「道氣」一詞是漢代道教為了強調本體之「道」的實在性、貫通形上與形下而創造的概念。魏晉南北朝時期，「道氣」成為道經中普遍使用的詞彙，其含義有6種：根源性的存在、諸神和鬼怪的本質、覆護救度世人的神秘力量、修煉證果的先決條件、特殊的稟賦、「天下有道」時代的來臨。到了唐代，「道氣」成為文人作品中常見的詞彙，其含義亦有多種。但在道教中，始終存在著「道在氣先」和「道即是氣」的爭論。宋代以降，「道氣常（或長）存」成為道教中表達祝福或祈願的習慣用語。

The word “Daoqi” (道氣) is a concept Daoists developed in the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) that emphasizes the “Dao” as having a substance-based ontology. Most significantly, this notion of Dao as substance implies the connection of the metaphysical and physical realms. During the Six Dynasties (220-589), “Daoqi” became a popular term and was commonly used in Daoist texts. In these works, it had a range of six different meanings: the foundational origin on which all humans and things rely; the essence of the gods and ghosts; a mystical power beyond comprehension; a prerequisite for cultivation and the verification of its success; a special natural endowment; an indicator that the utopian age of a “Dao realized world” is approaching. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), “Daoqi” developed into a word that often appeared in works of the literati with varying meanings. However, in Daoism, it has always been tied to the argument about whether “Dao exits prior to qi” or “Dao is just qi.” Since the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the idiomatic expression “May your Daoqi last forever” (道氣常 / 長存) became a common way to convey blessings or good wishes.