Chinese Terms, Honorifics And Mythologies

Glossary of Terms in Wuxia, Xianxia & Xuanhuan Novels : Part 3

World of Martial Arts:

Jianghu (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 (武林 wǔlín) – 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.

• 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.

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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-errant¹, but without any of the feudal overtones.

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1. A knight-errant is a figure of medieval chivalric romance literature. The adjective errant (meaning "wandering, roving") indicates how the knight-errant would wander the land in search of adventures to prove his chivalric virtues, either in knightly duels or in some other pursuit of courtly love.

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Cultivation World (修真界 xiūzhēn jiè) : Not literally a separate world, but rather refers to the broad community of cultivators and their sects/schools/clans/etc… Analogous to the Wulin of martial artists.

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Cultivator (修者 xiūzhě) (修士 xiūshì) (修仙者 xiūxiānzhě) : A person who trains in martial & mystical arts, generally in order to become powerful and increase their longevity. Meditation and the cultivation of Qi are common practices among cultivators.

• Rogue Cultivators (散修 sǎnxiū) – Literally translates as “Loose Cultivators”. Independent cultivators unaffiliated with any sect, clan, or other martial organizations.

• Devil Cultivators (修魔者 xiūmózhě) – Also translated as
Demon Cultivators. Wicked cultivators who emulate Devils (魔) and seek power by any means necessary. They are often said to follow the Devil Path / Devil Dao (魔道), in opposition to the orthodox Immortal Cultivators (修仙者 xiūxiānzhě).

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Sect (宗 zōng) (派 pài) : An organization dedicated to the practice of cultivation and/or martial arts. Typically led by a Sect Leader (掌门) or Patriarch (老祖). With the help of Sect Elders (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.