"Know Thyself" With Your Hippocratic Temperament

Hippocrates, AKA The father of Western Medicine, was a Greek Physician who developed four "temperaments" that corresponded to body fluids that he felt contributed to different personality types (Blood, Yellow Bile, Black Bile and Phlegm.) While his theories may not have proven 100% true in every case, These Temperaments are used in modern day psychology to help us better understand ourselves. If you've ever taken the Myers-Briggs test or something similar, You'll see that they have developed it with the works of Hippocrates in mind.

The Four Hippocratic Temperaments are:
Phlegmatic, Melancholic, Sanguine, & Choleric.

Phlegmatic Can Have A Round, Oval, Or Moon Shaped Face and the Lower Jaw May Be Large. A Phlegmatic maybe described as Having a Pear-Shaped Body.  Personality Traits of a Phlegmatic are very Steady, Gentle, and Feminine. They Save for The Future, are Loyal, and can be Lazy and Inactive at times.
Predispositions for the Phlegmatic: Depression and Obesity, Sluggish Circulation, & Constipation.


Melancholics Have Triangular Faces, With Wide Foreheads and Brilliant Eyes. They Tend To Be Bony and Sometimes Fragile looking. They can to be Nervous, Intuitive, and Internalize pain and upsets.  Melancholics are intelligent, Sensitive physically and Emotionally, and like to be challenged.
Predispositions for the Melancholic: Anxiety, Infertility, Swelling, Arthritis 


Sanguine Temperaments Have Large Faces with High Cheek Bones. They can be stocky, Short and have well developed Muscles. They are Optimistic, Happy and Joyous. They Love to Talk About Their Feelings and Tell Stories. Nature is important to them and they hate to be confined to a small space. They can be vain and fall in and out of love quickly.
Predispositions for the Sanguine: Over eating or Drinking, Cardiovascular Disease, Digestive Disorders.


Choleric Faces are Square or rectangular. They Tend to be warm and hot in any season. Choleric s are athletic and have commanding personalities. They have a strong will power and can be very inspiring to others.
Predispositions for the Choleric:Inflammation in the Joints, Liver Congestion, Rashes, Fevers


Question:
Which Temperament Best Describes you and Why?

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