Chinese character or not?

[WaterPixie]

I'm hoping somebody here can help me. I'm making some Chinese New Year cards for a friend and wanted to stamp the character for Prosperity on the card base.

I found this stamp from Inkadinkado. When I got home I decided to double check online and it's not matching anything.

Does anybody recognize this or even know what it is?

I'd appreciate any help! Thank you!

[CuttersCallous]

Hey Emily, I tried to do a little research...but I came up blank. I thought this listing at the bay was interesting though...'cause it shows a lot of different symbols. Sorry I couldn't help ya!

http://cgi.ebay.com/36-BIG-Chinese-R...QQcmdZViewItem

[WaterPixie]

Thanks, Rose Ann!

That's a cool set, though.

I even tried Japanese symbols and it doesn't seem to match those either.

Might just be taking this one back to the store and getting something else. :???:

[bnlnkids]

According to this website, it looks like it's the Japanese symbol for prosperity. The images, though stylistically different, look pretty much the same. I will keep looking for you for a definite answer, though.

[WaterPixie]

Thanks, Lisa!

That is a much closer match than anything else I've found so far.

I was afraid it would turn out to not be Chinese.

[bnlnkids]

Well, I can't seem to find anything esle that's close. :( If it's of any comfort, it appears that there are MANY forms of "Prosperity" in the Asian language. I've seen at least a dozen completely different symbols! This could also be due to the fact that "Prosperity" can have many different meanings in their culture... e.g. "luck", "wealth", "rise vs. fall" (as in dynasties), etc.

FWIW, I've read that Chinese and Japanese characters are very similar, with only highly subtle differences. However, I don't know what exactly those differences are.

I'd be willing to bet that your stamp is actually the correct symbol, though hard to tell with the way it's "written", KWIM? Good luck!

[Noel in TX]

Hi, Emily,

I hope it's not too late to reply your question. The stamp you got is a PRETTY good one. When I said, "Pretty", it's not only an adverb for good but really gorgeous also. It's really the meaning of Prosperity in Chinese. The one you have is more like handwriting than printing. Actually something like calligraphy font. I do believe your friend will love to see it on the cards. And BTW, Chinese people LOVE anything in "RED" for Chinese New Year.

[WaterPixie]

Cool! Thanks for that info, Noel in Tx!

I'm using black and red for the cards. Looks really nice.

[Noel in TX]

I'm so happy I can help a little.

Almost forget to say. Some Chinese character stamps in Hobby Lobby or Michaels totally freak me out by meaning or typeface. Some words I have never seen any Chinese people use. I am just really not into those. haha

[PeaceOfPaper]

There is a website called tribalshapes.com If you scroll down there is a heading for Kanji symbols, maybe that will help.

[gailwoo]

hi,
its a stylized form, not the formal character;
not too much black (!), black ink is fine, on red paper,
gold is good!
gail/san francisco

[WaterPixie]

Thanks again, Ladies!

My friend, whom I'm making the cards for, sent it to some co-workers and we were told it means "Fat Dat" = Fortune