Chinese Idiom: 起死回生 (Qi Si Hui Sheng)
English Translation: Bring the dead back to life
pīn yīn: qǐ sǐ huí shēng
Idiom Meaning: This idiom is often used to metaphorically refer to exceptional medical skills that can save patients on the brink of death.
Historical Source: Records of the Grand Historian (《史记 ·扁鹊仓公列传》).
Idiom Story:
The legendary physician Bian Que, known for his outstanding medical practice, was a figure who rejected superstition and sought scientific understanding in his treatments. He actively fought against the prevailing superstitious beliefs of his time.
On one occasion, while passing through the state of Guo (located in modern-day Pinglu County, Shanxi), Bian Que learned that the crown prince had suddenly fallen ill and was believed to be dead, causing widespread mourning among the people. Intrigued by the circumstances, Bian Que decided to investigate the matter further.
After asking about the prince’s symptoms and the situation surrounding his death, Bian Que expressed his suspicion that the crown prince was not truly dead. He insisted on examining the body one more time, after which he confidently proclaimed to the gathered crowd, “I have a way to bring the prince back to life.”
This proclamation quickly reached the ears of the king, who came out to meet Bian Que and sought his guidance on how to revive his son. Bian Que explained, “The prince has not actually died; there is still hope for his recovery. He is suffering from a condition known as ‘corpse rigidity’ (尸蹶症).”
Using acupuncture, Bian Que successfully revived the prince. He then provided a series of herbal remedies for the prince to take over the next twenty days. Remarkably, after this treatment, the crown prince fully regained his health.
The news of Bian Que’s miraculous revival of the prince spread quickly, and the people praised his medical abilities, even exaggerating to say he could bring the dead back to life. In response, Bian Que humbly clarified, “I, a mere physician, cannot bring the truly dead back to life; it is simply that the patient was never truly dead, and I merely aided in his recovery.”
This story encapsulates the essence of the idiom “起死回生,” emphasizing the extraordinary skill of Bian Que and his commitment to rational and scientific medical practice, while also highlighting the importance of humility in the face of remarkable accomplishments.
