Please help me translate tattoo

[mik3z0r]

Please help me translate this tattoo

http://i35.tinypic.com/2vd2v47.jpg

[SiMaKe]

To me, it doesn't look like a Chinese character or any combination of characters. Most of the strokes are not any standard printed forms or even basic calligraphy (e.g., kaishu 楷書) that I recognize. In fact, only the "component" in the upper left quadrant is even suggestive of a character. In any event, if it is Chinese, it may be a "very artistic" interpretation of "something".

See this discussion.

If you can provide an idea of what you think it might mean (e.g., like the first letter of someone's name) that could be helpful.

[gato]

Your picture inverted left-to-right is the character for victory "勝" (sheng) (see edited picture attached).

Did the tattoo guy get it backwards?

[roddy]

Or has the picture been reversed? Taken in a mirror?

[SiMaKe]

@gato

Good one. Didn't even think about the possibility mirror images!

[Yezze]

Does anyone else think it is a little 3D/shiny/reflective to be a permanent tattoo?

[SiMaKe]

@Yezze

That was my impression also. Maybe it was still in the healing stage?

Or maybe the whole thing was staged to see if anyone could figure it out. :rolleyes:

[mik3z0r]

Its not a permanent tattoo and i didnt take the photo from a mirror...i think it means "to win"

[Yezze]

..i think it means "to win"

Gato's translation seems to be the best, that of 勝, if you invert it left to right.

[SiMaKe]

@mik3z0r

I'm glad to hear it is not permanent.

gato's analysis is just too convincing （especially since you confirmed the intended definition) to be off the mark.

Some how, some way this thing got "reflected" (180 degree rotation about it's N-S axis).

[renzhe]

i think it means "to win"

It does mean "to win", but only after you flip it