DIRECTION OF CHINESE SYMBOLS FOR TATTOOS
In which direction should Chinese tattoo symbols be read?

DIRECTION OF CHINESE SYMBOLS FOR TATTOOS

When people look at Chinese symbols as tattoo designs, they sometimes wonder about the direction in which these symbols should be read. Is it right to left, left to right, or top to bottom? Anyway, in which way is Chinese writing read? The traditional way of reading Chinese is top to bottom, right to left. Chinese symbols obtained from Logoi.com for tattoo purposes are always top to bottom. There are usually one, two, occasionally three characters and the top one is the first in the sequence. We personally believe that this is the most beautiful way of arranging Chinese symbols. But Chinese writing can also be read from right to left. Traditional Buddhist or Confucianist temples always have a

short saying above the gate and these are read from right to left. So this was a relatively common traditional way of reading. In modern China, however, Chinese characters are usually read horizontally from left to right. This way of reading was developed under the influence of the West. Therefore, this is the least traditional way of writing and reading. In sum, you can read Chinese in any of the three directions. To determine which is the right one, you have to know the language. If you are buying a tattoo design, you should apply the design the way you buy it, without moving the individual symbols around. Stephen Bekes The Origins of Chinese writing Chinese symbols for tattoos Chinese symbols Mistakes in Chinese tattoos Chinese symbols - How many are of them? Chinese symbols - Letters or Pictures? Chinese writing - Symbols or alphabet? Pictographs versus letters The Chinese zodiac Origins of kanji The Chinese alphabet Get your favorite kanji Why are Chinese symbols popular? In search of the Chinese alphabet Number of symbols in Chinese names Goddess of Mercy good luck plaque