A glossary of terms which commonly appear in Wuxia/Muyeop novels.

Currently a work in progress.

Based of Glossary of Terms in Wuxia, Xianxia & Xuanhuan Novels

Table of Contents:

Novel Categories

Wuxia (武俠 무협) – literally means “Martial Heroes” is a genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists in ancient China. Fictional stories about regular humans who can achieve supernatural fighting ability through Chinese martial arts training and internal energy cultivation. Themes of chivalry, tragedy, revenge & romance are common. Note Wuxia and Muhyeop are the same word 武侠 just pronounced differently in Mandarin and Korean, also pronouced Mouhap in Cantonese.

For more details see What is Wuxia

Dao (道 dào) – the origin and source of all things. It can be translated in many different ways, including The Way / Road / Path / Method. According to Daoism, it is the absolute principle underlying the universe, combining within itself the principles of Yin and Yang and signifying the way, or code of behavior, that is in harmony with the natural order. In these novels, characters often try to gain insights into the Dao, which can give them supernatural powers or even control over aspects of the natural world.

Yin & Yang (阴阳 yīnyáng) – the duality present in all aspects of the universe. For instance: Yin is Female / Soft / Death / Dark / the Moon, while Yang is Male / Hard / Life / Light / the Sun – the comparisons are endless. Yin & Yang describe how opposite or contrary forces are actually complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they mutually give rise to each other.

Qi (气) – the vital energy which exists in all things. The cultivation of Qi is a major theme in Wuxia, novels.

Qi is sometimes written as “Ki” or “Chi”. It can be translated in many different ways, including Breath / Vital Breath / Pneuma / Vital Energy / Spiritual Energy. (etc…)

World of Martial Arts

Jianghu/Gangho (江湖 jiānghú) – literally translates as “Rivers and Lakes”, but figuratively refers to the “Martial World” or the “underground world of martial arts”. A section of society consisting of martial artists, gangsters, thieves, beggars, prostitutes, merchants, entertainers, and anyone else wanting to operate outside of mainstream society or in the grey area of the law.

Wulin/Murim (武林 무림) – literally “Martial Forest”, figuratively refers to the “community of martial artists” within the Jianghu. The Wulin is typically controlled by an alliance formed by the Righteous/Orthodox sects in order to uphold justice. Note. somtimes these novels and manhwa are wrongly classified as murim when in reality the genre of these novels is wuxia. Wulin/murim is setting where the story takes place.
The martial sects of the Jianghu are often divided into two main factions – commonly called the Orthodox & Unorthodox (黑白) factions or the Righteous & Evil (正邪) factions.

Xia (侠 xiá) – a Hero of the martial world. Righteous, skilled martial artists who follow their own moral code. They sometimes come into conflict with the law, especially in novels where society or the government is depicted as corrupt.

Wandering Xia (游侠 yóuxiá) – vagrant martial artists who protect the innocent and use their strength to correct injustices. Seen as champions of the common people. Similar to the romanticized European Knights-errant, but without any of the feudal overtones.

Organizations

Sects

Sect (宗 zōng) (派 pài) (门 mén) – an organization dedicated to the practice of cultivation and/or martial arts. Typically led by a Sect Leader (掌门). With the help of Sect Elders (长老), they instruct Disciples (弟子) in the proper methods of cultivation or training in the martial arts styles of the Sect. The Disciples live in the Sect, which provides for their daily needs. There is practically always a strict hierarchy amongst members of a Sect, and respect for the elder generations is demanded.

In some Korean novels, the common Disciples are divided into another hierarchy based on generation: First generation Disciples (一代弟子), Second Disciples (二代弟子), and Third generation Disciples (三代弟子) – based on their level of seniority and meritorious service to the Sect.

Religious Sect (教 jiào) – a sect with a strong religious background. If the religion being practiced is evil, then this term is translated as a Cult. Commonly seen in Wuxia novels.

Clan (家 jiā) – an extended Family related by blood, sharing a surname. They often pass down heirlooms from generation to generation along with secret cultivation methods & martial arts styles which were developed by the clan’s ancestors. They tend to guard these jealously from outsiders.

Association (帮 bāng) – also translated as a Union, Gang, Clan, or Brotherhood. A loose organization of people. The members may have something in common, like sharing a particular way of life, or they may simply be working together towards a mutually beneficial goal. Not religious in nature.

Society (會 huì) – a secret society. Similar to Associations for the most part, but cloaked in secrecy and deeply involved in rituals/traditions. Sometimes religious or cult-like in nature.

Escort Agency (镖局 biāojú) – a protection agency for hire. Escorts (镖人 / 镖师 / 镖客) typically work as bodyguards for travelers and merchant caravans. Commonly seen in Wuxia novels.

Wulin/Murim Alliance (武林盟) - A coalition organization of factions appearing in Wuxia. As an organization that can be said to be the Murim version of the UN , the main purpose of the organization is to mediate various disputes that occur in Murim and to restrict the activities of the unorthodox.

Nine Sects One Gang (구파일방 九派一幇) - It refers to the 10 most prestigious sects of the group in Wulin and the forces that have the greatest influence on the worldview of martial arts. Origanted from Wolong Sheng's Nine great sects in 飞燕惊龙. Later on Xueshan Sect was replaced by Zhongnan sect and Beggars gang was added.

Shaolin Sect (少林派 shàolín pài) – a fictional Buddhist martial arts sect which appears in many Wuxia novels. It’s based on the real-life Shaolin Temple (少林寺). It’s commonly portrayed as one of the largest and most powerful orthodox sects.

Wudang Sect (武当派) – a fictional Daoist martial arts sect which appears in many Wuxia novels. It’s located in and takes its name from the Wudang Mountains. Often ranked second after Shaolin. Mistranslated as Shaman.

Mount Hua Sect (华山派) - a fictional Daoist martial arts sect mentioned in several works of wuxia fiction. It is commonly featured as one of the leading orthodox sects in the wulin (martial artists' community). It is named after the place where it is based, Mount Hua. The sect appears in three of Jin Yong's novels. Mistranslated as Volcano, Flower.

Emei Sect (峨嵋派 éméi pài) – a Buddhist fictional martial arts sect which appears in many Wuxia novels. It’s located on and takes its name from Mount Emei. It’s sometimes portrayed as an entirely female sect, perhaps because “Emei” (峨嵋 éméi) sounds just like “Beautiful Women” (蛾眉 éméi).

Kunlun Sect (昆仑派) - a fictional Daoist martial arts sect mentioned in several works of wuxia fiction. It is usually featured as a leading orthodox sect in the wulin (martial artists' community). It is named after the place where it is based, the Kunlun Mountains in western China, near modern Qinghai and Xinjiang provinces.

Beggar Sect (丐帮 lit. Beggars' Gang) – also known as the Beggar Clan. A fictional martial arts sect which appears in many Wuxia novels. The sect is mostly made up of beggars and is renowned for its incredible information gathering skills. It’s commonly portrayed as the largest and one of the most powerful sects.

Kongtong Sect (공동파 崆峒派) - a fictional Daoist martial arts sect mentioned in several works of wuxia fiction. It is commonly featured as a leading orthodox sect in the wulin (martial artists' community). It is named after the place where it is based, the Kongtong Mountains.

Diancang Sect (점창파 點蒼派) - Named after the Cang Mountain of Yunnan, Diancang Pai mostly appeared in Gu Long and Liang Yushen Wuxia stories. Their disciples were usually portrayed as skilled swordsmen capable of superior qinggong.

Qingcheng Sect (청성파 靑城派) - Mount Qingcheng is one of the holy Taoist mountains of China, located in the heart of Sichuan province. In Wuxia stories, it is thus usually described as one of the orthodox factions.

Zhongnan Sect (종남파 終南派) - a Daoist fictional martial arts sect mentioned in several works of wuxia fiction. It is commonly featured as a leading orthodox sect in the wulin (martial artists' community). It is named after the place where it is based, the Zhongnan Mountains. Mistranslated as Southern Edge.

Clans

Five Great Families (五大世家)

Nangong Family (南宫世家): or the Nangong Clan, occasionally appears in some Wuxia stories, movies, and TV series as a wealthy and powerful wulin family. In Huang Ying’s Reincarnated (天蚕变) stories, they were infiltrated and utterly destroyed by the wicked White Lotus Sect.

Sichuan Tang Clan (사천당가 四川唐门) – also known as the Tang Sect. A fictional martial arts clan which appears in several novels. Their members usually bear the “Tang” surname. The Tang Clan specializes in poisons and hidden weapons (暗器). They’re said to be located in Sichuan Province.

Hebei Peng Family (하북팽가 河北彭家)) - As the hegemon of Hebei Province, there are big men in almost all works[10]. From a good point of view, he is bold, and from a bad point of view, he looks like he has no discernment. Almost all of them are the hegemons of Hebei Province. The main use of Dao is the martial arts family who use Wuhu Danmen Dao.

Zhuge Family (诸葛世家) When it comes to the five great family, the zhuge family is indispensable. He portrayed the descendants of Zhuge Liang, and was famous for his good use of strategies and tactics that could make up for the decline of martial arts, such as clever formations and mechanical formations.

Murong Family (慕容世家 모용세가) - This is also the family that Five Great Families can't miss when he mentions it. Among the Korean works, he is mainly active in Liaoning Province and is known for being good at archery. In addition, there are Confucian family, royal family background, excellent equestrian skills and so on. On the contrary, in Chinese works, influenced by Jin Yong's Tianlong Babu, known as "Gu Gu Yong", he was active in far away from Liaoning Province, south of the Yangtze River from the homeland of Yan Kingdom, to be precise in Jiangsu Province.

Unorthodox (邪派)

Ming Cult - a fictional cult and martial arts sect featured in the wuxia novel The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber by Jin Yong, first published in serial form from 1961 to 1963. It is also known as the "Cult of Mani" (摩尼教; mó ní jiào) to martial artists in the jianghu but its more common name is "Mo Jiao" (魔教; mó jiào), which literally means "Demonic Cult". The cult originated in Persia and spread to China in the seventh century.

Heavenly Demon Divine Cult (天魔神教) - First appeared in Mookhyang based of the Ming Cult. However, unlike the Ming Cult the followers worship the Heavenly Demon. Also known as the (魔教) Demonic Cult. Located in Tianshan in Xinjiang as in the Ming Cult, but sometimes wrongly located in Myriad Mountain Range (十万大山 shiwan dashan) in Guangxi.

Martial Arts Terms

Martial Arts (武功 wǔgōng) – fighting styles & techniques. Also includes physical exercises, methods of mental discipline, and more. Chinese martial arts are commonly referred to as Kung Fu (功夫) or Wushu (武术).

External Martial Arts (外家 wàijiā) – martial arts styles characterized by fast and explosive movements. They focus on the cultivation of physical strength and agility.
Internal Martial Arts (内家 nèijiā) – martial arts styles characterized by soft and flowing movements. They focus on the cultivation of the mind, spirit and Qi.
Hard & Soft (硬 yìng / 柔 róu) – terms used to describe how a martial artist counters the attacks of an opponent. Practitioners of “Hard” styles meet force with force, directly countering the opponent and seeking to overwhelm them with sheer power. Practitioners of “Soft” styles counter the opponent indirectly, by dodging or deflecting the attacks and seeking to take advantage of openings.

Internal Energy (内力 nèilì) (內劲 nèijìn) – also called Inner Energy, Internal Strength, Internal Power, or Internal Force. The cultivated energy within a martial artist’s body. Utilizing it, a martial artist can accomplish superhuman feats of speed, agility, strength, endurance, etc… It can even be used to heal wounds and nullify poisons.

Lightness Skill (轻功 qīnggōng) – often left untranslated as “Qinggong”. The ability to lighten the body and move with great agility & swiftness. At high proficiency, practitioners of this skill can run across water, leap to the top of trees, or even glide through the air.

Striking the Meridians / Acupoints (点脉 diǎnmài) (点穴 diǎnxué) – often left untranslated as “Dianmai” and “Dianxue”. Also known as “Hitting / Sealing Pressure Points“. Fighting techniques which target the opponent’s meridians and acupoints in order to kill, cripple, immobilize, or control the opponent. More information here.

Cultivation Method (功法 gōngfǎ) (心法 xīnfǎ) – a mystical art or collection of techniques which cultivators practice in order to cultivate. Related: Qigong (气功)

Manual (秘笈 mìjí) – a book containing detailed instructions on training in a cultivation method or martial arts style. Usually regarded as extremely valuable and thus kept secret (or at least, not made publicly available).

Sutras & Scriptures (经 jīng) – sacred writings. In the context of these novels, they typically pertain to cultivation or martial arts. Used more or less interchangeably with “Manual”.

Dantian (丹田 dāntián) – literally translates as “Cinnabar Field” or “Elixir Field”. Refers to the region in the body where a person’s Qi is concentrated. There are technically three dantians, but these novels simplify the concept and only use the lower dantian (located three finger widths below and two finger widths behind the navel).

Meridians (经脉 jīngmài) – the network of vessels/channels in the body through which Qi flows. Like blood vessels, but for Qi instead of blood.

Eight Extraordinary Meridians (奇经八脉 qí jīng bā mài) – act as reservoirs or pathways for the circulation of Qi. Of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, the Governing Vessel (督脈) and Conception Vessel (任脈) are mentioned in these novels most frequently. The Governing Vessel runs from the dantian (in the lower abdomen) up along the spine to the head. The Conception Vessel runs from the dantian up the front of the body to the head, where it connects with the Governing Vessel to form a complete circuit.
Twelve Principal Meridians (正经十二脉 zhèngjīng shí’èr mài) – meridians associated with the internal organs.
Acupoints (穴 xué) – “acupuncture points”, related to pressure points. There are several hundred of them on the body, mostly located along the meridians. Knowledge of acupoints can be used in healing (through acupuncture or similar practices) or in combat by deliberately striking them to achieve certain effects.

Qi Circulation (行气 xíngqì) – the act of controlling Qi to flow from the dantian, through the meridians, and back into the dantian in a cycle. The purpose of this varies between novels, but usually it helps replenish stamina, purify the Qi, or strengthen the meridians.

Breathing Exercises (吐纳 tùnà) – also known as Tu Na Breathing. A special way of breathing which expels the turbid Qi within the body and draws in the Qi of the natural world. An essential part of cultivation.

Embryonic Breathing (胎息 tāixī) – also known as Taixi or Fetal Breathing. A form of breathing without using one’s nose and mouth. Instead, the practitioner might breathe through their pores or dantian (for example). This is generally considered to be a highly-advanced Breathing Exercise which grants mystical benefits and brings the practitioner closer to nature. Often compared to how babies breathe in the womb (through the umbilical cord).

Meditation (冥想 míngxiǎng) – a practice for training or calming the mind and spirit. Cultivators spend a great deal of time in meditation, as both the cultivation of Qi and contemplation of Insights generally require it.

Lotus Position (盘膝 pánxī) – sitting in a cross-legged meditative position.
Closed Door Training (闭关 bìguān) – also called Closed Door Meditation or Closed Door Cultivation. Training done in seclusion, usually to focus on breaking through a bottleneck or to avoid becoming distracted at a crucial moment and suffering a backlash as a result.

Insight (参悟 cānwù) (顿悟 dùnwù) – related to enlightenment. Cultivators usually gain insights by meditating, engaging in life-or-death battles, or going out into the world to experience new things. These insights are often needed in order to master techniques or advance to higher stages of cultivation.

Internal Demons (心魔 xīnmó) – literally translates as “Heart Devils”. Rather than standard demons or devils, these are a practitioner’s negative emotions and other mental barriers which hinder their training/cultivation. Internal Demons, in some cases, can even attack the practitioner from the inside, and failure to adequately resist them may result in Qi Deviation.

Qi Deviation (走火入魔 zǒuhuǒ rùmó) – also known as Qigong Deviation. Literally translates as “to catch fire and be entered [possessed] by devils”. A state wherein the cultivation base becomes dangerously unstable, causing internal damage to the body and symptoms of psychosis. People who succumb to their Internal Demons, who practice cultivation/martial arts incorrectly, or who rashly use forbidden arts are all at risk of falling into this state.

Bottleneck (瓶颈 píngjǐng) – the term for when cultivators figuratively hit a wall in their training and it suddenly becomes incredibly difficult to proceed. When they reach a bottleneck, cultivators may require new Insights, the aid of medicinal pills, or even harsher training in order to make a Breakthrough (突破 tūpò) and successfully bypass the bottleneck.

Impurities (杂质 zázhì) – usually described as a smelly, black substance which is secreted from a cultivator’s skin when they reach new cultivation stages or consume special medicinal pills. The result of the body purifying itself and expelling the waste.

Realm

Realm (境地 경지) (境界 경계) – A concept that expresses the skills or achievements of a martial artist in the wuxia novels.

Third Rate (三流) – The lowest level

Second Rate (二流) – better than third-rate

First Rate (一流) – It is a state on the verge of crossing the wall to peak. In some novels can youse sword qi.

Peak (絕頂 절정) – first stage where one is considered to be a Master (高手). Can Freely use Sword Qi

Transcendence (超絕頂 초절정) – literally "surpass peak", It is considered to be the limit of a Moorim master with general talent, and he has mastered both sword qi and sword silk , and in some cases, he can use the next step, Sword Aura , even slightly.

The following three realms after Transcendence first appeared in Mookhyang

Transcendent Realm (化境) - one of the hardest terms to translate. In Chinese wuxia basically means someone who's martial arts has reached an extremely high level. But, in Mookhyang was abbreviation for 造化境 lit. Nature/Creation Realm. Earlier translated as Unrestrained Realm.

Profound Realm (玄境) - Usually at this level you have completely mastered Sword Aura. Originally only a few people could reach this realm in the entire Murim, but because of power escalation most modern novel include many people at this level.

Life and Death Realm (生死境) - transcending life and death. Basically impossible to reach except for the mc.

Sword Qi (剑气 jianqi) – A dazzling, powerful energy attack released from the edge of a blade. Forming Swordlight generally requires a profound cultivation base and a deep mastery of swordsmanship.

Sword Silk (剑丝) - is the next step of Sword Qi, and refers to the stage in which the sword is tangible like a thread and wrapped around the weapon. However in because. of simplifcation in moden novels, often time it will skip to the next stage.

Sword Aura (剑罡) - another hard term to translated with no english equivalent, basically stronger sword qi or reinforced sword qi. The sword qi usually radiates to the same level as the arrow in a way that the naked eye cannot tell. This kind of sword qi condenses into lumps, and the tangible form distinguished by the naked eye is called sword qi into aura, abbreviated as sword aura, and it is emitted in the form of crescent moon or straight line light according to martial arts. If the sword qi is condensed on the object through various media, then Jian Gang can think that the sword qi is a sharper and stronger form.

Alchemy Terms

Spirit Medicines & Elixirs (灵药 dānyào) – miracle drugs which can have all sorts of effects. Often taken to increase internal energy, heal wounds, cure poisons, purify or strengthen the body, and much much more.

Medicinal Plants / Herbs (药草 yàocǎo) – a generic term for any kind of plant which can be used by alchemists to make poisons or medicinal pills & elixirs. Older medicinal plants (100-year, 1000-year, etc…) are generally considered to be more potent.

Ginseng (参) & Lingzhi Mushrooms (灵芝) appear quite often in these novels, where they’re claimed to have great medicinal qualities.

Items & Weapons

Magic Treasures (法宝 fǎbǎo) – also translated as Magical Items. A generic term which encompasses all of the magic weapons/clothing/trinkets/talismans/etc… which cultivators make and use.

The Four Major Weapons:

Sword (剑 jiàn) – a double-edged, straight sword. The weapon of choice for many, many characters in these novels.
Saber (刀 dāo) – a single-edged, curved saber. Heavier and considered somewhat brutish in comparison to the elegant Sword.
Spear (枪 qiāng) – a spear, often with a leaf-shaped spearhead and a tassel lashed just beneath it.
Staff (棍 gùn) – a staff made from wood or iron.

Hidden Weapons (暗器 ànqì) – weapons that are concealed in some way (often hidden in the owner’s clothing). Their use and effectiveness relies heavily on the element of surprise. Poisoned projectiles (darts/needles/etc) are an especially popular type of hidden weapon. But in the hands of a hidden weapons expert, almost anything can be lethal – in Wuxia novels, even things like abaci, coins, chopsticks, and musical instruments are used as hidden weapons.

A partial list of weapons which may be unfamiliar to new readers:

Duster / Fly Whisk / Horsetail Whisk (拂尘)	Fan (扇)	Ribbon (丝带)
Ruyi Scepter (如意)	Loom Shuttle (梭)	Wheels (轮)
Ruler (尺)	Seal (印)	Awl (锥)
Butterfly Knives (蝴蝶双刀)	Judge’s Brush (判官笔)	Crutches (柺)
Flying Guillotine (血滴子)	Flying Claw (飞爪)	Flying Daggers (飞刀)
Emei Piercers (峨嵋刺)	Rope Dart (绳镖)	Sleeve Arrow (袖箭)
Three Section Staff (三节棍)	Monk’s Spade (月牙铲)	Hoop / Ring (环)
Nine Section Whip (九节鞭)	Snake Lance (蛇矛)	Hook Swords (钩)
Glaive / Guandao (关刀)	Meteor Hammer (流星锤)	Wolf-tooth Club (狼牙棒)
Horse-chopping Saber (斩马刀)	Nine-ringed Saber (九环刀)	Dagger-axe (戈)

Miscellaneous Terms

Eight Trigrams (八卦 bāguà) – often left untranslated as the “Bagua”. Thought to represent the fundamental principles of reality. In real life, it’s used in fortune-telling. In these novels, it’s mainly only mentioned in passing. For example, a battle formation or martial arts move might have the “Eight Trigrams” in its name

Feng Shui (风水 fēngshuǐ) – literally translates as “Wind Water”. A form of traditional Chinese divination/fortune-telling, often performed using the Eight Trigrams and a Feng Shui compass (罗盘 luópán). In these novels, it’s mainly only mentioned in passing.

Formations (阵 zhèn) (阵法 zhènfǎ) – divided into battle formations and spell formations, although they are often just called “formations”. Battle formations are “fantasy-fied” tactical formations used by several cultivators or martial artists attacking in concert. Spell formations are also called Arrays. They’re essentially magic circles which cast a continuous area-of-effect spell on the location the formation encompasses.

Formation Flags (阵旗 zhènqí) – magical flags set up at key points in order to activate a spell formation (usually around the perimeter).
Restrictions (禁制 jìnzhì) (禁法 jìnfǎ) – also translated as Seals, Restrictive Spells, or Spell Restrictions. Somewhat similar to formations. They are spells which form a barrier around a location or act to seal/suppress a person or object.

Essence (精 jīng) – often called Blood Essence (精血). It’s basically “lifeblood” or “life force”. Powerful techniques sometimes require cultivators to expend their Essence, shortening their lifespan as a result.

Essence is one of the Three Treasures of Internal Alchemy.

Robes (袍 páo) – the characters in these novels usually wear robes, as was the norm in ancient China. Cultivators are often said to wear Scholar / Daoist robes (道袍). Martial artists are frequently depicted wearing Tang suits (唐装).

Face (面子 miànzi) – a person’s reputation in society and amongst their peers. If someone “has face” (有面子), they have a good reputation. If they “have no face” (没面子), then they have a bad reputation. “Giving face” (给面子) to someone means to defer to or pay homage to them. “Losing face” (丢脸) means that a person has hurt their reputation. “Not wanting face” (不要脸) means that a person is acting shamelessly, in a way that suggests they don’t care about hurting their reputation.

Kowtow (叩头 kòutóu) – an act of deep respect shown by prostration. The highest sign of reverence in Chinese culture. It involves kneeling and bowing so low as to have one’s head touching the ground. The person kowtowing may also knock their head repeatedly against the ground (to the point of injury), especially when they’re desperately pleading for something or wish to show their utmost sincerity.

Clasped Hands (抱拳 bàoquán) (拱手 gǒngshǒu) – also translated as Cupped Fist or Cupped Hands. A respectful salute or greeting.

The Baoquan (抱拳) is a salute which originated among martial artists. The Gongshou (拱手) is a salute commonly used by Chinese people in general.

Pavilion (阁 gé) (亭 tíng) – a type of building. The pavilions in these novels probably look more like this, rather than this.

Pagoda (塔 tǎ) – a tiered tower with multiple, prominent eaves. Often has a religious function or is considered sacred.

Immortal’s Cave (洞府 dòngfǔ) – also translated as Cave Estate or Immortal Estate. The abode of a cultivator. Often high up in the mountains in a cave where spiritual energy is abundant. Similar to a Grotto (洞天).

Fairy (仙女 xiānnǚ) (仙子 xiānzǐ) – a term used to describe a woman of otherworldly beauty.

Note: Not to be confused with the Western concept of Fairies.

Lotus Flower (莲花 liánhuā) – symbolizes purity & enlightenment in Chinese culture. Appears quite often in these novels.

Jade (玉 yù) – a type of gemstone that was more valuable than gold in Ancient China. It was even thought to have mystical powers/properties and to be associated with the soul and immortality. In cultivation novels, magical items are often made from jade. And anything beautiful, refined, or lustrous is commonly described as being “Jade-like”.

Jade comes in two types: Jadeite and Nephrite. Jadeite is usually a vivid green color, and this is what Westerners are more familiar with. Nephrite comes in many colors, one of which is a creamy white. This white jade is called “mutton-fat jade” (羊脂玉) by the Chinese, and they consider it to be the most valuable kind of jade.

Incense (香 xiāng) – aromatic material which releases fragrant smoke when burned. Used in religious ceremonies, to aid in meditation, and in many other cultural activities. Incense Sticks (or Joss Sticks) are frequently mentioned in these novels.

“The time it takes an incense stick to burn” is a common phrase which refers to a short time period – generally around either 5 or 30 minutes. Other ancient Chinese time measurements can be found here.

Killing Intent (煞气 shàqì) – a murderous aura which emits from a person when they desire to harm someone. People who have experienced bloody battles and/or have already killed others tend to have much stronger Killing Intent than an ordinary person. Experts may be able to disguise their Killing Intent, as well as intentionally release it as a form of mental attack.

Sword Intent (剑意 jiànyì) – somewhat similar to Killing Intent. A dangerous aura emitted from a sword or master swordsman which causes others to feel as if they’re about to be cut by a sword. In some novels, experts can even create physical manifestations (consisting of energy and their knowledge of sword-arts) with their Sword Intent, and this can be used to attack their foes.

A list of other Miscellaneous Terms not included in this glossary.

Units of Measurement

PINYIN	HANZI	TYPE	VALUE	NOTES
Shi Chen	時辰	Time	2 hours	“Double-hour“, aka “Chinese hour”
Wen	文	Money	0.001 taels of silver	aka “Copper-cash“, (see below)
Liang	兩	Mass	31.25 grams	“Tael“
Jin	斤	Mass	500 grams	“Catty“, = 16 Taels
Cun	市寸	Length	3 ⅓ cm	aka “Chinese inch“
Chi	市尺	Length	33 ⅓ cm	aka “Chinese foot“, = 10 Cun
Zhang	市丈	Length	3 ⅓ meters	= 10 Chi
Li	市里	Length	500 meters	aka “Chinese mile“, = 1500 Chi
Mu	亩	Area	666 ⅔ meters²	aka “Chinese acre”, = 60 Zhang²

Note: The coins could be strung together into “strings of cash” (一贯钱) for convenience. A string of 1000 Wen was equal in value to one Tael of Silver (a silver ingot).
Taels are sometimes translated as Nyang in Korean Manhwa. For example, 10 silver Nyang is about equivalent to 300 grams of silver.

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Wuxia Muhyeop

Glossary of Terms in Korean Wuxia/Muhyeop Novels

Glossary of Terms in Korean Wuxia/Muyeop Novels