THE FOUR HUMOURS
|
4 qualities of matter |
4 elements |
4 temperaments/ complexions |
4 humors |
generated in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hot |
Fire (hot + dry) |
Choleric |
Choler (red/yellow bile) |
Liver |
|
Dry |
Air (hot + moist) |
Sanguine |
Blood |
Heart |
|
Moist |
Water (cold + moist |
Phlegmatic |
Phlegm |
Stomach |
|
Cold |
Earth (cold + dry) |
Melancholic |
Black bile |
Brain |
Choleric:
irascible, bilious, angry Sanguine:
cheerful, courageous, hopeful, amorous (ruddy)
Melancholic:
sullen, sad Phlegmatic:
apathetic, cold, sluggish, dull, not easily excited
These humours could go out of balance, and could also be
influenced by the
o
Zodiac: Aries
(3/21-4/19), hot & dry; Pisces (2/19-3/20), cold and moist
o
planets: Mars,
hot & dry; Moon, cold & moist
o
seasons: spring
(hot + moist)
summer (hot + dry)
fall (cold + dry)
winter (cold +
moist)
They would have to be
brought back into balance by a doctor's (or a chicken’s) concoctions &
prescriptions.