The Theory of the Four Humors is one of the most influential ideas in the history of medicine and psychology, and it was proposed by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates in the 5th century BCE. This theory postulates that human health and temperament are determined by the balance of four bodily fluids, or “humors,” which influence both physical health and emotional states. Although modern medicine no longer relies on the theory of the four humors, its impact on the understanding of health, personality, and emotional regulation is undeniable.
In this article, we will delve deeper into the concept of the Four Humors, how they were believed to influence human behavior and health, and how this ancient theory paved the way for further advancements in medical and psychological thinking.
By the 5th century BC, Ancient Greece, which was the cradle of what would become Western civilization, theories were already beginning to be forged about why we are the way we are and do what we do. In reality, this type of theoretical proposals had also appeared before in other areas of the planet, but the Greek case was of special importance because there the technical advances of Asia and Egypt were united with philosophy and the powerful cultural and philosophical activity of the area.
Greece was a region in which knowledge was disseminated much more freely than, for example, in the Persian Empire, in which the teaching of writing was highly centralized and was used basically for commerce and administration.
This explains why in just three centuries, Ancient Greece could become a benchmark for the development of philosophy and science (its most embryonic phase). But Greek science, like what was happening in other parts of the world, was mixed with religions and a vision of the world still very much based on old myths. That is what explains the appearance of the theory of the four humors.
What Are the Four Humors?
Hippocrates believed that the human body contained four basic humors, each associated with specific qualities and behaviors. These humors are:
Blood
Element: Air
Season: Spring
Temperament: Sanguine (optimistic, sociable, and energetic)
Physical traits: A healthy amount of blood was thought to make a person warm, active, and positive. Blood was believed to be the most influential humor and was considered essential for sustaining life and health.
Phlegm
Element: Water
Season: Winter
Temperament: Phlegmatic (calm, relaxed, and introverted)
Physical traits: Phlegm was linked with a cool, moist nature and was believed to make a person more passive, easy-going, and often indifferent. People with an excess of phlegm were thought to be more prone to colds and respiratory illnesses.
Yellow Bile
Element: Fire
Season: Summer
Temperament: Choleric (irritable, ambitious, and dominant)
Physical traits: Yellow bile was associated with heat and dryness. People who had an imbalance of yellow bile were thought to be aggressive, quick-tempered, and often prone to digestive issues, particularly those related to the liver.
Black Bile
Element: Earth
Season: Autumn
Temperament: Melancholic (sad, introspective, and often depressed)
Physical traits: Black bile was considered the heaviest and most troubling humor. It was associated with a cold, dry nature and was believed to lead to depressive states, sadness, and mood disorders. An excess of black bile was thought to cause physical symptoms such as constipation, as well as psychological symptoms like melancholia.
How the Four Humors Affected Health
According to Hippocrates, the balance of these four humors within the body determined an individual’s physical health. When the humors were in harmony, a person was thought to be healthy and balanced, but an excess or deficiency of any one humor could lead to illness or disease.
Imbalance and Disease
If any humor was out of balance, Hippocrates believed it would lead to a range of physical or psychological disorders. For example:
Too much blood (a condition known as “plethora”) could lead to fevers, inflammation, or even mania.
Too much phlegm was thought to cause respiratory diseases, such as colds or bronchitis, and might make a person lethargic or slow-moving.
Too much yellow bile could result in digestive disorders, liver issues, or anger and irritability.
Too much black bile was believed to lead to conditions like depression, melancholy, or digestive issues like constipation.
Physicians in the ancient world used various methods to restore balance, including diet, exercise, bloodletting, and herbal remedies. The goal was always to restore equilibrium among the humors to bring the person back to health.
Moods and personality
For Hippocrates and a good part of the doctors who assimilated the former’s theories during the following centuries. The theory of the four humors offered a basis on which to work in medicine, however precarious it might be. Thus, many treatments for diseases consisted of modifying the patients’ diet so that, by eating certain foods, their humoral levels were balanced. In some cases, bleeding was performed so that patients lost fluid for the same purpose.
But this basis for medicine was not the only thing that emerged from the theory of the four humors. Some thinkers expanded it so that it was capable of explaining not only people’s health, but also the tendencies of their behavior and mental life. Among these researchers, Galen of Pergamon stood out, a Roman doctor and philosopher born in the 2nd century AD. C
Galen’s ideas
For Galen, Imbalances in the amounts of humors had an influence on the way we think, feel and act In other words, its proportions were the basis of people’s temperament. Naturally, each individual has levels of humors that are very rarely completely proportional, and that is what explains personality differences.
When black bile humor predominates, for example, he believed that the person tended to be melancholic and prone to sadness and the expression of intense emotions, while in individuals in whom there is a greater proportion of phlegm than the rest of the substances, their temperament would be characterized by its tendency to rationally analyze situations and its ease in remaining calm.
The Four Humors and Personality Types
Hippocrates extended his theory beyond physical health and proposed that the balance of humors also influenced personality traits and temperaments. This connection between bodily fluids and emotions laid the groundwork for modern psychological theories on personality.
Sanguine (Blood)
Sanguine individuals were characterized by a cheerful and optimistic disposition. They were seen as outgoing, talkative, and eager to engage in social activities. They had a strong, healthy constitution and tended to be more extroverted, energetic, and affectionate.
Choleric (Yellow Bile)
Choleric individuals were ambitious, goal-oriented, and often prone to irritability. They were considered to be natural leaders, but their temperaments could make them impatient and easily angered. The imbalance of yellow bile was linked to aggressive behaviors, and choleric people might struggle with impulsiveness and excessive ambition.
Phlegmatic (Phlegm)
Phlegmatic individuals were seen as calm, easy-going, and less prone to extreme emotional fluctuations. They were characterized by patience, rationality, and a preference for stability and routine. While not as dynamic as sanguine or choleric types, they were often reliable and consistent, though sometimes perceived as indifferent or introverted.
Melancholic (Black Bile)
Melancholic individuals were introspective, analytical, and prone to sadness or pessimism. They had a deep, reflective nature and were often preoccupied with the darker sides of life. Imbalances in black bile were thought to result in a tendency toward depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Melancholic people might also be perfectionistic and highly critical of themselves.
The Influence of the Four Humors on Medical and Psychological Thought
The Theory of the Four Humors had a lasting influence on both medical and psychological thought for many centuries. While the idea of bodily fluids determining health was eventually replaced by more advanced biological and psychological models, Hippocrates’ insights into the connection between physical health and emotional well-being were groundbreaking.
His theory laid the foundation for the development of psychosomatic medicine, which studies how psychological factors influence physical health. For example, it was the beginning of understanding that our emotional state can impact our immune system, digestion, and overall physical health.
The concept of temperament and personality types based on the humors can also be seen as a precursor to modern psychological theories. The idea that people have different emotional temperaments influenced later personality models, such as the Big Five personality traits and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
The Theory of the Four Humors is an ancient yet foundational concept in the fields of medicine and psychology. While it is no longer relevant in modern scientific practice, it remains an essential part of the history of medical thought. Hippocrates’ understanding of health as a balance of bodily fluids laid the groundwork for later advancements in understanding human physiology and psychology. It also introduced the concept that our emotions and physical health are intertwined, a belief that still influences modern psychological practices and therapies.
By studying the Four Humors, we gain insight into how early thinkers viewed the connection between the body, mind, and emotions—an understanding that continues to shape our approach to mental and physical health today.
FAQs on The Theory of the Four Humors
1. What is the Theory of the Four Humors?
The Theory of the Four Humors, proposed by Hippocrates, suggests that human health and temperament are determined by the balance of four bodily fluids—blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. An imbalance in these humors was believed to cause illness and influence personality traits.
2. How does the balance of the four humors affect personality?
Each humor was associated with different personality traits. Blood was linked to a sanguine (optimistic) temperament, yellow bile to a choleric (ambitious) temperament, phlegm to a phlegmatic (calm) temperament, and black bile to a melancholic (reflective) temperament.
3. Did Hippocrates believe that the four humors influenced both physical and mental health?
Yes, Hippocrates believed that the balance of the humors influenced both physical health and emotional well-being. Imbalances in the humors were thought to cause not only physical illnesses but also mood disorders and emotional imbalances.
4. Why is the Theory of the Four Humors important in the history of medicine?
The Theory of the Four Humors is important because it was one of the first attempts to explain the relationship between body and mind. While it has been replaced by modern scientific theories, it laid the groundwork for understanding psychosomatic health and the link between mental and physical well-being.
5. How does the Theory of the Four Humors relate to modern psychology?
The theory of the Four Humors is one of the earliest models of personality, and its influence can still be seen in modern psychological models that categorize personality traits, such as the Big Five personality traits.
