Creativity is of paramount importance to human endeavors, particularly to the arts. A substantial amount of theory and research on creativity exists in both Eastern and Western philosophy. However, seldom has the attainment of creative ability been conceived as an skill which can be cultivated. This article proposes that creativity is far greater than one’s creative ideas, serendipity, or the creative mind; it can be fostered through self-cultivation, a process achieved by exploring ancient literature on Daoist (Taoist) thoughts in The Zhuang-zi (Chuang-tzu). Accordingly, I conceptualize a transformative body-scheme of qi-body through which an artist-cultivator can simultaneously develop his or her artistic technique and creativity. This paradigm demonstrates a way for artists to cultivate creativity and develop themselves to achieve the ultimate state of the union between heaven and human pursued by Chinese artists since ancient times. Delving into the traditional Chinese notions of creativity, and exploring their implications for creativity in dance, demonstrates the importance of self-cultivation.
