Humors

In ancient and medieval physiology, humors (also spelled 'humours') referred to the four essential bodily fluids believed to determine a person's temperament and health: blood, phlegm, yellow bile (choler), and black bile (melancholy). A balance of these humors was thought to result in good health and a balanced personality. Imbalances were believed to lead to disease and specific personality traits. This concept significantly influenced medicine and understanding of human behavior for centuries, shaping treatments and social perceptions. The theory is largely considered obsolete in modern medicine.

Humors meaning with examples

• The medieval physician meticulously analyzed the patient's complexion, urine, and other bodily fluids to assess the balance of humors, hoping to determine the cause of the illness. A melancholic individual, for example, was believed to have an excess of black bile.
• Shakespeare’s characters often exhibit behaviors rooted in the theory of humors. Romeo’s passionate, fiery nature reflects a dominance of blood, while Hamlet’s introspective and often melancholy disposition signifies an excess of black bile.
• Traditional Chinese medicine, while differing in specifics, shares a similar concept to humors, where health is maintained through the balance of opposing forces. This parallels the idea that balance of the bodily humors equals health.
• During the renaissance, artists and writers explored human behavior through the lens of the humors. Character descriptions often alluded to specific humoral imbalances to explain traits like anger, joy, or apathy, providing insight into personalities.
• Some modern practices, such as certain dietary approaches, indirectly reflect an awareness of the humoral theory, considering the impact of specific foods on bodily fluids, although not based on the original theoretical concept. This is a modern form of understanding the historic medical practice.