冬dōng不bù藏cáng精jīng,，春chūn必bì病bìng溫wēn

What does 冬不藏精，春必病溫 (dōng bù cáng jīng, chūn bì bìng wēn) mean?

冬不藏精，春必病溫 (dōng bù cáng jīng, chūn bì bìng wēn) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "If essence is not stored in winter, warm disease will surely come in spring." In use it means: Failing to conserve energy during winter through overexertion, excess, or insufficient sleep leaves the body vulnerable to febrile illness when spring arrives. Winter rest is an investment against spring sickness. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Water note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Dog.

Literally: "If essence is not stored in winter, warm disease will surely come in spring."

The reading

Winter is the body's vault season, when vital essence must be conserved through rest, warmth, and moderation. Those who burn through reserves with late nights, heavy exertion, or excess of any kind arrive at spring already depleted. The fever that appears in March was written in December. Nature keeps a strict ledger, and the account comes due with the thaw.

What kind of proverb it is

• Typeyànyǔ 諺語
• FocusLooks ahead
• Element水 Water
• Zodiac tie狗 Year of the Dog

Source Huangdi Neijing Suwen, Chapter 2 (Sisheng Diaoshen Dalun), pre-Han dynasty

Sits beside

Keep reading

Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Nature, Seasons & Health, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dog, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.