Buy an 靈 calligraphy wall scroll here!
Personalize your custom “靈” project by clicking the button next to your favorite “靈” title below...
2. Divine Light
3. Inspiration
5. Arrington
6. Clint
7. Flexibility
9. Karrington
10. Psychic
11. Warrington
12. Reiki
14. Beautiful Mind
15. Ghost Warrior
16. Soul Mates
17. Beautiful Soul
18. Beautiful Heart / Beautiful Spirit
19. Johrei / Jyorei
20. Mind Body Spirit
21. Galatians 5:25
靈 is spirit or soul in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.
If you look in the dictionary, you'll also find definitions for this character like:
quick; alert; efficacious; effective; departed soul; coffin; spiritual; energy; effective; clever.
There is a modern Japanese version of this character. The button above will get you the traditional/ancient form. But, if you want the modern Japanese, click on the Kanji to the right instead.
靈感 is the Chinese word closest to hitting the mark for the English word inspiration.
In a more extended context, I have even seen this translated as “brain wave.”
The first character means alert, departed soul, efficacious, quick, effective, or intelligent.
The second character means to feel, to move, to touch, or to affect.
The combined meaning of these two characters changes a bit, but I think it's nice to know the individual meanings to give you a better understanding of where a word comes from.
You could describe this word as “the thought that pops into your head just before you patent the greatest widget ever invented that everyone in the world will want.”
At least, that's the idea.
This term can also mean “intelligent thought” if you translate it directly from each character. If you are looking for inspiration or need to be inspired, this is the word for you.
When the first character was absorbed into Japanese from Chinese, an alternate form became the standard in Japan. The Kanji shown to the right is the form currently used in Japan. This is still considered an alternate form in China to this day. it’s readable by both Chinese and Japanese people but if your audience is Japanese, I recommend the Kanji shown to the right - just click on that Kanji to order that version.
通靈 is used to speak of something with supernatural essence, psychic power, or magical power in Chinese.
靈活性 is a Chinese and Korean word that means flexibility or being open to change.
You consider others' ideas and feelings and don't insist on your own way. Flexibility gives you creative new ways to get things done. Flexibility helps you to keep changing for the better. 靈活性 could also be defined as having a “flexible nature.”
靈氣 is the title of a healing practice now found globally but with origins in Japan.
Special note: Outside of the context of the healing practice of Reiki, this means “aura” or “spiritual essence that surrounds all living things.” A Japanese person unfamiliar with the practice will take the “aura” meaning.
Reiki is a technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also heals. It can be compared to massage but is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If your life force energy is low, you'll be more likely to get sick or feel stressed. If your life force energy is abundant and flowing well, you become more capable of being happy and healthy.
There is a lot of information available if you want to Google this term - my job is to offer the calligraphy while you can decide if it is right for you.
Note: We are showing the ancient (traditional) form of the Reiki Kanji. I have seen Reiki written with the slightly simplified version and this more classic form. If you want the form of Reiki with the two strokes in the shape of an X on the second character and the modern first character, simply click on the Kanji characters to the right.
Note: 靈氣 is also a Chinese word, but in Chinese, these characters create a word that refers to a smart person or someone with high aspirations. It is not read as a healing method in Chinese.
In Korean Hanja, this can be read as a “mysterious atmosphere” by a Korean who is not familiar with the practice of Reiki (still has a cool meaning in Korean).
聖靈 is the title for the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost as used by Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant (and other Christian) Chinese people.
And yes, Chinese Jews do exist, but there are not many of them.
The first character means Holy, Sacred, Saint, or Sage. The second means ghost, spirit, efficacious, or intelligence.
This is valid in Chinese characters and old Korean Hanja. This will be recognized in Japan but see the note below...
In modern Japan, they now use a variant/simplified Kanji of the second character of Holy Spirit. If you want this Japanese version, click on the Kanji to the right instead of the button above.
靈魂伴侶 is the literal translation of “Soul Mates.”
This is kind of the western way to express “soul mates” but translated into Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.
The first two characters mean “soul” or “spirit.”
The second two characters mean “mate,” “companion” or “partner.”
Although not the most common title, these characters have good meaning and will be received well in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. It's a universal title!
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."
身心靈 is probably the best way to express the idea of “Body, Mind, and Spirit” in Chinese and old Korean Hanja. We are actually using the word “heart” here because, for thousands of years, the heart was thought to be the place where your thoughts, feelings, and emotions came from. We do something similar in the west when we say “warm-hearted” or “I love you with all of my heart.” In this context, heart = mind in Asian language and culture.
The very literal translation of these three characters is “body, heart & spirit,” which could also be interpreted as “body, mind & soul.”
We have arranged these characters in this order because it simply “feels” like the proper order in the Chinese language. Word lists like this are not so common for calligraphy artwork, so we must be careful to put them in the most natural order. It should be noted that this is not a common title in Asia, nor is it considered an actual phrase (as it lacks a clear subject, verb, and object).
In Japanese Kanji, they use an alternate form of the character for soul or spirit. If you want this using the Japanese alternate, please click on the Kanji shown to the right instead of the button above.
Japanese disclaimer: This is not a natural phrase/list in Japanese. While not totally-natural in Chinese, this word list is best if your audience is Chinese.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
我們若是靠聖靈得生就當靠聖靈行事 is the translation of Galatians 5:25 into Mandarin Chinese via the Chinese Union Bible.
KJV: If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
NIV: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
The annotation of this Chinese translation:
1.我们 wǒ men - we / us / ourselves
2.若是 ruò shì - if
3.靠 kào - depend upon / lean on / near / by / against / to support
4.圣灵 shèng líng - Holy Ghost
5.得 děi - to have to / must / ought to / degree or possibility
6.生就 shēng jiù - born one way or another (nervous, suspicious, etc.)
7.当 dàng - suitable / adequate / fitting / proper
8.靠 kào - depend upon / lean on / near / by / against / to support
9.圣灵 shèng líng - Holy Ghost
10.行事 xíng shì - how one does things / how one runs things (in this case, it suggests, “to walk in step with”)
Here is Galatians 5:22 and a bit of 23 in Chinese.
The text with punctuation:
圣灵所结的果子,就是仁爱,喜乐,和平,忍耐,恩慈,良善,信实,温柔,节制。
Hand-painted calligraphy does not retain punctuation.
This translation is from the Chinese Union Bible.
You may know it from the KJV as:
5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
5:23 Meekness, temperance...
Alternate Version
靈氣療法肇祖臼井甕男先生遺訓招福の秘法萬病の霊薬今日丈けは心配すな感謝して業を励げめ人に親切に is an alternate version of the precepts or tenets of Reiki by Usui Mikao.
It is impossible to be sure which version or versions were actually written by Usui Mikao. This is the less common of the three versions that you might see in the wild.
Here is a breakdown of the characters and a rough translation:
靈氣 療法 肇祖 臼井甕男。
Reiki therapy founder Mikao Usui
先生 遺訓。
Teacher's testament
招福の秘法, 萬病の霊薬。
Invite blessings of [the] secret method, 10,000 illnesses of spiritual medicine.
今日丈けは: 怒るな, 心配すな, 感謝して, 業をはげめ, 人に親切に。
At least for today: Do not be angry, do not worry, be grateful, work with diligence, [and] be kind to people.
Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.
These are the precepts of Reiki that are attributed to Usui Mikao.
Here is a breakdown of the characters and a rough translation:
招福の秘法, 萬病の霊薬。
Invite blessings of [the] secret method, 10,000 illnesses of spiritual medicine.
今日丈けは: 怒るな, 心配すな, 感謝して, 業をはげめ, 人に親切に。
At least for today: Do not be angry, do not worry, be grateful, work with diligence, and be kind to people.
朝夕合掌して, 心に念じ, 口に唱へよ, 心身改善。
Morning [and] evening perform gassho (join hands), [with your] heart/mind in silent prayer, [with your] mouth chant, [thusly] mind [and] body [will] reform/improve.
臼井靈氣療法! -肇祖, 臼井甕男。
Usui Reiki Ryōhō! -Founder, Usui Mikao.
The middle portion of this is often titled, “The Five Principles of Reiki” and makes a nice calligraphy selection by itself. The Japanese text presented here can be considered the more verbose version.
Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.
Below are some entries from our dictionary that may match your 靈 search...
Characters If shown, 2nd row is Simp. Chinese |
Pronunciation Romanization |
Simple Dictionary Definition |
靈 灵 see styles |
líng ling2 ling ryō |
More info & calligraphy: Spirit / SoulSpirit, spiritual, energy, effective, clever. |
通靈 通灵 see styles |
tōng líng tong1 ling2 t`ung ling tung ling |
More info & calligraphy: Psychic Energy |
靈光 灵光 see styles |
líng guāng ling2 guang1 ling kuang |
More info & calligraphy: Divine Light |
靈感 灵感 see styles |
líng gǎn ling2 gan3 ling kan reikan |
More info & calligraphy: Inspiration靈應 Spirit-response, efficacious as in response to prayer. |
靈氣 灵气 see styles |
líng qì ling2 qi4 ling ch`i ling chi reiki / reki れいき |
More info & calligraphy: ReikiReiki (healing method) |
靈活性 灵活性 see styles |
líng huó xìng ling2 huo2 xing4 ling huo hsing |
More info & calligraphy: Flexibility |
不靈 不灵 see styles |
bù líng bu4 ling2 pu ling |
not work; be ineffective |
亡靈 亡灵 see styles |
wáng líng wang2 ling2 wang ling |
departed spirit |
伴靈 伴灵 see styles |
bàn líng ban4 ling2 pan ling hanryō |
accompany through the night |
哭靈 哭灵 see styles |
kū líng ku1 ling2 k`u ling ku ling |
to weep before a coffin or a memorial to the dead |
嘆靈 叹灵 see styles |
tàn líng tan4 ling2 t`an ling tan ling tanryō |
To praise the spirit of the departed. |
四靈 四灵 see styles |
sì líng si4 ling2 ssu ling |
four divinities; four divine emperors; four mythical creatures symbolic of prosperity and longevity, namely the phoenix 鳳|凤[feng4], turtle 龜|龟[gui1], dragon 龍|龙[long2] and Chinese unicorn 麒麟[qi2 lin2]; also 四象[si4 xiang4], the four division of the sky |
圖靈 图灵 see styles |
tú líng tu2 ling2 t`u ling tu ling |
Alan Turing (1912-1954), English mathematician, considered as the father of computer science |
失靈 失灵 see styles |
shī líng shi1 ling2 shih ling |
out of order (of machine); not working properly; a failing (of a system) |
威靈 威灵 see styles |
wēi líng wei1 ling2 wei ling |
authority; prestige; supernatural spirit |
守靈 守灵 see styles |
shǒu líng shou3 ling2 shou ling |
to keep watch beside a coffin |
屬靈 属灵 see styles |
shǔ líng shu3 ling2 shu ling |
spiritual |
幽靈 幽灵 see styles |
yōu líng you1 ling2 yu ling |
specter; apparition; ghost |
廣靈 广灵 see styles |
guǎng líng guang3 ling2 kuang ling |
Guangling county in Datong 大同[Da4 tong2], Shanxi |
心靈 心灵 see styles |
xīn líng xin1 ling2 hsin ling shinryō |
bright; smart; quick-witted; heart; thoughts; spirit The mind spirit, or genius; intelligence; cf. 心燈. |
怨靈 怨灵 see styles |
yuàn líng yuan4 ling2 yüan ling onryō |
An avenging spirit or ghost. |
惡靈 恶灵 see styles |
è líng e4 ling2 o ling aku ryō |
a malevolent spirit |
懷靈 怀灵 see styles |
huái líng huai2 ling2 huai ling eryō |
Spirit-enfolders, i.e. all conscious beings. |
有靈 有灵 see styles |
yǒu líng you3 ling2 yu ling uryō |
Having souls, sentient beings, similar to 有情; possessing magical or spiritual powers. |
本靈 see styles |
honrei / honre ほんれい |
(surname) Honrei |
機靈 机灵 see styles |
jī ling ji1 ling5 chi ling |
clever; quick-witted |
死靈 死灵 see styles |
sǐ líng si3 ling2 ssu ling shirei |
The spirit of one who is dead, a ghost. |
水靈 水灵 see styles |
shuǐ líng shui3 ling2 shui ling |
(of fruit etc) fresh; (of a person etc) full of life; healthy-looking; (of eyes) moist and bright; lustrous |
激靈 激灵 see styles |
jī líng ji1 ling2 chi ling |
to quiver |
生靈 生灵 see styles |
shēng líng sheng1 ling2 sheng ling seirei |
(literary) the people; living thing; creature The mind or intelligence of the living; a living intelligent being; a living soul. |
The following table may be helpful for those studying Chinese or Japanese...
Title | Characters | Romaji (Romanized Japanese) | Various forms of Romanized Chinese | |
Spirit Soul | 靈 灵 | ryou / ryo | líng / ling2 / ling | |
Divine Light | 靈光 灵光 | líng guāng ling2 guang1 ling guang lingguang | ling kuang lingkuang |
|
Inspiration | 靈感 灵感 | reikan | líng gǎn / ling2 gan3 / ling gan / linggan | ling kan / lingkan |
Psychic Energy | 通靈 通灵 | tōng líng tong1 ling2 tong ling tongling | t`ung ling tungling tung ling |
|
Arrington | 阿靈頓 阿灵顿 | ā líng dùn a1 ling2 dun4 a ling dun alingdun | a ling tun alingtun |
|
Clint | 克靈特 克灵特 | kè líng tè ke4 ling2 te4 ke ling te kelingte | k`o ling t`e kolingte ko ling te |
|
Flexibility | 靈活性 灵活性 | líng huó xìng ling2 huo2 xing4 ling huo xing linghuoxing | ling huo hsing linghuohsing |
|
Heart and Soul | 心與靈 心与灵 | xīn yǔ líng xin1 yu3 ling2 xin yu ling xinyuling | hsin yü ling hsinyüling |
|
Karrington | 卡靈頓 卡灵顿 | kǎ líng dùn ka3 ling2 dun4 ka ling dun kalingdun | k`a ling tun kalingtun ka ling tun |
|
Psychic | 通靈人 通灵人 | tōng líng rén tong1 ling2 ren2 tong ling ren tonglingren | t`ung ling jen tunglingjen tung ling jen |
|
Warrington | 沃靈頓 沃灵顿 | wò líng dùn wo4 ling2 dun4 wo ling dun wolingdun | wo ling tun wolingtun |
|
Reiki | 靈氣 灵气 霊気 | reiki | líng qì / ling2 qi4 / ling qi / lingqi | ling ch`i / lingchi / ling chi |
Holy Spirit Holy Ghost | 聖靈 / 聖霊 圣灵 | sei rei / seirei | shèng líng sheng4 ling2 sheng ling shengling | |
Beautiful Mind | 美麗心靈 美丽心灵 | měi lì xīn líng mei3 li4 xin1 ling2 mei li xin ling meilixinling | mei li hsin ling meilihsinling |
|
Ghost Warrior | 幽靈戰士 幽灵战士 | yōu líng zhàn shì you1 ling2 zhan4 shi4 you ling zhan shi youlingzhanshi | yu ling chan shih yulingchanshih |
|
Soul Mates | 靈魂伴侶 灵魂伴侣 | reikon hanryo reikonhanryo | líng hún bàn lǚ ling2 hun2 ban4 lv3 ling hun ban lv linghunbanlv | ling hun pan lü linghunpanlü |
Beautiful Soul | 美麗的靈魂 美丽的灵魂 | měi lì de líng hún mei3 li4 de ling2 hun2 mei li de ling hun meilidelinghun | mei li te ling hun meilitelinghun |
|
Beautiful Heart Beautiful Spirit | 美麗的心靈 美丽的心灵 | měi lì de xīn líng mei3 li4 de xin1 ling2 mei li de xin ling meilidexinling | mei li te hsin ling meilitehsinling |
|
Johrei Jyorei | 浄霊 / 浄靈 浄霊 / 浄灵 | jourei / jorei | ||
Mind Body Spirit | 身心靈 / 身心霊 身心灵 | mi shin rei mishinrei | shēn xīn líng shen1 xin1 ling2 shen xin ling shenxinling | shen hsin ling shenhsinling |
Galatians 5:25 | 我們若是靠聖靈得生就當靠聖靈行事 我们若是靠圣灵得生就当靠圣灵行事 | wǒ men ruò shì kào shèng líng shēn jiù dāng kào shèng líng xíng shì wo3 men ruo4 shi4 kao4 sheng4 ling2 dei3 shen1 jiu4 dang1 kao4 sheng4 ling2 xing2 shi4 wo men ruo shi kao sheng ling dei shen jiu dang kao sheng ling xing shi | wo men jo shih k`ao sheng ling tei shen chiu tang k`ao sheng ling hsing shih wo men jo shih kao sheng ling tei shen chiu tang kao sheng ling hsing shih |
|
Galatians 5:22-23 | 聖靈所結的果子就是仁愛喜樂和平忍耐恩慈良善信實溫柔節制 圣灵所结的果子就是仁爱喜乐和平忍耐恩慈良善信实温柔节制 | shèng líng suǒ jié de guǒ zi jiù shì rén ài xǐ lè he píng rěn nài ēn cí liáng shàn xìn shí wēn róu jié zhì sheng4 ling2 suo3 jie2 de guo3 zi jiu4 shi4 ren2 ai4 xi3 le4 he ping2 ren3 nai4 en1 ci2 liang2 shan4 xin4 shi2 wen1 rou2 jie2 zhi4 sheng ling suo jie de guo zi jiu shi ren ai xi le he ping ren nai en ci liang shan xin shi wen rou jie zhi | sheng ling so chieh te kuo tzu chiu shih jen ai hsi le ho p`ing jen nai en tz`u liang shan hsin shih wen jou chieh chih sheng ling so chieh te kuo tzu chiu shih jen ai hsi le ho ping jen nai en tzu liang shan hsin shih wen jou chieh chih |
|
Reiki Precepts by Usui Mikao (Alternate) | 靈氣療法肇祖臼井甕男先生遺訓招福の秘法萬病の霊薬今日丈けは怒るな心配すな感謝して業を励げめ人に親切に | reiki ryouhou chouso usui mikao sensei ikun shoufuku no hihou yorozu byou no reiyaku kyou take ke wa oko ru na shinpai suna kansha shite gou o hagemu ge me hito ni shinsetsu ni reiki ryoho choso usui mikao sensei ikun shofuku no hiho yorozu byo no reiyaku kyo take ke wa oko ru na shinpai suna kansha shite go o hagemu ge me hito ni shinsetsu ni | ||
Reiki Precepts by Usui Mikao | 招福の秘法萬病の霊薬今日丈けは怒るな心配すな感謝して業をはげめ人に親切に朝夕合掌して心に念じ口に唱へよ心身改善臼井靈氣療法肇祖臼井甕男 | shou fuku no hihou man byou no rei yaku kyou da ke wa oko ru na shin pai su na kan sha shi te gyou wo ha ke me hito ni shin setsu ni asayuu gasshou shite kokoro ni nenji kuchi ni tonae yo shin shin kaizen usui rei ki ryou hou cho so usu i mika o sho fuku no hiho man byo no rei yaku kyo da ke wa oko ru na shin pai su na kan sha shi te gyo wo ha ke me hito ni shin setsu ni asayu gasho shite kokoro ni nenji kuchi ni tonae yo shin shin kaizen usui rei ki ryo ho cho so usu i mika o | ||
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.