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Custom Will-Power Chinese & Japanese Calligraphy Wall Scroll

We have many options to create artwork with Will-Power characters on a wall scroll or portrait.
If you want to create a cool Will-Power Asian character tattoo, you can purchase that on our Chinese and Japanese Tattoo Image Service page and we'll help you select from many forms of ancient Asian symbols that express the idea of Will-Power.

Tags: Willpower in Japanese Kanji and Chinese. Will Power in Chinese and Japanese Kanji

Quick links to words on this page...

  1. Perseverance / Will-Power
  2. Self-Discipline / Will-Power
  3. Will-Power / Self-Control
  4. Discipline
  5. Discipline / Training / Tempering Character
  6. Discipline
  7. Love Your Children, But Discipline Them Too
  8. Military Discipline
  9. Self-Control
10. Well-Disciplined
11. Self-Restraint / Self-Control
12. Determination
13. The Spirit of the Dragon Horse, the Power of a Tiger.
14. Electricity / Lightning
15. Exercise
16. Live Strong
17. Moderation
18. Perseverance
19. Power of Understanding and Wisdom
20. Prideful Mind Self-Respecting Heart
21. Psychic Energy
22. Power / Strength
23. Strong Hearted
24. Temperance
25. Training / Drill
Select

Perseverance / Will-Power

Mandarin yì lì
Korean 의력
毅
力

These two characters are a way to express "perseverance" with the idea of "willpower" in Chinese and old Korean Hanja. It can also mean "strong willed".

The first character means "strong" and "persistent", while the second means "strength" and "power".

Select

Self-Discipline / Will-Power

Mandarin zì lǜ
Japanese jiritsu
Korean 자율
自
律

Self-discipline means self-control. It is doing what you really want to do, rather than being tossed around by your feelings like a leaf in the wind. You act instead of react. You get things done in an orderly and efficient way. With self-discipline, you take charge of yourself.

Not sure if this one works for a Japanese audience.

See Also...  Discipline | Self-Control

Select

Will-Power / Self-Control

Mandarin yì zhì lì
Japanese ishi ryoku
Korean 의지� �
意
志
力

This is the form of will power or self-control is about having the determination or tenacity to keep going.

In Japanese, this is the power of will, volition, intention, intent, or determination.

Select

Discipline

Mandarin jì lǜ
Korean 기율
紀
律

Discipline: There are a few different ways to define this word in English. This Asian word conveys the idea of extreme self-control and perhaps self-sacrifice, and obedience. This matches what I was taught as the meaning of "discipline" when I was in the Marine Corps. There is also an additional idea of maintaining order or being orderly in your tasks.

This idea would also fit an athlete training for the Olympics who gives up many pleasures to stay focused on their training.

See Also...  Self-Control

Select

Discipline / Training / Tempering Character

Mandarin mó liàn
磨
練

This is a form of discipline which suggests training of the mind and character, aimed at producing self-control, obedience, etc.

One of my Chinese-English dictionaries even translates this as "tempering oneself" or turning yourself into hardened steel.

In old Korean Hanja, they use these characters in reverse order, but with the same meaning. If you want the Korean version, please click this link instead of the button above: Korean version.

Select

Discipline (Japanese)

Mandarin duàn liàn
Japanese tanren
Korean 단련
鍛
練

This is the Japanese Kanji and Korean Hanja word that is used for discipline. This has a meaning like "forging or creating something from lots of training and practice". My Japanese dictionary translates this as, "tempering, forging, hardening, disciplining, training". This is for Japanese and Korean only. In Chinese, these characters might be translated as (physical) "exercise".

練'
練'

The modern form of the second Japanese Kanji looks like the first image to the right. The one below it is an alternate form. Because calligraphy is an art, the calligrapher could choose any of these possible forms. Let us know if you have a preference. Note that the form shown in the upper left is really the old/ancient/traditional Japanese/Chinese.

See Also...  Self-Control

Select

Love Your Children, But Discipline Them Too

Mandarin ài zài xīn lǐ hěn zài miàn pì
狠
在
面
皮
愛
在
心
裡


Characters shown
above are read
vertically, starting
from the right

This literally translates as, "Love [your] children in [your] heart, [but] be stern [with them] in [your] manner".

This is a little like saying "Love your child, but don't spare the switch".

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Select

Military Discipline

Mandarin jūn jì
Japanese gunki
Korean 군기
軍
紀

This word means military discipline or military principles.

If maintaining your military discipline is important to you personally, or important to your military unit, this is the wall scroll to have up behind your desk. In fact, it's the kind of thing I expect to see behind the desk of a First Sergeant or maybe a hardcore NCO.

Note: In some rare context, it could be extended to mean "morale", but "discipline" is much closer to the commonly-held definition.

Note: This term is not well-known outside of the military services in Asia (not used by the common person).

See Also...  Self-Discipline

Select

Self-Control

Mandarin zì jǐ yì zhì
Japanese jikoyokusei
Korean 자기억� �
自
己
抑
制

The first two characters mean "regarding oneself", and the second two mean "to refrain" or "to restrain". So together, this has a meaning like "to restrain oneself".

See Also...  Discipline

Select

Self-Control

Mandarin zì zhì
Japanese jisei
Korean 자� �
自
制

The short and sweet version of self-control.

Note: This can also mean self-restraint.

See Also...   Discipline

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Select

Well-Disciplined

Special Military Term

Mandarin yán zhěng
嚴
整

When reading an account of some battles in China, I came across this Chinese word. As it turns out, it's only used in military circles to describe neat, orderly, and well-disciplined troops. Perhaps this is actually closer to the meaning I was taught while in the U.S. Marines.

The first character literally means stern, serious, strict, or severe (it can also mean "air tight" or "water tight".
The second character means exact, in good order, whole, complete, and orderly.
Together, these two characters multiply each other into a word that expresses the highest military level of discipline.

See Also...  Self-Control

Select

Self-Restraint / Self-Control

Mandarin kè jǐ
Japanese kokki
Korean 극기
克
己

This word can be translated as "self-denial", "self-abnegation", "self-restraint", "self-discipline", "self-mastery" or selflessness.

As a tenet of Korean taekwondo, and other martial arts, this is often used with the title "self-control".

Select

Determination

Mandarin jué xīn
Japanese kesshin
Korean 결심
決
心

You focus your energy and efforts on a task and stick with it until it is finished. Determination is using your will power to do something when it isn't easy. You are determined to meet your goals even when it is hard or you are being tested. With determination we make our dreams come true.

The first characters means "to determine" or "determined". The second character means "heart" or "soul", so you can imagine that this form of "determination" partially means to put your heart into something. It can also be translated as resolve, resolution, or decision (as in a decision made and followed).

See Also...  Devotion | Tenacious | Passion | Dedication

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The Spirit of the Dragon Horse, the Power of a Tiger.

Mandarin lóng mǎ jīng shén hǔ hǔ shēng wēi
虎
虎
生
威
龍
馬
精
神


Characters shown
above are read
vertically, starting
from the right

This is an old phrase that is used to wish someone great health and success combined as a great compliment.

The meaning is "The vigor and spirit of the legendary dragon-horse, and the power and prestige of the tiger".

By giving a wall scroll like this to someone, you were either wishing or telling them that they have these qualities. There is also a suggestion of good health - at least anyone with the vigor of a dragon horse, would seem to also be in good health.

Select

Electricity / Lightning

Mandarin diàn
Japanese den
Korean
電

This is the title for electricity in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.

While this character means electric or electricity, it can also be used to mean lightning in Japanese and Korean.

See Also...  Thunder | Energy | Rain

Select

Exercise (for body or mind)

Mandarin duàn liàn
Korean 단련
鍛
煉

This means exercise in much the same way we use exercise in English. This can be exercising your body at the gym, or exercising your mind in studies. Most of the time, this refers to physical exercise.

This can also be translated as to temper, to toughen, to train, to drill, to forge, or simply discipline.

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Live Strong

Mandarin jiān qiáng shēng huó
堅
強
生
活

While hard to translate directly, this is the best way to write "Live Strong" in Chinese. If you are a cancer survivor, or simply support Lance Armstrong's ideas, this is a nice selection for a wall scroll.

The first two characters mean strong or staunch. The last two mean living or life (daily existence). While the Chinese version is the reverse order of "Live Strong" it is the only way to write it in a natural form that is also grammatically correct.

Note that we are in no way affiliated or connected to Lance, nor his foundation. This translation is offered because of multiple requests from customers whose philosophies or ideas match those of the Live Strong idea.

See Also...  Strength | Vitality | Health | Determination | Discipline

Select

Moderation

Mandarin jié zhì
Japanese sessei
Korean 절제
節
制

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.

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

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

Select

Perseverance

(single character)

Mandarin
Japanese see note
Korean
毅

This is the simplest way to express perseverance in Chinese and Korean Hanja.
This single-character version leaves a bit of mystery about what kind of perseverance you might want to convey.

In Korean, this is usually associated with "strength of character".

In Japanese, this character can be pronounced about a dozen different ways (so we have left out the Japanese pronunciation guide that normally appears above). In Japanese this Kanji would usually be translated "strong" (perhaps strong-willed).

See Also...  Tenacity | Fortitude | Strength | Undaunted

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Power of Understanding and Wisdom

Mandarin wù xìng
Japanese gosei
Korean 오성
悟
性

This means the power of understanding and insight in Chinese. It is often associated with Neo-Confucianism. In that regard, it means to realize man's true nature or to find your soul, the soul of others, or the soul of the world. Some will translate this simply as the state of being "savvy".

In Japanese, this is often translated as wisdom and understanding.

Select

Prideful Mind
Self-Respecting Heart

Mandarin zì zūn xīn
Japanese ji son shin
Korean 자존심
自
尊
心

This Japanese and Korean word means "pride" or "self-respect".

The first Kanji/Hanja means "oneself". The second can mean "revered", "valuable", "precious", "noble" or "exalted". And the last Kanji/Hanja means "heart", "mind" and/or "spirit".

While these characters make sense and hold the same general meaning in Chinese, this is not a normal Chinese word. This selection should only be used if your audience is Japanese or Korean.

See Also...  Respect | Pride | Self-Reliance | Self-Control | Self-Discipline

Select

Psychic Energy

Mandarin tōng líng
Korean 통령
通
靈

This is used to speak of something with supernatural essence, psychic power, or having magical power in Chinese.

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Power / Strength

Mandarin
Japanese chikara / ryoku
Korean
力

The simplest form of "power" or "strength".

In Japanese it is pronounced "chikara" when used alone, and "ryoku" when used in a sentence (there are also a few other possible pronunciations of this Kanji in Japanese).

In some context, this can mean ability, force, physical strength, capability, and influence.

See Also...  Strength | Vitality | Health

Select

Strong Hearted

Mandarin yì zhì jiān qiáng
Korean 의지견강
意
志
堅
強

This phrase can mean either "strong hearted", "strong willed" or "determination". The first two characters can be translated simply as "will" but also have the element of "heart" in the lower portion of both characters (they also partially carry this meaning). The last two characters mean "strong" or "staunch".

Chinese word order and grammar is a bit different than English, so in this case, they are in reverse order of English, but have the correct meaning in a natural form.

See Also...  Strong Willed | Discipline

Select

Temperance

Mandarin jié zhì
Japanese sessei
Korean 절제
節
制

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.

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Select

Training / Drill

Mandarin xùn liàn
Japanese kunren
Korean 훈련
訓
練

If training or drill is important to you (especially for military drill and training), this might be just the thing for a drill master to hang behind his/her desk.

This term is universal in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja. It can also mean practice or exercise, depending on context.

Small-sized standard calligraphy wall scrolls on this page start at the following prices:

1 character $26.88

2 characters $33.88

3 characters $38.88

4 characters $43.88

8 characters $53.88

We dispatch any size order to any country worldwide for a flat rate US$9.80 P&P


After you select your calligraphy, our website will take you through the process of customizing your artwork.

Options for other mounting such as portraits are available for $13 less.

We also offer the services of Chinese and Japanese master calligraphers for an additional fee if you are looking for investment-quality calligraphy.

If you chose a master-calligrapher, you also get more choices for silk and paper colors and the option for larger artwork.




A nice Chinese calligraphy wall scroll

The scroll that I am holding in this picture is a "regular size"
4-character wall scroll.
As you can see, it is a great size to hang on your wall.
(We also offer custom wall scrolls in larger sizes)

A professional Chinese Calligrapher

Professional calligraphers are getting to be hard to find these days.
Instead of drawing characters by hand, the new generation in China merely type roman letters into their computer keyboards and pick the character that they want from a list that pops up.

There is some fear that true Chinese calligraphy may become a lost art in the coming years. Many art institutes in China are now promoting calligraphy programs in hopes of keeping this unique form of art alive.

Trying to learn Chinese calligrapher - a futile effort

Even with the teachings of a top-ranked calligrapher in China, my calligraphy will never be good enough to sell. I will leave that to the experts.


A high-ranked Chinese master calligrapher that I met in Zhongwei

The same calligrapher who gave me those lessons also attracted a crowd of thousands and a TV crew as he created characters over 6-feet high. He happens to be ranked as one of the top 100 calligraphers in all of China. He is also one of very few that would actually attempt such a feat.



See: Our list of specifically Japanese Kanji Calligraphy Wall Scrolls. And, check out Our list of specifically old Korean Hanja Calligraphy Wall Scrolls.



The following table is only helpful for those studying Chinese (or Japanese), and perhaps helps search engines to find this page when someone enters Romanized Chinese or Japanese

Title
 
Characters
Simplified
Traditional
Japanese Romaji
(Romanized Japanese)
Various forms of Hanyu-Pinyin
(Romanized Chinese)
Perseverance / Will-Power毅力
毅力
n/ayì lì
yi li
yi4 li4
yili
Self-Discipline / Will-Power自律
自律
jiritsuzì lǜ
zi lv
zi4 lv4
zilv
Will-Power / Self-Control意志力
意志力
ishi ryoku
ishiryoku
yì zhì lì
yi zhi li
yi4 zhi4 li4
yizhili
Discipline纪律
紀律
n/ajì lǜ
ji lv
ji4 lv4
jilv
Discipline / Training / Tempering Character磨练
磨練
n/amó liàn
mo lian
mo2 lian4
molian
Discipline (Japanese)锻练
鍛練
tanrenduàn liàn
duan lian
duan4 lian4
duanlian
Love Your Children, But Discipline Them Too爱在心里狠在面皮
愛在心裡狠在面皮 / 愛在心裡狠在麵皮
n/aài zài xīn lǐ hěn zài miàn pì
ai zai xin li hen zai mian pi
ai4 zai4 xin1 li3 hen3 zai4 mian4 pi4
aizaixinlihenzaimianpi
Military Discipline军纪
軍紀
gunkijūn jì
jun ji
jun1 ji4
junji
Self-Control自己抑制
自己抑制
jikoyokuseizì jǐ yì zhì
zi ji yi zhi
zi4 ji3 yi4 zhi4
zijiyizhi
Self-Control自制
自制
jiseizì zhì
zi zhi
zi4 zhi4
zizhi
Well-Disciplined严整
嚴整
n/ayán zhěng
yan zheng
yan2 zheng3
yanzheng
Self-Restraint / Self-Control克己
克己 / 剋己
kokki
koki
kè jǐ
ke ji
ke4 ji3
keji
Determination决心
決心
kesshin
keshin
jué xīn
jue xin
jue2 xin1
juexin
The Spirit of the Dragon Horse, the Power of a Tiger.龙马精神虎虎生威
龍馬精神虎虎生威
n/alóng mǎ jīng shén hǔ hǔ shēng wēi
long ma jing shen hu hu sheng wei
long2 ma3 jing1 shen2 hu3 hu3 sheng1 wei1
Electricity / Lightning
dendiàn
dian
dian4
dian
Exercise (for body or mind)锻炼
鍛煉 / 鍛鍊
n/aduàn liàn
duan lian
duan4 lian4
duanlian
Live Strong坚强生活
堅強生活
n/ajiān qiáng shēng huó
jian qiang sheng huo
jian1 qiang2 sheng1 huo2
jianqiangshenghuo
Moderation节制
節制
sessei
sesei
jié zhì
jie zhi
jie2 zhi4
jiezhi
Perseverance
see note
seenote
se note

yi
yi4
yi
Power of Understanding and Wisdom悟性
悟性
goseiwù xìng
wu xing
wu4 xing4
wuxing
Prideful Mind
Self-Respecting Heart
自尊心
自尊心
ji son shin
jisonshin
zì zūn xīn
zi zun xin
zi4 zun1 xin1
zizunxin
Psychic Energy通灵
通靈
n/atōng líng
tong ling
tong1 ling2
tongling
Power / Strength
chikara / ryoku
chikara/ryoku

li
li4
li
Strong Hearted意志坚强
意志堅強
n/ayì zhì jiān qiáng
yi zhi jian qiang
yi4 zhi4 jian1 qiang2
yizhijianqiang
Temperance节制
節制
sessei
sesei
jié zhì
jie zhi
jie2 zhi4
jiezhi
Training / Drill训练
訓練
kunrenxùn liàn
xun lian
xun4 lian4
xunlian
If you have not set up your computer to display Chinese, the characters in this table probably look like empty boxes or random text garbage.
This is why we spent hundreds of hours making images so that you could view the characters in the "Discipline" listings above.
If you want your Windows computer to be able to display Chinese characters you can either head to your Regional and Language options in your Win XP control panel, select the [Languages] tab and click on [Install files for East Asian Languages]. This task will ask for your Win XP CD to complete in most cases. If you don't have your Windows XP CD, or are running Windows 98, you can also download/run the simplified Chinese font package installer from Microsoft which works independently with Win 98, ME, 2000, and XP. It's a 2.5MB download, so if you are on dial up, start the download and go make a sandwich.


All custom calligraphy items are made-to-order in our little Beijing artwork-mounting workshop.
Please note: Rush service can be as fast as two weeks, but regular service is over a month for delivery.


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Last modified: Jan 31 2009 14:28