Recently updated on November 25th, 2025 at 07:13 pm
Chinese love tattoos are worth checking out if you’re searching for a tattoo that feels genuinely personal and lasts longer than just ink. They have a clean, elegant feel, and the designs can be as simple or modern as you want.
They’re a lovely way to convey a meaningful message for Valentine’s Day, an engagement, a wedding, or an anniversary.
Why Do You Choose Chinese Love Tattoos?
Chinese calligraphy is popular because a single character can express a feeling, a name, or a whole story. The designs look intricate and a bit mysterious, which is part of why they’ve gone viral. If you like tattoos that feel emotional and meaningful without being too obvious, Chinese love tattoos are a great fit.
What is the Chinese Symbol for Love?
There are hundreds of ways to express “love” in every language. What about Chinese, then?
In Chinese, the character for “love” or “to love” is written as 愛 in traditional Chinese and 爱 in simplified Chinese.
What Are the Chinese Symbols for Eternal Love?
The Chinese characters for “eternal love” are “永愛” in traditional Chinese and “永爱” in simplified Chinese.
Chinese Love Tattoos: 8 Inspiring Ancient Chinese Love Poems
If you’re thinking about getting a tattoo to honor someone you truly love, these 8 ancient Chinese love poems are sure to inspire you.
| Code # | English | Simplified Chinese | Traditional Chinese |
| I001 | As the bright moon shines over the sea, From far away you share this moment with me. | 海上生明月，天涯共此时 | 海上生明月，天涯共此時 |
| I002 | For parted lovers lonely nights are the worst to be, All night long I think of no one but thee. | 情人怨遥夜，竟夕起相思 | 情人怨遙夜，竟夕起相思 |
| I003 | In the sky, may we be two birds flying side by side, On earth, may we be be two branches inseparably tied. | 在天愿作比翼鸟，在地愿为连理枝 | 在天願做比翼鳥，在地願爲連理枝 |
| I004 | If the love between two people is everlasting, why need to stay together day and night? | 两情若是长久时，又岂在朝朝暮暮 | 兩情若是久長時，又豈在朝朝暮暮 |
| I005 | A silkworm will only stop producing silk when it dies; the tears will only dry when the candle burns to ashes (meaning: I will only stop thinking of you when I die) | 春蚕到死丝方尽，蜡炬成灰泪始干 | 春蠶到死絲方盡，蠟炬成灰淚始幹 |
| I006 | The west is veiled in rain, the east enjoys sunshine. My dear one is as deep in love as day is fine. | 东边日出西边雨，道是无晴却有晴 | 東邊日出西邊雨，道是無晴卻有晴 |
| I007 | When Autumn’s Golden Wind embraces Dew of Jade. All the love scenes on earth, however many, fade. | 金风玉露一相逢，便胜却人间无数 | 金風玉露一相逢，便勝卻人間無數 |
| I008 | Gather them till full is your hand; They would revive fond memories. | 愿君多采撷，此物最相思 | 願君多采擷，此物最相思 |
To our wives we pledged our word.
We held their hands; We are to grow old together.
Thinking about getting a Chinese-inspired love tattoo? So, out of these eight ancient love poems, which one really speaks to you?
Make sure you understand the meaning if you decide to get a Chinese love tattoo. If you’re not careful, it could end up saying something entirely different from what you intended, even though it can be beautiful.
Talk to our experienced tattoo calligrapher, and get your perfect Chinese love tattoos with our professional Chinese tattoo translation services.
Translator
Ouyang is a seasoned Chinese translator with 13 years of experience. With proficiency in translating for tourism, cosmetics, textiles, electronics, footwear, kitchenware, legal fields, and more, she helps businesses thrive in the Chinese market. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.