Chinese symbols are logograms that have been used as a writing system in China for nearly 5,000 years. Each character resembles a picture and it must have taken a long time to develop this language. While Mandarin is the official language, there are many regional dialects spoken across China due to its ethnic diversity. People from different areas may not speak the same language but can still communicate through writing since there is only one official writing system across China using these logograms. Western culture is fascinated by Chinese symbols and likes to find the characters for words, names, and to use in tattoos as a way to express themselves culturally.