Bao Gu (, ), 4th-century, also known as Pao Ku Ko), was a Chinese

Taoist Taoism or Daoism (, ) is a diverse philosophical and religious tradition indigenous to China, emphasizing harmony with the Tao ( zh, p=dào, w=tao4). With a range of meaning in Chinese philosophy, translations of Tao include 'way', 'road', ...

physician. She was the daughter of accomplished Taoist practitioner and governor Bao Jing, and the wife of

Ge Hong Ge Hong (; b. 283 – d. 343 or 364), courtesy name Zhichuan (稚川), was a Chinese linguist, philosopher, physician, politician, and writer during the Eastern Jin dynasty. He was the author of '' Essays on Chinese Characters'', the '' Baopu ...

, who is the author of ''

Baopuzi ''Baopuzi'' () is a literary work written by Ge Hong (AD 283–343), (), a scholar during the turbulent Jin dynasty. ''Baopuzi'' is divided into two main sections, the esoteric ''Neipian'' () and the section intended for the public to unders ...

''. She is also known as one of the famous four female physicians in Chinese history, along with

Zhang Xiaoniang Zhang Xiaoniang (11th-century), was a Chinese physician. She is known as one of the famous four female physicians in Chinese history, along with Yi Jia of Western Han dynasty, Gu Bao of the Jin dynasty (266–420), Jin dynasty and Tan Yunxian, wh ...

Northern Song dynasty The Song dynasty ( ) was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 960 to 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song, who usurped the throne of the Later Zhou dynasty and went on to conquer the rest of the Ten Kingdoms, endin ...

, Yi Xu of the

Western Han dynasty The Han dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China (202 BC9 AD, 25–220 AD) established by Liu Bang and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–206 BC) and a warring in ...

, and Tan Yunxian, who was active during the

Ming dynasty The Ming dynasty, officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming was the last imperial dynasty of ...

.Zheng Jin-Sheng. “Female Medical Workers in Ancient China.” She was active during the

Eastern Jin dynasty Eastern or Easterns may refer to: Transportation Airlines *China Eastern Airlines, a current Chinese airline based in Shanghai * Eastern Air, former name of Zambia Skyways *Eastern Air Lines, a defunct American airline that operated from 192 ...

Life

Bao Gu was born into the family of a government official Bao Jing. He believed in Taoism and his interpretation of Taoist doctrines influenced Bao's interests.

became a disciple of her father Bao Jing, and studied alchemy with him. Bao Jing saw that he was eager to learn and thought highly of him, so he married his daughter Bao Gu to him. After marrying Ge Hong, they practiced medicine together. In the second year of Daxing of the

Eastern Jin Eastern or Easterns may refer to: Transportation Airlines *China Eastern Airlines, a current Chinese airline based in Shanghai * Eastern Air, former name of Zambia Skyways *Eastern Air Lines, a defunct American airline that operated from 192 ...

Dynasty (319 AD), Bao Jing built a Taoist temple for his daughter Bao Gu to practice Taoism and medicine. It was named Yuegang Temple (now Sanyuan Palace, Guangzhou City). In the first year of Jianyuan of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (343 AD), Ge Hong passed away in Mount Luofu. Bao Gu and her disciple Huang Chuping went to Yuegang temple, both to treat people's illnesses and to repair roads. She inherited the medical skills of her father and her husband, and improved on it through her own research. Because of the efficacy of her medicine, people called her Baoxiangu, with xiān indicating her immortalized status.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bao Gu 4th-century deaths 4th-century Chinese women 4th-century Chinese physicians 4th-century Taoists Ancient women physicians Ancient women scientists Chinese alchemists Jin dynasty (266–420) Taoists Scientists from Imperial China