Friendship II

• Calligraphy
• pictographs

Friendship I
Friendship II
Mixed Media: paint, print, silk, coins
2010

Sharing, Dependability, Joy, Respect and Love

Sharing
The three lines represent two figures held in an embrace.

Dependability
The top and bottom lines form the symbol for heaven and earth. Heaven and earth containing the moon, with its unending cycle, symbolizes consistency. When this is combined with the heart/mind radical, on the left side of the character represented by a literal depiction of a heart with the arteries, it becomes the character for dependability. When the heart is as dependable as the cycle of the moon in the sky, it understands dependability.

Joy
Beginning from the bottom right of this character are two lines that represent the pictograph for person or, literally, two legs walking. Above this is a half circle with a flat top on it signifying the mouth. The three squiggle lines at the top represent the energy emitted from the mouth in laughter or the wise words from a respected person bringing good fortune and joy to the heart, represented by the heart radical on the left. The character as a whole signifies the state of joyfulness

Respect
The symbol at the top is made up of two crosses, each meaning ten, linked together symbolizing twenty. Beneath that are two hands together forming a respectful bow. Added to the heart/mind radical, represented by a literal depiction of a heart with the arteries, it becomes the character for respect. Twenty pairs of hands symbolize twenty generations. When the heart acknowledges the wisdom of twenty generations, respect develops.

Love
The lines on the top represent a roof top or a home. At the bottom of the character are lines representing a seated woman holding a child. This, combined with the heart radical, is the character for love. A home with a woman and a child in is the prefect depiction of love.

Patience, Thoughtfulness, Linking the Past and Present, Repose, Ability

Patience
The lines at the top represent the symbol of knife. A small line on the knifes edge denotes the cutting pain of endurance. Together endurance of the heart/mind represented by the symbol at the bottom and the knife represent patience.

Thoughtfulness
The circle divided into four parts is the farmer’s field cultivat4d into four sections. A well-cultivated, nourished heart/ mind is thoughtful. Thus, this is the character for thoughtfulness.

Linking Past and Present
The top lines signify union and the curved line under those signify contact with the past. When the past is united with the present in the heart/ mind, this is the correct state for studying, reading and chanting. The character means to link with the past.

Repose
The top lines represent the self or the nose. The Chinese believe that during a deep breath the energy of heaven is brought in through the nose into the heart/mind represented by the heart radical on the bottom. Together they form the character for repose, which is the germ of creation.

Ability
The powerful bear consists of the radical for heart/mind, the paws and the body of the bear. Together with the symbol of heart/ mind the character means a capability that is reflected in countenance, voice and bearing.