What is the Jindan 金丹?

Golden Elixir (Jindan) refers to an elixir refined by burning and smelting metals and stones as raw materials in external alchemy. Chen Guofu, an expert on the history of Chinese alchemy, pointed out that "Dan" (elixir) is cinnabar, namely red mercury sulfide. And "Golden Elixir" refers to the cinnabar that can be used to make gold. The main method for making Golden Elixir is the "feilian" method, where "fei" (flying) simply means sublimation. The medicine obtained through sublimation is the elixir, and this technique of refining elixirs is called alchemy.

The Taoist Golden Elixir School believes that Golden Elixir is the most superior medicine for prolonging life and achieving immortality through ascension. According to the description in Baopuzi Inner Chapters·Golden Elixir, the longer the Golden Elixir is smelted, the more ingenious its changes will be. Taking Golden Elixir can temper the human body, making people ageless and immortal. Ge Hong's idea fully reflects the concept of the Golden Elixir School that one can become immortal by relying on external objects.

The Golden Elixir