♦Sacred birth celebrated on the 18th day of the fourth lunar month ♦
A native of the Pei Nation during the Eastern Han dynasty, Hua Tuo’s formal name was Yuan Hua. He was well-versed in the sutras and history, but was mild by nature, refusing official appointments throughout his life. He had expertise in medical herbs and acupuncture, and was said to have been able to perform internal and external surgery on the afflicted. In addition to medical skills, Hua Tuo was knowledgeable in the area of cultivating the body and mind. He taught others the movements of “Five Animal Frolics,” to prolong the lifespan. In the Taiwan region, Hua Tuo is worshipped as the guardian of the practice of traditional Chinese medicine, and is the most renowned doctor among China gods of medicine throughout history.