To celebrate Chinese Language Day, let’s look at the Chinese word for “security”. Because my social legacy is all about creating Comfort for the Spirit. That means I’m intentionally curating a safe and warm space where people can feel a deep sense of security and belonging. Now, from the Chinese phrase, what can we learn about the concept of security?
In Chinese, Security is 安全。
The first half…
Check this out: 安 means “Tranquility”. The character is literally a roof over a woman.
As a fun reference, a roof over the character for man, is the word for “word”: 字. Draw from that what you will.
And the second half…
Meanwhile, 全 means completely or holistically. So Security, 安全, is the sense of complete, holistic tranquility.
Maybe our family knew this intuitively. Maybe that’s why we’ve held on to our old, comfy furniture instead of trading up for something more glamourous. Or perhaps it’s why we always have candles burning in the house, and tea fragrantly steeping in beautiful pots.
These things bring us a deep sense of comfort and home. And I think they give those who join us, a bit of the same.
A few related articles:
- Cultivating a sense of belonging (this was the article Arianna Huffington reposted!)
- How to cultivate calm
- The importance of psychological safety
I might have a twisted interpretation for both characters. I remember what we call the upper part of 安 is 宝盖头，which one can take as a precious cover (a roof is certainly a precious cover). The lower part is woman. So when the upper and lower parts join, it implies that when we see women (a representation of who we care in and outside our families) under precious covers, it gives us peace of mind. One way to decipher 全 is it implies completeness as though you are in the house of a king 🤴, where you can find whatever you need. The upper part of 全 also resembles a roof, while the lower part indicates a king. When the two characters 安全 join, it indicates mental states with peace of mind so complete and wholesome that people are free to explore the world, to express themselves the way(s) they feel like. Just my version of painting a utopia out of two characters in our fantastic Chinese language!
This is lovely. Why didn’t I think to mention that about 全？ Great point!!