痰

Refers to phlegm or mucus produced in the respiratory tract,

a substance expelled through coughing or throat clearing.

In both medical and metaphorical contexts, it represents congestion, stagnation, or turbidity within the body or mind.

Phono-semantic compound composed of:

疒 (병들어 기댈 녁) — semantic component, meaning “illness” or “disease.”

炎 (불꽃 염) — phonetic component, giving the sound dam and connoting “heat” or “inflammation.”

The composition thus depicts a disease (疒) caused by internal heat (炎) — symbolizing the production of phlegm due to heat or inflammation, a key concept in traditional East Asian medicine.

痰涎 (담연) — phlegm and saliva

痰咳 (담해) — cough with phlegm

痰氣 (담기) — phlegm and qi; internal stagnation

痰熱 (담열) — phlegm-heat syndrome (in traditional medicine)

祛痰 (거담) — to expel phlegm

化痰 (화담) — to dissolve phlegm

痰癖 (담벽) — phlegm accumulation

痰中帶血 (담중대혈) — phlegm with blood

In traditional Chinese medicine (中醫), 痰 is one of the “six pathological substances (六邪)” formed when the body’s fluids stagnate due to internal heat, dampness, or imbalance.

In classical medicine, 痰 was not limited to literal mucus but referred broadly to any turbid or viscous substance that obstructs the body’s natural flow of qi (氣).

Two major categories were identified:

寒痰 (cold phlegm) — caused by cold and dampness, manifesting as thin, clear sputum.

熱痰 (hot phlegm) — caused by internal heat, producing thick, yellow mucus.

The Huangdi Neijing (黃帝內經) states:

「痰者，濁氣也。」

“Phlegm is turbid qi.”

Thus, 痰 became a metaphor for mental or emotional stagnation — cloudy thoughts, obsessive worry, or clinging attachments.

In Buddhist and Daoist writings, clearing one’s “inner phlegm” symbolizes purification of mind and spirit.

痰 represents impurity and stagnation, both physical and psychological.

The 疒 radical anchors it in illness and weakness, while 炎 introduces the idea of heat and agitation.

Together they signify disease arising from fiery imbalance —

when passion, stress, or excess energy condenses into heaviness and obstruction.

「熱極則成痰。」

“When heat reaches its extreme, phlegm is born.”

Thus, 痰 embodies the principle that disorder arises when clarity is clouded — when fire (emotion) burns without balance, and fluid (life) thickens into burden.

痰 teaches that cleansing begins with balance.

Just as the body expels phlegm to restore breathing, the mind too must release confusion and resentment to regain calm.

「除心中之痰，則神自清。」

“When the phlegm of the heart is cleared, the spirit becomes pure.”

Therefore, 痰 stands as a character of impurity and purification, reminding us that healing is not merely the absence of sickness, but the return of clarity to body and mind.