According to the four humors, which humor is characterized as cold and dry?

In the context of the four humors, black bile is indeed characterized as cold and dry. This historical concept is rooted in ancient medical theories proposed by Hippocrates and Galen, where human health and temperament were believed to be governed by four bodily fluids: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. Each humor was associated with specific qualities and elements.

Black bile was thought to be linked to melancholy and sadness, reflecting its cold and dry attributes. People with a predominance of black bile were believed to exhibit introverted or contemplative traits. This classification aids in understanding relationships between personality types, bodily health, and emotional states as conceived in ancient medicine.

Blood, for instance, is associated with being hot and moist, while phlegm is recognized as cold and moist. Yellow bile is characterized as hot and dry. Recognizing the specific qualities of each humor helps to appreciate historical medical practices and their influence on understanding health and wellness in different cultures.