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A character in a martial arts anime unleashes a planet-destroying burst of energy to defeat a foe. A martial artist in a wuxia film strikes at pressure points to paralyze someone. Another character places their hands on that same person to heal their injuries. These are outlandish and fantastic feats certainly but they draw their inspiration from a concept that has existed in various Eastern Asian philosophies for centuries: the idea of qi, or so-called life energy. Also called chi, ki (Japanese), prana (Hindu yogic traditions), and other terms, it describes a quasi-mystical energy that runs in tandem with and supports the natural processes of the physical body.Definitions of QiCeramic Bowl of Rice, by EpSos.de. Source: FlickrQi as a concept has no single meaning. The original hanzi, or Chinese ideogram, evokes the image of a pot of rice with steam rising from it, where the rice is the food and nourishment of the body and the steam is qi or energy generated from this. Although the word qi most commonly translates to energy, a better translation might be vapor or even influence. According to Chinese beliefs, qi is one of the sources of vitality in living creatures. The more supernaturally-inclined sources mention it in regards to natural forces like fire and wind, i.e. the qi of the Earth.Humans are thought to have different types of qi that originate in the various organs of the body, according to traditional Chinese medicine. If this qi is in balance, the body and emotions are also in balance, promoting good health. The reverse is also true. Cultivation of qi comes from a healthy dietas qi comes from food in a senseand breathing and meditation exercises which have also been shown to relieve stress. These exercises can be seen in taiji or qigong, which we will mention below.Traditional MedicineDiagram of Acupuncture Points. Source: The Wellcome CollectionQi is thought to travel through the body via pathways called meridians, pooling in several key points. The idiom is often translated as Five Circuits, Six Qi: the Five Circuits represent the five elements and pathways that affect different groups of organs. Water corresponds to the kidneys and bladder, Wood to the liver and gallbladder. Fire is thought to nourish the heart, small intestine, the pericardium, and the so-called Three Heaters (which more likely refers to the digestive system as a whole). The Earth element nourishes the spleen and stomach. Metal, meanwhile, deals with the lungs and small intestine. These five pathways are each divided into Taoist yin and yang principles.The five elements mentioned above are also tied to the seasonal cycle, which in turn is thought to influence health. The malfunction of the organs, according to traditional Chinese medical theory, originates from an excess of one of these five elements qi. These imbalances manifest as disease, lack of energy, and negative emotions, to name a few symptoms. The Six Qi refers to the different seasonal influences: cold, moisture, dryness, wind, heat, and fire. Treatments use acupressure and acupuncture to stimulate the meridians, or qi pathways, in accordance with the patients symptoms to alleviate or remedy a blockage or overflow.There is no empirical evidence as of yet to substantiate how effective qibased health treatments are, so they are not advisable as a substitute for conventional medical treatments.Qigong and MeditationChinese woodcut of seated qigong meditation, 1513. Source: The Wellcome CollectionCultivation of qi occurs when a person engages in meditation and breathing exercises, which are part of qigong exercises. These include static postures, slow movements, and visualization of qi. Taijiquan is the most notable example of this, although it also has martial application when performed at full speed. A basic qigong breathing exercise might include deep breathing, which brings qi into the body, where it collects in the dantian or the center of qi presence. Holding breath and visualizing the energy flowing along the various meridians, when coupled with the movements of a given form, sends the qi along its pathways. Flow ensures that meridians are less likely to be blocked. Qigong emphasizes the idea of movement: physical movement begets the proper flow of qi.Because qigong is a low-impact exercise, it can be practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels. It can improve flexibility, strength, cardiovascular health, and immune system response, among other benefits. It is also thought that qi cultivation could even increase longevity. Whether this has anything to do with qi or simply what modern medicine would recognize as healthier habits is up to individual interpretation.Qi in Martial ArtsMan practicing tai chi. Source: Wikimedia CommonsTraditional martial arts also use qi in their movements and forms. When martial artists speak of qi, they use it often to refer to things like balance, power, and more esoterically so-called fighting spirit. This last characteristic refers to a tangible presence that radiates an aura of fighting skill or instinct. Some martial arts styles also advertise the ability to disrupt an attackers qi by striking specific pressure points on the body that line up with meridians. Some also believe that it is possible for sufficiently skilled practitioners to project qi to affect an opponent without physically touching them, but this claim is highly unlikely. Well address the more grounded interpretations of qi shortly.Arts like taiji employ deliberate movements that are designed along the principles of qi control. The form Single Whip for example visualizes qi being drawn up through the feet on inhale and expelled through the outstretched palm on exhale. When done at speed, this is a powerful palm strike aided by the rotation of the hip and grounded stance. In some Japanese martial arts involving the katana, students are encouraged to project their ki into their sword tip, drawing a direct connection between it and the dantian, enabling proper balance and alignment of the sword when swinging.It is no coincidence that the dantian shares the approximate location of the center of gravity in the human body. By keeping focus on the center, a martial artist can stay balanced and power movement from their core, thereby driving internal power and maintaining the efficiency of motion.Qi Cultivation and HealthCirculation of Qi During Qigong Practice, Qing Dynasty. Source: The Wellcome CollectionFor all the mystical language and thought surrounding qi, many of the concepts surrounding it have roots in established science. Well explore these below.For example, the idea of qi being cultivated by proper diet and exercise tracks well with what conventional medicine has found. Many of the texts and manuals for qi cultivation written during the Ming Dynasty advocate eliminating all beverages except pure water, and we know the benefits of staying properly hydrated. Eating a diet of simple foods also may be helpful because it can be more nutritious and contain more fiber than a modern diet of overprocessed foods. No one should make serious changes to their diet or exercise habits without first consulting a doctor.Exercise, be it in the slow-flowing movements of the qigong forms or a vigorous kung fu form or sparring session, strengthens the muscles and the cardiovascular system through consistent workouts. Qi flow is often compared to blood flow because qi and blood are intertwined in Chinese medical philosophy. Some of the static postures such as the horse stance used for some meditations lend themselves well to isometric exercises.Deep breathing is also one of the healthiest practices one can do regularly. Even without doing any meditation, simply taking some time each day to do some deep breathing exercises helps in two ways: first, it increases the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream. By expanding the diaphragm, more air can flow into the lungs, which means more oxygen being carried throughout the circulatory system. In turn, increased oxygenation leads to more efficient muscle contraction and brain function. Deep breathing also activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which governs the rest and digest functions.Demystifying Qi in Martial ArtsDermatome nerve map. Source: Wikimedia CommonsSo what about from a martial arts perspective? Is there any reality to the idea of qi? Well, there is, but many modern practices express it in terms of physics and biomechanics. The idea of rooting to the earth, for example, just means having a solid point of contact with the ground. Pushing against the ground exerts the same force back into the foot. This force, coupled with various muscle contractions, generates the power for an attack.When traditional martial artists refer to qi in this context, they are referring to the kinetic chain. Everything is cumulative, and any body part out of alignment disrupts the chain and prevents the maximum power from being used. For a famous example of good kinetic chain linkage, look to Bruce Lees famous one-inch punch. Although Lee was in superb shape, it was equally his understanding of how to transmit power through a punch using the entire body at once that made the one-inch punch possible.The idea of pressure points being powered by mastery of qi is simply knowledge of where key nerves are that lie directly beneath the skin. When supported by a bone or muscle and only a thin layer of skin, the nerve is vulnerable. An example is just below the ear.Qi cultivation may not be like anything in a xianxia novel but it can provide a host of health benefits when done consistently.

Tamerlane Chess is a medieval chess variant attributed to the 14th-century conqueror Timur, also known as Tamerlane. A complex and richly symbolic game, Tamerlane Chess is played on a unique 1011 board and features over 25 distinct pieces, each with specialized movements. Known also as Shatranj al-Kabir or Great Chess, it evolved from Shatranj, the Persian predecessor of modern chess. Though its precise origins remain uncertain, the game is widely associated with Timurs court and reflects the martial and hierarchical values of his empire.Who Was Tamerlane?Facial reconstruction of Timur, by Mikhail Mikhaylovich Gerasimov, 20th century. Source: Wikimedia CommonsEmperor Timur, also known as Tamerlane, was a Turco-Mongol conqueror who founded the Timurid Empire in Central Asia and Persia. Born near Samarkand in present-day Uzbekistan, Timur rose to power following the fragmentation of the Mongol Empire. He modeled his rule on Genghis Khan, claimed descent from him via marriage, and presented himself as the heir to Khans legacy and the rightful restorer of his empire to its former glory.As a young man, Timur was said to be a great admirer of Alexander the Great, another military hero he believed to be his direct ancestor. Obsessed with control of the Silk Road trading route that linked Europe with China, at its height, Timurs empire extended from India to Anatolia and from the Persian Gulf to the Aral Sea.As a military strategist, he was notorious for the large-scale massacres that often accompanied his campaigns. Among his most infamous conquests were the sack of Delhi in 1398 and the Battle of Ankara (1402), which culminated in the defeat of the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I. Revered by some as the Sword of Islam, Timur also left a lasting legacy on Islamic culture and the arts.The Mongol Empire at its maximum extent, from a Historical Atlas, by William Shepherd, 1911, the area that Tamerlane would conquer is shaded within. Source: University of Texas at AustinThus, beyond his military exploits, Timur patronized architecture, science, and poetry, leaving behind a legacy of grand mosques, madrasas, and palaces. Deeply invested in symbolism and ceremony, he used art, games, and ideology to legitimize his rule. Tamerlane Chess, with its highly structured and militarized gameplay, likely served as both a tool for elite education and a metaphor for his vision of the world: strategic, disciplined, and deeply hierarchical.The Birth of Tamerlane ChessTimur (right) entertaining in his royal yurt, 1436, Source: Wikimedia commonsTamerlane Chess emerged during the reign of Timur as a highly elaborate and intellectual evolution of Shatranj, the ancient Persian precursor to modern chess. Designed to reflect the complexity and hierarchy of Timurs court, the game was played on an expanded 1011 board significantly larger than modern chess boards and introduced a host of innovative features. Among these were two special citadel squares, strategically placed and reserved for royal pieces such as the king, offering both defensive refuge and symbolic significance.Timur leading his troops at the 1401 Siege of Baghdad. Near-contemporary manuscript commissioned by his grandson Ibrahim Sultan in 142428, Source: Wikimedia CommonsAltogether, Tamerlane Chess boasted over 25 unique pieces, such as the Giraffe, Elephant, Camel, War Machine, and Pick. There were multiple types of pawns, each representing different roles (such as the pawn of elephants or the pawn of camels). Unlike modern chess, pawn promotions were allowed only when a pawn returned to its original square after circling the board further emphasizing long-term strategy.Notably, many of the pieces echoed military or administrative roles within Timurs empire, turning the game into a stylized model of imperial governance. The rules were more complex than in traditional chess, emphasizing planning, hierarchy, and adaptability qualities deeply valued in Timurs court. The game, while probably reserved for the elite, no doubt served both as entertainment and intellectual training for the ruling class.Tamerlane Chess TodayA white elephant picture for use in online Tamerlane Chess, Source: Wikimedia CommonsFollowing the decline of the Timurid Empire, Tamerlane Chess gradually faded from popular use. Meanwhile, in Europe, Shatranj evolved into what would become modern chess during the 15th and 16th centuries a faster, more dynamic game that gained widespread appeal. This European transformation ultimately eclipsed older and regional variants like Tamerlane Chess, which were largely forgotten beyond scholarly and historical interest.In recent times, however, the game has seen a quiet revival among historians and dedicated chess enthusiasts. Drawing from surviving Arabic texts and Persian manuscripts, researchers and hobbyists have reconstructed the rules and gameplay of Tamerlane Chess. These reconstructions, now accessible through various online platforms, have even inspired handcrafted boards and custom pieces modeled on historical descriptions. While these efforts are more about historical reenactment than competitive play, they highlight a lasting fascination with the games cultural and intellectual significance.Tamerlane Chess Set, Source: Wikimedia CommonsWhile it is no longer played in popular competitive settings, Tamerlane Chess remains a fascinating window into the politics, military planning, and courtly life of the Timurid Empire. It serves not only as a curiosity in chess history but also as a cultural artifact, echoing the power, grandeur, and complexity of Timurs empire and his enduring legacy as both conqueror and patron of the arts.

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