We love The Haven’s word for 2017. It’s inspiring! Here are some of the word’s roots and other meanings, in English and Chinese.

Inspire 

1. Fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
2. Breathe in (air); inhale.

Origin

 啓發

啓 is pronounced Chi with the 3rd tone. It sounds like Chi meaning energy although the energy Chi is the 4th tone. 啓 has a mouth 口 in its pictographic writing – it means mouth and symbolizes opening. So 啓 means opening, beginning, initiating.These meanings can be related to breathe in – every breath-in is a start and opening. 

發 pronounces Fa – means happening, taking place, breaking out, or discovering. In Chinese 啓發 is commonly used to mean inspire, enlighten, an aha moment. Fa also has a lesser meaning of bringing wealth.

Special thanks to Wen Shwu Lee, Sean Feng and George Wu for their help with Chinese translation, meaning and calligraphy. Thanks also go to Peter Joyes for the beautiful word card that you can find on display above the fireplace.