• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.61-82
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• 2024

Objectives : The objective of this study was to understand the Korean Medical understanding of the principles and physiology of breathing. Methods : Contents related to breathing were searched in the Korean Medical texts, after which they were categorized according to theme, then analyzed. Results : Breathing is a manifestation of life force originating from the 'innate original qi [先天一氣]'. Humans connect to the Heavenly qi-the origin of life- through breathing, through which the rhythm and consistency of yin/yang movement that enables maintenance of life qi could be embodied. The specific result of breathing is the circulation of qi and blood and the brightness of spirit. In addition, breathing is the process that connects human to heaven, allowing for the pulse or its rhythm to be maintained. Hence, breathing is alternately called 'the head of pulses'. Conclusions : Breathing in Korean Medicine goes beyond the scope of its biomedical understanding as a metabolic process of oxygen and carbon dioixde exchange, as it is concerned with the question of the origin of life. As such, the principle and effect of breathing is broadly connected to both innate and acquired life phenomena, wherein jing(精,) qi(氣,) shen(神) are all associated.