Qi synonyms

Life energy beliefs around the world

i is the Chinese term for life energy, or life spirit, a vital force that flows through all living things. Similar beliefs exist all over the world, in many cultures. Here is an encyclopedia of such beliefs - and of terms mistakenly believed to be such.
     You find an edited and expanded version of it in my book Life Energy Encyclopedia.

Z-emanation introduced by the Russian heliobiologist A. L. Chizhevsky (1897-1964), is sometimes mentioned as a synonym to qi, which is doubtful. See also heliobiology.

Zero point energy is the term within quantum physics for the energy that particles contain at 0° Kelvin (-273° Celsius), the absolute zero. Therefore this energy is everpresent. It was discovered in 1958 by the Dutch physicist Marcus Johannes Sparnaay, based on a theory from 1948 by another Dutch, Hendrick B. G. Casimir (1909-2000). There are speculations that this might be a limitless source of energy. See also free energy and heat.

Zhenjiu see acupuncture.

Zogo is the name of the traditional religion among the islanders of Torres Strait. The priesthood was called zogo-le. Zogo seems also to have been objects, especially stones, with inherent magical power. Such were the stones booya, which emanated a blue light, and were hidden when westerners came to the islands. Zogo can also be a general term for something sacred, or filled with sacredness. It is sometimes mentioned as a synonym to qi, which is unclear.

Zone, the is within American sports an expression for when everything works out, and athletes perform the utmost. This is a state of certain euphoria (see this word) and clarity, which often arrives after extreme exertion. The phenomenon was investigated in 1978 by Michael Murphy (1930-) and Rhea Amelia White (1931-2007) in the book Psychic Side of Sports. Compare flow and peak experience.

Zone therapy (also called reflexology) is a therapeutic method where massaging parts of the feet is supposed to cure ailments in other parts of the body. The theory behind this is that parts of the feet correspond to certain other parts of the body, wherefore the stimulation of them are beneficial also to the corresponding parts. Often qi or some similar kind of life force is regarded as the agent in this process.

Stefan Stenudd