Glossary

Novel Categories
Wuxia (武侠 wǔxiá) – literally means "Martial Heroes". Fictional stories about regular humans who can achieve supernatural fighting ability through Chinese martial arts training and internal energy cultivation. Themes of chivalry, tragedy, revenge & romance are common.

Xianxia (仙侠 xiānxiá) – literally means "Immortal Heroes". Fictional stories featuring magic, demons, ghosts, immortals, and a great deal of Chinese folklore/mythology. Protagonists (usually) attempt to cultivate to Immortality, seeking eternal life and the pinnacle of strength. Heavily inspired by Daoism.

Comparison: If Wuxia is "low fantasy", then Xianxia is "high fantasy".

Cosmology Terms
Dao (道 dào) – the origin and source of all things. It can be translated in many different ways, including The Way / Road / Path / Method. According to Daoism, it is the absolute principle underlying the universe, combining within itself the principles of Yin and Yang and signifying the way, or code of behavior, that is in harmony with the natural order. In these novels, characters often try to gain insights into the Dao, which can give them supernatural powers or even control over aspects of the natural world.

Yin & Yang (阴阳 yīnyáng) – the duality present in all aspects of the universe. For instance: Yin is Female / Soft / Death / Dark / the Moon, while Yang is Male / Hard / Life / Light / the Sun – the comparisons are endless. Yin & Yang describe how opposite or contrary forces are actually complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they mutually give rise to each other.

Five Elements (五行 wǔxíng) – Wood (木 mù), Fire (火 huǒ), Earth (土 tǔ), Metal (金 jīn) and Water (水 shuǐ). The fundamental elements which compose everything in the universe. They have a detailed cyclic relationship, and each of them have several symbolic meanings. Somewhat analogous to the Western Four Elements.

Qi (气 qì) – (Spiritual) Energy - the vital energy which exists in all things.

Zhen Qi (真气 zhēn qì) – True (Spiritual) Energy – a combination of the vital energy which one is born with (innate) and the one one acquires through good living habits and nutritious food (acquired).

World of Martial Arts Terms
Immortals (仙 xiān) – beings who ascended to Immortality through Daoist cultivation practices. They have magical powers, can fly freely through the air, and have a close connection to the Dao and the natural world.

Jianghu (江湖 jiānghú) – literally "Rivers and Lakes", but figuratively refers to the "World Of Martial Arts" or the "World Of Cultivation". A section of society consisting of martial artists, mobsters, thieves, beggars, prostitutes, merchants, entertainers, and anyone else wanting to operate outside of mainstream society or in the grey area of the law.

Wulin (武林 wǔlín) – literally "Martial Forest", figuratively refers to the “community of martial artists” within the Jianghu.

Sect (宗 zōng) - an organization dedicated to the practice of cultivation and/or martial arts. Typically led by a Sect Leader or Patriarch/Matriarch. With the help of Sect Elders, they instruct Disciples in the proper methods of cultivation or training in the martial arts styles of the Sect. The Disciples live in the Sect, which provides for their daily needs. There is practically always a strict hierarchy amongst members of a Sect, and respect for the elder generations is demanded. Martial Sects are categorised into righteous and demonic sects. Righteous sects are traditional and governed by Confucian precepts, whereas demonic sects tend to be innovative but don't adhere to morality.

Martial Arts Terms
Martial Arts (武功 wǔgōng) – fighting styles & techniques. Also includes physical exercises, methods of mental discipline, and more. Chinese martial arts are commonly referred to as Kung Fu (功夫 gōng​fu) or Wushu (武术 wǔ​shù).

External Martial Arts (外家/外门 wàijiā/wàimén) – martial arts styles characterized by fast and explosive movements. They focus on the cultivation of physical strength and agility.

Internal Martial Arts (内家/内门 nèijiā/nèimén) – martial arts styles characterized by soft and flowing movements. They focus on the cultivation of the mind, spirit and energy.

Internal Power/Strength/Energy (内力 nèilì) or (内劲 nèijìn) or (内息 nèixī) – the cultivated energy within a martial artist’s body. Utilizing it, a martial artist can accomplish superhuman feats of speed, agility, strength, endurance, etc... It can even be used to heal wounds and nullify poisons.

Lightness Skill (轻功 qīnggōng) – the ability to lighten the body and move with great agility & swiftness. At high proficiency, practitioners of this skill can run across water, leap to the top of trees, or even glide through the air.

Cultivation Terms
Cultivation Method (功法 gōngfǎ) – literally "effort method". A technique which cultivators practice in order to cultivate. This method usually relies on "effort" to cultivate and are more closely associated with external martial arts.

Cultivation Method (心法 xīnfǎ) – literally "heart/mind method". A technique which cultivators practice in order to cultivate. This method usually relies on "contemplation" to cultivate and are more closely associated with internal martial arts.

(Qi) Deviation (走火入魔 zǒu huǒ rù mó) – literally "walk into the fires of demonhood". A state wherein the cultivation base becomes dangerously unstable, causing internal damage to the body and symptoms of psychosis. People who succumb to their inner demons, who practice cultivation/martial arts incorrectly, or who rashly use forbidden arts are all at risk of falling into this state.

Bottleneck (瓶颈 píngjǐng) – the term for when cultivators figuratively hit a wall in their training and it suddenly becomes incredibly difficult to proceed. When they reach a bottleneck, cultivators may require new insights, the aid of medicinal pills, or even harsher training in order to break through (突破 tūpò) and successfully bypass the bottleneck.

Miscellaneous Terms
Feng Shui (风水 fēngshuǐ) – literally "Wind and Water". A form of traditional Chinese divination/fortune-telling. In novels it’s mainly only mentioned in passing.

Fairy / Lady / Maiden (仙女 xiānnǚ) or (仙子 xiānzǐ) – a term used to describe a woman of otherworldly beauty.

Witch / Bitch / Temptress / Vixen (妖女 yāo​nǚ) – a term used to describe an alluring woman who sexually exploits men.

Cultivating Furnace / Honeypot (炉鼎 lú dǐng) – literally "Ancient Cauldron and Furnace". A term used refer to the practice of one of the two practitioners relying on the other's body to increase their own cultivation. However, this method is not an authentic double cultivation method, because while one of the two parties' cultivation is advancing the other one's receding. In some novels, this method is used on the lower-class, servants or slaves.

Inheritance (传承 chuán​chéng) – a term for something that is "imparted and inherited" or "passed on and carried on" (like a tradition, martial art, cultivation method, etc.).

Elder/Junior Martial Brother/Sister (师兄/师弟/师姐/师妹 shī​xiōng/shī​dì/shī​jiě/shī​mèi) - a term used to address fellow disciples. Seniority is determined according to the time of entry into the sect. Accordingly they are addressed as junior martial sibling or elder martial sibling.

Fortuitous Encounter (奇遇 qí​yù) - a term used to describe a cultivator encountering something by chance (like a martial art, cultivation method, magical tool or insight) that usually enables dramatic progress.