Ancient China · Physician

Bian Que 扁鵲

Attested BC 407 - BC 310

Passages: 6
Chapters: 6
Histories: 4

Overview

Bian Que was a Physician.

Life and dates

Attested activity

legendary antiquity
Directly stated · History of Jin 131, passage 48; New Book of Tang 194, passage 212
c. BC 400 扁鵲傳統時代
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 49, passage 4
BC 407 to BC 310 龢、鹊发精于针石
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 117, passage 276

Key source chapters

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 49 Volume 49 Biographies 41: Arts 1 passage
Book of Han, Chapter 2 Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 2 1 passage
Book of Han, Chapter 99 Volume 87b: Yang Xiong 2 1 passage
Book of Han, Chapter 117 Volume 100a: Afterword and Family History 1 1 passage
History of Jin, Chapter 131 Volume 131 Biographies 69: Huan Zhe, Liang Chong, Song Gui, Pan Shouheng, Fang Ji, Liu Wansu, Zhang Congzheng, Li Qingsi, Ji Tianxi, Zhang Yuansu, Ma Guizhong, Wu Zhen Son: Kang, Li Mao, Hu Dexin 1 passage

Career and standing

physician 医
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 276

Learning and skills

Skill needle and stone-probe medicine 针石 · Level master
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 276

Events and relationships

Did not reject the sick at gate
Medical · Physician · With Yu Fu (俞)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 194, passage 212

Source notes

Historicity legendary
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 194, passage 212
Value legendary
Directly stated · Book of Han 2, passage 338

References in the histories

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 49Volume 49 Biographies 41: Arts · 1 passage

故太史公著《龜策》、《日者》及《扁鵲倉公傳》，皆所以廣其聞見，昭示後昆。 Hence Sima Qian’s treatises on tortoise divination, day-selection, and the physicians Bian Que and Lord Cang—all to widen what we know and guide posterity.

Book of Han, Chapter 2Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 2 · 1 passage

命乃在天，雖扁鵲何益！」 The mandate is in Heaven. Though Bian Que came, what benefit!"

Book of Han, Chapter 99Volume 87b: Yang Xiong 2 · 1 passage

子徒笑我玄之尚白，吾亦笑子之病甚，不遭臾跗、扁鵲，悲夫！」 You laugh at my "dark" classic still showing white—I laugh at how ill you are, and that no Yu Fu or Bian Que is at hand to cure you—pity!"

Book of Han, Chapter 117Volume 100a: Afterword and Family History 1 · 1 passage

龢、鵲發精於鍼石，研、桑心計於無垠。 Yi He and Bian Que mastered the needle and stone probe; Ji Yan and Sang Hongyang's financial calculations knew no bounds.

History of Jin, Chapter 131Volume 131 Biographies 69: Huan Zhe, Liang Chong, Song Gui, Pan Shouheng, Fang Ji, Liu Wansu, Zhang Congzheng, Li Qingsi, Ji Tianxi, Zhang Yuansu, Ma Guizhong, Wu Zhen Son: Kang, Li Mao, Hu Dexin · 1 passage

太史公敘九流，述《日者》、《龜策》、《扁鵲倉公列傳》。 Grand Historian Sima Qian surveyed the Nine Schools and wrote the biographies of day-diviners, tortoise-and-yarrow specialists, and the physicians Bian Que and Lord Cang.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 194Volume 194 Biographies 119: Outstanding Conduct · 1 passage

俞、扁之門，不拒病夫； At the gates of Yu Fu and Bian Que they did not reject the sick;