What Is Qigong?

Breaking Down the Word “Qigong”

The word Qigong (气功) is made of two characters: Qi (气) and Gong (功).

Qi

In classical Chinese philosophy, Qi is the fundamental substance and energy that animates the universe. In traditional Chinese, the character for Qi is 氣, composed of Qì 气 (“air” or “vapor”) above and Mǐ 米 (“grain” or “seed,” from which all things grow) below — suggesting that Qi is both the breath we take in and the essence drawn from nourishment.

A less common, older character is Qì 炁, in which the lower part of “grain” is replaced with the small four strokes at the bottom representing “fire”, emphasizing Qi as a primal, pre-material energy — the spark before form.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi flows through a network of meridians in the body (strings or channels through which energy flows), nourishing organs and tissues. When Qi moves freely, vitality and emotional stability flourish; when blocked or depleted, illness, fatigue, and imbalance can arise.

Gong

Gong means “skill” or “cultivation through time and effort.” It implies steady, intentional practice and mastery — something that cannot be rushed. As the saying goes: “Ten years of practice for one minute on stage.” Whether in martial arts, meditation, or music, true skill is built through patience and consistent dedication.

Protected Image

Teacher Maria Cui, 2019 Qigong Seminar

The Origins of Qigong

While Qigong’s roots stretch back thousands of years, the word itself is relatively modern.

In its earliest forms, these practices had no formal name. Some were described simply as “dance.” The Lüshi Chunqiu (Spring and Autumn Annals of Master Lü, 3rd century BCE, late Warring States period) records:

By the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BCE) and the Warring States period (475–221 BCE), many of these methods were collectively known as Daoyin Anqiao (“guiding and stretching, pressing and lifting”).

The Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic, compiled between the 4th and 2nd centuries BCE) describes:

In Zhuangzi (late 4th century BCE), we read:

Archaeological Evidence

From the Mawangdui Han tombs (168 BCE, Western Han dynasty) came two treasures: the silk text Quegu Shiqi Pian (“On Avoiding Grain and Inhaling Qi”, or more simply, “on fasting and breath control”), which outlines breathing techniques, and the Daoyin Tu (“Guiding and Stretching Chart”) — the oldest known illustrated Qigong manual, with 44 drawings showing how ancient people used these methods for health and healing.

The Daoyin Tu

A Modern Name for an Ancient Practice

The earliest appearance of the term “Qigong” is in the Ling Jian Zi, Taoist cultivation methods, attributed to the Jin dynasty (266–420 CE) Daoist Xu Xun — though likely written later, perhaps in the Sui (581–618 CE) or Tang (618–907 CE) dynasties.

By the late 20th century, especially during the “Qigong Boom” of the 1970s, the name became a unifying term for a wide range of traditional methods.

Qigong is more than a set of exercises — it is a dialogue between your breath, your body, and your mind. It is a way of attuning yourself to the deeper rhythms of life — within and around you — so that energy flows freely, health is supported, and the mind rests in clarity.

Related Articles

Check out these related posts that might interest you.

Reading

What Is Taijiquan?

An introduction to Taijiquan — the Grand Ultimate Fist, an art of balance, martial skill, and moving meditation.

Taijiquan Chinese Martial Arts Chinese Culture

Shahar Levy