Histoire de la Médecine Chinoise

Why did the Medicine King Sun Simiao ride on a tiger?

Dr Zhu Weimin (June 23, 2023)

Sun Simiao had noble medical ethics and prioritized treating and saving people when practicing medicine. He cared about the illnesses and sufferings of the people, always considering the well-being of the patients. Regardless of their social status, wealth, age, or relationship, he treated all patients equally and with impartiality. His common saying was "Human life is of utmost importance, even if it costs a fortune." When he went out to treat patients, he disregarded day and night, weather conditions, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, giving his full dedication. During clinical practice, he maintained focus, taking his responsibilities seriously, avoiding haste, not considering personal gains or losses, and not being repulsed by dirt or foulness, focusing solely on saving and caring for others. Particularly, he advocated that doctors should not use the opportunity to demand money or possessions, but should have no desires or demands, making him an exemplary model in the ancient medical field.

Once during his journey to provide medical assistance, Sun Simiao encountered a tiger blocking his path. Concerned about being harmed by the tiger, he tried to find an alternative route but encountered the same tiger again. Sun Simiao was puzzled and said to the tiger, "I treat people's illnesses and follow the will of Heaven. What is the problem with you repeatedly blocking my way? Could it be that you also want me to treat your illness?" Upon hearing this, the tiger had tears in its eyes and nodded repeatedly.

Sun Simiao suddenly had a realization: it turned out that the tiger didn't mean to harm him; it had a request. So he followed the tiger all the way to a cave, where he saw a tigress lying at the entrance, cradling her cubs, with a pained expression. Sun Simiao pried open the tiger's mouth and discovered an animal bone deeply lodged in the tigress's throat, preventing her from swallowing. Sun Simiao reached for a copper bell he had on hand, which he used during his travels as a village doctor, and looped it around his arm. He inserted his hand into the tiger's mouth and with a strong tug, he pulled out the bone. The tigress winced in pain, and her teeth happened to strike the copper bell, sparing Sun Simiao's arm from injury. This is the origin of the term "tiger support," used by physicians in later times.

In gratitude, the tiger allowed Sun Simiao to ride on its back to gather medicinal herbs. After the herb gathering, the tiger crouched at the door, standing guard for Sun Simiao.

There was a tiger guarding the entrance of an ancient temple, scaring away patients who dared not come for medical treatment. Sun Simiao had no choice but to let the tiger go to the mountains behind the temple to guard the apricot forest, hence the legend of "the tiger guarding the apricot forest." To commemorate the tiger's act of gratitude towards Sun Simiao, people spontaneously carved a stone tiger statue and placed it in front of Sun Simiao's door. This is also how the tradition of placing stone tiger statues at the entrances of shops originated.

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