The Origin and Historical Development of Qigong: A Journey Through Ancient Chinese Wellness Practices

Qigong is a unique system of self-cultivation and health maintenance that emerged from the daily life and struggles of the Chinese people against illness over thousands of years. With a history spanning 4,000 to 5,000 years, it has made an extraordinary contribution to the health and longevity of the Chinese nation. As a gem of Chinese culture and a distinctive branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), qigong integrates movement, breath, and mind. This article explores its origins and historical development.

Legend has it that over 4,000 years ago, during the reign of Emperor Yao (Tang Yao), severe floods plagued the Central Plains of China. People suffered from swollen, painful joints and stiff muscles. To alleviate these discomforts, they drew on accumulated experience and used certain dance movements to stretch tendons, strengthen bones, promote blood circulation, and enhance physical fitness. The Lüshi Chunqiu (Spring and Autumn Annals of Master Lü) by Lü Buwei of the Qin Dynasty records: "In the beginning of Tao Tang's rule, there was much stagnation and accumulation of dampness; water channels were blocked, and the source could not flow. The people's qi became depressed and stagnant, their tendons and muscles contracted and could not stretch. Therefore, dances were created to guide and disperse these conditions." This indicates that as early as the Yao-Shun period, or even earlier, our ancestors knew how to use dance-like movements—similar to modern dynamic qigong—for health preservation and fitness. Thus, ancient Chinese qigong likely originated from these dance movements.

The Dance-Patterned Pottery Basin, unearthed in the 1970s at Shang Sunjiazhai in Datong County, Qinghai Province, is a Neolithic artifact belonging to the Majiayao culture (Majiayao type). Dating back approximately 5,000 years, it is now housed in the National Museum of China. The basin is 28.5 cm high, with a mouth diameter of 13 cm and a base diameter of 12 cm. It features black dance figures in three groups, each with five people holding hands, facing the same direction, with a diagonal line on each side of the head resembling braids. The movements are uniform, and the outer figures have double lines on their arms, possibly indicating empty arms and larger, more frequent movements. Below the figures, three lines leading to two vertical lines on the ground represent legs, while a line on the side of the lower abdomen may be decorative. The entire scene vividly portrays dancers in realistic poses. This pottery basin is considered the earliest physical evidence of ancient qigong, further confirming that qigong likely originated from dance movements.

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the proliferation of philosophical schools and the flourishing of ideas accelerated the development of qigong. Various methods and theories emerged, mainly from six major schools: Daoist, Confucian, Buddhist, medical, martial arts, and folk. These schools greatly influenced the subsequent development of traditional qigong.

Daoism is a major school of ancient Chinese philosophy, with representatives Laozi and Zhuangzi. Laozi, a thinker at the end of the Spring and Autumn period and founder of Daoism, wrote in his classic Dao De Jing: "Empty the mind, fill the belly"; "Continuous as if barely present, use it without effort"; "Attain utmost emptiness, abide in stillness"; "Concentrate qi, achieve softness, can you be like an infant?" These passages not only reflect philosophical views but also describe qigong methods. Zhuangzi, in the chapter Ke Yi, specifically discusses ancient qigong: "Blowing and breathing, exhaling the old and inhaling the new, stretching like a bear and extending like a bird—these are only for longevity. Such are the practices of the daoyin experts, the nourishers of the body, and those who emulate Peng Zu's long life." Peng Zu, a legendary figure from the Shang Dynasty, is said to have lived 800 years (with 60 days counted as a year at that time, equivalent to over 130 years today), symbolizing longevity. The characteristics of Daoist qigong include advocating tranquility and non-action, emphasizing health preservation, and using methods such as tuna (breathing exercises), daoyin (guiding and stretching), and shoushen (mind concentration). Representative practices include the Twelve Sleeping Exercises of Huashan, Peng Zu's Daoyin Method, and Internal Alchemy (Neidan).

Confucianism is another major school of ancient Chinese philosophy, with representatives Confucius and Mencius. Confucius, a thinker, politician, educator, and founder of Confucianism at the end of the Spring and Autumn period, wrote in The Analects: "Eating coarse rice, drinking water, bending the arm as a pillow—joy lies therein." This may reflect Confucius's own qigong experience. Mencius also emphasized self-cultivation and health, famously stating: "I am skillful in nourishing my vast, flowing qi," revealing his personal insight into qigong practice. One of Confucius's students, Yan Hui, once reported his experience of creating a practice called zuowang (sitting in forgetfulness), which greatly interested Confucius and was promoted within the Confucian school. Zuowang involves sitting quietly and letting go of all thoughts, a form of meditation.

This brief history demonstrates that qigong is not only a profound cultural heritage but also a living tradition that continues to evolve. By understanding its origins and development, we can better appreciate its role in promoting health and well-being today.

References

1. Lü Buwei. Lüshi Chunqiu (Spring and Autumn Annals of Master Lü). Chapter on Ancient Music. c. 3rd century BCE.

2. Laozi. Dao De Jing. c. 6th century BCE.

3. Zhuangzi. Zhuangzi, Chapter Ke Yi. c. 4th century BCE.

4. Confucius. The Analects. c. 5th century BCE.

5. Mencius. Mencius. c. 4th century BCE.

6. Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic). c. 2nd century BCE. Relevant to the concepts of qi and health practices.