The methodologies for selecting a suitable Chinese baby vary between the different schools of thoughts but most of them are based on the principles of Yin and Yang as well as the Five Elements.
Chinese characters are made up of strokes. The odd number strokes are Yang while the even number strokes are Yin. For example a character composed on two strokes is Yin while another character composed on 3 or 5 stokes are Yang. The total number of strokes used in the name matters. Depending on the school, a certain range of strokes are auspicious while certain other ranges are not.
In most schools the date of time of the baby's birth is also required to compute the Ba Zi or Eight Characters. From the eight characters, the astrologer can determine the useful element. This is usually but not necessary the element is that most lacking in the chart.
Let say that the element that is most lacking in the chart is water. In this case the astrologer will find a name that is associated with water. Obvious names would include water or ocean. Less obvious is winter which is also associated with water. For someone lacking in the wood element, suitable names include wood, forest, spring (a season of wood) or a name of a plant.
Another technique is to find a Chinese name that comes with the required element. Most Chinese characters are composed of basic characters. For example the character for the word ?stove? a made up of the character fire and earth. Therefore if you lack fire or earth you can call yourself stove! Not the best of example but I hope you understand the principle!
These are by no means the only methods. Let me give you an example. In the old days, where infant mortality rate is quite high, parent resort to giving their child very lowly names like Cow or Pig hoping the evil spirits will miss them hence allowing them to live to a ripe old age!
Now you now why someone not so good looking is called ?Spring Beauty? while an obvious beauty is called a ?Pig?!
Chinese Girl Baby Names
How do the Chinese name their baby boys and girls? There are a number of methods. The most common one is based on the aspiration of their parents. As the name stays with the person throughout his life, it serves to remind him of what his parents expect of him.
Usually, six categories describe these goals and expectations. These are: morality, intellect and scholarly accomplishment, wellness and beauty, accumulation of wealth and social status, safety and a smooth life path, and strong will and independence.
Another method of naming is based on the seniority of the siblings. Some Chinese families cherish the tradition of giving names based on a specific method that was handed down from generations to generations. Whenever a baby is born in the family, he or she is simply given a name using a series or methodology defined by its ancestor.
A different naming convention is to draw on historical events or to memorialize national events in Chinese history.
Finally, there is a method that is related to astrology. The child can be named based on his time, month of season of birth, or based on the child’s birth year animal signs. It can also be based on the Five Elements.
Because a parent's hopes will be different for a boy than for a girl, there are differences between the ways a boy may be named and how a girl's name is derived.
A good man is expected to have good moral character and to devote himself to his country and people. He should be healthy, ambitious, firm, have wisdom and ability and bring honor to the family.A good man will possess a character that is above reproach, and will be dedicated to his family and his homeland. He should possess good health, strong ambition, a firm stance, and a powerful sense of honor that he brings to the family.
Names for baby boys will symbolize family honor, or they will carry along the family traditions or the family business to the next generation. They can also signify having strong ambition, good moral character, strong will, fierce determination, a sense of responsibility, a healthy and strong body, an open mind, a great deal of intellect, and devotion to the country and its people.
How about Chinese names for infant girls? Parents aspire for their girls to be virtuous, chaste, and loyal to family. They should be mindful of housekeeping, take good care of the family, and have strong affection for their siblings. Girls are expected to exist in harmony with their neighbors. Furthermore, they should possess a combination of grace, intelligence, and beauty.
For this reason, the ways of naming Chinese baby girls are steeped in the promotion of the revered feminine qualities. These include elegance, feminine beauty, virtue, intelligence and wit, tenderness, and grace.
Both Henry Fong & Fongsuimy are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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