离 stroke order 离 chinese writing meaning 离 chinese character tattoos

I. The Core Meaning of the Character "离" (lí)

The character "离" (lí) is complex and emotionally charged. It primarily means "to leave," "to depart," or "to separate from." However, its meaning spans from mundane actions to profound philosophical concepts.

1. Literal & Common Meanings:

  • To leave; to depart from:

    • 离开 (líkāi) - To leave; to depart.

  • Away from; off:

    • 离家 (lí jiā) - Away from home.

  • In mathematics, to deviate from:

    • 距离 (jùlí) - Distance.

2. Philosophical & Symbolic Meanings:
This is where the character gains its deepest resonance.

  • The "Li" Trigram (Fire) in the Bagua: In the I Ching (Book of Changes), "离" (離, lí) is one of the eight trigrams. It represents Fire, the Sun, Brightness, and Awareness. It symbolizes clarity, intelligence, and clinging or attachment (like a flame clinging to its fuel). This is a profoundly positive and powerful meaning.

  • Parting and Separation: In a more melancholic sense, it is associated with the pain of parting, such as in farewells or the end of relationships.

    • 离别 (líbié) - To part; to separate.

  • A Mythical Beast: The traditional form "離" was the name for a mythical beast, which is the origin of the character.


II. "离" as a Tattoo: Meanings and Considerations

A tattoo of "离" is a highly nuanced and potent choice. Its interpretation exists on a spectrum from painful separation to enlightened clarity.

Potential Intended Meanings (from the wearer's perspective):

  1. A Symbol of Transformation and Independence: The most powerful positive meaning. The tattoo can represent leaving an old self, a toxic situation, or limiting beliefs behind. It is a declaration of independence and a conscious step towards a new chapter. It says, "I have left that behind me."

  2. Clarity, Illumination, and Intelligence: Drawing from its meaning as the Fire trigram, it can symbolize a bright, inquisitive mind, a moment of enlightenment, or the "fire" of awareness that dispels darkness and confusion.

  3. A Mark of a Significant Parting: It can serve as a tribute to a profound "goodbye"—be it a person, a place, or a phase of life—acknowledging the pain but also the importance of that experience in shaping who you are.

  4. Embracing Distance and Perspective: It can represent the wisdom gained from "distance," whether physical or emotional, and the clarity that comes from stepping away to see the bigger picture.

⚠️ Important Considerations & Potential Drawbacks

"离" is a high-risk, high-reward tattoo due to its strong and often negative primary meaning.

  1. Overwhelming Association with Separation and Divorce: The most immediate and common interpretation is "to leave" or "to separate." In a modern context, it is directly associated with divorce (离婚, líhūn). This can project an image of loss, breakup, or loneliness.

  2. The Duality: Fire vs. Separation: This is the central challenge. While you may intend the powerful, positive "Fire" meaning from the I Ching, this is a niche, philosophical interpretation that will be completely lost on the vast majority of people, including native Chinese speakers. They will see "separation" first and foremost.

  3. Potential for a Pessimistic Vibe: The tattoo can be easily misinterpreted as representing a state of being isolated, abandoned, or perpetually "leaving."

Conclusion and Recommendation

The character "离" is generally not recommended for a tattoo unless you have an extremely strong, personal, and clear connection to its positive, transformative meaning of "leaving the past behind" or are a dedicated scholar of the I Ching.

The risk of it being permanently misunderstood as a symbol of divorce or painful separation is very high.

If you are drawn to the concepts behind "离," here are much safer and clearer alternatives:

  • To express "a new beginning" or "transformation," use: 变 (biàn - change), 新 (xīn - new), or 生 (shēng - life).

  • To express "clarity" or "light," use: 明 (míng - bright, clear) or 光 (guāng - light).

  • To express "independence," use: 独 (dú - independent) or 自 (zì - self).

In summary, "离" is a high-risk tattoo. Its beautiful philosophical meaning is overshadowed by its dominant and painful modern connotations. To express a journey of transformation, a character like 变 (change) or 进 (advance) is a far more effective and unambiguous choice.

How to Write "离" (Stroke Order)

The stroke order for "离" is complex but essential for its correct structure.

  1. First: 丶 (Dot) - The top dot.

  2. Second: 一 (Horizontal) - The top horizontal stroke.

  3. Third: 丿 (Left-falling) - The left-falling stroke.

  4. Fourth: ㇉ (Vertical Hook) - The vertical hook.

  5. Fifth: 丶 (Dot) - The inner dot.

  6. Sixth: ㇄ (Vertical Fold) - The horizontal fold.

  7. Seventh: 乚 (Vertical Hook) - The final vertical hook.

离字意思【meaning】

离字基本字义解释【Basic meaning】

离lí（ㄌ一ˊ）

⒈  相距，隔开：距离。太阳是离地球最近的恒星。

⒉  离开，分开：分离。离别。离家。离散（sàn）。离职。离异。离间（jiàn ）。支离破碎。

⒊  缺少：办好教育离不开教师。

⒋  八卦之一，符号是“☲”，代表火。

⒌  古同“罹”，遭受。

⒍  古同“缡”，妇女的佩巾。

⒎  〔离离〕形容草木茂盛，如“离离原上草，一岁一枯荣”。

⒏  姓。

离的异体字【Variant】

  • 離

  • 魑

离字汉英互译【Chinese-English Translation】

away、independent of、leave、off、part from、without

相关字词【Related words】

合即留

造字法【Character Creation】

形声

离字组词【Word Grouping】

离岛;离横;距离;淑离;不离;离绪;游离;远离;离娄;离合风;离杯;离词;离弦;闲离;离婚;

离字取名的含义是什么【What does the name mean?】：

离字取名义指阳刚,清纯,安康之义;

离配什么字最好【What word is best?】

起名离配什么字最好【What word is best?】?离配什么字最好【What word is best?】男孩可配冬、名、晋、丰、屹等字起名大气好听的。女孩离字配什么字好听可配俏、韫、嫦、旎、熔等字起名最好听。

与离字搭配的最佳男孩名字【Best boy names that go with this word】

  • yin li音离

  • li ran离然

  • hai li海离

  • jian li简离

  • mi li米离

  • zhen li震离

与离字搭配的最佳女孩名字【Best girl names that go with this word】

  • meng li梦离

  • jin li瑾离

  • li meng离檬

  • li dan离丹

  • yun li韵离

  • ying li莹离

chinese characters

Chinese words