Chinese Tattoos and Their Meanings

Tattoos have been around for centuries, and one debatable issue where tattoos are concerned are Chinese tattoos and their meanings. The hieroglyphics of the Chinese script involve a lot of fine lines and strokes, and as a result of this, tattoo artists who are not well versed with the Chinese script and with Chinese symbols end up making a mistake. The meanings of Chinese tattoos can change completely due to the omission or the inclusion of a single line.

When an individual decides to get a Chinese tattoo, he must be absolutely clear that the script or the symbol means what he wants. Chinese tattoos and their meanings are so interweaving and intricate, that a second and third opinion is always required in order to confirm the true meaning of the symbol. It's true that Chinese tattoos impart a very exotic look, but at the same time there are only a handful of people that can actually read and understand it accurately. If you are planning to get a Chinese tattoo and you know someone who can read or write the text, then you definitely need to consult him/her to understand the myriad Chinese tattoo meanings.

Chinese Script
Even though there are only a few thousand Chinese symbols that are in use today for the purpose of writing and reading, there are a total of around 80,000 characters in the Chinese language. Most of these characters are not in use today, and due to this you may end up choosing a symbol that means something entirely different from what you believe it means. The large number of similar looking symbols is what makes Chinese tattoos and their meanings so difficult to comprehend. Each symbol in the Chinese script denotes an entire word, and a slight variation here and there in the strokes imply a whole new word altogether. If you happen to get a Chinese tattoo that means something weird, not many people will know the difference. But since the tattoo is a permanent part of your body, why compromise on its meaning. You should also know that there are primarily 2 types of Chinese scripts that are in use for writing Chinese tattoos and their meanings. These are the Kanji script and the Hanzi script.

The Kanji Script
This is the script that is most commonly used to denote Chinese tattoos and their meanings in the West, and in this script the use of a single symbol denotes an entire idea instead of just a word. These tattoos are more likely to get muddled up by tattoo artists primarily because a wrong shade of thickness or an incomplete stroke can mean an entirely different idea, or concept. Kanji though, is a Japanese word, and this implies that the Chinese script has also been adopted into Japanese culture.

The Hanzi Script
Unlike the Kanji script, the Hanzi script is more of a traditional Chinese script. It is used primarily in the inner circles of Chinese culture, and it also contains more characters. But here also, there are just a few thousand symbols, the knowledge of which makes reading and writing possible. Figuring out Chinese tattoos and what they mean first requires working out which script is better suited for you.

Meaning of Chinese Tattoos
Hieroglyphics and symbols possess more than just aesthetic beauty. They carry with them a great aura of mystery and intrigue, which makes them more attractive options for tattoos. Since a single symbol can mean an entire word or concept in the Chinese script, there is tremendous scope for getting a tattoo that portrays entire phrases or sentences. The amount of space they require is also much lesser as compared to getting the tattoo in another script or language. If you are getting a Chinese script tattoo, a few examples for you are the symbols for power, strength, love, wisdom, luck, beauty, happiness, nobleness or path. These Chinese tattoos and their meanings will provide a sense of comfort to you, and bring good fortune upon you.

Here are some more examples of Chinese symbols as tattoo ideas for you.

• Chinese Symbol for Love
• Double Happiness Chinese Symbol
• Chinese Symbol for Strength
• Chinese Symbol for Hope

The choices that are available to you are vast, but you need to make sure that the symbols you have chosen signify what you want. Consulting somebody who knows how to read the script is a must, due to the large number of Chinese tattoos and their meanings that you can find over the Internet. Simply trusting those designs that you find over the web is not advisable. Once you have found the right symbol for yourself, rest assured that you will be happy with the tattoo for the rest of your life.