Sasang Constitutions
Dividing human being into four group

Human beings can be divided by sex into two categories like a man and a woman. Human beings can also be divided by age into three categories, such as a baby, adolescence and old age. In Korea, we divide people in four categories by their own constitution; Tae-yang, Tae-um, So-yang and So-um. This classification is called Sasang. Sasang was invented by Lee Jae Ma in 1800. He divided mankind according to a size of four main organs, which are lungs, liver, spleen and kidney. He insisted that these differences determine personal character and pathology. Even exactly a same diseases can be cured by different methods according to a person??s sasang type. So he developed this idea into the medical cure that is extremely unique and approved by modern medical science. Now I will tell you about these four groups?? differences and show you a mini test to check your sasang constitution.
The first type of constitution is tae-yang, a man who has big lungs and a small liver. The number of this group is few. They are a little plump in style and have good features. They have a round face and small eyes and lips. Charming people are included in this group. Their personality is quite sociable and they are enthusiastic people. In a work place, they try to be bold so they work well. But, because of this personality they are regarded as a stubborn and selfish person sometimes. Also they easily get angry if something goes wrong, even if it is small mistake.  For their meals and food sasang theory recommends taking sea foods and vegetables. Also it strongly bans taking greasy food such as pork and beef. They have a smart brain and are creative so most of them become inventors, scientists, revolutionaries or strategists.
       The other side of tae-yang is tae-um. Tae-um types have small lungs and a large liver. Also the rates of this type are quite opposite to the rates of tae-um. They are more than 50% of the population. It means they are most common and widely spread. They are usually tall and have a big body frame. Especially the lower part of the body is stronger than an upper part. Sportsmen or athletes are included in this group. Their personality is steady effort and a staid character, so they do their best and try to finish their jobs no matter how hard they are. However these people are not familiar to expressing emotion they are feeling. This is why they look taciturn and like reclusive people. For their meals and food, sasang theory recommends taking high protein foods: beans, fish, tomatoes, and spinach. But chicken and dog??s meat are not recommended. For their job, they have a good accomplishment and positive thought so most of them become politicians, businessmen or sportsmen.
       The other pair is so-um and so-yang. This pair focuses on spleen and kidney??s size. Their First group is so-yang. They consist of 30% of the population. Their spleens are big and kidneys is small. Also an upper body part is stronger than a lower part. For this reason, they tend to be shrewd men. Their characters are impatient and tenacious. So, this group has a powerful driving force about work. Leaders are included in this group. For disadvantages, impatience makes them lose a job because he cant get along with co-workers and tenacity makes them act carelessly to an inner-family. For their meals and dinner, pork and duck are recommended and beef and chicken are not. For their job, they easily mix with strangers and they are talkative, so most of them become merchants, journalists or diplomats.
       Last group is a so-um. They are only 20% of the population. Their spleens are small and kidneys are big. This is exactly an opposite side of so-yang group. Their lower parts are stronger than the other parts. Not only do they look subdued, they also tend to carefulness and gentleness. They usually look after the others more than themselves, so they are very helpful for company and give good support at work. But by this character, they find it hard to make new friends and are passive for their emotional problems. For meals and food, every food is alright but they have to chew the food well. For their job, they have a well developed emotion so they become artists and teachers.

So far, we talk about the tae-yang and tae-um which are classified by the size of lungs and a liver. Also, we talk about the so-yang and so-um which are classified by the size of spleens and kidneys. These two pairs, four types, determine individual??s a character, an appearance and foods.

Do you think this is a superstition? Or nonsense? Maybe you believe that dividing human beings is an unscientific method. But nowadays this method is proved by scientific ways and lots of doctors follow these theories and cures. If there are some differences between the sizes of our body organs, how could they not affect our body?

작성자 : 임헌정