名以正体，字以表德。
The name sets the form; the courtesy name expresses the virtue.
Behind every Chinese name lies an ancient system of principles,
elements, zodiac signs, and careful taboos.
Duke Huan of Lu asked minister Shen Xu about naming. His reply — xin, yi, xiang, jia, lei — became the foundation of Chinese naming theory for 2,700 years.
Read → 行The Five Elements generate and overcome each other in endless cycles. For centuries, Chinese naming has drawn on this system to balance a person's elemental constitution.
Read → 肖Each zodiac animal has preferred and forbidden character radicals — a folk tradition that influences which characters parents choose for their child's name.
Read → 讳A name must not clash with elders or emperors, carry ominous meaning, or sound like something unfortunate when read aloud. The rules that shaped Chinese names for millennia.
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