Choosing a name for a child is an important and deeply symbolic part of the lives of Chinese families. In Chinese culture, names do not just identify a person, they carry the importance, hopes and wishes for the future. The process of choosing a name for a newborn often involves a combination of philosophical principles, traditional norms, and family values.
There are many factors in Chinese culture that influence name choice. These are analogies with nature, and the use of elements from ancient teachings, such as Confucianism and Taoism, and the desire to correspond to a certain family heritage. Names can be associated with the concept of qi, the balance of elements, and even poetry. In this article, we look at how Chinese people choose names for their children, how the meaning of a name affects a child's life, and what traditions exist in the process.
1. Traditions of choosing a name in China
1.1 Influence of Chinese philosophy
In Chinese culture, choosing a child's name is closely related to philosophical teachings such as Confucianism and Taoism. According to these teachings, the name must carry the harmony, balance and energy that will affect the child's life.
- Names are often chosen that symbolize positive qualities such as wisdom, longevity, happiness and strength. The concept of qi (气), which denotes vital energy, also plays an important role in name selection.
1.2 Chinese Name Structure
Chinese names usually consist of three parts: the surname (姓, xìng), the first name (名, míng) and the descendant part (字, zì) in the case of older children. The order of these elements is important, and the surname is always put first. Example: in the name "Li Xian" (李翔), Li is a surname, and Xian is a personal name.
- The surname is usually transmitted on the paternal side and remains unchanged throughout life. A personal name (or a name chosen for a child) may be given by parents based on the meanings they wish to instill in their child. In the case of the use of the descendant part (字, zì), it is often given in youth and can reflect personal achievements or important events in a person's life.
2. The meaning of the name in Chinese culture
2.1 Number and harmony
In Chinese culture, great attention is paid to numbers and their symbolic meaning. Many parents rely on fengshui and Chinese astrology when choosing a name to determine the most successful combination of sounds and numbers in the name. Names with a positive numerical combination are often chosen that will bring good luck.
- For example, the numbers eight and nine are considered happy because they are associated with wealth and longevity. This also affects the choice of hieroglyphs for the name, each of which has not only a sound, but also a certain meaning.
2.2 Hieroglyphs and their meaning
The choice of hieroglyphs for a name is an important process, since each hieroglyph carries a certain meaning. For example, hieroglyphs for names are often chosen to mean happiness, glory, freedom, or longevity. Names may include natural symbols such as flowers, trees, animals, as well as elements related to philosophy such as heaven or earth.
- A child's name often contains one or two hieroglyphs that represent positive qualities such as wisdom, strength, success or prosperity.
2.3 Poetry and Literary References
Chinese culture is historically deeply associated with poetry, and many children's names are inspired by poetry, literary works, or historical characters. For example, you can choose a name that is a reference to famous literary works, classical poems or philosophical treatises.
- Parents can use names associated with great characters, such as Tzu (子) in the names of scientists, or with poetic works that symbolize greatness and art.
3. The role of astrology and fengshui in choosing a name
3.1 Astrology and Element Verses
In Chinese culture, the principles of Chinese astrology are often used to choose a name that will correspond not only to the personal preferences of parents, but also to space forces. In this context, the theory of five elements - wood, fire, earth, metal and water - is especially popular. Elements must be balanced in a person's life, and the name chosen for the child is often associated with one of these elements.
- Parents can choose names that correspond to the missing element in the child's "birth card" to ensure harmony in their life.
3.2 Influence of Fengshui
Fengshui is a Chinese philosophy based on harmonizing people with the surrounding space. When choosing a name for a child, the principles of fengshui are also taken into account, so that the name contributes to the proper flow of energy and favorably affects the fate of the child. It is important that the combination of hieroglyphs and name sounds correspond to the harmony of space.
4. Modern Name Changes
4.1 Western Influence and New Names
Modern Chinese sometimes choose names for their children that sound more Western, or names that combine traditional Chinese elements with more universal and international ones. This is due to globalization and the desire of children to be more integrated into the international environment.
- In recent decades, many parents have given children names that can be easily spoken in other languages, such as English, to facilitate international communication.
4.2 Using International Names
It is not uncommon for Chinese parents to give their children English-language names in addition to the traditional Chinese name, especially in order to make life easier in an international environment. Such names often become a convenient pseudonym for work or study abroad.
Conclusion
Name choice in China is an important and multifaceted process that encompasses the philosophical and cultural aspects of Chinese life. Names not only reflect a person's individuality, but also serve as a symbol that can influence their fate and public perception. In Chinese culture, the meaning of a name is deeply rooted, and name choice is an important part of nurturing and passing on values to the next generation.
There are many factors in Chinese culture that influence name choice. These are analogies with nature, and the use of elements from ancient teachings, such as Confucianism and Taoism, and the desire to correspond to a certain family heritage. Names can be associated with the concept of qi, the balance of elements, and even poetry. In this article, we look at how Chinese people choose names for their children, how the meaning of a name affects a child's life, and what traditions exist in the process.
1. Traditions of choosing a name in China
1.1 Influence of Chinese philosophy
In Chinese culture, choosing a child's name is closely related to philosophical teachings such as Confucianism and Taoism. According to these teachings, the name must carry the harmony, balance and energy that will affect the child's life.
- Names are often chosen that symbolize positive qualities such as wisdom, longevity, happiness and strength. The concept of qi (气), which denotes vital energy, also plays an important role in name selection.
1.2 Chinese Name Structure
Chinese names usually consist of three parts: the surname (姓, xìng), the first name (名, míng) and the descendant part (字, zì) in the case of older children. The order of these elements is important, and the surname is always put first. Example: in the name "Li Xian" (李翔), Li is a surname, and Xian is a personal name.
- The surname is usually transmitted on the paternal side and remains unchanged throughout life. A personal name (or a name chosen for a child) may be given by parents based on the meanings they wish to instill in their child. In the case of the use of the descendant part (字, zì), it is often given in youth and can reflect personal achievements or important events in a person's life.
2. The meaning of the name in Chinese culture
2.1 Number and harmony
In Chinese culture, great attention is paid to numbers and their symbolic meaning. Many parents rely on fengshui and Chinese astrology when choosing a name to determine the most successful combination of sounds and numbers in the name. Names with a positive numerical combination are often chosen that will bring good luck.
- For example, the numbers eight and nine are considered happy because they are associated with wealth and longevity. This also affects the choice of hieroglyphs for the name, each of which has not only a sound, but also a certain meaning.
2.2 Hieroglyphs and their meaning
The choice of hieroglyphs for a name is an important process, since each hieroglyph carries a certain meaning. For example, hieroglyphs for names are often chosen to mean happiness, glory, freedom, or longevity. Names may include natural symbols such as flowers, trees, animals, as well as elements related to philosophy such as heaven or earth.
- A child's name often contains one or two hieroglyphs that represent positive qualities such as wisdom, strength, success or prosperity.
2.3 Poetry and Literary References
Chinese culture is historically deeply associated with poetry, and many children's names are inspired by poetry, literary works, or historical characters. For example, you can choose a name that is a reference to famous literary works, classical poems or philosophical treatises.
- Parents can use names associated with great characters, such as Tzu (子) in the names of scientists, or with poetic works that symbolize greatness and art.
3. The role of astrology and fengshui in choosing a name
3.1 Astrology and Element Verses
In Chinese culture, the principles of Chinese astrology are often used to choose a name that will correspond not only to the personal preferences of parents, but also to space forces. In this context, the theory of five elements - wood, fire, earth, metal and water - is especially popular. Elements must be balanced in a person's life, and the name chosen for the child is often associated with one of these elements.
- Parents can choose names that correspond to the missing element in the child's "birth card" to ensure harmony in their life.
3.2 Influence of Fengshui
Fengshui is a Chinese philosophy based on harmonizing people with the surrounding space. When choosing a name for a child, the principles of fengshui are also taken into account, so that the name contributes to the proper flow of energy and favorably affects the fate of the child. It is important that the combination of hieroglyphs and name sounds correspond to the harmony of space.
4. Modern Name Changes
4.1 Western Influence and New Names
Modern Chinese sometimes choose names for their children that sound more Western, or names that combine traditional Chinese elements with more universal and international ones. This is due to globalization and the desire of children to be more integrated into the international environment.
- In recent decades, many parents have given children names that can be easily spoken in other languages, such as English, to facilitate international communication.
4.2 Using International Names
It is not uncommon for Chinese parents to give their children English-language names in addition to the traditional Chinese name, especially in order to make life easier in an international environment. Such names often become a convenient pseudonym for work or study abroad.
Conclusion
Name choice in China is an important and multifaceted process that encompasses the philosophical and cultural aspects of Chinese life. Names not only reflect a person's individuality, but also serve as a symbol that can influence their fate and public perception. In Chinese culture, the meaning of a name is deeply rooted, and name choice is an important part of nurturing and passing on values to the next generation.