Chinese Charm Inscriptions
Listed below are many of the most
common Chinese character (symbol) inscriptions (legends) found
on Chinese charms.
The first column shows the inscription or legend that appears on the charm.
For reference purposes, the second column is the same inscription written in "simplied" Chinese.
The third column provides the pronunciation using the pinyin romanization system used in China.
The fourth column is the English translation.
For assistance in how to read inscriptions and legends on Chinese coins and charms, please see Guide to Reading Chinese Characters (Symbols).
The first column shows the inscription or legend that appears on the charm.
For reference purposes, the second column is the same inscription written in "simplied" Chinese.
The third column provides the pronunciation using the pinyin romanization system used in China.
The fourth column is the English translation.
For assistance in how to read inscriptions and legends on Chinese coins and charms, please see Guide to Reading Chinese Characters (Symbols).
| Charm Inscript. |
Simplifi. Chinese |
Pronun |
Translation |
| 金玉滿堂 | 金玉满堂 | jin yu man tang | May gold and jade fill
your house (halls) |
| 金銀滿堂 |
金银满堂 | jin yin man tang |
May gold and silver fill
your house (halls) |
| 日入千金 長毋相忘 |
日入千金 长毋相忘 |
ri ru qian jin chang wu xiang wang |
Do not forget your
friends when you earn much gold everyday |
| 除凶去央 辟兵莫當 |
除凶去央 辟兵莫当 |
chu xiong qu yang bi bing mo dang |
Do away with evil and
dispel calamity, avoid hostilities and ward off sickness |
| 長命富貴 |
长命富贵 | chang ming fu gui |
Longevity, wealth and honor |
| 福如東海 |
福如东海 |
fu ru dong hai |
Fortune as vast as the
East Sea |
| 壽比南山 | 寿比南山 | shou bi nan shan |
Longevity as great as the
South Mountain |
| 花生不老 |
花生不老 |
hua sheng bu lao |
The flower (mudan) grows
without getting old |
| 長生不老 | 长生不老 | chang sheng bu lao |
Long life without getting
old |
| 長生保命 |
长生保命 |
chang sheng bao ming |
Long life and protect
life |
| 長生無極 |
长生无极 |
chang sheng wu ji |
Long life without limit |
| 延年益壽 |
延年益寿 |
yan nian yi shou |
May you prolong your
days! |
| 萬壽無疆 |
万寿无疆 | wan shou wu jiang |
Long life without limit |
| 萬福來臨 |
万福来临 |
wan fu lai lin |
May every happiness be
present |
| 天下太平 | 天下太平 | tian xia tai ping |
Peace under heaven |
| 太平如意 | 太平如 意 | tai ping ru yi |
May you have peace
according to your wishes |
| 年年太平 |
年年太平 |
nian nian tai ping |
May you have peace year
after year |
| 長命百歲 |
长命百岁 |
chang ming bai sui |
Long life of 100 years |
| 平安吉慶 |
平安吉庆 | ping an ji qing |
Peace and happiness |
| 平安如意 |
平安如意 |
ping an ru yi |
Peace as you desire |
| 平安富貴 |
平安富贵 |
ping an fu gui |
Peace, wealth and honor |
| 四季平安 |
四季平安 |
si ji ping an |
Peace throughout the four
seasons |
| 四時吉慶 |
四时吉庆 |
si shi ji qing |
Happiness throughout the
year |
| 八節平安 |
八节平安 |
ba jie ping an |
Peace throughout the year |
| 一生平安 |
一生平安 |
yi sheng ping an |
A lifetime of peace |
| 時利世泰 |
时利世泰 |
shi li shi tai |
The seasons in harmony
and the world in peace |
| 光明世界 |
光明世界 |
guang ming shi jie |
World of brightness |
| 國泰民安 |
国泰民安 |
guo tai min an |
The country is prosperous
and the people are in peace |
| 吉人天相 |
吉人天相 |
ji ren tian xiang |
Heaven protects the good |
| 富貴壽考 |
富贵寿考 |
fu gui shou kao |
Wealth, honor and a long
life |
| 五子登科 |
五子登科 | wu zi deng ke |
May your five sons
achieve great success in the imperial examinations |
| 喜報三元 |
喜报三元 | xi bao san yuan |
Good news of a triple
first in the imperial examinations |
| 連中三元 |
连中三元 |
lian zhong san yuan |
To be first three times
in a row (in the imperial examinations) |
| 嘉官進祿 |
嘉官进禄 | jia guan jin lu |
May office and salary be
bestowed upon you |
| 大位高升 |
大位高升 |
da wei gao sheng |
May you be promoted to a
high position |
| 一品當朝 |
一品当朝 |
yi pin dang chao |
(May you be) an official
of the first degree at the imperial court |
| 狀元及第 |
状元及第 |
zhuang yuan ji di |
(May you be) the first
rank at the examination for the Hanlin Academy |
| 玉署升華 | 玉署升华 |
yu shu sheng hua |
The Hanlin Academy
promotion is glorious |
| 獨佔鰲頭 |
独占鳌头 | du zhan ao tou |
To stand alone on the
head of the ao
(Occupying alone the sea-monster's head) |
| 一 色杏花紅十裡壯元歸去馬如飛 |
一色杏花红十里壮元归去马如飞 | yi se xing hua hong shi
li zhuang yuan gui qu ma ru yi |
(A scholar who just achieved the honor of coming in first in the final Hanlin examination sees an expansive field of blossoming red apricot flowers which prompts him to make his horse gallop even faster on his way home) |
| 付與仙朗第
一枝 |
付与仙朗第一枝 | fu yu xian lang di yi zhi |
To give to an immortal
young gentleman the first branch |
| 位列三台 |
位列三台 |
wei lie san tai |
May you rank among the
three highest offices of State |
| 風雲際會 金榜題名 |
风云际会 金榜题名 |
feng yun ji hui jin bang ti ming |
Meeting of wind and
clouds -- of the familiarity of friendly intercourse May your name appear on the list of successful candidates of the imperial examination |
| 瑞靄華堂 |
瑞霭华堂 |
rui ai hua tang |
May auspicious clouds
envelop your house |
| 天官賜福 |
天官赐福 | tian guan ci fu |
May the Ruler of Heaven
bestow good fortune |
| 天后座鎮 |
天后座镇 |
tian hou zuo zhen |
The Goddess of Heaven
(Mazu, Matzu, Goddess of the Sea) is on her throne
warding off evil influences |
| 天師座鎮 |
天师座镇 |
tian shi zuo zhen |
The Celestial Master (Zhang
Daoling 张道陵) is on his throne warding off evil
influences. |
| 同偕到老 |
同偕到老 |
tong xie dao lao |
May you grow old
together (as husband and wife) |
| 妻財子祿 |
妻财子禄 | qi cai zi lu |
Wife, wealth, sons and
emolument |
| 子孫萬代 |
子孙万代 |
zi sun wan dai |
Sons and grandsons 10,000
generations |
| 多子多孫 |
多子多孙 |
duo zi duo sun |
Many sons and many
grandsons |
| 文王百子 |
文王百子 |
wen wang bai zi |
King Wen (of Zhou) had
100 sons |
| 百子千孫 |
百子千孙 |
bai zi qian sun |
A hundred sons and a
thousand grandsons |
| 千子萬孫 |
千子万孙 |
qian zi wan sun |
A thousand sons and ten
thousand grandsons |
| 螽斯衍慶 |
螽斯衍庆 |
zhong si yan qing |
May your children be as
numerous as grasshoppers |
| 琴瑟友之 |
琴瑟友之 |
qin se you zhi |
With the qin and the se (musical
instruments) be friendly to her (conjugal harmony) |
| 麟趾呈祥 |
麟趾呈祥 |
lin zhi cheng xiang |
May the unicorn's hoof
bring you good luck (may you have many sons) |
| 富貴昌樂 |
富贵昌乐 | fu gui chang le |
Riches and honor,
prosperity and happiness |
| 富貴長久 |
富贵长久 |
fu gui chang jiu |
Wealth and honor for a
long time |
| 富貴連連 |
富贵连连 | fu gui lian lian |
Wealth and honor again
and again |
| 富貴雙全 | 富贵双全 | fu gui shuang quan |
Wealth and honor both
complete |
| 玉堂富貴 |
玉堂富贵 | yu tang fu gui |
Jade Hall (Hanlin
Academy), wealth and honor |
| 指日高升 |
指日高升 |
zhi ri gao sheng |
Rapid and lofty promotion |
| 富隨在邇 |
富随在迩 |
fu sui zai er |
Good fortune is near |
| 丁財貴壽 |
丁财贵寿 | ding cai gui shou |
May you acquire male children, riches,
honor (high rank) and longevity |
| 福壽 |
福寿 | fu shou |
Happiness and longevity |
| 雙全 |
双全 | shuang quan |
Both complete |
| 福壽雙全 | 福寿双全 | fu shou shuang quan |
Happiness and longevity
both complete |
| 福壽同天 |
福寿同天 |
fu shou tong tian |
Good fortune and
longevity on the same day |
| 福在眼前 |
福在眼前 |
fu zai yan qian |
Good fortune is before
your eyes |
| 壽福富貴雙全 |
寿福富贵双全 | shou fu fu gui shuang
quan |
(May you have) longevity
and good fortune, and wealth and rank, both complete |
| 多福多壽 |
多福多寿 |
duo fu duo shou |
Much happiness and long
life |
| 宜室宜家 |
宜室宜家 |
yi shi yi jia |
Ordering well her house
and home (to act as becomes a wife) |
| 四喜娃 |
四喜娃 | si xi wa |
Four Happiness Boys |
| 四喜合局 |
四喜合局 | si xi he ju |
Four happinesses joined
together |
| 同喜 |
同喜 | tong xi |
Shared happiness |
| 福自天來 |
福自天来 |
fu zi tian lai |
Good fortune (happiness)
comes from heaven |
| 喜從天降 |
喜从天降 | xi cong tian jiang |
Happiness falls from
heaven |
| 迎福納吉 |
迎福纳吉 | ying fu na ji |
Beckoning and acquiring
good fortune |
| 元亨利貞 |
元亨利贞 | yuan heng li zhen |
Sign of the great
sacrifice. Auspicious omen. |
| 正德通寶 |
正德通宝 | zheng de tong bao |
Currency of correct
virtue |
| 福祿壽 |
福禄寿 | fu lu shou |
Happiness, emolument and
longevity |
| 福祿壽喜 | 福禄寿喜 | fu lu shou xi |
Good fortune, emolument
(official salary), longevity and happiness |
| 福壽康寧 |
福寿康宁 |
fu shou kang ning |
Happiness, longevity,
health and composure |
| 壽福康寧 | 寿福康宁 | shou fu kang ning |
Longevity, happiness,
health and composure |
| 天長地久 |
天长地久 | tian chang di jiu |
As eternal and unchanging
as the universe |
| 招財進寶 |
招财进宝 |
zhao cai jin bao |
Money and treasures will
be plentiful. Attracts wealth and treasure. |
| 招財利市 |
招财利市 |
zhao cai li shi |
Bring wealth and a good
market |
| 鎮宅之寶 |
镇宅之宝 |
zhen zhai zhi bao |
Treasure to rid a
dwelling of evil spirits |
| 寶泉永富 |
宝泉永富 |
bao quan yong fu |
Treasures and coins
forever wealthy |
| 黄金萬两 | 黄金万两 | huang jin wan liang |
Ten thousand tael of
gold |
| 萬金萬兩 |
万金万两 |
wan jin wan liang |
Riches on riches (myriads
of gold and taels) |
| 吉祥 |
吉祥 |
ji xiang |
Auspicious wish (good
fortune) |
| 吉祥如意 |
吉祥如意 | ji xiang ru yi |
May your good fortune be
according to your wishes |
| 吉慶如意 |
吉庆如意 |
ji qing ru yi |
May your happiness be
according to your wishes |
| 生財如意 |
生财如意 | sheng cai ru yi |
Become wealthy according
to your wishes |
| 日有萬倍 |
日有万倍 |
ri you wan bei |
May your (profits)
increase ten-thousand fold daily |
| 大吉 |
大吉 |
da ji |
Good luck |
| 大吉大利 | 大吉大利 | da ji da li |
Good luck |
| 積慶有余 |
积庆有余 |
ji qing you yu |
Accumulate a surplus of
luck (such as comes to virtuous families) |
| 積善余慶 |
积善余庆 |
ji shan yu qing |
Accumulating virtuous
conduct will bring overflowing happiness |
| 逢凶化吉 |
逢凶化吉 |
feng xiong hua ji |
May evil (bad luck) turn
into good fortune |
| 長命大吉 |
长命大吉 | chang ming da ji |
Longevity and good luck |
| 上上大吉 | 上上大吉 | shang shang da ji |
The very best of good
luck |
| 一本萬利 |
一本万利 |
yi ben wan li |
Small investment brings
big (10,000 fold) profit |
| 官煞消除 |
官煞消除 |
guan sha xiao chu |
Dispel life's crises |
| 去殃除凶 |
去殃除凶 |
qu yang chu xiong |
Warding off disasters and
evils |
| 驅邪鎮凶 |
驱邪镇凶 |
qu xie zhen xiong |
Expel noxious influences
and guard against evil |
| 驅邪遣煞 |
驱邪遣煞 |
qu xie qian sha |
Expel and strike dead
evil influences |
| 萬災永滅 |
万灾永灭 |
wan zai yong mie |
Ten thousand calamities
eliminated forever |
| 辟兵莫當 |
辟兵莫当 |
bi bing mo dang |
Invulnerable to weapons |
| 辟邪迎瑞 |
辟邪迎瑞 |
bi xie ying rui |
Ward off evil influences
and receive auspicious omens |
| 驅邪辟惡 |
驱邪辟恶 |
qu xie bi e |
Drive away evil spirits |
| 發福生財 |
发福生财 | fa fu sheng cai |
Be in good health and
become wealthy |
| 堆金積玉 |
堆金积玉 |
dui jin ji yu |
Accumulate wealth. Pile
up gold and jade. |
| 大發財源 |
大发财源 |
da fa cai yuan |
Grand source of wealth |
| 日入千金 |
日入千金 |
ri ru qian jin |
Earn a thousand gold
daily |
| 日進斗金 |
日进斗金 |
ri jin dou jin |
Earn bushels of gold
daily |
| 錦上添花 |
锦上添花 | jin shang tian hua |
To add flowers to
embroidery |
| 花前月下 | 花前月下 | hua qian yue xia |
In front of the flowers
and under the moon. (Falling in love among flowers in
the moonlight) |
| 風花雪月 |
风花雪月 | feng hua xue yue |
wind, flowers, snow, moon |
| 風花宜人 |
风花宜人 | feng hua yi ren |
wind and flowers delight men |
| 明皇御影 |
明皇御影 | ming huang yu ying |
Emperor Ming imperial
shadow |
| 梅占春魁 | 梅占春魁 |
mei zhan chun kui |
The flowering plum stands
first among spring flowers |
| 梅開五福 |
梅开五福 | mei kai wu fu |
The plum blossoms with
the Five Happinesses (Five Blessings) |
| 春風桃李 | 春风桃李 | chun feng tao li | "Peach trees and plum trees blossomed in the winds of spring". "Gone were the breezy spring days when the peach and plum trees were in bloom". (from a poem by Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi) |
| 龜鶴齊壽 |
龟鹤齐寿 |
gui he qi shou |
Live as long as the
tortoise and the crane |
| 龜齡鶴壽 |
龟龄鹤寿 |
gui ling he shou |
Live as long as the
tortoise and the crane |
| 驅 邪降福 |
驱邪降福 |
qu xie jiang fu |
Expel evil and send down
good fortune |
| 驅邪輔正 |
驱邪辅正 |
qu xie fu zheng |
Expel evil and assist the
upright (righteous) |
| 寒山庇佑 | 寒山庇佑 | han shan bi you |
Hanshan ("Cold Mountain")
protect. Hanshan bless. |
| 降福避邪 | 降福避邪 | jiang fu bi xie |
Send down good fortune
and keep away evil |
| 諸神回避 |
诸神回避 |
zhu shen hui bi |
Evade all the spirits |
| 五日午時 |
五日午时 | wu ri wu shi |
Noon of the Fifth (5th)
Day |
| 出入平安 |
出入平安 |
chu ru ping an |
May your coming and going
be in peace |
| 出入通泰 |
出入通泰 | chu ru tong tai |
May you be prosperous
upon your return |
| 水陸平安 |
水陆平安 |
shui lu ping an |
May you have peace by
land and water (I wish you a safe journey) |
| 龍鳳呈祥 |
龙凤呈祥 |
long feng cheng xiang |
Prosperity brought by the
dragon and phoenix. Dragon and phoenix become a
good omen. May you have excellent good fortune. |
| 龍飛鳳翥 |
龙飞凤翥 |
long fei feng zhu |
The dragon flies and the
phoenix soars |
| 騰蛟起鳳 |
腾蛟起凤 |
teng wen qi feng |
A dragon soaring and a phoenix dancing |
| 紫電青霜 |
紫电青霜 | zi dian qing shuang |
Purple Lightning and Blue Frost |
| 老龍壽錢 |
老龙寿钱 |
lao long shou qian |
Old dragon longevity coin |
| 雙龍戲壽 |
双龙戏寿 | shuang long xi shou |
A pair of dragons play
with longevity |
| 順風大吉 |
顺风大吉 | shun feng da ji |
May you have a favorable
wind and good luck |
| 一帆 風順 |
一帆风顺 |
yi fan feng shun |
May you have favorable
winds in your sails |
| 和合如意 |
和合如意 |
he he ru yi |
May you have a harmonious
union with all your wishes fulfilled |
| 和合生才 |
和合生才 |
he he sheng cai |
Harmony produces wealth |
| 一團和氣 |
一团和气 |
yi tuan he qi |
Unbroken harmony |
| 事事如意 |
事事如意 |
shi shi ru yi |
May things go as you wish |
| 萬事如意 |
万事如意 |
wan shi ru yi |
May things go as you
wish. May everything go smoothly. |
| 有求必應 |
有求必应 |
you qiu bi ying |
Ask and you shall
receive |
| 非禮非言 |
非礼非言 |
fei li fei yan |
Do not speak without
observing propriety |
| 非禮非動 |
非礼非动 |
fei li fei dong |
Do not act without
observing propriety |
| 君父子臣 |
君父子臣 |
jun fu zi chen |
Prince, father, son,
minister. (Refers to "The Analects" by Confucius where
he speaks about the "rectification of names" and
explains that "good government" is when the prince is
the prince, the minister is the minister, the father is
the father, and the son is the son.) |
| 父慈子孝 |
父慈子孝 |
fu ci zi xiao |
The father is kind and
the son is filial |
| 忠君孝親 |
忠君孝亲 | zhong jun xiao qin |
Be loyal to the sovereign
and honor one's parents |
| 敬兄愛第 |
敬兄爱第 | jing xiong ai di |
Revere older brothers and
love younger brothers |
| 花萼雙輝 |
花萼双辉 | hua e shuang hui |
Petals and sepals both
shine |
| 永安五男 |
永安五男 |
yong an wu nan |
Perpetual peace to five
sons |
| 五男二女 |
五男二女 |
wu nan er nu |
Five sons and two
daughters |
| 福延壽長 |
福延寿长 |
fu yan shou chang |
Unbounded fortune and
longevity. Good fortune and longevity for a long
time. |
| 皇帝萬歲 |
皇帝万岁 |
huang di wan sui |
May the Emperor live ten
thousand years |
| 重臣千秋 |
重臣千秋 |
zhong chen qian qiu |
May the important
officials live a thousand years |
| 千秋萬歲 |
千秋万岁 |
qian qiu wan sui |
A thousand autumns and
ten thousand years |
| 千祥雲集 |
千祥云集 |
qian xiang yun ji |
May good luck accumulate
like clouds |
| 田蠶萬倍 |
田蚕万倍 | tian can wan bei |
May your (rice) fields
and silkworms increase 10,000 times |
| 人壽年豐 |
人寿年丰 |
ren shou nian feng |
May the people enjoy a
long life and may the harvests be bountiful |
| 義出肺腑 |
义出肺腑 | yi chu fei fu |
Righteousness comes from
the bottom of one's heart |
| 祥慶榮華 |
祥庆荣华 | xiang qing rong hua |
Happiness and
celebration, prosperity and high position |
| 榮華富貴 |
荣华富贵 |
rong hua fu gui |
High position and great
wealth |
| 厚德榮貴 |
厚德荣贵 |
hou de rong gui |
Sincere virtue, glory and
honor |
| 雷霆號令 |
雷霆号令 |
lei ting hao ling |
Thunderbolt command |
| 永保壽考 |
永保寿考 | yong bao shou kao |
To protect eternally and
to enjoy a long life |
| 福壽延長 |
福寿延长 | fu shou yan chang |
Good fortune and
longevity for a long time |
| 福壽長生 |
福寿长生 |
fu shou chang sheng |
Good fortune and
longevity |
| 福德長壽 |
福德长寿 |
fu de chang shou |
Good fortune, virtue and
a long life |
| 本命星官 |
本命星官 |
ben ming xing guan |
The Star Official of
Dominant Vitality |
| 本命星神 |
本命星神 |
ben ming xing shen |
The Star God of Dominant
Vitality |
| 本命元神 |
本命元神 |
ben ming yuan shen |
The Primal God of
Dominant Vitality |
| 吉星拱照 |
吉星拱照 |
ji xing gong zhao |
May a lucky star protect
and shine on me |
| 福長德壽 |
福长德寿 |
fu chang de shou |
Extensive fortune, virtue
and longevity |
| 元天上帝 | 元天上帝 | yuan tian shang di |
Supreme Lord of the
Primal Heaven |
| 玄元皇帝 | 玄元皇帝 | xuan yuan huang di |
Supreme Emperor of the
Mystery Prime |
| 張天師 |
张天师 |
zhang tian shi |
The Celestial Master
Zhang |
| 生財有道 |
生财有道 |
sheng cai you dao |
Knowing how to make money |
| 日日生財 |
日日生财 |
ri ri sheng cai |
Make money daily |
| 阿彌陀佛 |
阿弥陀佛 |
a mi tuo fo (e mi tuo fo) |
May Buddha protect |
| 慈悲方寸 | 慈悲方寸 | ci bei fang cun |
Compassionate heart |
| 且空藏棄 |
且空藏弃 | qie kong zang qi |
Ākāśagarbha Bodhisattva |
| 同心合意 |
同心合意 |
tong xin he yi |
Of one mind |
| 身德心安 |
身德心安 |
shen de xin an |
A virtuous character and
peaceful mind |
| 心安身健 |
心安身健 |
xin an shen jian |
Peaceful mind and healthy
body |
| 南無阿彌陀佛 |
南无阿弥陀佛 | nan wu a mi tuo fo |
I put my trust in Amida Buddha |
| 波羅揭諦 |
波罗揭谛 |
bo luo jie di |
Gone beyond (gone to the
other shore) |
| 大宋金錢 |
大宋金钱 | da song jin qian |
Great Song (dynasty)
metal (gold) money |
| 秦將散騎 |
秦将散骑 | qin jiang san qi |
Followers of the Qin
General (General Bai Qi) |
| 唐將千裡 |
唐将千里 | tang jiang qian li |
Tang (dynasty) General
1,000 li |
| 貞觀十驥 |
贞观十骥 | zhen guan shi ji |
10 thoroughbreds of Zhen Guan (reign
of Tang Dynasty Emperor Taizong) |
| 五福捧壽 |
五福捧寿 |
wu fu peng shou |
Five fortunes surround longevity (usually 5 bats surround shou 寿) |
| 五福臨門 |
五福临门 |
wu fu lin men |
May the five fortunes
arrive at your door |
| 五福和合 |
五福和合 |
wu fu he he |
May you have harmony and
the five fortunes (usually 5 bats surround box 盒) |
| 三陽開泰 |
三阳开泰 |
san yang kai tai |
The opening of nature in
spring. ("lucky", "happy") |
| 三多九如 |
三多九如 |
san duo jiu ru |
san duo:
May you have an abundance of blessings, abundance of
years, and abundance of offspring. jiu ru: May you be as the mountains and the hills, as the greater and the lesser heights, as the streams which flow in all directions, having the constancy of the moon, like the rising sun, with the longevity of the southern mountain, and the green luxuriance of the fir and the cypress. |
| 福壽三多 |
福寿三多 | fu shou san duo |
May you have good
fortune, longevity, and an abundance of blessings, years
and offspring |
| 松菊猶存 |
松菊犹存 |
song ju you cun |
The pine tree and the
chrysanthemum outlast (all things) |
| 松鶴長春 |
松鹤长春 |
song he chang chun |
May your longevity be
like that of cranes and pines |
| 松柏長青 | 松柏长青 |
song bai chang qing |
The pine and cypress are
forever green |
| 早生貴子 |
早生贵子 | zao sheng gui zi |
May you soon give birth
to an honorable son |
| 連生貴子 |
连生贵子 |
lian sheng gui zi |
May there be the birth of one honorable
son after another |
| 桂子蘭孫 |
桂子兰孙 |
gui zi lan sun |
Honorable sons and noble
grandsons (cassia seeds and orchid grandsons) |
| 芝蘭玉樹 |
芝兰玉树 |
zhi lan yu shu |
A talented young man of noble character
(irises, orchids and a tree of jade) |
| 麒麟送子 |
麒麟送子 |
qi lin song zi |
The qilin (Chinese
unicorn) delivers sons |
| 天仙送子 |
天仙送子 |
tian xian song zi |
Celestial beings (who
have attained to purity) deliver sons |
| 喜生貴子和合如意 |
喜生贵子和合如意 |
xi sheng gui zi he he ru
yi |
Happiness in begetting
sons who attain honors and may harmony be according to
your wishes |
| 己所不欲勿施於人 |
己所不欲勿施於人 |
ji suo bu yu wu shi yu
ren |
Do not do to others that
which you do not wish to be done to yourself |
| 三仙 |
三仙 |
san xian |
Three Immortals |
| 張果老仙 |
张果老仙 | zhang guo lao xian |
The Immortal Zhang Guolao |
| 關聖帝君 |
关圣帝君 |
guan sheng di jun |
Saintly Emperor Guan
(Guan Yu) |
| 宋騎 |
宋骑 | song qi |
A rider of the Song
(dynasty) |
| 燕將樂毅 | 燕将乐毅 |
yan jiang yue yi |
General Yue Yi of the
State of Yan |
| 渠黃 |
渠黄 | qu huang |
Great Yellow |
| 綠耳 |
绿耳 | lu er |
Green Ear |
| 驃裊 |
骠袅 | piao niao |
Fast and slender |
| 烏騅 |
乌骓 | wu zhui |
Black spotted horse |
| 訣波 |
诀波 | jue bo |
Bursting as a wave |
| 千裡 |
千里 | qian li |
1,000 li |
| 千裡之馬 |
千里之马 | qian li zhi ma |
1,000 li horse |
| 龍駒 |
龙驹 | long ju |
Dragon's Colt |
| 雷霆雷霆殺鬼降精 斬妖辟邪永保 太上老君急如律令 |
雷霆雷霆杀鬼降精 斩妖辟邪永保 太上老君急如律令 |
lei ting lei ting sha gui
jiang jing zhan yao bi xie yong bao tai shang lao jun ji ru lu ling |
God of Thunder thunderbolts, God
of Thunder thunderbolts, kill the ghosts and send down
purity. Behead the demons, expel the evil and keep us eternally safe. Receive this command from Lao Zi (Tai Shang Lao Jun) and let it be executed as fast as Lu Ling. |
| 斬治邪鬼 |
斩治邪鬼 | zhan zhi xie gui |
Behead and punish the
demons |
| 為善最樂 |
为善最乐 |
wei shan zui le |
To practice virtue is the
greatest happiness |
| 惟善為寶 |
惟善为宝 |
wei shan wei bao |
Only virtue is precious |
| 勝蛟起鳳 |
胜蛟起凤 |
sheng jiao qi feng |
The springing dragon and
rising phoenix (referring to literary fame) |
| 萬福來朝 |
万福来朝 |
wan fu lai chao |
May a myriad (10,000) of
blessings come early |
| 萬寶來朝 |
万宝来朝 |
wan bao lai chao |
May a myriad (10,000) of
treasures come early |
| 百祿是荷 |
百禄是荷 |
bai lu shi he |
I will be grateful for
great prosperity |
| 百福駢臻 |
百福骈臻 |
bai fu pian zhen |
May every blessing rest
here! |
| 孚佑大帝 |
孚佑大帝 |
fu you da di |
Great Emperor of Trustworthy Protection |
| 天子萬年 |
天子万年 |
tian zi wan nian |
May the Emperor (Son of
Heaven) live for a myriad (10,000) of years |
| 八斗之才 |
八斗之才 |
ba dou zhi cai |
Eight bushels of talent.
Eight decalitres of talent. |
| 錢中之王 |
钱中之王 |
qian zhong zhi wang |
King of cash coins |
| 搖錢樹 |
摇钱树 | yao qian shu |
A tree that sheds coins
when shaken |
| 同福臨東江 宣原蘇薊昌 南寧河廣浙 台桂陝雲漳 |
同福临东江 宣原苏蓟昌 南宁河广浙 台桂陕云漳 |
tong fu lin dong jiang xuan yuan su ji chang nan ning he guang zhe tai gui shan yun zhang |
The names of 20 mints that cast coins during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing (Ch'ing) Dynasty that is a popular Chinese charm inscription. |
| 九華名山 |
九华名山 |
jiu hua ming shan |
The famous Mount Jiuhua |
| 江 南大茅山 |
江南大茅山 |
jiang nan da mao shan |
Mount Mao of Jiangnan
(Kiang-nan) |
| 泰山石敢當 |
泰山石敢当 | tai shan shi gan dang |
The stone of Taishan
dares to resist evil and castastrophe |
| 泰山在此 |
泰山在此 | tai shan zai ci |
Taishan is here |
| 福星高照 |
福星高照 | fu xing gao zhao |
Let the five good
fortunes shine brightly. The God of Luck brings fortune. |
| 文星高照 |
文星高照 |
wen xing gao zhao |
May the Literary Star shine brightly. |
| 姜太公在此 |
姜太公在此 | jiang tai gong zai ci |
The Protector Jiang
Taigong is here |
| 鳳凰在此 |
凤凰在此 | feng huang zai ci |
The male and female
phoenix are both here |
| 紫微高照 |
紫微高照 | zi wei gao zhao |
Let the purple polar star
shine brightly |
| 上天言好事 回宮降吉祥 |
上天言好事 回宫降吉祥 |
shang tian yan hao shi hui gong jiang ji xiang |
Ascend to heaven and
speak of good deeds Return to your palace and bring good fortune |
| 四季平安 |
四季平安 | si ji ping an |
Peace for the four
seasons |
| 效法天地 |
效法天地 | xiao fa tian di |
Learn from the heavens
and the earth |
| 八卦六爻 |
八卦六爻 | ba gua liu yao |
The eight trigrams and
the six stacked lines (which make up a hexagram) |
| 長大成人 |
长大成人 |
zhang da cheng ren |
Grow to manhood. Attain
adulthood. |
| 百無禁忌 |
百无禁忌 |
bai wu jin ji |
Nothing to be
superstitious about (no restrictions, no taboos, nothing
to be avoided) |
| 不可思議 |
不可思议 |
bu ke si yi |
Inconceivable.
Unimaginable. Difficult to understand. |
| 阿彌陀佛 可彌陀佛 可爾陀佛 可爾它佛 可爾它弗 |
阿弥陀佛 可弥陀佛 可尔陀佛 可尔它佛 可尔它弗 |
a mi tuo fo |
"A Wry Mouthed Monk
Chants Scriptures Aimlessly" (歪嘴和尚瞎念经) Refers to a person who does not implement policies or regulations the way they should be. |
| 五福康寧九 |
五福康宁九 |
wu fu kang ning jiu |
The Five Fortunes, health
and composure, for a long time |
| 千歲春秋八 |
千岁春秋八 |
qian sui chun qiu ba |
A thousand years of
springs and autumns and wealth. A long and
prosperous life. |
| 家給人足 | 家给人足 | jia ji ren zu | Wealthy homes and contented people. (a district where there are no poor.) |
| 檀山順利 |
檀山顺利 |
tan shan shun li |
May things go smoothly in
Honolulu (Hawaii) |
| 山呼再山呼 |
山呼再山呼 |
shan hu zai shan hu |
Three shouts of "Long live the Emperor!"
after three kowtow and then again three shouts of "Long
live the Emperor!" after three kowtow. |
| 橫財順利 |
横财顺利 |
heng cai shun li |
May windfall profits come
easily |
| 香花供養 |
香花供养 |
xiang hua gong yang |
Offering of incense and flowers |
| 有志成人 |
有志成人 |
you zhi cheng ren |
If you have the will you
will succeed in life |
| 清白傳家 |
清白传家 | qing bai chuan jia |
Pureness handed down in the family |
| 五嶽真形 |
五岳真形 |
wu yue zhen xing |
True form of the five peaks (mountains) |
| 赤郭白姑 |
赤郭白姑 |
chi guo bai gu |
Chi Guo ("Lord Red") and Bai Gu (two
mythical ghost-eaters) |
| 不貪為寶 | 不贪为宝 |
bu tan wei bao |
Not being greedy is a treasure |
| 入土为安 |
入土為安 |
ru tu wei an |
Be laid to rest. Burial brings peace. |