What Does Cultivator Mean in Donghua
Many people new to donghua are often intrigued by the term "cultivator ." This is especially true now with the proliferation of TikTok videos featuring "day 1 of dating a cultivator" or "dreams of becoming a cultivator," complete with scenes of people flying through the sky with swords. The term sounds cool, mysterious, and seems to describe characters who are on a higher level than ordinary humans.
But what exactly does a cultivator mean in donghua? Why does this term appear so frequently in the Chinese fantasy genre and become a central concept in the storylines? To find out, let's take a step-by-step look at the term so you can truly grasp the concept.
The Development of Donghua and the “Cultivator” Phenomenon
While Japanese anime previously dominated global animated entertainment, donghua is now gaining a loyal following. One of the factors that makes donghua unique is the concept of cultivation , a concept not found in most anime. This plot depicts the characters' journeys to become stronger through spiritual training, inner energy training, and even the journey to immortality.
This is where the term cultivator began to be popularized.
In every donghua with a Chinese fantasy theme, we will usually find characters who:
- Practicing spiritual energy or qi
- Reach a certain level of strength
- Master martial arts, swordsmanship, or magic
- Pursuing immortality or unlimited power
The higher the level achieved, the greater the power possessed.
Why Do Many People Imagine Becoming Cultivators?
On social media, especially TikTok and similar platforms, cultivator-themed content has become a trend. Many people fantasize about living like donghua characters:
- Fly free in the sky
- Have spiritual power
- Not bound by the mortal world
- Long life or even immortality
The concept of "day 1 of dating a cultivator" emerged as a humorous and romantic content, depicting a character who can carry their partner through the sky while harnessing the power of qi. This fantasy is enjoyable because it depicts limitless freedom.
Ironically, it's precisely because this concept is so imaginative and untethered from reality that many aspire to become cultivators. It's a kind of escape from the tiring reality.
Important Elements in the World of Cultivation
To help you understand better, here are the elements that usually appear in cultivation-themed donghua:
1. Qi (Life Energy)
Qi is the basic energy that flows through the body of every living being. Cultivators learn to control, strengthen, and condense qi to create power.
2. Cultivation
This is an ongoing training process. It is usually done through:
- Meditation
- Physical exercise
- Purification of body and soul
3. Realm or Strength Level
There are levels to be achieved. Each level represents an increase in ability, from beginner to god or immortal.
Examples of levels that often appear:
- Qi Refining
- Foundation Establishment
- Core Formation
- Nascent Soul
- Ascension
- Immortal
The higher the level, the more incredible the power.
What Does Cultivator Really Mean in Donghua?
When all these elements are combined, the meaning of cultivator becomes clearer.
A cultivator is a character who carries out cultivation, namely the process of training the body, mind, and spiritual energy (qi) to achieve strength that surpasses ordinary humans, even to the point of achieving immortality.
A cultivator is not only physically strong, but also spiritually. They believe that the world is not just filled with matter, but also with energy that can be controlled.
The Role of Cultivators in Donghua
Why are cultivators important in donghua stories? Because this concept is the foundation of many donghua genres, especially:
- Xianxia (fantasy of immortality and the world of gods)
- Xuanhuan (free fantasy, a mix of modern and mystical world)
- Wuxia (martial arts with a touch of inner energy)
Most of the character journeys in donghua are:
“From weak to invincible.”
This concept touches on the most basic human desire: to grow and become better.
The Reason This Term Went Viral
There are several reasons why the term cultivator can go viral on social media:
- Sounds cool and unique
- Bringing out the fantasy of living free and strong
- Triggering romantic imaginations such as “dating a cultivator”
- Depicts an unrealistic yet captivating adventure
This term also provides an aesthetic effect when used in captions, POV drama video content, or donghua video edits.
Do Cultivators Exist in the Real World?
Of course not.
However, the concept can be analogous to everyday life. A cultivator in a donghua (traditional Chinese drama) trains his strength relentlessly. In real life, one can become a "modern-day cultivator" by:
- Train yourself
- Learn new things
- Never give up on growing
Not to fly on swords, but to become a stronger and wiser man.
So, What Does This Have To Do With Us?
Although the concept of cultivators in donghua is just fantasy, there are values that can be learned:
- Persistence in achieving goals
- Focus on self-development
- Trust in the process, not the instant
Because in the end, all cultivation stories have the same message:
There is no achievement without effort.
So, the conclusion...
A cultivator in donghua is someone who cultivates spiritual energy (qi) to strengthen the body, mind, and soul through cultivation , with the goal of achieving the highest level of power or immortality. This concept is popular because it depicts the journey of growing stronger from the lowest point to the peak of power.
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