Why Traditional Korean Medicine Says Men Are Noses and Women Are Mouths
(A Column by a Korean Medicine Doctor)
“Men should have a fine nose, women a fine mouth.”
Among the patients who visit my clinic, many are struggling with infertility.
Despite advancements in modern medical technologies—such as hormone therapies, artificial insemination, and in-vitro fertilization—there are still many couples who remain childless and emotionally burdened.
One such patient, Ms. Kim, age 32, went through two rounds of IVF and multiple attempts at artificial insemination. She even underwent surgery to unblock her fallopian tubes, but all attempts failed, and she suffered immensely.
Another woman, Ms. Yang, 38, had been married for 10 years and had tried artificial insemination six times, but without success.
When examining women who have trouble conceiving, I’ve noticed some common physical characteristics:
They tend to be tall, have broad shoulders and a strong bone structure—almost masculine in appearance.
Their skin may be rough, dull, or lacking in luster.
They often have cold hands and feet, and a soft abdomen with excess fat.
These traits deviate from the foundational traits traditionally associated with femininity.
The Ideal Female Form in Traditional Medicine
A traditionally “feminine” woman is said to have:
A small head in proportion to her body,
Delicate bones and soft, plump flesh,
Well-developed breasts and hips,
A body shape that’s fuller in the lower half than the upper.
This appearance, often likened to the Venus statue, is said to reflect high levels of feminine energy and female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone—essential for menstruation, conception, and childbirth.
Women with more masculine features are thought to have poor hormonal balance, which may contribute to infertility.
What Is Feminine Energy? What Is Masculine Energy?
According to traditional perspectives, men should be tall, with large heads and broad upper bodies—an inverted triangle shape, like Michelangelo’s David.
Women should have a triangular shape, with wider hips and a smaller upper body.
The book Donguibogam (a classical Korean medicine text) states:
“Men are yang, women are yin. Men are born of the energy of the heavens; women, of the energy of the earth.”
Heavenly energy uplifts and strengthens, while earthly energy nurtures and grounds.
Thus, men (heavenly energy) develop stronger upper bodies and are naturally inclined to grow taller—heaven’s energy flows downward easily.
Women (earthly energy), on the other hand, grow slowly upward, which is harder—hence, they tend to be shorter.
However, many modern women are tall.
This implies that they possess stronger heavenly energy, making them more suited to active social roles, but potentially less suited to traditional female roles like childbirth or homemaking.
Tall women often experience irregular menstruation or infertility, and may lack interest in household life.
Likewise, short men may possess more earthly energy, making them more sensual or emotionally attuned—traits traditionally associated with femininity.
Why the Nose and Mouth Matter
People often joke: “A man with a big nose must be well-endowed,” or, “Your sister’s lucky—your brother-in-law has a great nose!”
While this is just playful banter, there’s a deeper point from a traditional perspective.
In Eastern medicine:
Qi (energy) is associated with the nose, and
Blood (xue) is associated with the mouth.
Men should be driven by qi, while women should be grounded in blood.
A man with a well-shaped nose is believed to have strong energy and drive—making him capable in both family and career.
A woman with a well-shaped mouth is believed to be nurturing, receptive, and fortunate—traditionally praised for managing the household, raising children, and receiving love well.
Women who are qi-dominant (like men) often lack interest in domestic life, dislike staying at home, and may struggle with fertility.
Such women are frequently found in high-pressure jobs such as doctors, lawyers, and corporate positions.
A Clinical Case
A 53-year-old woman came to me complaining of extreme numbness in her hands and feet.
She had no major findings on any medical tests.
She had a prominent, sharp nose, thin build, and a modern look.
In my eyes, she was qi-dominant—a woman with strong yang energy.
She confessed that despite being a housewife, she felt stifled staying at home.
Her symptoms were intense; sometimes, the pain was so severe that she wished her arms would disappear.
I prescribed a herbal formula called Jeonggi Cheonhyang-tang, which promotes qi flow and energy regulation.
Shortly after, her long-standing pain disappeared.
Had I not understood her constitution—that women should be blood-dominant, not qi-dominant—I may not have reached the right treatment.
Skin Color: Men Dark, Women Fair
Regardless of how society evolves, the fundamental roles of men and women—conception, birth, child-rearing for women; external work and protection for men—remain unchanged.
Historically, men worked outdoors, battling wind, sun, and cold—requiring darker, tougher skin.
Women stayed indoors, their skin becoming naturally fairer.
Thus, traditionally:
Darker skin = masculine energy
Fair skin = feminine energy
A woman with dark skin may possess strong masculine energy.
If she stays confined at home, her strong qi can stagnate, leading to issues like headaches, depression, hormonal imbalance, or thyroid problems.
She would benefit from engaging in external activities or careers.
Conversely, a fair-skinned man may be qi-deficient—prone to allergies, sinus issues, or digestive problems due to weaker resistance.
Live According to Your Constitution
In conclusion, people thrive when they live according to their natural makeup.
Understanding one’s constitution—whether qi- or blood-dominant, yang- or yin-oriented—can not only improve one’s health but also offer insight into one’s ideal lifestyle and roles.