Last Updated on 2022/04/22
Table of Contents
Chinese tattoos
Chinese tattoo symbols and characters have become a popular form of body modification.
Chinese characters’ tattoos have been popular for many years thanks to the elegance of the characters.
Chinese characters are exotic and mysterious at the same time, perfect for a tattoo. This kind of tattoo is getting increasingly popular in Western countries.
Related articles: Zhuo Dan Ting, China’s Queen of Tattoos, 20 rare images of the last face-tattooed women of China, 30+ stunning images of Chinese dragons
Following are some ideas with pictures and meanings:
Chinese Tattoo Symbols: Emotions & Concepts
Ambition – Zhìxiàng – 志向
Anger – Fènnù – 愤怒
Beauty – Měi – 美
Brave – Yǒng – 勇
Courage – Yǒngqì – 勇气
Crisis – Wéijī – 危机
Death – Sǐwáng – 死亡
Devotion – Zhōngchéng – 忠诚
Destiny – Mìngyùn – 命运
Double Happiness – (双喜) shuāngxǐ – 囍
Chinese symbol for happiness – Double Happiness or Double Happy, is a Chinese traditional ornament design, commonly used as a decoration and symbol of marriage.
Dream – Mèng – 梦
Good Luck – Xìngyùn – 幸运
Energy – Néngyuán – 能源
Eternity – Yǒnghéng – 永恒
Female – Nǚ – 女
Fortune – Fú – 福
Freedom – Zìyóu – 自由
Happiness – Xìngfú – 幸福
Hate – hèn – 恨
chinese symbols for hate
——- I hate you – Wǒ hèn nǐ – 我恨你
Health – Jiànkāng – 健康
Honor – Róngyù – 榮譽
Chinese symbol for honor
Kind – Rén – 仁
Ren is the Confucian virtue denoting the good feeling a virtuous human experiences when being altruistic. Ren is exemplified by a normal adult’s protective feelings for children. It is considered the outward expression of Confucian ideals. [wikipedia]
Life – Shēnghuó – 生活
Longevity – Shòu – 寿
Chinese symbol for longevity
Three of the most important goals in life in Chinese traditional thought are the propitious blessings of happiness (fú 福), professional success or prosperity (lù 禄), and longevity (shòu 寿).
Hope – Xīwàng – 希望
Inner Strength – Nèizài lìliàng – 内在力量
Love – Ài – 爱
chinese symbols for love
——- I love you – Wǒ ài nǐ – 我爱你
Loyal – Zhōngchéng – 忠诚
Male – Nán – 男
Moral Virtue – Dé – 德
De is a key concept in Chinese philosophy, usually translated “inherent character; inner power; integrity” in Taoism, “moral character; virtue; morality” in Confucianism and other contexts, and “quality; virtue” (guna) or “merit; virtuous deeds” (punya) in Chinese Buddhism. [wikipedia]
Peace/Harmony – Hépíng – 和平
chinese symbol for peace
Pride – Zìháo – 自豪
Prosperity – Lù – 禄
Respect – Zūnzhòng – 尊重
Sexy – Yàn – 艷
Strength/Power – Lìliàng – 力量
Strong – Qiáng – 强
Truth – Zhēnlǐ – 真理
Warrior – Zhànshì – 战士
Wisdom – Zhìhuì – 智慧
Chinese Tattoo Symbols: Popular Chinese Animal Name Tatoos
Dog – Gǒu – 狗
Elephant – Xiàng – 象
Fish – Yú – 鱼
Fox – Húlí – 狐狸
Goat – yáng – 羊
Horse – Mǎ – 马
Lion – 狮子
Monkey – Hóu – 猴
Ox – Niú – 牛
Pig – Zhū – 猪
Rabbit – Tùzǐ – 兔子
Rat – Shǔ – 鼠
Rooster – Gōngjī – 公鸡
Snake – Shé – 蛇
Tiger – Lǎohǔ – 老虎
Chinese Tattoo Symbols: Family
Family – Jiātíng – 家庭
Father – Fùqīn – 父亲
Brothers – Xiōngdì – 兄弟
Younger Brother – Dìdì – 弟弟
Elder Brother – Gēgē – 哥哥
Friend – Péngyǒu – 朋友
Mother – Mǔqīn – 母亲
Sisters – Jiěmèi – 姐妹
Younger Sister – Mèimei – 妹妹
Elder Sister – Jiě Jiě – 姐姐
Chinese Tattoo Symbols: Elements & Nature
Fire – Huǒ – 火
Tree – Shù – 树
Water – Shuǐ – 水
Ice – Bīng – 冰
Air – Kōngqì – 空气
Stone – Shí – 石
Bamboo – Zhú – 竹
Wind – Fēng – 风
Chinese Tattoo Symbols: Spiritual
Angel – Tiānshǐ – 天使
God – Shen – 神
Buddha – Fú – 佛
Demon – Èmó – 恶魔
Dragon – Lóng – 龙
Dragon in Chinese
Evil Spirit – Móguǐ – 魔鬼
Goblin – È guǐ – 恶鬼
Ghost – Guǐ – 鬼
Heaven – Tiāntáng – 天堂
Hell – Dìyù – 地狱
Soul – Línghún – 灵魂
The Way – Dào – 道
Taoism or Daoism, is a religious or philosophical tradition of Chinese origin which emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (道, literally “Way”, also romanized as Dao). [wikipedia]
Yin Yang – Yīnyáng – 阴阳
In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang (“dark-bright”, “negative-positive”) describe how seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they may give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another. Many tangible dualities (such as light and dark, fire and water, expanding and contracting) are thought of as physical manifestations of the duality symbolized by yin and yang. [wikipedia]
Mildly Funny
Old foreigner – Lǎo wài – 老外
As with Spanish “gringo”, laowai is not considered a necessarily offensive term but may become so from context (tone, manner, situation, etc.). Among the Chinese, the term is informal and may be used in a neutral, genial, or even good-humored way; however, it is othering and some may consider it racist. Varyingly, it is ironically embraced, begrudgingly accepted, openly resented, or, most likely, not minded at all among the expatriate community. [wikipedia]
Character design: Matteo Damiani, china-underground | cinaoggi.it
Topic: tattoos designs, tattoos ideas, tattoos ideas for girls, tattoos ideas small, tattoos ideas with meaning, tattoos ideas and meanings, tattoo ideas about strength, tattoo ideas about life, tattoos ideas butterfly, tattoos ideas best friend
2 thoughts on “90+ Chinese tattoo symbols with images and meanings”