Qi - the life energy & vital force
Qi ... is the central concept within traditional Chinese science and philosophy. Find out what's behind it here - simply described, clearly explained.
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Qi - central concept of TCW
Qi is the central concept of traditional Chinese science and philosophy. It is at the heart of all other concepts such as yin and yang, the 5 phases of transformation and the 3 entities, which can be used to explain the functioning of the world and its phenomena.
However, qi is not a Chinese phenomenon. In Japan it is called "ki", in India "prana" and in Europe "spirit or od".
Qi is the power that is inherent in all things, people, animals and plants and gives life. Everything around us is permeated with Qi. This - shall we say - invisible bond connects everything together and creates interactions.
Qi in Chinese characters is described by a grain of rice in mist/water. This image represents the subtle and gross principle of action and describes a cyclical process. Everything is in motion - Qi.
Qi, a word with many meanings
The small word Qi has a wide range of meanings, so that a short definition is hardly possible.
Qi has not only influenced the field of holistic medicine, the Chinese concept has also spread to the Western world. The meaning of Qi is simply described as life force.
The character Qi has many meanings, such as breath, air, vapor, gas, weather... but it also describes the nature of a thing, disposition, temperament, strength or a life-giving principle. Qi can also describe states. A translation is therefore difficult, so I leave the term in the appropriate context and simply talk about Qi.
3 types of Qi
Qi is described by the 3 entities, which form a distinction between heaven qi, earth qi and human qi.
Celestial Qi is determined by the sun, moon, weather and time.
The earth qi is determined by the earth's magnetic field, mountains, watercourses, etc.
The human Qi forms the life force, which is determined by food, breath and light, which can be controlled by life-prolonging techniques such as Qigong, Taiji, meditation... by TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), by a healthy living environment (Feng Shui) and sensible lifestyle (Bazi Suanming).
Qi - Bedeutung im Bazi Suanming
Qi is a central concept in Chinese philosophy and science, which has always been used to explain the world and its phenomena. The term has existed for 2500 years, but its meaning has changed repeatedly over the course of time. The meaning has changed against the background of different understandings.
The term qi has become very important, especially in the field of alternative medicine. However, the interpretations of its meaning differ not only in our western - occidental - professional world, but also among Chinese therapists and scientists alike.
There is no concise, precise definition.
The character Qi also has several forms and has changed over time. The original pictogram was a rice plant with layers of air on top of each other. Today's script is a simplified form in which some graphic content has been lost and means water vapor.
In modern Chinese colloquial language, the character describes terms such as: Breath, air, vapor, gas, weather. But also conditions such as temperature and climatic conditions.
Due to the wide range of meanings, we simply speak of Qi here.
Qi became the image of nature itself, which changes in cycles over the course of a year. The following properties are attributed to Qi:
- Necessity of change / transformation of Qi
- Regularity of cycles in which the change / transformation takes place
- Uniformity of Qi at the beginning
Im 11. bis 13. Jahrhundert erlebte Qi die größte Neuinterpretation. Damals bildet sich der Gedanke heraus, das Qi eine materielle und geistige Kraft darstellt, die gemeinsam mit einer Weltstruktur alle Dinge der Welt darstellt. Parallel zu dieser Zeit viel die Entwicklungsphase von Bazi Suanming.
Das Thema beim Bazi Suanming ist daher die Entwicklung des Qi eines Menschen während seines Lebens (eine zeitliche Betrachtung im Lebensverlauf).
Wissen aus der Ausbildung Bazi Suanming durch Dr. Manfred Kubny
Qi - in the context of Feng Shui
The quality of the Qi is assessed in the Feng Shui analysis. The following findings help with this.
By observing nature, the Chinese have recognized different flow laws of the life energy Qi: Creative energy flows gently, meandering like a stream in its natural course, because creative nature knows no straight lines.
If Qi is hindered in its natural movement, Sha-Qi (stopping energy) is created.
When Qi becomes Sha-Qi, it can develop in 2 directions - Yin-Sha or Yang-Sha.
Yin-Sha occurs when the Qi flow slows down or stagnates.
Yang-Sha occurs when the energy flows too straight and fast. Here you can find more information about the concept of Yin & Yang.
Different types of Qi were also discovered:
Atmospheric Qi
This describes the flow of energy in a room. In buildings, it begins at the entrance door, which is also called the mouth gate (ho men) in feng shui. It then flows through the room doors into the individual rooms. Windows are also responsible for the circulation of energy in the rooms. Windows are the eyes of the building and connect the inside with the outside world.
Mobile Qi
Everything that moves is referred to as mobile qi. This includes cars on the streets, people in the pedestrian zone, river water, animals, etc.
Thermal Qi
This is essentially determined by the temperature. The house is our third shell after our immortal skin and clothing. So that we feel comfortable, it has its own thermal cycle.
Light Qi
Light and thermal qi are often grouped together. However, lighting plays a special role in directing Qi, so light should be given special attention.
People Qi
Life energy as a function of personality is described by the "three treasures" Jing, Qi and Shen. Jing is the energy that provides structure and represents the sexual power and source of life. Qi stands for potential and metabolic energy. It permeates the universe and is present on a mental and physical level. Shen stands for vitality and the thinking mind and interprets, observes and differentiates.
To assess the quality of Qi in the environment, the following aspects of Qi are considered in Feng Shui:
- Qi flow - from the inside out,
- Light flow - from the outside in,
- Division into Yin & Yang.
The task in Feng Shui is to promote a harmonious flow of Qi.
Harmony is the goal of all endeavors.
