A succint glossary of terms commonly found in Chinese Fantasy and danmei or BL.

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A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

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C 

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Cut-sleeve: a gay man. Refers to "the passion of the cut sleeve".

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G

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Guanyin: the sinicized form of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Worshipped as a deity of misericord, popularly represented as a female.

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J

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Jianghu: lit. "rivers and lakes". See notes FW-Summary.

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Jiangnan: southern region in China. See notes FW - 2.

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K

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King Yan: King Yanluo, ruler of the underworld.

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Kung-fu: Chinese martial arts. Variably written as kungfu, gongfu or gong-fu.

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M

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Mt Qing: the line "Mt Qing never changes, the green waters ever flow" mean "farewell" in jianghu. See notes FW-9. 

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N

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Neigong: "internal technique".  See notes FW - 2.

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Q

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Qinggong: lit. "light technique". Variably translated as "light-body technique". See notes FW-6.

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S

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Shifu: lit. "teacher-father". 

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Spring Palace: "pictures of the Spring Palace" or alternatively "pictures of the Crown Prince's chamber" are the euphemistic names given to paintings/illustrations of an erotic nature.

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T

 

Tortoise/turtle: esp. referring to the Chinese shellless tortoise, an insult to the effect of "bastard", "cuckold", or "son of a bitch".

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W

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Wulin: lit. "martial arts forest". Refers to the whole of the martial arts community. 

 

Wuxi: lit. "martial play". A category of plays centred on acrobatics in Chinese Opera.

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Wuxia: lit. "martial heroes". Literary genre depicting martial arts and heroes.

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Wuchou: lit. "martial clown". A role within Chinese Opera combining acrobatic prowesses and comedy.

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