Love (爱, Ài) is one of the most popular Chinese tattoo choices. But there's more depth to this character than many realize - including a beautiful hidden meaning in its traditional form.
The Character 爱 (Ài) - Love
The Chinese character for love is both beautiful in form and profound in meaning. It's one of the most requested Chinese tattoos worldwide.
Traditional vs. Simplified
Traditional: 愛
The traditional character 愛 contains the character 心 (heart) in the middle. This literally shows that love comes from the heart. Many prefer this version for tattoos because of this meaningful composition.
Simplified: 爱
The simplified version 爱, used in mainland China, has the "heart" removed. Some argue this makes it less meaningful, while others appreciate its cleaner design.
The Anatomy of 愛
The traditional character is composed of:
- 爫 (top) - A hand reaching down
- 冖 - A roof or cover
- 心 (middle) - Heart
- 夂 (bottom) - Walking/movement
Together, this can be interpreted as: "A hand protecting the heart, willing to act" - a beautiful representation of love as both feeling and action.
Different Types of Love in Chinese
- 愛/爱 (Ài) - General love, romantic love
- 愛情 (Àiqíng) - Romantic love, passion
- 親愛 (Qīn'ài) - Dear, beloved
- 慈愛 (Cí'ài) - Loving kindness, maternal love
- 博愛 (Bó'ài) - Universal love, philanthropy
Popular Love Tattoo Combinations
- 永愛 (Yǒng ài) - Eternal love
- 真愛 (Zhēn ài) - True love
- 愛與和平 (Ài yǔ hépíng) - Love and peace
- 自愛 (Zì ài) - Self-love
Common Mistakes
Critical Warning: Similar-looking characters with very different meanings:
- 受 (Shòu) - To receive/suffer - looks similar but very different meaning!
- 爰 (Yuán) - An ancient character, not commonly used
Which Version to Choose?
| Traditional 愛 | Simplified 爱 |
|---|---|
| Contains the "heart" radical | Cleaner, simpler design |
| More strokes (13) | Fewer strokes (10) |
| Used in Taiwan, Hong Kong | Used in mainland China |
| Often preferred for tattoos | Modern, minimalist appeal |
Calligraphy Styles for Love
For the love character, flowing styles often work best:
- Xingshu (行书) - Semi-cursive, romantic and flowing
- Kaishu (楷书) - Standard script, elegant and clear