Chinese character for longevity: 寿 (shòu)
The Chinese character for longevity is 寿 (shòu). It means long life and appears in 长寿 (chángshòu, long life) and birthday wishes for elders such as 寿比南山 (may your life be as long as the southern mountains). It is a classic symbol on gifts for older people.
How 寿 is built
The traditional form 壽 is complex; its top is related to 老 (old), and old forms suggest long, winding furrows, which scholars link to a long life. The simplified 寿 keeps a shortened top with 寸 (cùn, hand or measure) at the bottom. As a memory aid, picture a long life measured out by hand, inch by inch. In art, 壽 is often drawn in decorative round or long forms.
寿 shòu · old age
- 丰fēng — abundant
- 三sān — three
- 一 — horizontal stroke
- 二 — two strokes
- 丨 — vertical stroke
- 三sān — three
- 寸cùn — inch
How 寿 is used
Other ways to say longevity
- 长寿 chángshòu — long life, the most natural word
Before you use it as a tattoo or design: 寿 is linked with old age and birthdays, so it suits gifts for elders; traditional 壽 is the form seen on classic decorations.
Questions
What is the Chinese character for longevity?
寿 (shòu) means “longevity”. In traditional characters it is written 壽.
How do you pronounce 寿?
寿 is pronounced shòu.
Is 寿 simplified or traditional?
寿 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore; 壽 is the traditional form used in Taiwan and Hong Kong.