Methods To Avoid Offence
There were three ways to avoid using a taboo character:
- Changing the character to another one which usually was a synonym or sounded like the character being avoided. For example, the Xuanwu Gate (玄武門：the Black Warrior Gate) of the Forbidden City was renamed as "Shenwu" (神武門：Gate of Divine Might) in order to avoid the Kangxi Emperor's name Xuanye (玄燁).
- Leaving the character as a blank.
- Omitting a stroke in the character, especially the final stroke.
Compare to the writing of G-d or L-rd in Judaism.
Read more about this topic: Naming Taboo
Famous quotes containing the words methods, avoid and/or offence:
“Crime is terribly revealing. Try and vary your methods as you will, your tastes, your habits, your attitude of mind, and your soul is revealed by your actions.”
—Agatha Christie (1891–1976)
“Bill: I think maybe you have to come up with excuses just to avoid the moment of truth.
Lili: What?
Bill: In a word, Miss Smith, I think it’s just possible you’re a virgin.”
—Blake Edwards (b. 1922)
“Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”
—Bible: New Testament Jesus, in Matthew, 16:23.
Said to Peter, who had suggested that Jesus not go into Jerusalem to meet his fate.