dantian

Dantian is a Chinese term meaning “cinnabar field” or “elixir field.” In Daoist internal alchemy, traditional Chinese medicine, and many East Asian martial arts such as taijiquan and qigong, dantian refers to one or more energy centers or reservoirs of qi (vital energy) that practitioners cultivate, store, and mobilize for health, vitality, and skill. The concept is widely used across traditions, though exact interpretations and locations vary.

Lower dantian (xia dantian) is the primary energy store and is traditionally located in the lower abdomen, about two to three finger-widths below the navel and a few inches inside the body. It is regarded as the foundation of qi and vitality, serving as the main source during breathing, movement, and exertion. Some descriptions emphasize its bodily and energetic depth rather than a single fixed point.

Middle dantian (zhong dantian) is associated with the chest area, around the heart or solar plexus level. It is linked to respiration, circulation of qi through the torso, and emotional balance. In practice, it is often used as a center for gathering and smoothing qi during inhalation and exhalation.

Upper dantian (shang dantian) is located in the forehead, between the eyebrows, sometimes called the “third eye.” It is connected with mental clarity, consciousness, and shen (spirit) in Daoist and Buddhist-inspired traditions. It may be emphasized in meditative or contemplative practices.

In practice, dantian cultivation involves coordinated breathing, visualization, and meditation. While widely described in traditional sources, the concept is not universally defined in modern science and varies among schools. It is sometimes compared to chakras in Western metaphysical contexts but remains rooted in Chinese energetic theory.