鹿 (lù) — Deer

Meaning & Nuance

鹿 (lù) is the Chinese character for deer. In Chinese mythology the deer is a creature of the immortals — a gentle bearer of longevity and good fortune, sometimes shown carrying the mushroom of immortality. 鹿 also sounds like 禄 (lù, “prosperity/official salary”), so it doubles as a symbol of career fortune. It is distinct from 马 (horse) and from 麝 (shè, musk deer). The famous 梅花鹿 is the spotted sika deer.

Pronunciation & Form

Pinyin: lù — a fourth-tone (sharp, falling) syllable, dropping decisively like a period. The character uses the animal/“deer” radical 鹿 itself as the head with interior detail suggesting the animal’s form.

Common Words & Phrases

Why Get 鹿 as a Tattoo

鹿 is a gentle, auspicious symbol — longevity, grace, and quiet good fortune. As a tattoo it suits someone drawn to soft strength and nature imagery, reading clearly as “deer” to Chinese readers. It makes a peaceful emblem of prosperity and a long life, far removed from aggressive animal tattoos. Pair it with 林 (forest) or 月 (moon) for a calm, woodland composition.

Tattoo Style & Placement

Best fits: fine-line, watercolor, or soft brush styles. 鹿 is detailed, so give it medium room on the forearm, shoulder, or thigh. A small antler or leaf accent suits its gentle nature. Font note: a delicate outline or brush keeps it refined; keep it at least ~4–5 cm tall so the inner strokes stay readable.

Authenticity & Cultural Note

Always confirm the character with a native speaker or linguist before inking. 鹿 (deer) is its own radical and is unrelated to 马 (horse) or 禄 (prosperity, same sound) — a wrong character changes the meaning. handmade.ink meanings are checked by native Chinese linguists so your ink says exactly what you intend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Characters