The Ou Family
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
A Legacy in Bronze
Our emblem is not just a design; it is history carved in time. Written in Bronze Inscription Script (Jinwen 金文)—an ancient form of writing cast on ritual vessels during the Western Zhou dynasty (11th century – 770 BCE)—it represents the "Ou" surname.
These inscriptions appeared on ceremonial ding cauldrons and gui grain bowls, objects not meant for daily use but for honoring ancestors and recording lineage. Unlike oracle bone scripts used for fleeting divination, bronze inscriptions were permanent declarations of merit and heritage, often concluding with the phrase: "May sons and grandsons forever treasure and use it" (子子孫孫永寶用).
Like the ceremonial vessels preserved for millennia, what endures is not the daily, but the intentional. This digital space is our modern vessel—a tribute to our roots and a foundation for the future we are building in Canada.
The Name
The surname Ou (區) carries a story of honor and generosity. During the Han Dynasty, a merchant named Ou An (歐安) became renowned for his charitable acts. His compassion caught the attention of Emperor Jing of Han, who bestowed upon him an extraordinary honor.
The Emperor ordered that Ou An's surname be written without the radical qian (欠), which means "to owe." The character was simplified from 歐 to 區—a symbolic recognition that a man of such generosity should never bear a character meaning debt.
The lineage also traces to Ou Zhizi (歐治子), a master sword-maker during the Spring and Autumn period, whose craftsmanship was legendary. From artisans to merchants, from ancient China to modern Canada, the name carries forward a tradition of skill, integrity, and contribution.
Building for the Future
We are a family of creators, builders, and thinkers. Whether in software, art, or community, we believe in the principles of Craftsmanship and Optimization.
We value the balance between honoring tradition and embracing the efficiency of modern technology.