50 Chinese Symbols and Their Meanings

# Chinese Symbol Common Meaning

1 Dragon Auspiciousness, strength, power, nobility, success

2 Phoenix Good fortune, beauty, nobility, harmony

3 Qilin Auspiciousness, benevolence, peace

4 Turtle Longevity, resilience, good fortune

5 Deer Prosperity, good fortune, blessings

6 Bat Good fortune and blessings, as “bat” sounds like “fu” (福) in Chinese

7 Fish Abundance and prosperity; “fish” sounds like “surplus” (余)

8 Goldfish Wealth, prosperity, good fortune

9 Butterfly Beauty, love, transformation

10 Crane Longevity, elegance, good fortune

11 Peacock Beauty, prosperity, good fortune

12 Jade Rabbit The moon, longevity, beauty

13 Tiger Courage, strength, power, protection

14 Elephant Good fortune, stability, peace

15 Magpie Happiness, good news, good luck

16 Mandarin Ducks Love, marriage, harmony between couples

17 Peony Wealth, prosperity, beauty

18 Lotus Purity, elegance, spiritual refinement

19 Lotus Flower Purity, serenity, noble character

20 Chrysanthemum Longevity, integrity, noble character

21 Plum Blossom Resilience, perseverance, hope

22 Orchid Elegance, refinement, noble character

23 Bamboo Resilience, integrity, humility

24 Pine Longevity, steadfastness, endurance

25 Peach Longevity, blessings, good fortune

26 Pomegranate Fertility, abundance, prosperity

27 Gourd Blessings, prosperity, protection

28 Rice Grain / Rice Ear Harvest, abundance, prosperity

29 Persimmon Good fortune and “everything going well”

30 Chestnut Traditional associations with good fortune and abundance

31 Auspicious Clouds Good fortune, blessings, prosperity

32 Water Ripples Flow, vitality, abundance

33 Flame Motif Light, vitality, prosperity

34 Mountain Motif Stability, strength, dignity

35 Sun Light, life, hope

36 Moon Reunion, longing, beauty

37 Taiji / Yin-Yang Balance, harmony, the interaction of yin and yang

38 Sea-and-Cliff Motif Mountains and rivers, order, authority, auspiciousness

39 Ruyi Good wishes, fulfillment of one's hopes

40 Sycee / Chinese Gold Ingot Wealth, prosperity

41 Treasure Vase Peace, blessings, good fortune

42 Floral Scroll / Continuous Floral Pattern Continuity, abundance, endless growth

43 Flaming Pearl / Precious Jewel Light, wisdom, auspiciousness

44 Guardian Lion Protection, strength, authority

45 Snake Wisdom, transformation, vitality; meaning varies by context

46 Auspicious Lion Motif Protection, dignity, good fortune

47 Phoenix Motif Good fortune, harmony, nobility

48 Meander Pattern Continuity, longevity, endlessness

49 Round Floral Motif Wholeness, prosperity, good fortune

50 Cloud-and-Thunder Pattern Ancient ritual symbolism, strength, solemnity