The ancient Chinese people believed that the entire world was composed of five basic elements: metal, wood, water, fire and earth. All materials are composed of “气(qì)”. The original form of the character was like “三”; it resembles an airflow or a steam of gas. “Qi” is shapeless, invisible and intangible.
However, Chinese has a saying “jù zé chén? xín? ， sàn zé chén? qì”, this means that when ‘qi’ aggregates, matter is formed; when matter becomes disperses, it once becomes ‘qi’.” All changes that occur in the nature, including the growth of living beings, rely on “qi”. The Chinese people believe that human beings are composed of the essence of “qi”.