Air/Qi Connections and China's Smog Crisis Study Notes

This article explores the relationship between qi and air in Chinese medical and scientific history.
It aims to shed light on current approaches to air pollution and wumai (smog) in contemporary China.
Modern concept of air in Chinese uses terms related to qi, a multivalent term with a complex history in cosmology and medicine.
Qi links humans and their environment, with pathogenic forms impacting health.
Historical correspondence between qi and air established by turn-of-the-century Chinese physicians like Tang Zonghai.
The study suggests that the history of science in China informs modern responses to atmospheric crises.

Qi: A fundamental concept in traditional Chinese cosmology and medicine, often translated as "vital energy."
Air: Modern understanding tied to qi; expressed using related terms in Chinese.
Wumai: Refers to smog or air pollution in contemporary China.
Tang Zonghai: A notable figure in bridging Western medicine and Chinese traditional practices.

Case example: February 2013 incident at Beijing University where statues were masked due to high pollution levels (AQI > 700).
Citizens wore kouzhao (masks) to combat wumai, reflecting broader societal frustration with air quality.
Photographs from the event indicated concerns for the health impact on both people and traditional exercise practitioners.
Questions arise regarding the definitions of qi and air in the context of traditional practices affected by modern air quality.

The article examines historical interactions between air and qi, especially translations of Western scientific concepts into Chinese medicine.
Interdisciplinary approach: How Western science and traditional Chinese medicine understand and negotiate the relationship between qi and air.
Concept of "translingual practice" helped bridge dynamic interactions, though gaps in perception remained.

Mencius described qi as "难言也" (It is hard to put into words).
Qi has multiple meanings, historically associated with both physical and spiritual realms.
Not limited to sentient beings; encompasses everything in the universe.
Defines as "the stuff of everything"; propelling change and transformation within and beyond matter.

Qi translated as "vapor" and noted as "misty, yet nutritive."
Ancient text suggests extraordinary potential of qi, illustrating its transformative power:

"Swallow, then it travels; traveling, it extends; … Go along with this and you will live; go against it and you will die."

Cultivated through breathing and eating, influencing physical health.
Philosophical interpretations by Neo-Confucianists and Daoists emphasized qi as both the mundane and the extraordinary.

Xiantian: Innate qi from parents; houtian: Acquired qi through consumption.
Weiqi: Defensive qi against external threats; blockage could lead to health issues.
Human body viewed as resonating with the universe; qi of nature interlinked with qi of the body, following principles of yin, yang, and Five Phases.
Pathogenic forms of qi include xie qi (deviant qi), which can invade and cause illnesses, identified by various classifications.

Epidemic likened to pathogenic qi, affecting lungs and bodily functions; corresponds to real-world air pollution issues today.
Precautions historically advised included lifestyle changes and consumption of medicinal herbs to bolster qi defenses.

Matteo Ricci’s early interactions with Chinese scholars redefined concepts, presenting air as one of the Four Elements.
Translations of Western scientific terms into qi led to confusion but also cross-cultural learning.
Late 19th-century advancements in chemistry led to the identification of distinct gases, shifting focus from holistic interpretations to more material sciences.

Joseph Priestley and Antoine Lavoisier contributed significantly to modern understanding of air, charting the course for lab-based science.
Demonstrations of the composition of air revealed the link between laboratory methods and broader theoretical understanding of qi.

Various translations attempted:
- Terms like diqi, tianqi, and kongqi were used to describe air but all rooted in qi.
- Translations revealed the struggle in capturing the essence of invisible air.
The phrase “Human life cannot exist without breathing in a certain type of qi, known as the qi of the void [kongqi, or air]” illustrates these challenges.

Tang Zonghai’s works illustrated the integration of Western scientific elements into traditional Chinese medicine.
Comparative concepts led Tang to draw parallels between body functions and steam engines, enhancing the understanding of qi as light and transformative.
Tang’s acknowledgment of "yangqi" linked to Western chemistry’s oxygen illustrates his innovative approach to uniting different medical paradigms.

Tang critiqued Western perspectives for overlooking traditional notions like yin and yang that provided a comprehensive understanding of existence.
Shen (spirit) of Chinese medicine linked to qi, characterized in emotional and cognitive contexts, neglected in purely Western analyses.

Modern practices like qigong are faced with challenges due to air pollution concerns, urging practitioners to adapt.
Techniques and preferences shifted, prioritizing indoor practices to negate the adverse effects of particulate matter.
Advertisement for anti-smog tea highlights public anxieties about air quality and the perceived remedies rooted in traditional knowledge.

TCM practitioners identify wumai with historical references to pernicious qi, indicating an ongoing attempt to blend ancient wisdom with current realities.
Critiques arise against marketed solutions that lack scientific validity, underscoring ongoing tensions between modern medicine and traditional practices.
Discussion on the importance of personal and communal responsibility in addressing air quality issues, resonating with older philosophical views about environmental respect and harmony.

Historical reflections on qi and air depict a complex relationship that informs contemporary understandings of health and environment in China.
Despite advancements and a material focus, the potential resurgence in qi’s prominence may offer deeper insights into health and environmental crises.
Future explorations may yield pathways towards integrating traditional knowledge with modern solutions for air quality and health awareness.