病入膏肓 (Bìng rù gāo huāng )
The disease has attacked the vitals — sick beyond cure
Gao refers the region below the heart. Another source says Gao is the fat on the tip of the heart. Huang is the region between the heart and the diaphragm. People in ancient China believed that when the ailment reached Gao and Huang, it’s incurable. If we say someone 病入膏肓(Bìng rù gāo huāng ),we mean he has no hope of recovery.
In the year 581BC during the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Jing of the Dukedom of Jin fell ill. One day the sick duke had a dream. In his dream, a long-haired devil thumping his chest and stamping his feet, said to the Duke, “you killed my descendants. God has approved my request to punish you.” The frightened Duke escaped to the inner room. But the devil forced his way in. with a start, the Duke woke up. He summoned a wizard to the palace. The wizard predicted that the Duke couldn’t live to the summer harvest.
Duke Jing’s health deteriorated. He sent someone to the Dukedom of Qin for help. Duke Huan of Qin sent a doctor called Yuan to treat Duke Jing. Before the doctor arrived, the sick Duke had another dream. This time, he dreamed that his aliment became two children. One said to the other, “a good doctor is coming. I’m afraid that he’ll harm me. Where shall I hide?” the other said, “don’t worry. We are above Huang and Below Gao. This is a very safe place. What can he do about us?”
After examining Duke Jing’s case, Doctor Yuan said, “The illness is incurable. It’s between Gao and Huang. No acupuncture needle or medicine can reach it.”
Duke Jing nodded and said, “A very good doctor indeed.” He presented him with handsome gifts and sent him back to Qin.
The idiom 病入膏肓(Bìng rù gāo huāng ) is used not only ofr a person who is mortally sick, but also for a serious situation which cannot be remedied.
