煉れん丹たん

noun

elixir of life; alchemical cinnabar elixir

Historical term from ancient Chinese alchemy; refers to a potion made from cinnabar believed to grant immortality. Rare in modern Japanese outside of historical or fantasy contexts.

• 古こ代だい中ちゅう国ごくの道どう士しは煉れん丹たんを求もとめて水すい銀ぎんや硫黄いおうを調ちょう合ごうした。

  Ancient Chinese Taoists compounded mercury and sulfur in search of the elixir of life.

• 物もの語がたりの中なかで、賢けん者じゃは煉れん丹たんを飲のんで不ふ老ろう不ふ死しになった。

  In the story, the sage drank the elixir of life and became immortal.