Recently updated on November 22nd, 2025 at 01:07 pm
Chinese calligraphy tattoos have been everywhere since the 1980s. You see them on young people, older folks, in black, in color, sometimes you can’t help but stare.
Chinese tattoos often come with a much deeper meaning. Before you ink that character, think about what really matters to you. And check the translation carefully, one tiny mistake can turn something meaningful into something completely unexpected.
What’s Chinese Calligraphy Tattoo?
A Chinese calligraphy tattoo is a character-based design done in artistic calligraphy. In Chinese, a tattoo is “Cishen 刺身” or “Wenshen 纹身,” meaning “puncturing the body.”
The History of Chinese Tattoos – Tattoo or Taboo?
In Ancient China
Tattooing has existed in China for thousands of years, but it was rare. Often seen as harsh or shameful, tattoos could even be used as punishment.
Serious criminals sometimes had marks tattooed on their faces and were exiled, a practice called “Cipei 刺配,” meaning tattooing and exiling. Back then, tattoos weren’t about art; they were a warning or a mark of disgrace.
In China Now
Even now, tattoos in China can still raise eyebrows. Some people instantly think “gangs” or the criminal world.
But you can’t ignore how that’s changing. Celebrities, athletes, even social media influencers are showing off ink, and suddenly it’s not just taboo. It’s art, personal expression, and a statement.
From our experience helping clients with Chinese tattoo translations, we’ve noticed people are more curious than ever. They want meaning, style, and accuracy, all at once.
The most renowned Chinese tattoo comes from the patriotic national hero Yue Fei (岳飞), a South Song Dynasty military general who resigned and returned home after a battle with the northern enemies.
His mother was angry upon his return home, telling him he should serve the country with boundless loyalty. To remind him of the mission she tattooed four Chinese characters “精忠報國 (traditional Chinese, Jing Zhong Bao Guo, ‘serve the country with ultimate loyalty’)” on his back with her sewing noodle.
Why Do People Get Chinese Calligraphy Tattoos?
Ever wonder why people get Chinese or Japanese characters tattooed on their bodies, even if they don’t speak the language? There’s a few reasons.
First, it’s different. Characters stand out, they feel unique. Then, there’s the mystique, links to Feng Shui, Yin and Yang, meditation, and more make them intriguing.
They’re also beautiful. Chinese calligraphy has five main styles, each turning a character into a tiny piece of art.
And for those who love Asian culture, a tattoo becomes more than decoration, it’s a conversation starter and a way to show admiration.
5 Celebrities and Their Chinese Tattoos
#1 David Beckham
Unlike the common way of using short tattoos, Beckham chose a long Chinese proverb in a fancy calligraphy style to sweep along his abdomen. The old Chinese proverb, “生死有命富贵在天” means “Death and life have determined appointments/Riches and honors depend upon heaven”.
💡 It is also one of my favorite proverbs.
#2 Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber has 56 tattoos, and one of the most noticeable is a Chinese character on his left arm.
“曲” seems simple at first. But here’s the catch: its meaning changes depending on context. It can mean “song,” but it can also mean “bent,” “crooked,” or “wrong.”
#3 Britney Spears
Much like Bieber, Britney tattooed a single character “奇” on her pelvis, believing that it means “mysterious”. However, there’re multiple translations of “奇”, it can also mean “weird” or “freakish” if paired with “怪”.
#4 Nicki Minaj
The tattoo of Nicki Minaj is in traditional Chinese, “上帝与你常在”, which means “May God always be with you”.
#5 Kenya Martin
The NBA basketball player has a Chinese idiom “患得患失” tattooed in his left arm. “患得患失” refers to a state of mind, worrying about personal gains and losses.
💡 What do you think about the above tattoos? Please tell us in the comment section.
2 Gorgeous Collections of Popular Chinese Tattoo
Check our collections of Chinese tattoos we found online.
3 Easy Steps to Get Perfect Chinese Tattoo Translation
Getting a tattoo in a language you don’t understand, and then making it permanent is usually a bad idea. Just search for “Chinese symbol tattoos” online, and you’ll find countless stories of tattoos gone wrong.
To ensure that your body isn’t another victim, we recommend you follow the three steps below to get a perfect Chinese tattoo translation.
Total Time: 2 days
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Translate Your Tattoo and Understand the Meaning
Hire a professional to translate your Chinese tattoo before you get inked. Know the meaning and cultural context as one small mistake can last a lifetime.
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Decide if You’d Like the Tattoo in Simplified or Traditional Chinese
Most people choose traditional characters since they’re more elaborate and aesthetically pleasing. Whatever you choose, make sure all the characters are either simplified or traditional, not a mixture.
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Find a Tattoo Artist Who Knows How to Write Chinese Characters
Find a tattoo artist who has an in-depth knowledge of Chinese characters and wouldn’t goof up a single stroke to ink the characters on your body.
Chinese Tattoo Translation Services by Chinese Copywriter
Looking for a Chinese calligraphy tattoo? Our seasoned team of native speakers with a deep understanding of Chinese culture can help you get a perfect Chinese tattoo.
Chinese Tattoo Translation – Inspiring Ideas
Chinese Zodiac Tattoos
| Code # | English | Simplified Chinese | Traditional Chinese |
| A001 | Rat | 鼠 | 鼠 |
| A002 | Ox | 牛 | 牛 |
| A003 | Tiger | 虎 | 虎 |
| A004 | Rabbit | 兔 | 兔 |
| A005 | Dragon | 龙 | 龍 |
| A006 | Snake | 蛇 | 蛇 |
| A007 | Horse | 马 | 馬 |
| A008 | Goat | 羊 | 羊 |
| A009 | Monkey | 猴 | 猴 |
| A010 | Rooster | 鸡 | 雞 |
| A011 | Dog | 狗 | 狗 |
| A012 | Pig | 猪 | 豬 |
Chinese Philosophy Tattoos – Wuxing (Five Elements)
| Code # | English | Simplified Chinese | Traditional Chinese |
| A013 | Water | 水 | 水 |
| A014 | Fire | 火 | 火 |
| A015 | Wood | 木 | 木 |
| A016 | Metal | 金 | 金 |
| A017 | Earth | 土 | 土 |
Confucius Tattoos – Five Virtues
| Code # | English | Simplified Chinese | Traditional Chinese |
| A018 | Benevolence | 仁 | 仁 |
| A019 | Righteousness | 义 | 義 |
| A020 | Propriety | 礼 | 禮 |
| A021 | Wisdom | 智 | 智 |
| A022 | Trustworthiness | 信 | 信 |
Popular Chinese Sayings
| Code # | English | Simplified Chinese | Traditional Chinese |
| C010 | A fall into the pit, a gain in your wit | 吃一堑，长一智 | 吃一塹，長一智 |
| C005 | What you believe, you can achieve | 有志者，事竟成 | 有誌者，事竟成 |
| D001 | Phoenix rising from the flames | 凤凰涅槃 | 鳳凰涅槃 |
| D016 | Keep something for a rainy day | 未雨绸缪 | 未雨綢繆 |
| D022 | Seeing is believing | 眼见为实 | 眼見爲實 |
Classic Chinese Love Poems
| Code # | English | Simplified Chinese | Traditional Chinese |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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.