Many custom options...

Tan Paper and Copper Silk Love Wall Scroll
Red Paper and Ivory Silk Love Wall Scroll
Orange Paper Love Scroll
Crazy Blue and Gold Silk Love Scroll


And formats...

Love Vertical Portrait
Love Horizontal Wall Scroll
Love Vertical Portrait

in Chinese / Japanese...

Buy an calligraphy wall scroll here!

Personalize your custom “命” project by clicking the button next to your favorite “命” title below...


  1. Destiny / Fate

  2. 5. Right Living / Right Livelihood / Perfect Livelihood

  3. Destiny / Fate

  4. Life Force

  5. Rebel / Revolutionary

  6. Vitality

  7. Love Life

  8. Spiritual Peace / Enlightened Peace

  9. Such is Life / Such is Destiny

10. Music is Life

11. You Only Live Once

12. Choose Your Own Destiny

13. I Control My Own Destiny

14. I am the Master of My Destiny

15. Fortune Favors The Brave

16. Jesus is My Life

17. My life is complete because of you

18. Life in Every Breath

19. John 14:15

20. All Tenets of the Noble Eightfold Path


Destiny / Fate

 mìng
 inochi / mei
 
Destiny / Fate Scroll

命 is often translated as “destiny.”

Sometimes this character is simply translated as “life” but more in terms of one's lot in life. In a certain context, this can mean command or decree (generally from a king or emperor). Of course, such a decree is part of fate and leads you to fulfill your destiny.

In Chinese, this word leans toward the fate or destiny definition.
In Korean, it is usually read simply as “life.”
In Japanese, it can mean all definitions shown above, depending on context.

5. Right Living / Right Livelihood / Perfect Livelihood

Samyag Ajiva / Samma Ajiva

 zhèng mìng
 sei myou
5. Right Living / Right Livelihood / Perfect Livelihood Scroll

正命 (right living) is one of the Noble Eightfold Paths of Buddhism.

Right Living, along with Right Speech and Right Action, constitute the path to Virtue.

Right Living means that a Buddhist should only take a job or pursue a career in a field that does no harm. Buddhists should not work in the arms trade, as pimps or in the field of prostitution, as a butcher or in a shop that kills or sells meat, in a laboratory that does animal research, or in any other business that involves scheming or unethical behavior.

Another definition: Avoidance of professions that are harmful to sentient beings, such as slaughterer, hunter, dealer in weaponry or narcotics, etc.


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

Destiny / Fate

 mìng yùn
Destiny / Fate Scroll

These two characters contain the ideas of fate, destiny, fortune, and luck.

You can also say that it means “what life throws at you” or “your lot in life” because the first character contains the idea of life or living.

This version is really only used in Chinese. There's another version with just the characters reversed that is more universal. In fact, skip this one. The opposite character order is better.

Destiny / Fate

 yùn mìng
 un mei
Destiny / Fate Scroll

These two characters contain the ideas of fate, destiny, fortune, and luck in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.

運命 is often defined as “a person's fate” or “personal fate” in various dictionaries.

These two characters can be reversed (written in either order) and yield roughly the same meaning.

This particular character order is more common in old Korean and less common in modern Chinese.

 shēng mìng
 seimei / inochi
Life Force Scroll

This Chinese, Korean and Japanese word means “life force” or simply “life.”

The first character means “life” or “birth.” The second means “life” or “fate.” Together they create the meaning of “life force,” though some will translate this as “existence” and sometimes “vitality.”

Rebel / Revolutionary

 gé mìng zhě
 kaku mei sha
Rebel / Revolutionary Scroll

革命者 is a noun, meaning a rebel or revolutionary in Chinese (rarely used in Japanese Kanji).

The first two characters mean “revolution” (specifically a political revolution or revolt).
The third character means “person.”

 shēng mìng lì
 seimeiryoku
Vitality Scroll

生命力 can mean “vitality” or “libido.”

The first two characters mean “life” or “life force.” The last character is a common word that means “strength.” So together, you get the meaning of “life strength” which is the essence of vitality.

Some will also translate this word as “good health.”

 rè ài shēng mìng
Love Life Scroll

熱愛生命 is the Chinese phrase for “Love Life” or “Love of Life.”

If you love your life or want a reminder on your wall to keep you loving your life each day, this is the selection for you.

To clarify, this is different than “A life full of love,” or “love while you live.” With this phrase, you are loving the state of being alive.


Note: Korean pronunciation is included above, though use of this phrase in Korean has not been verified.

Spiritual Peace / Enlightened Peace

 an jin ritsu myou
Spiritual Peace / Enlightened Peace Scroll

These Japanese Kanji, 安心立命, can be translated as “religious enlightenment” or “spiritual peace gained through faith.”

Other dictionaries define as “spiritual peace and enlightenment” or “keeping an unperturbed mind through faith.”

My Buddhist dictionary defines it as “spiritual peace and realization of enlightenment.”

In the Zen school, this is about settling one's body and life; attaining complete peace, and establishing one's course of life in accord with the ultimate reality.

Such is Life / Such is Destiny

 zhè jiù shì mìng
Such is Life / Such is Destiny Scroll

這就是命 means “Such is life,” or “Such is destiny.”

This can also be translated as “This is life,” “This is [our] lot in life,” or “This is [our] destiny.” It is perhaps a fatalistic phrase. It can be compared with the French, “Ceci est la vie” or “C'est la vie.”

Music is Life

 yīn yuè jiù shì shēng mìng
Music is Life Scroll

音樂就是生命 means “Music is Life,” in Chinese.

This is a title that we composed after so many people searched for it on our website.

You Only Live Once

 shēng mìng zhǐ yǒu yí cì
You Only Live Once Scroll

生命隻有一次 is the translation to Chinese of the popular English phrase, “You only live once.”

This is a more modern idea for Chinese people. The reason is, most Chinese people were taught quite the opposite idea from Buddhism.

Choose Your Own Destiny

 xuǎn zé zì jǐ de mìng yùn
Choose Your Own Destiny Scroll

選擇自己的命運 means “Choose your destiny” or “pick your own fate” in Chinese.

Let's break down the words in this phrase here...
選擇 means to choose, pick, or select.
自己 means oneself or one's own.
的 is a possessive modifier.
命運 means fate or destiny.

I Control My Own Destiny

 wǒ de mìng yùn wǒ zhǎng wò
I Control My Own Destiny Scroll

我的命運我掌握 is a way to write “I control my own destiny” in Chinese.

The direct translation is more like, “My destiny, I'm in control.” The meaning is the same, but Chinese grammar and word order vary a bit from English.


There's a few other variations, and if you want any of these, just email me:
我的命运我做主 (wo3 de ming4 yun4 wo3 zuo4 zhu3) "my destiny, I'm in charge"
我的未来我掌握 (wo3 de wei4 lai2 wo3 zhang3 wo4) "my future, I'm in control"
我的未来我做主 (wo3 de wei4 lai2 wo3 zuo4 zhu3) "My future, I'm in charge"

I am the Master of My Destiny

 wǒ mìng yóu wǒ bù yóu tiān
I am the Master of My Destiny Scroll

我命由我不由天 is often translated as “The one that shapes my destiny will always be myself rather than the God” or “Rather than Heaven, I am the master of my fate.”

Breaking down the words directly:
我命 = My fate/destiny
由我 = depends (on) me
不 = not
由天 dependant (on) Heaven.

Fortune Favors The Brave

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

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

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

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

Jesus is My Life

 yē sū shì wǒ de shēng mìng
Jesus is My Life Scroll

耶穌是我的生命 means Jesus is my life in Chinese.

The first two characters are a transliteration of the name Jesus into Mandarin Chinese.
The third character means, is.

The fourth and fifth mean my or mine.

The last two characters mean life, as in lifespan, or from birth to death.

This is not a common phrase for Chinese Christians, but this is the best way to translate this idea from English to Mandarin Chinese.

My life is complete because of you

 wǒ de shēng mìng yīn wèi yǒu nǐ jiù wán zhěng
My life is complete because of you Scroll

我的生命因为有你就完整 means “My life is complete because of you” in Chinese.

Life in Every Breath

 hakuiki hitotsu nimo seimei ga yadori
Life in Every Breath Scroll

吐く息一つにも生命が宿り means “life in every breath” in Japanese.

This phrase is more like “every single breath as you live and dwell.”

The characters breakdown this way:
吐く息 (hakuiki) to breathe; exhaled air; one's breath; breathing.
一つ (hitotsu) one; only; just.
にも (nimo) also; too; as well; even.
生命 (seimei) life; existence; living.
が (ga) particle.
宿り (yadori) to lodge; to dwell; lodging; abode; shelter.


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

 nǐ mén ruò ài wǒ jiù bì zūn shǒu wǒ de mìng lìng
John 14:15 Scroll

你們若愛我就必遵守我的命令 is the translation of John 14:15 into Chinese.

This comes from the Chinese Union Bible which comes from a revised King James version. This Chinese Bible was originally translated and printed in 1919 (several revisions since then).

Because of the origin being the KJV, I'll say that in English, this would be, “If ye love me, keep my commandments...”

In basic English, this would be, “If you have love for me, you will keep my laws.”

All Tenets of the Noble Eightfold Path

 zhèng jiàn zhèng sī wéi zhèng yǔ zhèng yè zhèng mìng zhèng jīng jìn zhèng niàn zhèng dìng

 shouken shoushiyui shougo shougo shoumyou shoushoujin shounen shoujou
All Tenets of the Noble Eightfold Path Scroll

These are the eight tenets of the Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path written altogether.

Here's this list of tenets in English:
1. Right View / Right Understanding / Right Perspective / Perfect View
2. Right Resolve / Right Thought / Right Intention / Perfect Resolve
3. Right Speech / Right Talk / Perfect Speech
4. Right Action / Perfect Conduct
5. Right Living / Right Livelihood / Perfect Livelihood
6. Right Effort / Right Endeavor / Perfect Effort
7. Right Mindfulness / Right Memory / Perfect Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration / Perfect Concentration


Not the results for 命 that you were looking for?

Below are some entries from our dictionary that may match your search...

Characters

If shown, 2nd row is Simp. Chinese

Pronunciation
Romanization
Simple Dictionary Definition

see styles
mìng
    ming4
ming
 mei / me
    めい

More info & calligraphy:

Destiny / Fate
life; fate; order or command; to assign a name, title etc
(1) (See 命令・1) order; command; decree; (2) (See 生命・1) life; (3) (See 運命) destiny; fate; (female given name) Mei
jīvita . Life, vital, length of life, fate, decree.

命運


命运

see styles
mìng yùn
    ming4 yun4
ming yün
 meiun / meun
    めいうん

More info & calligraphy:

Destiny / Fate
fate; destiny; CL:個|个[ge4]
fate; destiny

正命

see styles
zhèng mìng
    zheng4 ming4
cheng ming
 shoumyou / shomyo
    しょうみょう
{Buddh} (See 八正道) right livelihood
samyagājīva, the fifth of the 八正道, right livelihood, right life; 'abstaining from any of the forbidden modes of living. ' 正因 The true or direct cause, as compared with 緣因 a contributory cause.

生命

see styles
shēng mìng
    sheng1 ming4
sheng ming
 seimei / seme
    せいめい

More info & calligraphy:

Life Force
life (as the characteristic of living beings); living being; creature (CL:個|个[ge4],條|条[tiao2])
(1) (occ. read いのち) life; existence; (n,n-suf) (2) (See 役者生命) (one's) working life; career; (3) life force; lifeblood; soul; essence

運命


运命

see styles
yùn mìng
    yun4 ming4
yün ming
 unmei(p); sadame(gikun) / unme(p); sadame(gikun)
    うんめい(P); さだめ(gikun)

More info & calligraphy:

Destiny / Fate
fate; one's fortune
(noun - becomes adjective with の) fate; destiny; lot; (personal name) Yukinobu
fate

生命力

see styles
shēng mìng lì
    sheng1 ming4 li4
sheng ming li
 seimeiryoku / semeryoku
    せいめいりょく

More info & calligraphy:

Vitality
vitality
vitality; (one's) life force

安心立命

see styles
ān xīn lì mìng
    an1 xin1 li4 ming4
an hsin li ming
 anshinritsumei; anjinryuumei; anjinryuumyou; anjinritsumei / anshinritsume; anjinryume; anjinryumyo; anjinritsume
    あんしんりつめい; あんじんりゅうめい; あんじんりゅうみょう; あんじんりつめい

More info & calligraphy:

Spiritual Peace / Enlightened Peace
(n,vs,vi) (yoji) spiritual peace and enlightenment; keeping an unperturbed mind through faith; (person) Anshin Ritsumei
spiritual peace and realization of enlightenment

一命

see styles
yī mìng
    yi1 ming4
i ming
 ichimei / ichime
    いちめい
(a) life; (a) command
one life

三命

see styles
 sanmei / sanme
    さんめい
(surname) Sanmei

下命

see styles
 kamei / kame
    かめい
(noun, transitive verb) order; command

丟命


丢命

see styles
diū mìng
    diu1 ming4
tiu ming
to die

主命

see styles
 shumei; shuumei / shume; shume
    しゅめい; しゅうめい
ruler's orders; master's orders

乗命

see styles
 noritoshi
    のりとし
(male given name) Noritoshi

亡命

see styles
wáng mìng
    wang2 ming4
wang ming
 boumei / bome
    ぼうめい
to flee; to go into exile (from prison)
(n,vs,vi) fleeing from one's country; seeking asylum; defection; emigration (for political reasons); (going into) exile; becoming a (political) refugee

京命

see styles
 kyoumei / kyome
    きょうめい
(place-name) Kyōmei

人命

see styles
rén mìng
    ren2 ming4
jen ming
 jinmei / jinme
    じんめい
human life; CL:條|条[tiao2]
(human) life

任命

see styles
rèn mìng
    ren4 ming4
jen ming
 ninmei / ninme
    にんめい
to appoint; (job) appointment; CL:紙|纸[zhi3]
(n,vs,vt,adj-no) appointment; nomination; ordination; commission; designation

余命

see styles
 yomei / yome
    よめい
remainder of one's life; one's remaining days; time left (to live)

作命

see styles
 sakumei / sakume
    さくめい
(abbreviation) {mil} (See 作戦命令・さくせんめいれい) operation order

使命

see styles
shǐ mìng
    shi3 ming4
shih ming
 shimei / shime
    しめい
mission; long-term task to which one devotes oneself; a calling
(1) mission; errand; (2) task; duty; obligation

依命

see styles
 imei / ime
    いめい
(adj-no,n) by order (of a superior); as instructed; official (e.g. notification)

保命

see styles
bǎo mìng
    bao3 ming4
pao ming
 houmei / home
    ほうめい
to preserve one's life; to ensure one's survival
preserving one's life; longevity; long life

候命

see styles
hòu mìng
    hou4 ming4
hou ming
to await orders; to be on call

借命

see styles
jiè mìng
    jie4 ming4
chieh ming
to live out a pointless existence

催命

see styles
cuī mìng
    cui1 ming4
ts`ui ming
    tsui ming
to press sb to death; fig. to pressurize sb continually

傷命


伤命

see styles
shāng mìng
    shang1 ming4
shang ming
 shōmyō
Injury to life.

償命


偿命

see styles
cháng mìng
    chang2 ming4
ch`ang ming
    chang ming
to pay with one's life

元命

see styles
 motonaga
    もとなが
(personal name) Motonaga

内命

see styles
 naimei / naime
    ないめい
(noun, transitive verb) private or secret orders

別命

see styles
 betsumei / betsume
    べつめい
(1) another order; different order; (2) special mission

Click here for more results from our dictionary

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

Title CharactersRomaji (Romanized Japanese)Various forms of Romanized Chinese
Destiny
Fate
inochi / meimìng / ming4 / ming
5. Right Living
Right Livelihood
Perfect Livelihood
正命sei myou / seimyou / sei myozhèng mìng
zheng4 ming4
zheng ming
zhengming
cheng ming
chengming
Destiny
Fate
命運
命运
mìng yùn / ming4 yun4 / ming yun / mingyunming yün / mingyün
Destiny
Fate
運命
运命
un mei / unmeiyùn mìng / yun4 ming4 / yun ming / yunmingyün ming / yünming
Life Force生命seimei / inochishēng mìng
sheng1 ming4
sheng ming
shengming
Rebel
Revolutionary
革命者kaku mei sha
kakumeisha
gé mìng zhě
ge2 ming4 zhe3
ge ming zhe
gemingzhe
ko ming che
komingche
Vitality生命力seimeiryokushēng mìng lì
sheng1 ming4 li4
sheng ming li
shengmingli
Love Life熱愛生命
热爱生命
rè ài shēng mìng
re4 ai4 sheng1 ming4
re ai sheng ming
reaishengming
je ai sheng ming
jeaishengming
Spiritual Peace
Enlightened Peace
安心立命an jin ritsu myou
anjinritsumyou
an jin ritsu myo
Such is Life
Such is Destiny
這就是命
这就是命
zhè jiù shì mìng
zhe4 jiu4 shi4 ming4
zhe jiu shi ming
zhejiushiming
che chiu shih ming
chechiushihming
Music is Life音樂就是生命
音乐就是生命
yīn yuè jiù shì shēng mìng
yin1 yue4 jiu4 shi4 sheng1 ming4
yin yue jiu shi sheng ming
yinyuejiushishengming
yin yüeh chiu shih sheng ming
You Only Live Once生命隻有一次
生命只有一次
shēng mìng zhǐ yǒu yí cì
sheng1 ming4 zhi3 you3 yi2 ci4
sheng ming zhi you yi ci
shengmingzhiyouyici
sheng ming chih yu i tz`u
shengmingchihyuitzu
sheng ming chih yu i tzu
Choose Your Own Destiny選擇自己的命運
选择自己的命运
xuǎn zé zì jǐ de mìng yùn
xuan3 ze2 zi4 ji3 de ming4 yun4
xuan ze zi ji de ming yun
xuanzezijidemingyun
hsüan tse tzu chi te ming yün
I Control My Own Destiny我的命運我掌握
我的命运我掌握
wǒ de mìng yùn wǒ zhǎng wò
wo3 de ming4 yun4 wo3 zhang3 wo4
wo de ming yun wo zhang wo
wodemingyunwozhangwo
wo te ming yün wo chang wo
wotemingyünwochangwo
I am the Master of My Destiny我命由我不由天wǒ mìng yóu wǒ bù yóu tiān
wo3 ming4 you2 wo3 bu4 you2 tian1
wo ming you wo bu you tian
womingyouwobuyoutian
wo ming yu wo pu yu t`ien
womingyuwopuyutien
wo ming yu wo pu yu tien
Fortune Favors The Brave命運鐘情於勇士
命运钟情于勇士
mìng yùn zhōng qíng yú yǒng shì
ming4 yun4 zhong1 qing2 yu2 yong3 shi4
ming yun zhong qing yu yong shi
ming yün chung ch`ing yü yung shih
ming yün chung ching yü yung shih
Jesus is My Life耶穌是我的生命
耶稣是我的生命
yē sū shì wǒ de shēng mìng
ye1 su1 shi4 wo3 de sheng1 ming4
ye su shi wo de sheng ming
yesushiwodeshengming
yeh su shih wo te sheng ming
yehsushihwoteshengming
My life is complete because of you我的生命因為有你就完整
我的生命因为有你就完整
wǒ de shēng mìng yīn wèi yǒu nǐ jiù wán zhěng
wo3 de sheng1 ming4 yin1 wei4 you3 ni3 jiu4 wan2 zheng3
wo de sheng ming yin wei you ni jiu wan zheng
wo te sheng ming yin wei yu ni chiu wan cheng
Life in Every Breath吐く息一つにも生命が宿りhakuiki hitotsu nimo seimei ga yadori
John 14:15你們若愛我就必遵守我的命令
你们若爱我就必遵守我的命令
nǐ mén ruò ài wǒ jiù bì zūn shǒu wǒ de mìng lìng
ni3 men2 ruo4 ai4 wo3 jiu4 bi4 zun1 shou3 wo3 de ming4 ling4
ni men ruo ai wo jiu bi zun shou wo de ming ling
ni men jo ai wo chiu pi tsun shou wo te ming ling
All Tenets of the Noble Eightfold Path正見正思唯正語正業正命正精進正念正定
正见正思唯正语正业正命正精进正念正定
shouken shoushiyui shougo shougo shoumyou shoushoujin shounen shoujou
shoken shoshiyui shogo shogo shomyo shoshojin shonen shojo
zhèng jiàn zhèng sī wéi zhèng yǔ zhèng yè zhèng mìng zhèng jīng jìn zhèng niàn zhèng dìng
zheng4 jian4 zheng4 si1 wei2 zheng4 yu3 zheng4 ye4 zheng4 ming4 zheng4 jing1 jin4 zheng4 nian4 zheng4 ding4
zheng jian zheng si wei zheng yu zheng ye zheng ming zheng jing jin zheng nian zheng ding
cheng chien cheng ssu wei cheng yü cheng yeh cheng ming cheng ching chin cheng nien cheng ting
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.


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.


Check out my lists of Japanese Kanji Calligraphy Wall Scrolls and Old Korean Hanja Calligraphy Wall Scrolls.