Buy a Custom Balance Chinese or Japanese Calligraphy Wall Scroll

This is a single-character that means balance in Chinese, but it's not too direct or too specific about what kind of balance. Chinese people often like calligraphy art that is a little vague or mysterious. In this way, you can decide what it means to you, and you'll be right.

This character is also part of a word that means peace in Chinese, Japanese and old Korean.

Some alternate translations of this single character include: balanced, peaceful, calm, equal, even, level, smooth or flat.

Note that in Japanese, this just means "level" or "flat" by itself (not the best choice if your audience is Japanese).

The simplest form of peace and harmony.

This can also be translated as the peaceful ideas of gentle, mild, kind, and calm. With the more harmonious context, it can be translated as union, together with, on good terms with.

Most people would just translate this character as peace and/or harmony. This is a very popular character in Asian cultures - you can even call it the "peace symbol" of Asia. In fact, this peace and harmony character was seen repeatedly during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing (a major theme of the games).

See Also...  Inner Peace | Patience | Simplicity

This is the Chinese order for these two characters which means peace but can also be translated as amicability, pacifically or mildness. This is often translated as a simple way to say "peace of mind". This combination is used in Korean Hanja to mean "peace and harmony".

Alone, the first character means peace and harmony.
The second chracter means balance, when read by itself.

Note: These characters are often seen in the opposite order in Japanese with the same meaning (still a good meaning, but not as common in this order in Japan).

This is the Japanese and Korean order of these characters used most often to express the idea of peace, tranquility and harmony. It's just the reverse order of the Chinese. In this order in Chinese, it means takes the "mild" definition, rather than "peace". In Korean, the combination keeps the same meaning in either order.

This Chinese and Japanese phrase is a direct translation for the western idea of inner peace.

The first two characters contain the idea of "heart" and "innermost being".

The last two characters mean "tranquil" and "serene".

I have seen this phrase used as "inner peace" for art prints and even on the side of coffee cups. But I think the translation is too literal. It feels like a direct translation from English rather than a nicely composed Chinese or Japanese phrase. See my other entries for "inner peace".

See Also...  Serenity | Simplicity | Peace

Looking for Inner Peace? Who isn't?

This is the simplest way to convey the meaning of inner peace.

Literally this word means still, calm, serene, quiet or silent.

In the old days, Chinese, Japanese, or Korean people might hang a wall scroll with this character in their reading room to bring about a sense of peace in the room.

While they once used the same character form in Japan, they now use a slightly-simplified version in modern Japan (after WWII). This version is shown to the right, and can be selected for your wall scroll by clicking on that Kanji instead of the button above.

See Also...  Peace

This is five characters from a longer ten-character phase composed by Zhuge Liang about 1800 years ago. The phrase means "Your inner peace / tranquility / serenity will help you see or reach far (into the world)". The last word means "far", but the deeper meaning is that you will surpass what you can currently see or understand. Perhaps even the idea of opening up vast knowledge and understanding of complex ideas.

This is the Chinese and Japanese way to express "Peace and Love". These are two separate words, so the calligrapher will put a slight space between the first two characters which mean peace, and the last two which represent universal love. This space is not shown on the sample character images for this phrase.

A special note: Word lists may seem okay in English, but feel strange in Chinese and Japanese. We don't offer too many of them, but this one is often-requested, and feels okay in Chinese and Japanese, though a bit uncommon in Korean.

See Also...  Peace | Love

The first and second character both mean quiet. Together, they reinforce the meanings almost creating a word that means "double quiet" or "perfect quiet".

A good wall scroll for a library, reading room, or other quiet place.

See Also...  Peace | Inner Peace | Harmony | Calm

This is the longer way to express the idea of "peace of mind" in Chinese.

The first two characters mean heart or "innermost being".
The middle character is a connecting modifier.
The last two characters mean peace, tranquility, or serenity.

Some may also translate this as "inner peace", but I like our other inner-peace options for that idea.

This kind of makes sense in Korean, but will have an archaic read - even by those who can understand Korean Hanja.

This is NOT a typical Chinese phrase. It was added to our calligraphy database at the request of a customer. These are two dynamically-opposed ideas, but this is the way to express them together.

This means peace and/or tranquility in Japanese and Korean (also understood, but not as common in Chinese).

This is how to write "peaceful heart" in Chinese.

The first character means peaceful, calm, and quiet. The second means heart, but can also mean mind, soul, or spirit.

Because the word for heart / mind / soul is interchangeable in Chinese, this can also be translated as "a peaceful soul" or "a quiet mind".

I have also seen this translated as "placid temperament" or "spirit of serenity", especially from Japanese.

While they once used the same first character form in Japan, they now use a slightly-simplified version in modern Japan (after WWII). This version is shown to the right, and can be selected for your wall scroll by clicking on that Kanji instead of the button above.

This is a nice word that means peaceful, tranquil, calm, composed, "free from worry", "public peace", tranquility, good health, well-being, or welfare in Chinese and Korean.

Note: The definition in Japanese is not so broad, but still means peaceful or "public peace".

This is a nice word that encompasses great meanings within just two characters. This can be defined as relief, peace of mind, feeling at ease, to be relieved, set one's mind at rest.

This means just what it says. It's a word that expresses both the idea of being at peace and healthy at the same time.

Note: This a bona-fide word in Chinese and Korean, and the characters will at least make sense in Japanese.

This term transcends a few religions, including Taoism and Buddhism. This title refers to the inner bliss and peace that you can achieve from meditation. It can also be translated as "Joy of the mystic trance" or simply "meditative bliss".

Amazing that such a complex idea can be expressed in just two Chinese characters. Note that the first character is Chan/Zen (Chinese/Japanese) which means "meditation" in both languages.

These two Chinese characters create a title that means to reach peace and calm through meditation. This is an excellent wall scroll for your relaxation or meditation room.

This is a also a Buddhist-related term that encompasses the idea of entering into dhyana meditation.

This means "peace and tranquility" or "peace and security" in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.

The literal translation would be "very balanced" or "very peaceful".

The first character means very, much, too much, or extremely.
The second character means balanced, peaceful, calm, equal, even, level, or smooth.

Moderation is creating a healthy balance in your life between work and play, rest and exercise. You don't overdo or get swept away by the things you like. You use your self-discipline to take charge of your life and your time.

Sometimes this word is defined as restraint.

This word can also be translated as "self-restraint" or "temperance".

See Also...  Prudence | Ethics | Humble | Humility

This word means "harmonious" or "harmony".

See Also...  Peace | Inner Peace

Patience is quiet hope and trust that things will turn out right. You wait without complaining. You are tolerant and accepting of difficulties and mistakes. You picture the end in the beginning and persevere to meet your goals.

These characters can also mean "to endure", "restrain oneself" and in some context it can mean "perseverance" or "endurance".

Note that when writing this as Kanji, Japanese will tend to write the first character in the form shown to the right. If you select our Japanese master calligrapher, please expect this Kanji form (yes, it's just one stroke that is slightly different in location, crossing another stroke in the Japanese Kanji form).

See Also...  Peace | Inner Peace | Harmony | Perseverance

Can also mean "cautious" or "careful".

Note: The Chinese and Japanese form is shown here. In Korean Hanja, the first character has a variant in one of the strokes - just let me know when you place your order if you want that Korean version (A Korean who can read Hanja, will know the meaning anyway).

Note: If you order this selection from our Japanese calligrapher, the first Kanji will vary slightly. It is technically the same character, but Japanese tend to leave a space between the upper and lower portions of this particular Kanji (see image to the right).

Note: Also considered to be one of the Seven Heavenly Virtues.

See Also...  Moderation | Modesty | Chastity

In short, temperance is knowing when to say "when".

Temperance is the practice of moderation and restraint (in fact, this Asian word is often translated as moderation or restraint).

It was one of the five tenets held to be vital to society in Hellenic culture. It is also one of the Four Cardinal Virtues considered central to Christian behavior by the Catholic Church.

Note: Also considered to be one of the Seven Heavenly Virtues.

This character is often translated as "serenity". It can also be used to express the ideas of still, calm, quiet, not moving or tranquility.

Note: This is also listed on our website as "Inner Peace" since it also fits that definition.

See Also...  Peace | Inner Peace

This is fairly self-explanatory.

The first character means "not", "non-" or "un-"
The middle and last character together mean "violence", "use of force" or simply "violent".

Together, these three characters would normally be translated as "nonviolence". A great gift for your favorite peace-lover.

See Also...  Peace

This is a kind of complex ten-character proverb composed by Zhuge Liang about 1800 years ago. The proverb means "Leading a simple life will yield a clear mind, and having inner peace will help you see far (into the world)".

What I have translated as "simple life" means NOT being materialistic and NOT competing in the rat race.

The last word means "far", but the deeper meaning is that you will surpass what you can currently see or understand. Perhaps even the idea of opening up vast knowledge and understanding of complex ideas.

The whole phrase has a theme that suggests if you are NOT an aggressive cut-throat person who fights his way to the top no matter how many people he crushes on the way, and instead seek inner peace, you will have a happier existence and be more likely to understand the meaning of life.

See Also...  Serenity

This is a Japanese-specific way to express "serenity" or "tranquility".

Notes: The second Kanji is not a Chinese character - it was morphed or developed in Japan after Chinese characters were absorbed into the Japanese language during the 5th century.
The first character is slightly-simplified from the original Chinese form, but still recognizable.

See Also...  Peace | Inner Peace

This is yet another way to express the idea of tranquility and serenity in Chinese.

See Also...  Peace | Inner Peace | Harmony | Calm

This is one of several ways to express as "serenity" or "tranquility" in Japanese and Chinese. It can also be translated as calm, serenity, tranquil, undisturbed or serene.

See Also...  Peace | Inner Peace

This word means impartial, fairness, and justice in Chinese, old Korean, and Japanese.

This character, on your wall, should be used to remind yourself to be fair and just in all situations of life.

See Also...  Justice

This word means "safe and sound" in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

Can also be translated as well-being, peace, tranquility, quietness, and calmness.

Note: There is also a longer four-character version in our calligraphy database.

See Also...  Tranquility | Peace