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Chinese Symbols for Happiness, Luck, and Blessing

Chinese Characters for Happiness, Luck, and Blessing:

 

  • Happiness: 幸福

  • Luck: 好运

  • Good Luck: 幸运

  • Blessing: 祝福

  • Auspiciousness: 吉祥

  • Joy: 快乐

  • Delight: 喜悦

Chinese figures painting of happy gathering

Chinese Phrases about Happiness, Luck, and Blessing:

 

  • 喜上眉梢: Happiness shows in one's smiling curved eyebrows.

  • 喜不自胜: Happiness that is beyond one's self-control, meaning extreme happiness. 

  • 兴高采烈: Interested, passionate, and cheerful.

  • 欢天喜地: Between heaven and earth, filled happiness.

  • 心花怒放: Burst of joy, like beautiful flowers blooming in one's heart. 

  • 赏心乐事: Cheerful mood and happy events.

  • 乐以忘忧: Great pleasure that makes one forget all sadness.

  • 怡然自得: Happy, cheerful, and satisfied. 

  • 金玉满堂: Gold and jade fill the hall, meaning abundant wealth or family members.

  • 花开富贵: Flourishing and wealthy as blooming flowers.

"Hu Zhong Fu Gui Tu" that Xuande Emperor Zhu Zhanji Painted to Award His Exceptional Prime Minister Yang Shiqi (1365-1444), Wishing Him A Long and Wealthy Life

"Hu Zhong Fu Gui Tu" by Xuande Emperor (1399 — 1435), to Award Prime Minister Yang Shiqi and Wishing Him A Long and Wealthy Life — Taipei Palace Museum

  • 吉祥如意: Auspicious and satisfied. 

  • 万事如意: Everything goes as one wishes. 

  • 吉星高照: Auspicious stars shining in the sky, meaning good fortune. 

  • 福至心灵: Lucky, inspired, and intelligent. 

  • 福寿双全: Happiness, auspiciousness, and longevity.

  • 天赐良机: A great opportunity awarded by heaven.

  • 吉人天相: Good people would be blessed and protected by heaven. 

  • 鸿运当头: Good lucks are right on the way. 

  • 春风得意: The warm spring breeze is satisfactory, representing luck and success.

  • 天随人愿: Things go as one wishes.

  • 花好月圆: Blooming flowers and full moon, meaning perfect and happy life.

blooming flowers

Chinese Poems about Happiness, Luck, and Blessing:

 

  • 春风得意马蹄疾,一日看尽长安花。Meng Jiao (751 — 814)

 

(After winning the Imperial Exam) galloping amid the warm spring breeze proudly and pleasantly, having appreciated all the beautiful sites of the capital city of Chang'an in one day. 

 

  • 海阔凭鱼跃,天高任鸟飞。Ruan Yue (? — around 1127)

 

Grand sea lets fishes leap freely; the vast sky allows birds to soar willingly. 

  • 采菊东篱下,悠然见南山。Tao Yuanming (about 365 — 427)

 

Carefree, I pick asters by the east fence side; the beautiful southern mountain comes into sight. 

  • 因过竹院逢僧话,偷得浮生半日闲。Li She (? — about 806)

Passing by a temple full of bamboo and talking to the monk, I got moments of peace in my floating life.

Wuyi Gong or Huixian Guan on Mount Wuyi

Wuyi Gong or Huixian Guan on Mount Wuyi, Photo by Chanjuan.

  • 人间有味是清欢。Su Shi (1037 — 1101)

 

The best flavor (or status) of life is plain and simple.

 

  • 宜言饮酒,与子偕老。琴瑟在御,莫不静好。The Classic of Poetry, or The Book of Songs, or Shijing, compiled by Confucius (551 BC  — 479 BC).

 

Together we cook delicate dishes and drink alcohol, till our hairs turn grey. Together we play musical instruments Qin and Se, and live our lives in happiness and peace. 

 

  • 松花酿酒,春水煎茶。Zhang Kejiu (about 1270 — 1350)

 

Brewing wine with Pinus Massoniana; boiling tea with spring water.

 

  • 桃花流水窅然去,别有天地非人间。Li Bai (701 — 762)

 

Peach blossoms fall into the river and drift far away; the unique beauty should be an enchanting wonderland. 

Blooming Flowers in Huangshan Mountain, Photo from the Official Site of Huangshan.

Blooming Flowers in Huangshan Mountain, Photo from the Official Site of Huangshan.

  • 行到水穷处,坐看云起时。Wang Wei (701 — 761)

 

Walk to the stream's end, and sit and appreciate the floating clouds.

 

Representing the attitude of following nature and one's heart, being open and optimistic. 

 

  • 等闲识得东风面,万紫千红总是春。Zhu Xi (1130 — 1200)

 

Anyone can see the beauties of spring, in the countless colorful blossoms. 

 

  • 掬水月在手,弄花香满衣。Yu Liangshi (? — about 756)

 

Scooping the water, the moon is in my hand; playing with flowers, my dress is full of scent. (Translated by Jiang Yi or Chiang Yee)

 

  • 春水碧于天,画船听雨眠。Wei Zhuang (about 836 — 910)

 

Under the blue sky, the spring river is emerald and deep; on a painted boat, I listen to the rain and sleep.  

Boat Floating on Poyang Lake, Photo by Liao Hao.

Boat Floating on Poyang Lake, Photo by Liao Hao.

  • 相逢意气为君饮,系马高楼垂柳边。Wang Wei (701 — 761)

 

Young and chivalrous rangers impress each other with similar righteousness and ambition; they tie horses on willow trees, drink alcohol, and talk about glorious exploits. 

 

  • 杏花疏影里,吹笛到天明。Chen Yuyi (1090 — 1139)

Amid scanty shadows of apricot blossoms, we perform bamboo flutes and enjoy music till dawn.

  • 人生自在常如此,何事能妨笑口开?Lu You (1125 — 1210)

Pleasant and free as life now, nothing would stop people from laughing happily.

  • 愿天上人间,占得欢娱,年年今夜。Liu Yong  (about 984 — 1053)

May in heaven and on earth, seize all the joys, every year like tonight's delights.

Flowers and Ancient Buildings in Lingering Garter or Liu Yuan

Flowers and Ancient Buildings in Lingering Garden or Liu Yuan, Photo by Gusulian Lvren.

Together we celebrate the prosperous reign, farewell the past, and welcome the New Year on this beautiful and happy night.​

  • 千门万户曈曈日,总把新桃换旧符。Wang Anshi (1021 — 1086)

 

The rising sun shines lights on tens of thousands of households, who are busy using new "Tao Fu" to replace old ones to celebrate the new year. 

"Tao Fu" is a type of peach wood-made tablet, painting with Door Gods (Menshen), or writing auspicious words, which is believed to be the origin of Spring Festival Couplets (Chunlian).

Read More about Chinese New Year Greetings and Spring Festival Couplets

  • 清夜无尘,月色如银。Su Shi (1037 — 1101)

Clear and dustless night, silver glowing moonlight.

Silver moonlight
  • ​水寒江静,满目青山,载月明归。Huang Tingjian (1045 — 1105)

Waters cold and tranquil; mountains verdant and still; returning with moonlight fulfilled.

  • 暮云收尽溢清寒,银汉无声转玉盘。Su Shi (1037 — 1101)

Evening clouds fade, and silver moonlight overflows; the Milky Way silently circles the jade plate that glows.

  • 白雪却嫌春色晚,故穿庭树作飞花。春雪 Han Yu (768 — 824)

The white snow finds fault with spring's tardiness; hence transforms into blossoms, flying amid courtyard trees.

  • 诗成流水上,梦尽落花间。Qian Qi (722 — 780)


Completing poems while boating on the waters, long dreams fade amid a bed of flowers.

flowers on the waters
  • ​但愿人长久,千里共婵娟。Su Shi (1037 — 1101)

May everyone long life and cheer; and share the moonlight, far or near.

  • 疏影横斜水清浅,暗香浮动月黄昏。Lin Bu (967 — 1028)

Sparse plum shadows slant over clear, shallow streams; hidden fragrance drifts beneath the twilight moon's gleam.

  • 花满渚,酒满瓯,万顷波中得自由。Li Yu (937 — 978)

Blossoms fill the islet, wine fills the cup; amidst vast waves, boundless freedom I sup.

Chinese landscape painting about sorrow and solitary
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