Dragon-Tiger Elixir - Analysis of Principles 九还七反龙虎金丹析理真诀

Originally attributed to "Cheng Zhao of Wuchang, styled Tuming" (Wuchang Cheng Zhao Zimu Tuming Shu), it was presumably compiled during the Song Dynasty.

Consisting of one scroll, it is included in the Methods Category of the The Dongzhen Section within the Taoist Canon (The Daozang).

Dragon-Tiger Elixir - Analysis of Principles

In the preface, the author claims that in the Renshen year of the Great Song Dynasty, he encountered a hermit from Siming Mountain and asked about the principles of the Golden Fluid Returning Elixir. The Taoist priest answered each question in detail, and thus the author recorded these teachings to compile this book. The text quotes the theories of Wei Boyang, Cui Zhenren (True Person Cui), Qingxiazi, Yanluozi, and Yuanyangzi, explaining the meanings of concepts such as chaos, the Two Principles (Yinyang), the Three-Five-One (a Taoist alchemical numeral), and gold-water-earth. It also elaborates on the initial sequence of elixir cultivation and the "Three Preparations" for refining the elixir.

The described alchemical method belongs to Internal Alchemy (Neidan), opposing the smelting of gold and stone to seek elixirs externally. It asserts that the Golden Elixir originates from the primal beginning: true lead is the essence of water and the embodiment of Yin; when Yin reaches its extreme, Yang arises, transforming all things. When lead and mercury are mutually affectionate and Yin and Yang resonate with each other, the elixir is born from chaos.