炁 (qì) - A specialized term for the fundamental energy or & often used interchangeably with 气 but carries deeper

炁Tone 4

qì ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 灬

七器

炁 · qì

A specialized term for the fundamental energy or life force in Taoist philosophy and traditional Chinese medicine;

often used interchangeably with 气 but carries deeper metaphysical connotations.

A specialized term for the fundamental energy oroften used interchangeably with 气 but carries deeper

Usage highlights

Primordial energyVital life forceSpiritual energyInternal energy cultivationEnergy fieldEnergy circulation

Synonyms

  • 气— air, breath, energy (more common character)
  • 能量— energy (modern scientific term)
  • 元气— primordial energy

Antonyms

  • 形— form, shape (opposite of formless energy)
  • 质— matter, substance

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The concept of vital energy (炁) is central to Taoist practices.
  • In traditional medicine, balancing one's 炁 is important for health.
  • Meditation aims to cultivate and circulate 炁 within the body.

Collocations

  • Primordial energy(元炁)
  • Vital life force(真炁)
  • Spiritual energy(神炁)
  • Internal energy cultivation(炼炁)
  • Energy field(炁场)
  • Energy circulation(行炁)

Idioms

  • Primordial energy returns to the origin(元炁归元)
  • Cultivate essence to transform energy(炼精化炁)
  • Energy and spirit united(神炁合一)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 炁 is a fundamental concept in Taoist cosmology, representing the primordial energy that constitutes and permeates the universe.
  • In traditional Chinese medicine and qigong, 炁 refers to the vital life force that flows through the body's meridians.
  • The character is composed of 旡 (breath obstruction) over 灬 (fire), suggesting the transformative nature of energy.

FAQ