.
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 correct doctrine of the Buddha
正法 is a Buddhist term that means “True Dharma” or “The true teachings of Buddha.”
Other translations include the just law, proper method, or period of the true law.
吾道一以貫之 is a phrase from the Analects of Confucius that translates as “My Way has one thread that runs through it.”
Other translations include:
My Way is penetrated by a single thread.
There is one single thread binding my Way together.
My Way is run through with a unifying thread.
My Way is Consistent.
And sometimes poetic license is taken, and it is translated as:
My Way is the only one; I'll treasure it and stick to it with humility until the end.
After this was said, some 2500+ years ago, another disciple of Confucius clarified the meaning by stating, “Our master's Way is to be loyal and have a sense of reciprocity.”
In Japanese, this is purported to be romanized as “Waga michi ichi wo motte kore wo tsuranuku,” though some will argue the true pronunciation.
Note: Sometimes written 吾道以一貫之 instead of 吾道一以貫之 with no difference in meaning.
信實 means trustworthy, reliable, to believe something, to be true, and/or to be faithful.
Junzi / chun-tzu / gunja / kunshi
This means nobleman, person of noble character, man of virtue; wise man, or a true gentleman
君子 can be romanized as chün-tzu or jūnzǐ from Chinese and gunja from Korean. This has the same meaning in Japanese, but in another context, can be the female given name Kunshi.
虚実 is a Japanese word that means “falsehood [and] truth” or “fiction [and] fact.”
This concept is used in warfare, gameplay, and martial arts strategies. 虚実 can be a strategy of real and/or deceptive moves. This gets to some Sun Tzu Art of War stuff where in warfare a strategic move is either a real and serious move or it is a deceptive blow.
Let's explore each character in more depth:
虚 was originally written 虛 (there is a very subtle difference in the strokes at the bottom of the character) and means unpreparedness, falsehood, emptiness, void, abstract theory, empty or unoccupied, diffident or timid, false, humble or modest, virtual, or in vain.
In the Buddhist context, 虛 represents the Pali/Sanskrit word “śūnya,” meaning empty, vacant, unreal, unsubstantial, untrue, space, humble, or in vain.
In ancient Eastern/Chinese astronomy, 虛 represents the “Emptiness” constellation (one of the 28 mansions in the sky).
実 was originally 實 in Chinese (they currently write it as 实 in Simplified Chinese) with the meaning, truth, reality, sincerity, honesty, fidelity, and substance.
The Buddhist context is similar, adding real, true, honest, really, solid, definitely, sincere, solid, fixed, full, to fill, fruit, kernel, verily, in fact, the supreme fact, or ultimate reality to the definition.
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The following table may be helpful for those studying Chinese or Japanese...
Title | Characters | Romaji (Romanized Japanese) | Various forms of Romanized Chinese | |
...And this above all to thine own self be true | 尤其要緊的你必須對你自己忠實 尤其要紧的你必须对你自己忠实 | yóu qí yào jǐn de nǐ bì xū duì nǐ zì jǐ zhōng shí you2 qi2 yao4 jin3 de ni3 bi4 xu1 dui4 ni3 zi4 ji3 zhong1 shi2 you qi yao jin de ni bi xu dui ni zi ji zhong shi | yu ch`i yao chin te ni pi hsü tui ni tzu chi chung shih yu chi yao chin te ni pi hsü tui ni tzu chi chung shih |
|
Be True to Yourself | 做真實的自己 做真实的自己 | zuò zhēn shí de zì jǐ zuo4 zhen1 shi2 de zi4 ji3 zuo zhen shi de zi ji zuozhenshideziji | tso chen shih te tzu chi tsochenshihtetzuchi |
|
Be True to Yourself | 自分自身に忠実である | jibun jishin ni chuujitsu de aru jibun jishin ni chujitsu de aru | ||
Believe | 相信 | xiāng xìn xiang1 xin4 xiang xin xiangxin | hsiang hsin hsianghsin |
|
Christianity Christian | 基督教 | kirisutokyou kirisutokyo | jī dū jiào ji1 du1 jiao4 ji du jiao jidujiao | chi tu chiao chituchiao |
You are who you hang out with | 挨金似金挨玉似玉 | āi jīn sì jīn āi yù sì yù ai1 jin1 si4 jin1 ai1 yu4 si4 yu4 ai jin si jin ai yu si yu aijinsijinaiyusiyu | ai chin ssu chin ai yü ssu yü aichinssuchinaiyüssuyü |
|
Confucius | 孔子 | koushi / koshi | kǒng zǐ / kong3 zi3 / kong zi / kongzi | k`ung tzu / kungtzu / kung tzu |
The Ease of the Scholar | 默而識之學而不厭誨人不倦何有于我哉 默而识之学而不厌诲人不倦何有于我哉 | mò ér zhì zhī xué ér bù yàn huǐ rén bù juàn hé yòu yú wǒ zāi mo4 er2 zhi4 zhi1 xue2 er2 bu4 yan4 hui3 ren2 bu4 juan4 he2 you4 yu2 wo3 zai1 mo er zhi zhi xue er bu yan hui ren bu juan he you yu wo zai | mo erh chih chih hsüeh erh pu yen hui jen pu chüan ho yu yü wo tsai | |
Crisis equals Danger plus Opportunity? | 危機 危机 | kiki | wēi jī / wei1 ji1 / wei ji / weiji | wei chi / weichi |
The Original Mind | 本心 | hon shin / honshin | běn xīn / ben3 xin1 / ben xin / benxin | pen hsin / penhsin |
Daodejing Tao Te Ching - Chapter 33 | 知人者知也自知者明也勝人者有力也自勝者強也知足者富也強行者有志也不失其所者久也死而不亡者壽也 知人者知也自知者明也胜人者有力也自胜者强也知足者富也强行者有志也不失其所者久也死而不亡者寿也 | zhī rén zhě zhī yě zì zhī zhě míng yě shèng rén zhě yǒu lì yě zì shèng zhě qiáng yě zhī zú zhě fù yě qiáng xíng zhě yǒu zhì yě bù zhī qí suǒ zhě jiǔ yě sǐ ér bù wáng zhě shòu yě zhi1 ren2 zhe3 zhi1 ye3 zi4 zhi1 zhe3 ming2 ye3 sheng4 ren2 zhe3 you3 li4 ye3 zi4 sheng4 zhe3 qiang2 ye3 zhi1 zu2 zhe3 fu4 ye3 qiang2 xing2 zhe3 you3 zhi4 ye3 bu4 zhi1 qi2 suo3 zhe3 jiu3 ye3 si3 er2 bu4 wang2 zhe3 shou4 ye3 zhi ren zhe zhi ye zi zhi zhe ming ye sheng ren zhe you li ye zi sheng zhe qiang ye zhi zu zhe fu ye qiang xing zhe you zhi ye bu zhi qi suo zhe jiu ye si er bu wang zhe shou ye | chih jen che chih yeh tzu chih che ming yeh sheng jen che yu li yeh tzu sheng che ch`iang yeh chih tsu che fu yeh ch`iang hsing che yu chih yeh pu chih ch`i so che chiu yeh ssu erh pu wang che shou yeh chih jen che chih yeh tzu chih che ming yeh sheng jen che yu li yeh tzu sheng che chiang yeh chih tsu che fu yeh chiang hsing che yu chih yeh pu chih chi so che chiu yeh ssu erh pu wang che shou yeh |
|
Daodejing Tao Te Ching - Chapter 81 | 信言不美美言不信知者不博博者不知善者不多多者不善聖人無積既以為人己癒有既以予人矣已癒多故天之道利而不害聖人之道為而不爭 信言不美美言不信知者不博博者不知善者不多多者不善圣人无积既以为人己愈有既以予人矣已愈多故天之道利而不害圣人之道为而不争 | |||
Dojo Martial Arts Studio | 道場 道场 | dou jou / doujou / do jo | dào cháng dao4 chang2 dao chang daochang | tao ch`ang taochang tao chang |
Dream Come True Enjoy Success | 得誌 得志 | dé zhì / de2 zhi4 / de zhi / dezhi | te chih / techih | |
Earth | 地 | chi / ji / tsushi / tsuchi | dì / di4 / di | ti |
Fantasy Illusion | 幻想 | gensou / genso | huàn xiǎng huan4 xiang3 huan xiang huanxiang | huan hsiang huanhsiang |
Keep Your Feet on the Ground | 腳踏實地 脚踏实地 | jiǎo tà shí dì jiao3 ta4 shi2 di4 jiao ta shi di jiaotashidi | chiao t`a shih ti chiaotashihti chiao ta shih ti |
|
Allah God of Islam | 真主 | zhēn zhǔ / zhen1 zhu3 / zhen zhu / zhenzhu | chen chu / chenchu | |
Green | 青 | ao | qīng / qing1 / qing | ch`ing / ching |
Home is where the heart is | 家とは心がある場所だ | ie to wa kokoro ga aru basho da ietowakokorogaarubashoda | ||
Honesty | 實 实 | shí / shi2 / shi | shih | |
Honesty Fidelity | 信 | shin | xìn / xin4 / xin | hsin |
Inhale | 吸入 | kyuu nyuu / kyuunyuu / kyu nyu | xī rù / xi1 ru4 / xi ru / xiru | hsi ju / hsiju |
Intense Serious Deep Profound | 深刻 | shinkoku / misa | shēn kè / shen1 ke4 / shen ke / shenke | shen k`o / shenko / shen ko |
Katana | 刀 | katana | dāo / dao1 / dao | tao |
Kenpo Kempo Quan Fa Chuan Fa | 拳法 | kenpou / kenpo | quán fǎ / quan2 fa3 / quan fa / quanfa | ch`üan fa / chüanfa / chüan fa |
Ken Zen Ichi Nyo | 拳禪一如 拳禅一如 | ken zen ichi nyo kenzenichinyo | ||
To Know Hardship, One Must Experience It | 不當和尚不知頭冷 不当和尚不知头冷 | bù dāng hé shàng bù zhī tóu lěng bu4 dang1 he2 shang4 bu4 zhi1 tou2 leng3 bu dang he shang bu zhi tou leng | pu tang ho shang pu chih t`ou leng pu tang ho shang pu chih tou leng |
|
Kung Fu Gong Fu | 功夫 | kan fu / ku fu kanfu / kufu | gōng fu / gong1 fu / gong fu / gongfu | kung fu / kungfu |
Lingering Mind | 殘心 残心 | zan shin / zanshin | cán xīn / can2 xin1 / can xin / canxin | ts`an hsin / tsanhsin / tsan hsin |
Loyalty | 忠誠 忠诚 | chuu sei / chuusei / chu sei | zhōng chéng zhong1 cheng2 zhong cheng zhongcheng | chung ch`eng chungcheng chung cheng |
Loyalty Faithful Devoted | 忠實 忠実 | chuujitsu / chuugi chujitsu / chugi | ||
Maintain An Army For 1000 Days, Use It For An Hour | 養兵千日用兵一時 养兵千日用兵一时 | yǎng bīng qiān rì, yàng bīng yì shí yang3 bing1 qian1 ri4 yang4 bing1 yi4 shi2 yang bing qian ri yang bing yi shi | yang ping ch`ien jih yang ping i shih yang ping chien jih yang ping i shih |
|
Makaze True Wind | 真風 | maji / makaze | ||
My True Love | 我心真愛 我心真爱 | wǒ xīn zhēn ài wo3 xin1 zhen1 ai4 wo xin zhen ai woxinzhenai | wo hsin chen ai wohsinchenai |
|
My True Love | 真実の愛 | shin jitsu no ai shinjitsunoai | ||
Once in a Lifetime | 一期一會 一期一会 | ichigo ichie ichigoichie | yī qī yī huì yi1 qi1 yi1 hui4 yi qi yi hui yiqiyihui | i ch`i i hui ichiihui i chi i hui |
Power of Understanding and Wisdom | 悟性 | gosei | wù xìng / wu4 xing4 / wu xing / wuxing | wu hsing / wuhsing |
Pursue Your Dreams | 追尋夢想 追寻梦想 | zhuī xún mèng xiǎng zhui1 xun2 meng4 xiang3 zhui xun meng xiang zhuixunmengxiang | chui hsün meng hsiang chuihsünmenghsiang |
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Pursue Your Dreams | 夢を追い続ける | yume wo oi tsudukeru yumewooitsudukeru | ||
Reality | 醒悟 / 省悟 醒悟 | xǐng wù / xing3 wu4 / xing wu / xingwu | hsing wu / hsingwu | |
Reality and Illusion | 真妄 | zhēn wàng zhen1 wang4 zhen wang zhenwang | chen wang chenwang |
|
Reality Realistic | 現実性 | gen jitsu sei genjitsusei | ||
Seal | 海豹 | kaihyou / kaihyo | hǎi bào / hai3 bao4 / hai bao / haibao | hai pao / haipao |
Intense Serious | 真剣 | shin ken / shinken | ||
True Emptiness Yields Transcendent Existence | 眞空妙有 | shin kuu myou u shinkuumyouu shin ku myo u | zhēn kōng miào yǒu zhen1 kong1 miao4 you3 zhen kong miao you zhenkongmiaoyou | chen k`ung miao yu chenkungmiaoyu chen kung miao yu |
Shoshin-Ryu | 正心流 | shou shin ryuu shoushinryuu sho shin ryu | ||
Sincere True Sincerity | 真誠 真诚 | zhēn chéng zhen1 cheng2 zhen cheng zhencheng | chen ch`eng chencheng chen cheng |
|
Sincerity and Devotion | 至誠 至诚 | shisei | zhì chéng zhi4 cheng2 zhi cheng zhicheng | chih ch`eng chihcheng chih cheng |
Only the sleepless know the length of night | 不眠之夜長久交知人心 不眠之夜长久交知人心 | bù mián zhī yè cháng jiǔ jiāo zhī rén xīn bu4 mian2 zhi1 ye4 chang2 jiu3 jiao1 zhi1 ren2 xin1 bu mian zhi ye chang jiu jiao zhi ren xin | pu mien chih yeh ch`ang chiu chiao chih jen hsin pu mien chih yeh chang chiu chiao chih jen hsin |
|
Strong bones come from hard knocks | 不磕不碰骨頭不硬 不磕不碰骨头不硬 | bù kē bù pèng gǔ tóu bù yìng bu4 ke1 bu4 peng4 gu3 tou2 bu4 ying4 bu ke bu peng gu tou bu ying bukebupenggutoubuying | pu k`o pu p`eng ku t`ou pu ying pukopupengkutoupuying pu ko pu peng ku tou pu ying |
|
Tempering Makes Strong Steel | 百煉才成鋼 / 百煉纔成鋼 百炼才成钢 | bǎi liàn cái chéng gāng bai3 lian4 cai2 cheng2 gang1 bai lian cai cheng gang bailiancaichenggang | pai lien ts`ai ch`eng kang pailientsaichengkang pai lien tsai cheng kang |
|
Tiger Rumor | 三人成虎 | sān rén chéng hǔ san1 ren2 cheng2 hu3 san ren cheng hu sanrenchenghu | san jen ch`eng hu sanjenchenghu san jen cheng hu |
|
To thine own self be true | 己に忠実なれ | onore ni chuujitsu nare onorenichuujitsunare onore ni chujitsu nare | ||
True Friend | 夠朋友 够朋友 | gòu péng you gou4 peng2 you5 gou peng you goupengyou | kou p`eng yu koupengyu kou peng yu |
|
True Friend | 真の友 | shinnotomo | ||
True Heart | 真心 | mago koro / magokoro | zhēn xīn / zhen1 xin1 / zhen xin / zhenxin | chen hsin / chenhsin |
True Love | 真愛 真爱 | shinai | zhēn ài / zhen1 ai4 / zhen ai / zhenai | chen ai / chenai |
Shin Buddhism | 浄土真宗 | jou do shin shuu joudoshinshuu jo do shin shu | ||
True Real Genuine | 真 or 眞 真 | shin / makoto | zhēn / zhen1 / zhen | chen |
True Religion Buddha Truth | 實道 实道 | jitsu dou / jitsudou / jitsu do | shí dào / shi2 dao4 / shi dao / shidao | shih tao / shihtao |
True to Yourself | 真實的自己 真实的自己 | zuò zhēn shí de zì jǐ zhen1 shi2 de zi4 ji3 zhen shi de zi ji zhenshideziji | chen shih te tzu chi chenshihtetzuchi |
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True Victory is Victory Over Oneself | 正勝吾勝 正胜吾胜 | masa katsu a gatsu masakatsuagatsu | ||
Truth Goodness and Beauty | 真善美 | shin zen bi shinzenbi | zhēn shàn měi zhen1 shan4 mei3 zhen shan mei zhenshanmei | chen shan mei chenshanmei |
In Wine there is Truth | 酒后吐真言 / 酒後吐真言 酒后吐真言 | jiǔ hòu tǔ zhēn yán jiu3 hou4 tu3 zhen1 yan2 jiu hou tu zhen yan jiuhoutuzhenyan | chiu hou t`u chen yen chiuhoutuchenyen chiu hou tu chen yen |
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All Hopes Fulfilled | 萬事如意 万事如意 | wàn shì rú yì wan4 shi4 ru2 yi4 wan shi ru yi wanshiruyi | wan shih ju i wanshihjui |
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Mico | 米科 | mǐ kē / mi3 ke1 / mi ke / mike | mi k`o / miko / mi ko | |
Mico | 米扣 | mǐ kòu / mi3 kou4 / mi kou / mikou | mi k`ou / mikou / mi kou | |
Meet the Buddha, Kill the Buddha | 佛に逢っては佛を殺す | butsu ni atte wa butsu o korosu | ||
Realization and Knowledge | 知 | chi | zhī / zhi1 / zhi | chih |
Old, But More Vigorous in Spirit | 老當益壯 老当益壮 | lǎo dāng yì zhuàng lao3 dang1 yi4 zhuang4 lao dang yi zhuang laodangyizhuang | lao tang i chuang laotangichuang |
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Knowledge of Ultimate Truth | 眞智 | masatoshi | zhēn zhì / zhen1 zhi4 / zhen zhi / zhenzhi | chen chih / chenchih |
The True and Complete Enlightenment | 眞覺 眞觉 | shinkaku | zhēn jué / zhen1 jue2 / zhen jue / zhenjue | chen chüeh / chenchüeh |
True Essence | 真諦 真谛 | shintai / shintei | zhēn dì / zhen1 di4 / zhen di / zhendi | chen ti / chenti |
Shobo | 正法 | shou bou / shoubou / sho bo | zhèng fǎ / zheng4 fa3 / zheng fa / zhengfa | cheng fa / chengfa |
True Love | 屋烏の愛 | okuunoai / okunoai | ||
There is one single thread binding my Way together | 吾道一以貫之 吾道一以贯之 | ware dou tsurayuki waredoutsurayuki ware do tsurayuki | wú dào yī yǐ guàn zhī wu2 dao4 yi1 yi3 guan4 zhi1 wu dao yi yi guan zhi wudaoyiyiguanzhi | wu tao i i kuan chih wutaoiikuanchih |
Faithfulness | 信實 信实 | nobuzane | xìn shí / xin4 shi2 / xin shi / xinshi | hsin shih / hsinshih |
Nobleman | 君子 | kun shi / kunshi | jūn zǐ / jun1 zi3 / jun zi / junzi | chün tzu / chüntzu |
Kyojitsu: Falsehood and Truth | 虚実 | kyo jitsu / kyojitsu | ||
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. |
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Check out my lists of Japanese Kanji Calligraphy Wall Scrolls and Old Korean Hanja Calligraphy Wall Scrolls.
Some people may refer to this entry as True Self Kanji, True Self Characters, True Self in Mandarin Chinese, True Self Characters, True Self in Chinese Writing, True Self in Japanese Writing, True Self in Asian Writing, True Self Ideograms, Chinese True Self symbols, True Self Hieroglyphics, True Self Glyphs, True Self in Chinese Letters, True Self Hanzi, True Self in Japanese Kanji, True Self Pictograms, True Self in the Chinese Written-Language, or True Self in the Japanese Written-Language.
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True Self was last searched for by someone else on Feb 27th, 2024