What does this symbol say?

[Jon W]

Greetings good people. I am hoping that someone can assist me as to what this symbol represents.

 

By way of background ... I made an electric guitar a few years ago, and I wanted some Chinese Calligraphy on it as I think that the writing is a thing of beauty. It was a 'Christian themed' guitar, or at least that was the intention. Having no clue of the meaning of any Chinese words, I just went with internet searches. I figured that I would like the look of it even if some meanings weren't quite right!

 

Anyway, a couple of years on and I am making another guitar. Once again, I thought I'd use some Chinese words. This one in particular, I had previously found somewhere and the translation was 'Praise', however, I am now doubting that it actually says that. I haven't managed to find it again anywhere. I don't want to use the wrong word as this time I want to do it as a Mother-of-Pearl inlay so it ought to be correct!

 

Can someone enlighten me as to what this actually says? I probably won't take it off the first guitar (unless it says my mum is a warthog or something!) but it would be good to know. Many thanks.

 

Jon

[eddyf]

It's this character: 讚

 

Dictionary entry: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E8%AE%9A

 

The meaning is indeed kind of like "praise" but it's also used online for "like" (as in to like something on Facebook). As you can see from a Google image search: https://www.google.com/search?q=%E8%AE%9A&tbm=isch

 

So, maybe not what you're going for.

[Demonic_Duck]

It's used in some multicharacter compounds which imply praise in the Christian sense (e.g. 讚美詩 means "hymn"), but agree with eddyf that the character on its own is more likely to be associated with facebook likes than anything else.

Not really sure why you're trying to express Christian concepts in Chinese anyway. Sure, it's doable, but there's no significant cultural background to it. There doesn't exist a Chinese word for "praise" which, used alone, would make people think of praising God in the same way as the English word.

Why not get something in Hebrew or Greek instead? They have equally beautiful scripts.

Edit: Either do that or turn it into a "Taoism-themed guitar" or smt.

[Jon W]

Many thanks for the replies. I will find something different for my new guitar

 

I plan to stick with Chinese writing, the characters are things of beauty (irrespective of what they mean) which is why they are so popular with people who don't know the language. Other lettering does not hold the same visual appeal to me. 

 

Thanks again!

[Shelley]

A thought - if you really like the look of chinese characters and you plan on using them to decorate your handmade, time consuming, efforts to make beautiful guitars why not spend some time and learn chinese.

 

You don't have to pass any exams or spend a lot of money. just some time.

 

You could start by using a great little app called HelloChinese have a look here http://www.hellochinese.cc/

 

If you really think chinese characters are a thing of beauty, maybe you should, out of respect for the language, put some effort in and be able to make appropriate choices for custom guitars you may make for yourself or others.

 

You never know you might get the chinese language learning bug, I did. Have a read of my post here in the "Why Chinese" topic here http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/43982-why-chinese/page-2

 

My post is #26, and you will see why I am suggesting you try learning chinese.

[Jon W]

Yes Shelley, I agree that it would be a great thing to do, something that I'd never really considered before. Thanks for the app pointer, that looks a good place to start.

[Shelley]

I really hope you enjoy it, its important that it should be something pleasurable.

 

That app is great, the developer is a member here on the forums and if you have any questions or you just want give some feedback have a look at the topic here http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/49944-hellochinese-%E2%80%93-new-chinese-mandarin-learning-app-learn-chinese-speak-chinese/

 

Hope it goes well, if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask, these forums are very helpful and friendly.