Tai Chi Glossary > Dan Tian (丹田)
Dan Tian (丹田)
Definition: The Dan Tian (丹田) is the body’s primary energy center, located in the lower abdomen, where qi is cultivated, stored, and circulated in tai chi and qigong practice.
Ready to feel your Dan Tian? Start with these beginner guides: → How Qi Feels · Qi Chen Dan Tian
The Meaning of Dan Tian (丹田)
The two characters reveal the concept directly. Dan (丹) means “cinnabar” or “elixir”—a substance associated in Taoist alchemy with refinement and transformation. Tian (田) means “field” or “cultivated land.” Together, Dan Tian translates literally as “elixir field”: a place within the body where vital energy is sown, nurtured, and harvested.
The three Dan Tian are:
- Lower Dan Tian (下丹田) — approximately 3–5 cm below the navel, inside the lower abdomen; the center of physical vitality and jing (精)
- Middle Dan Tian (中丹田) — at the center of the chest, associated with emotional energy and shen (神)
- Upper Dan Tian (上丹田) — between the eyebrows, associated with awareness and spirit
Related Glossary Terms
New to Dan Tian? Start your practice with Tai Chi for Beginners or Qigong for Beginners.
Have questions about Dan Tian in practice? Our forum thread — Qigong FAQ: Everything Beginners Ask — Answered by Senior Practitioners — covers this and many more topics answered by experienced practitioners.
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