Ma Simin practiced medicine during the Northern and Southern dynasties (A.D. 420-589). Born in what is now Qinyang, Henan Province, China, he was a highly skilled physician renowned for his deep knowledge of medical texts and formulas. He collected and studied countless medical prescriptions and could recite classical works, including the Mingtang Acupuncture and Moxibustion Diagrams and the Compendium of Materia Medica, from memory. Yet his understanding of medicine extended far beyond simply following written records. The acupuncture points he selected often differed from those recorded in the Mingtang Diagram, reflecting his own observations and insights gained through experience. Most remarkably, historical accounts describe how doctor Ma Simin could recognize subtle signs in a patient’s condition, allowing him to foresee serious outcomes long before any illness occurred.
One day, Da Bao, the son of Minister Xing Shao, became seriously ill with typhoid fever. After examining his pulse, Ma Simin quietly left the room. He later told another minister, Yang Yin: “Da Bao will recover quickly from this illness without treatment, but his pulse reveals another condition. He will not live beyond a year. It is already too late to save him.” Soon afterward, Da Bao recovered from typhoid fever, and Ma Simin’s words seemed forgotten.
Later, while Minister Xing Shao and Yang Yin were drinking with Emperor Xianzu inside the palace, the emperor said: “I would like to appoint Xing Shao’s son to an important position in a commandery near the capital.” Yang Yin objected, explaining that at only 18 years old, Da Bao was still too young for such a significant responsibility. After the gathering, he privately told the emperor: “Ma Simin told me that Da Bao’s pulse showed a weakness that could lead to his death within a year. If he leaves the capital, it would be difficult to find a physician and medicine in time.” The appointment was ultimately abandoned. Less than a year later, Da Bao died of illness.
Extraordinary healing methods
A man named Yang Ling once suffered from severe swelling and pain in his back. Ma Simin treated the affected area with a substance known as “medical stone,” and Yang Ling soon recovered. According to historical records, this “medical stone” was prepared through a careful process. A coarse yellow stone, about the size of a duck or goose egg, was heated over a strong fire until it turned red. It was then soaked in vinegar, allowing a layer of fine powder to peel away naturally. This heating and soaking process was repeated until the stone was completely transformed into powder. After being dried in the sun, finely ground, and sifted, the powder was mixed with vinegar and applied to areas of swelling and pain.
In another case, Ma Simin encountered a woman suffering from a mysterious illness while accompanying the emperor on a journey to Jinyang. As he passed through the mountains of Liaoyang, he saw notices offering a reward of 100,000 coins to anyone who could cure her. Many renowned physicians had already examined the woman, yet none were willing to treat her after seeing her condition.
Curious about the unusual illness, Ma Simin decided to visit her himself. He asked about the circumstances surrounding her illness. The woman explained that while holding an ear of wheat, she saw a small red, snake-like creature about two inches long crawl into her finger. Terrified, she fainted. After regaining consciousness, she felt pain and swelling in her arm, which gradually spread to half of her body. The suffering became unbearable, and she could not stop crying out in pain. Ma Simin prescribed a medical formula for her. By the time he returned from Jinyang with the emperor, the woman had completely recovered. However, no one knew what formula he had used.
Insight beyond ordinary understanding
Hulü Xian, the younger brother of Chancellor Hulü Guang of Northern Qi, greatly admired Ma Simin and often sought his advice. On one occasion, Ma told him: “You must perform a ritual to dispel evil and avert calamity.” Ma Simin had foreseen disaster, but Hulü Xian did not heed the warning. Later, both Hulü Xian and his elder brother Hulü Guang were executed.
Throughout his life, Ma Simin demonstrated medical knowledge and insight that appeared to extend far beyond ordinary understanding. His ability to perceive illnesses before they fully manifested and foresee events that had not yet occurred led people to believe that he possessed extraordinary, even supernormal, abilities. In traditional Chinese culture, such abilities were often associated with spiritual cultivation and a deeper understanding of the relationship between humanity, nature, and the unseen forces of life.
Ma Simin’s story has been passed down for centuries as an example of a physician whose understanding seemed to reach beyond conventional medicine. Whether viewed as the result of exceptional medical wisdom, spiritual cultivation, or abilities beyond ordinary perception, his life reflects an ancient belief that true mastery comes not only from learning, but from a profound understanding of the connections between the human body, nature, and the mysteries of existence.
Translated by Elaine and edited by Tatiana Denning
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