諺語 · a single proverb

氣qì為wéi血xuè之zhī帥shuài,，血xuè為wéi氣qì之zhī母mǔ

Simplified: 气为血之帅，血为气之母

qì wéi xuè zhī shuài, xuè wéi qì zhī mǔ

What does 氣為血之帥，血為氣之母 (qì wéi xuè zhī shuài, xuè wéi qì zhī mǔ) mean?

氣為血之帥，血為氣之母 (qì wéi xuè zhī shuài, xuè wéi qì zhī mǔ) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "Qi is the commander of blood; blood is the mother of qi." In use it means: Qi drives blood circulation and keeps it in the vessels, while blood nourishes and anchors qi. Neither can function well without the other. This mutual dependency is foundational to understanding TCM treatment strategies. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Fire note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Rooster.

Literally: "Qi is the commander of blood; blood is the mother of qi."

The reading

Qi and blood depend on each other the way a river depends on both current and water. Without the driving force of qi, blood pools and stagnates. Without the nourishing substance of blood, qi floats away with nothing to anchor it. Treating one while ignoring the other is like repairing half a bridge. The body insists on partnership.

What kind of proverb it is

Source Traditional TCM medical axiom, codified in Ming dynasty medical texts including Jingyue Quanshu

Sits beside

冰清玉潔

bīng qīng yù jié

Spotless and pure character.

張三李四

zhāng sān lǐ sì

Any random person.

忙中不忘善

máng zhōng bù wàng shàn

Even in the middle of busy activity, do not forget to act with kindness.

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 Harmony, Virtue & Balance, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Rooster, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.

Questions

Is 氣為血之帥，血為氣之母 a real Chinese proverb?

Yes. 氣為血之帥，血為氣之母 (qì wéi xuè zhī shuài, xuè wéi qì zhī mǔ) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Traditional TCM medical axiom, codified in Ming dynasty medical texts including Jingyue Quanshu. It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.

How do you pronounce 氣為血之帥，血為氣之母?

In Mandarin it is qì wéi xuè zhī shuài, xuè wéi qì zhī mǔ. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 氣為血之帥，血為氣之母 aloud in Mandarin.