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1. Keep Calm, Be Not Impatient
2. Keep Your Feet on the Ground
3. Keep Calm in Face of Adversity
4. Undaunted After Repeated Setbacks
6. John 14:15
7. Protector
8. Indian
9. Safety and Well-Being of the Family
14. Consideration / Thought / Ikko
15. Flexibility
16. Happy New Year
17. Life in Balance / Balancing Life
19. Fidelity / Personal Integrity / Honor
21. Duty to Defend and Protect Country
22. Resilient in the Face of Adversity
23. Drunken Fist
24. Just as Liquor Turns a Face Red, Gold Turns a Heart Black
25. Rose Flowers Given, Frangrance Remains on Hands of Giver
26. Heijoshin / Presence of Mind
27. Love Life
28. Remember
29. You are who you hang out with
30. Everything Happens for a Reason
31. God Bless You / God Be With You
33. Dignity / Honor / Sanctity / Integrity
34. To a Willing Heart, All Things Are Possible
35. Three Treasures of Chinese Medicine
36. Everything Happens for a Reason
37. Cooperation / Collaboration
38. Sword Saint
39. Commitment
40. Wolf
41. Clarity
42. Good Good Study, Day Day Up
43. Galatians 5:25
44. One
46. Not Only Can Water Float A Boat, It Can Sink It Also
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.”
失意泰然 is a very old Japanese proverb that suggests “keeping calm and collected at times of disappointment,” or “maintaining a serene state of mind when faced with adversity.”
It's hard to relate individual character meanings to the overall meaning unless you also understand Japanese grammar. The word order is very different than English. That being said, here's the character meaning breakdown:
失 To miss, lose or fail.
意 Feelings, thoughts, meaning.
泰 Safe, peaceful.
然 Like that, in that way, however, although.
Using these definitions in English, we might say, “Although you may fail or lose, have a feeling of peace and calm.”
Persistence to overcome all challenges
百折不撓 is a Chinese proverb that means “Be undaunted in the face of repeated setbacks.”
More directly translated, it reads, “[Overcome] a hundred setbacks, without flinching.” 百折不撓 is of Chinese origin but is commonly used in Japanese and somewhat in Korean (same characters, different pronunciation).
This proverb comes from a long, and occasionally tragic story of a man that lived sometime around 25-220 AD. His name was Qiao Xuan, and he never stooped to flattery but remained an upright person at all times. He fought to expose the corruption of higher-level government officials at great risk to himself.
Then when he was at a higher level in the Imperial Court, bandits were regularly capturing hostages and demanding ransoms. But when his own son was captured, he was so focused on his duty to the Emperor and the common good that he sent a platoon of soldiers to raid the bandits' hideout, and stop them once and for all even at the risk of his own son's life. While all of the bandits were arrested in the raid, they killed Qiao Xuan's son at first sight of the raiding soldiers.
Near the end of his career, a new Emperor came to power, and Qiao Xuan reported to him that one of his ministers was bullying the people and extorting money from them. The new Emperor refused to listen to Qiao Xuan and even promoted the corrupt Minister. Qiao Xuan was so disgusted that in protest, he resigned from his post as minister (something almost never done) and left for his home village.
His tombstone reads “Bai Zhe Bu Nao” which is now a proverb used in Chinese culture to describe a person of strong will who puts up stubborn resistance against great odds.
My Chinese-English dictionary defines these 4 characters as “keep on fighting despite all setbacks,” “be undaunted by repeated setbacks,” and “be indomitable.”
Our translator says it can mean “never give up” in modern Chinese.
Although the first two characters are translated correctly as “repeated setbacks,” the literal meaning is “100 setbacks” or “a rope that breaks 100 times.” The last two characters can mean “do not yield” or “do not give up.”
Most Chinese, Japanese, and Korean people will not take this absolutely literal meaning but will instead understand it as the title suggests above. If you want a single big word definition, it would be indefatigability, indomitableness, persistence, or unyielding.
See Also: Tenacity | Fortitude | Strength | Perseverance | Persistence
前赴後繼 is a Chinese proverb that figuratively means “to advance dauntlessly in wave upon wave.”
It suggests that you should or can carry on and have the strength to keep going.
While this proverb is a little bit militaristic, it suggests that despite a fallen comrade (or perhaps a loved one), you should keep going and work towards the goal they intended.
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.”
保護者 is the universal word for protector in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.
The first character means to defend, to protect, to insure or guarantee, to maintain, hold or keep, or to guard.
The second character means to protect.
Together the first and second characters create a word that means to defend, protect, or safeguard.
The last character means person.
Add all three characters together, and you have a word that means “protector,” one who will protect, guard, and keep you safe.
Some will also translate this word as guardian or patron.
Note: Not a common selection for a wall scroll in Asia.
See Also: Guardian Angel
Kanai Anzen
家內安全 is the Japanese way of saying “Family First.”
It's a Japanese proverb about the safety and well-being of your family and/or peace and prosperity in the household.
Some Japanese will hang an amulet in their home with these Kanji. The purpose is to keep your family safe from harm.
According to Shinto followers, hanging this in your home is seen as an invocation to God to always keep family members free from harm.
We were looking for a way to say “family first” in Japanese when this proverb came up in the conversation and research. While it doesn't say “family first,” it shows that the safety and well-being of your family is your first or most important priority. So, this proverb is the most natural way to express the idea that you put your family first.
See Also: Peace and Prosperity
意志力 is a form of willpower or self-control and is about having the determination or tenacity to keep going.
In Japanese, this is the power of will, the strength of will, volition, intention, intent, or determination.
均衡 means balance or equilibrium.
This title is best for a Japanese audience where the word suggests that your life is in balance in all matters (or is a reminder for you to try and keep all matters in balance).
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.”
See Also: Cooperation
If you want to wish someone a happy new year, 新年快樂 is the way.
You can hang this up during Western New Years (Dec 31st - Jan 1st) and keep it up until after Chinese New Year which happens in either January or February of each year (it changes from year to year because China uses a lunar calendar).
The art of balancing your life
This 平衡人生 title suggests that you are actively trying to keep your life in balance.
Think of this as the action verb of seeking or having a balanced life.
The first two characters mean balance, equilibrium, or keeping things equal.
The last two characters mean “life.” Literally “human life.”
God is With Me Always
The direct translation of the Chinese characters, 上帝与你常在, is “God Together [with] You Always Exist.”
Keep in mind that Chinese grammar is sometimes very different from English. This makes perfect sense in Chinese.
Note: The title for God is the first two characters - the other words in the direct translation represent one character each.
操守 is the Chinese and Japanese Kanji for personal integrity, constancy, fidelity, and honor/honour.
The original meaning of the first character is chastity, fidelity, honor, and/or faith.
The second character means to defend, guard, keep watch, and be observant.
So, this is about being observant of and guarding your integrity and honor.
People keep asking me for rebel as a single Chinese character, Korean Hanja, or Japanese Kanji.
The problem is, rebel is not really a good word in Asian culture (depending on the context in which it is used). 賊 is a rebel symbol that can also mean thief; traitor; evil; robber; burglar; insurgent; or a spoiler. Used as an adjective, it can mean wily or deceitful.
守土有責 is a Chinese proverb that expresses one's duty to defend the country.
守 means to guard, defend, keep watch, abide by the law, and/or observe (rules or ritual).
土 means land, earth, or soil.
有 is a possessive modifier in effect meaning “is a.”
責 means duty or responsibility.
So you get a literal translation of “Protecting [the] land is [a] duty/responsibility.”
打たれ強い is often used as a martial arts term.
It means being able to take a lot of punishment or being able to take a hit. In Japanese baseball, it can also refer to the pitcher's ability to keep his cool when the batter gets a hit. 打たれ強い is generally about being resilient and strong in the face of criticism or adversity.
Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.
(A legitimate style of Kung Fu)
醉拳 is Drunken Fist, a traditional Chinese martial art/technique of Kung Fu.
It is a northern style of martial art that imitates a drunk person in its movements. Many staggering movements serve to deceive the opponent and keep them off-balance.
Some consider Drunken Fist to be among the more complex styles of martial arts due to the need for robust joints and fingers.
See Also: Drunken Monkey
白酒紅人面黃金黑世心 literally says: [Just as] white liquor makes people's faces turn red, [So] yellow gold makes people's hearts turn black.
This is a warning about the nature of greed. The suggestion is that one who lusts for gold and riches will eventually have a black heart (or become a heartless greedy bastard). As a wall scroll, this is a reminder and warning to keep yourself from following the greedy path.
赠人玫瑰手留余香 is a proverb that has been translated several ways:
1. Roses given, fragrance in hand.
2. You present others roses, and the fragrance remains.
3. The fragrance of the rose always remains on the hand of those that bestow them.
4. A little bit of fragrance always clings to the hands which gives the flowers
However, this literally translates as “Give someone rose flowers, [your] hands keep [the] remaining fragrance.”
平常心 is the title Heijoshin, as associated with Kendo and Aikido schools of Japanese martial arts.
平常心 is also a word in Japanese that can be translated as “one's self-possession” or “presence of mind.”
In Chinese and Korean, this means “simplicity heart,” “composure,” “calmness,” or a “sense of orderliness.” In Chinese and Korean, this implies that you enjoy what you have, keep your heart in balance, and have no over-blown ambitions.
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.
銘記 means to keep in mind, to take note of, or simply to remember, in Chinese characters and Japanese Kanji.
The first character means to engrave, inscribe, or carve an inscription.
The second character means to remember, note, mark, sign, record, history, chronicle, or annals.
When used in the context of a person, this means to engrave on the heart or to inscribe a memory in one's mind. In short, it's the idea of deeply remembering something, some event, or someone forever.
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.
萬事皆因果 means “Everything happens for a reason” in Chinese.
The first two characters mean “all things” or “everything.”
The middle character kind of means “in all cases.”
The last two characters create a complex word that can be defined in many ways, such as “karma,” “cause and effect,” “fate,” and “every cause has its effect, as every effect arises from a cause.”
Keep in mind that Chinese grammar is a bit different than English, so trust me that this makes a natural-sounding proverb in Chinese.
神さまが守るように is about as close as you can get to, “God Bless You” in Japanese.
This literally means “[May] God Protect [You].” It can also mean “God is Always With You,” as the word in this phrase that means “protect” can also mean to follow or be with. In fact, the Japanese dictionary entry for that word reads like this: to protect; to guard; to defend; to keep (i.e. a promise); to abide; to observe; to follow.
Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.
福 is pronounced “fu” in Chinese.
The character “fu” is posted by virtually all Chinese people on the doors of their homes during the Spring Festival (closely associated with the Chinese New Year).
One tradition from the Zhou Dynasty (beginning in 256 B.C.) holds that putting a fu symbol on your front door will keep the goddess of poverty away.
福 literally means good fortune, prosperity, blessed, blessedness, happiness, and fulfillment.
You'll also see this character in Vietnam (where Chinese characters were the written form until a romanization reform) where it is pronounced Phúc - a word commonly used in Vietnamese names because of its good meaning.
See Also: Lucky
尊嚴 is a form of honor that means showing great respect for yourself, other people, and the rules you live by.
When you are honorable, you keep your word. You do the right thing regardless of what others are doing.
尊嚴 is the kind of personal honor or dignity that is of great value. If you lose this, you have lost yourself and perhaps the reputation of your family as well.
While this is not directly the same thing as “face” or “saving face” in Asian culture, it is associated with the same concept in China.
In Japan, they currently use a more simplified second character for this word. The ancient Japanese form is the same as China but after WWII some Kanji were changed. If you want the modern Japanese version, just click on the Kanji image shown to the right, instead of the button above.
Where there is a will, there is a way
有志者事竟成 is an old Chinese proverb that has been translated many different ways into English. As you read the translations below, keep in mind that in Chinese, heart=mind.
Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.
Nothing is impossible to a willing mind.
Nothing is difficult to a willing heart.
Where there is a will, there is a way.
Nothing in the world is impossible if you set your mind to doing it.
A willful man will have his way.
If you wish it, you will do it.
A determined heart can accomplish anything.
All things are possible with a strong mind.
精, 氣, 神 are the characters jing, qi, and shen.
As a set, these three characters are known in English as the treasures of traditional Chinese medicine, the treasures of Qi Gong, or the three treasures of Taoism / Daoism.
Sometimes this set is titled 三寶 (sānbǎo) or “three treasures,” but here, we're writing each treasure out.
Here's how these characters are perceived in this context...
Jing: nutritive essence; refined; perfected; pure
Qi: vitality; energy; force; breath; vigor
Shen: spirit; soul; mind; being
To keep it simple, you can use “essence, vitality, and spirit” to define these.
物事は全て理由があって起きる means everything happens for a reason.
However, this is a work in progress. We're still trying to decide the best way to express this in Japanese. If you order this, we might have a discussion about the best version that fits you. Here's how the characters break down by meaning (keep in mind, Japanese grammar and sentence construction is very different from English, so it doesn't make complete sense in English)...
物事 = things, everything
は particle
全て all, the whole, entirely
理由 reason
が particle
あっ be, exist, have, take place, happens
て particle
起きる to occur, to happen; to take place (usually unfavorable incidents)
Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.
協作 is a Chinese, Japanese, and old Korean word that means cooperation or collaboration.
Cooperation is working together and sharing the load. When we cooperate, we join with others to do things that cannot be done alone. We are willing to follow the rules which keep everyone safe and happy. Together we can accomplish great things.
The first character means “united” or “to coordinate.” The second character means “to do,” “to make,” or “to compose.” Knowing this, you can understand why together, these characters create a word that can be defined as “cooperation” in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
It is implied that you are cooperating to create some project or product.
See Also: Partnership
剣聖 can be translated as “Sword Saint,” “God of the Sword,” or “Saint of the Sword.” This is an ancient Japanese title bestowed on a master with the greatest of skills in swordsmanship.
Keep in mind that this is an antiquated term. It will only be understood in the context of martial arts. The pronunciation “kensei” also applies to other words like “constitutional government” and power (these words have different kanji and are completely unrelated).
Notes: This is sometimes Romanized as “kensei,” “ken sei,” and incorrectly as “Kensai.”
Chinese Note: This title is pronounceable in Chinese but seldom, if ever, used in Chinese. Also, the first character is an alternate character form for a sword, currently only used in Japan.
承諾 embodies the idea of commitment but also means to make a big effort or to undertake a great task.
Commitment is caring deeply about something or someone. It is deciding carefully what you want to do and then giving it 100%, holding nothing back. You give your all to a friendship, a task, or something you believe in. You finish what you start. You keep your promises.
In Chinese, this word directly means to undertake something or to make a promise to do something.
Outside of the commitment idea, this particular word can also mean approval, acceptance, consent, assent, acquiescence, or agreement, depending on context (especially in Japanese and Korean). Therefore, this word is probably best if your audience is Chinese.
See Also: Partnership | Hard Work | Dedication
狼 is the character used to represent the elusive animal known as the wolf in both Chinese and Japanese.
If you are a fan of the wolf or the wolf means something special to you, this could make a great addition to your wall.
Do keep in mind, that much like our perception of wolves in the history of western culture, eastern cultures do not have a very positive view of wolves (save the scientific community and animal lovers). The wolf is clearly an animal that is misunderstood or feared the world over.
狼 is seldom used alone in Korean Hanja but is used in a compound word that means utter failure (as in a wolf getting into your chicken pen - or an otherwise ferocious failure). Not a good choice if your audience is Korean.
清 is a word that means clarity or clear in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.
Looking at the parts of this character, you have three splashes of water on the left, “life” on the top right, and the moon on the lower right.
Because of something Confucius said about 2500 years ago, you can imagine that this character means “live life with clarity like bright moonlight piercing pure water.” The Confucian idea is something like “Keep clear what is pure in yourself, and let your pure nature show through.” Kind of like saying, “Don't pollute your mind or body, so that they remain clear.”
This might be stretching the definition of this single Chinese character but the elements are there, and “clarity” is a powerful idea.
Korean note: Korean pronunciation is given above but this character is written with a slight difference in the "moon radical" in Korean. However, anyone who can read Korean Hanja, will understand this character with no problem (this is considered an alternate form in Korean). If you want the more standard Korean Hanja form (which is an alternate form in Chinese), just let me know.
Japanese note: When reading in Japanese, this Kanji has additional meanings of pure, purify, or cleanse (sometimes to remove demons or "exorcise"). Used more in compound words in Japanese than as a stand-alone Kanji.
好好學習天天向上 is a famous proverb by Chairman Mao Zedong that sounds really strange when directly translated into English.
I include it in our database of phrases to illustrate how different the construction and grammar can be between Chinese and English. The direct translation is “Good Good Study, Day Day Up.” In Chinese, a repeated character/word can often serve to reinforce the idea (like saying “very” or suggesting “a lot of”). So “good good” really means “a lot of good.” While “day day” can be better translated as “day in day out.” The idea of “up” has a meaning in China of “rising above” or “improving.”
After understanding all of this, we come up with a slightly better translation of “With a lot of good study, day in and day out, we raise above.”
The more natural translation of this proverb would be something like, “study hard, and keep improving.”
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”)
The number one
一 is “one” or “1” in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.
People keep searching for “one” but I'm not sure what you want. This would be a strange selection for a wall scroll, so please don't order it. Post a request on our forum if you want a phrase with “one” in it that you can't find on our site.
The “one” character is really simple, it's just one stroke. Two is two strokes and three is three strokes, from four and above, the characters get more complicated.
In some ways, the “one” character is too simple, it could be a stray mark, or added to a banking document. Therefore, the following banking anti-fraud character for “one” has developed over the last 1500 years in China and Japan:
忍 contains the ideas of patience, equanimity, perseverance, forbearance, and endurance. Alone, this single character can be a bit ambiguous or flexible. It can also mean to endure, to bear, to put up with, or to conceal. If you want to simply decide what this character means to you within the general meaning but keep it a mystery to others, this is a good choice.
If you want to be more direct, you may want to choose one of our other selections that mean perseverance or patience (you will see this character within those larger words/phrases).
There is a secondary meaning in Japanese since this is the first character of the word ninja.
Note that when writing this as Kanji, Japanese will tend to write it in the form shown to the right. If you select our Japanese master calligrapher, please expect this Kanji form (yes, it's just one stroke that is slightly different in location, crossing another stroke in the Japanese Kanji form).
See Also: Perseverance | Patience | Tenacious
Many things have opposite properties. The water you drink can also drown you. Pork may nourish you and keep you alive but under-cook it and it could kill you. Potassium nitrate is often used as a fertilizer to grow the food that sustains us but it's also been used as an explosive to topple buildings and destroy us.
This concept is easily associated with “yin yang” where an element has two opposite properties that are as different as night and day.
This proverb's meaning can be summed up this way: “Anything that can lead you to success may also contain great risks.”
This phrase is known in literary circles by Korean people (scholars or literature). It is therefore also a valid proverb in Korean Hanja, though most Koreans would not be able to make sense of it.
Please note that there is an unwritten rule when the same character appears twice in the same phrase, the calligrapher will alter the appearance so that no two characters are exactly alike in the same piece. This calligraphy has two repeating characters that will be written differently than they appear here.
Wing Chun Kuen Kuit
This text is the chant or poem of Wing Chun.
I call it a “chant” because it was meant to be a somewhat rhythmic poem to help practitioners memorize many aspects of Wing Chun.
You will see this referred to as “Wing Chun Kuem Kuit.” This Cantonese romanization is popular in the west (and there is no official way to romanize Cantonese, so many variations exist). In Mandarin, it would be, “Yong Chun Quan Jue.” The last character (kuit or kyut from Cantonese, jue or chüeh from Mandarin) kind of means “secrets of the art.” It's a short way to write 口訣, meaning “mnemonic chant” or “rhyme for remembering.”
In the west (especially in the military), we often use acronyms to remember things. There are no initials to make acronyms in Chinese, so in ancient times, chants like this are used to remember vast amounts of information.
I will presume you already know the meaning of the 10 maxims, so I will skip that to keep this calligraphy entry from getting too large.
Some think 练拳者必记 is the title but that just says, “(When) training (the) fist, people should remember:.” Therefore, I've not included that in the calligraphy. However, you can put a note in the special instructions if you want it added.
Note: On a traditional calligraphy wall scroll, the characters will be written in vertical columns, starting from the right, and proceeding left.
Note: This is an except and variation from a huge 口訣. These 10 maxims are used extensively in Wing Chun training, and you’ll find them all over the internet. Just know there is a much longer version out there, along with several variations and excepts like this one. If you know of, or want a different version, just contact me, and I will add it for you.
道天地將法 is a list of five key points to analyzing your situation from the first chapter of Sun Tzu's Art of War.
This reads like a 5-part military proverb. Sun Tzu says that to sharpen your skills, you must plan. To plan well, you must know your situation. Therefore, you must consider and discuss the following:
1. Philosophy and Politics: Make sure your way or your policy is agreeable among all of your troops (and the citizens of your kingdom as well). For when your soldiers believe in you and your way, they will follow you to their deaths without hesitation and will not question your orders.
2. Heaven/Sky: Consider climate / weather. This can also mean considering whether God is smiling upon you. In the modern military, this could be waiting for clear skies so that you can have air support for an amphibious landing.
3. Ground/Earth: Consider the terrain in which the battle will take place. This includes analyzing defensible positions, and exit routes, while using varying elevations to your advantage. When you plan an ambush, you must know your terrain and the best location from which to stage that ambush. This knowledge will also help you avoid being ambushed, as you will know where the likely places in which to expect an ambush from your enemy.
4. Leadership: This applies to you as the general and your lieutenants. A leader should be smart and be able to develop good strategies. Leaders should keep their word, and if they break a promise, they should punish themselves as harshly as they would punish subordinates. Leaders should be benevolent to their troops, with almost a fatherly love for them. Leaders must have the ability to make brave and fast decisions. Leaders must have steadfast principles.
5. [Military] Methods: This can also mean laws, rules, principles, models, or systems. You must have an efficient organization in place to manage both your troops and supplies. In the modern military, this would be a combination of how your unit is organized and your SOP (Standard Operating Procedure).
Notes: This is a simplistic translation and explanation. Much more is suggested in the actual text of the Art of War (Bing Fa). It would take a lot of study to master all of these aspects. In fact, these five characters can be compared to the modern military acronyms such as BAMCIS or SMEAC.
CJK notes: I have included the Japanese and Korean pronunciations but in Chinese, Korean and Japanese, this does not make a typical phrase (with subject, verb, and object) it is a list that only someone familiar with Sun Tzu’s writings would understand.
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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 | |
Keep Calm, Be Not Impatient | 少安毋躁 | shǎo ān wú zào shao3 an1 wu2 zao4 shao an wu zao shaoanwuzao | shao an wu tsao shaoanwutsao |
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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 |
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Keep Calm in Face of Adversity | 失意泰然 | shitsuitaizen | ||
Undaunted After Repeated Setbacks | 百折不撓 百折不挠 | hyaku setsu su tou hyakusetsusutou hyaku setsu su to | bǎi zhé bù náo bai3 zhe2 bu4 nao2 bai zhe bu nao baizhebunao | pai che pu nao paichepunao |
Carry On, Undaunted | 前赴後繼 前赴后继 | qián fù hòu jì qian2 fu4 hou4 ji4 qian fu hou ji qianfuhouji | ch`ien fu hou chi chienfuhouchi chien fu hou chi |
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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 | |
Protector | 保護者 保护者 | hogosha | bǎo hù zhě bao3 hu4 zhe3 bao hu zhe baohuzhe | pao hu che paohuche |
Indian | 印度人 | in do jin / indojin | yìn dù rén yin4 du4 ren2 yin du ren yinduren | yin tu jen yintujen |
Safety and Well-Being of the Family | 家內安全 家内安全 | ka nai an zen kanaianzen | ||
Endure and Survive | 凌ぐ | shinogu | ||
Will-Power Self-Control | 意志力 | ishi ryoku / ishiryoku | yì zhì lì yi4 zhi4 li4 yi zhi li yizhili | i chih li ichihli |
Fortitude Steadfast | 頑張る | ganbaru | ||
Balance Equilibrium | 均衡 | kin kou / kinkou / kin ko | héng / jun1 heng2 / jun heng / junheng | chün heng / chünheng |
Consideration Thought Ikko | 一考 | ikkou / ikko iko / iko | ||
Flexibility | 靈活性 灵活性 | líng huó xìng ling2 huo2 xing4 ling huo xing linghuoxing | ling huo hsing linghuohsing |
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Happy New Year | 新年快樂 新年快乐 | xīn nián kuài lè xin1 nian2 kuai4 le4 xin nian kuai le xinniankuaile | hsin nien k`uai le hsinnienkuaile hsin nien kuai le |
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Life in Balance Balancing Life | 平衡人生 | hei kou jin sei heikoujinsei hei ko jin sei | píng héng rén shēng ping2 heng2 ren2 sheng1 ping heng ren sheng pinghengrensheng | p`ing heng jen sheng pinghengjensheng ping heng jen sheng |
God is Always With You | 上帝與你常在 上帝与你常在 | shàng dì yǔ nǐ cháng zài shang4 di4 yu3 ni3 chang2 zai4 shang di yu ni chang zai shangdiyunichangzai | shang ti yü ni ch`ang tsai shangtiyünichangtsai shang ti yü ni chang tsai |
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Fidelity Personal Integrity Honor | 操守 | soushu / soshu | cāo shǒu / cao1 shou3 / cao shou / caoshou | ts`ao shou / tsaoshou / tsao shou |
Rebel Insurgent | 賊 贼 | zoku | zéi / zei2 / zei | tsei |
Duty to Defend and Protect Country | 守土有責 守土有责 | shǒu tǔ yǒu zé shou3 tu3 you3 ze2 shou tu you ze shoutuyouze | shou t`u yu tse shoutuyutse shou tu yu tse |
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Resilient in the Face of Adversity | 打たれ強い | u ta re tsuyo i utaretsuyoi | ||
Drunken Fist | 醉拳 | suiken | zuì quán / zui4 quan2 / zui quan / zuiquan | tsui ch`üan / tsuichüan / tsui chüan |
Just as Liquor Turns a Face Red, Gold Turns a Heart Black | 白酒紅人面黃金黑世心 白酒红人面黄金黑世心 | bái jiǔ hóng rén miàn huáng jīn hēi shì xīn bai2 jiu3 hong2 ren2 mian4 huang2 jin1 hei1 shi4 xin1 bai jiu hong ren mian huang jin hei shi xin | pai chiu hung jen mien huang chin hei shih hsin | |
Rose Flowers Given, Frangrance Remains on Hands of Giver | 贈人玫瑰手留余香 赠人玫瑰手留余香 | zèng rén méi guī shǒu liú yú xiāng zeng4 ren2 mei2 gui1 shou3 liu2 yu2 xiang1 zeng ren mei gui shou liu yu xiang | tseng jen mei kuei shou liu yü hsiang | |
Heijoshin Presence of Mind | 平常心 | hei jou shin heijoushin hei jo shin | píng cháng xīn ping2 chang2 xin1 ping chang xin pingchangxin | p`ing ch`ang hsin pingchanghsin ping chang hsin |
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 |
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Remember | 銘記 | mei ki / meiki | míng jì / ming2 ji4 / ming ji / mingji | ming chi / mingchi |
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 |
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Everything Happens for a Reason | 萬事皆因果 万事皆因果 | wàn shì jiē yīn guǒ wan4 shi4 jie1 yin1 guo3 wan shi jie yin guo wanshijieyinguo | wan shih chieh yin kuo wanshihchiehyinkuo |
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God Bless You God Be With You | 神さまが守るように | kami sa ma ga mamo ru you ni kamisamagamamoruyouni kami sa ma ga mamo ru yo ni | ||
Good Luck Good Fortune | 福 | fuku | fú / fu2 / fu | |
Dignity Honor Sanctity Integrity | 尊嚴 尊严 / 尊厳 | son gen / songen | zūn yán / zun1 yan2 / zun yan / zunyan | tsun yen / tsunyen |
To a Willing Heart, All Things Are Possible | 有志者事竟成 / 有誌者事竟成 有志者事竟成 | yǒu zhì zhě shì jìng chéng you3 zhi4 zhe3 shi4 jing4 cheng2 you zhi zhe shi jing cheng youzhizheshijingcheng | yu chih che shih ching ch`eng yuchihcheshihchingcheng yu chih che shih ching cheng |
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Three Treasures of Chinese Medicine | 精氣神 精气神 | jīng qì shén jing1 qi4 shen2 jing qi shen jingqishen | ching ch`i shen chingchishen ching chi shen |
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Everything Happens for a Reason | 物事は全て理由があって起きる | monogoto ha subete riyuu ga at te okiru monogoto ha subete riyu ga at te okiru | ||
Cooperation Collaboration | 協作 协作 | kyou saku / kyousaku / kyo saku | xié zuò / xie2 zuo4 / xie zuo / xiezuo | hsieh tso / hsiehtso |
Sword Saint | 剣聖 / 剣聖 剣圣 | kensei | jiàn shèng jian4 sheng4 jian sheng jiansheng | chien sheng chiensheng |
Commitment | 承諾 承诺 | shoudaku / shodaku | chéng nuò cheng2 nuo4 cheng nuo chengnuo | ch`eng no chengno cheng no |
Wolf | 狼 | okami | láng / lang2 / lang | |
Clarity | 清 | sei | qīng / qing1 / qing | ch`ing / ching |
Good Good Study, Day Day Up | 好好學習天天向上 好好学习天天向上 | hǎo hǎo xué xí tiān tiān xiàng shàng hao3 hao3 xue2 xi2 tian1 tian1 xiang4 shang4 hao hao xue xi tian tian xiang shang | hao hao hsüeh hsi t`ien t`ien hsiang shang hao hao hsüeh hsi tien tien hsiang shang |
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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 |
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One | 一 | ichi | yī / yi1 / yi | i |
Patience Perseverance | 忍 | nin | rěn / ren3 / ren | jen |
Not Only Can Water Float A Boat, It Can Sink It Also | 水能載舟亦能覆舟 水能载舟亦能覆舟 | shuǐ néng zài zhōu yì néng fù zhōu shui3 neng2 zai4 zhou1 yi4 neng2 fu4 zhou1 shui neng zai zhou yi neng fu zhou | shui neng tsai chou i neng fu chou | |
Wing Chun Fist Maxims | 有手黐手無手問手來留區送甩手直沖怕打終歸打貪打終被打粘連迫攻絕不放鬆來力瀉力借力出擊步步追形點點朝午以形補手敗形不敗馬腰馬一致心意合一拳由心發動法無形活人練活死功夫 有手黐手无手问手来留区送甩手直冲怕打终归打贪打终被打粘连迫攻绝不放松来力泻力借力出击步步追形点点朝午以形补手败形不败马腰马一致心意合一拳由心发动法无形活人练活死功夫 | |||
Art of War: 5 Points of Analysis | 道天地將法 道天地将法 | dou ten chi shou hou doutenchishouhou do ten chi sho ho | dào tiān dì jiàng fǎ dao4 tian1 di4 jiang4 fa3 dao tian di jiang fa daotiandijiangfa | tao t`ien ti chiang fa taotientichiangfa tao tien ti chiang fa |
Do not fear being slow, fear standing still | 不怕慢就怕站 | bú pà màn jiù pà zhàn bu2 pa4 man4 jiu4 pa4 zhan4 bu pa man jiu pa zhan bupamanjiupazhan | pu p`a man chiu p`a chan pupamanchiupachan pu pa man chiu pa chan |
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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. |
Successful Chinese Character and Japanese Kanji calligraphy searches within the last few hours...
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 Keep It Kanji, Keep It Characters, Keep It in Mandarin Chinese, Keep It Characters, Keep It in Chinese Writing, Keep It in Japanese Writing, Keep It in Asian Writing, Keep It Ideograms, Chinese Keep It symbols, Keep It Hieroglyphics, Keep It Glyphs, Keep It in Chinese Letters, Keep It Hanzi, Keep It in Japanese Kanji, Keep It Pictograms, Keep It in the Chinese Written-Language, or Keep It in the Japanese Written-Language.