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Yin-Yang Theory
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Show Notes

I absolutely love teaching Zang-Fu Theory to new students! It’s one of those pivotal moments in TCM education where everything shifts. Students have to let go of what they’ve learned about organ function from a Western perspective and begin to embrace the deeper, more interconnected viewpoint of Chinese medicine.

What’s truly powerful about Zang-Fu Theory is that understanding the functions of each organ isn’t just academic—it’s essential for accurate diagnosis. And as you and I both know, in TCM, there’s no such thing as a wrong treatment—only a wrong diagnosis.

According to Zang-Fu Theory, the Zang (Yin) organs are responsible for producing, transforming, and storing vital substances like Qi, Blood, and Essence. In contrast, the Fu (Yang) organs focus on receiving, digesting, and transporting food and fluids.

The five Zang (Yin) organs are:

The six Fu (Yang) organs include:

Each of these organs has unique functions and energetic relationships—and they don’t operate in isolation. In fact, many disorders arise not just from the dysfunction of a single organ, but from disrupted relationships between organs.

Zang-Fu Theory is truly one of the cornerstones of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It lays the groundwork for understanding how our internal systems communicate and work together—physiologically, emotionally, and energetically—to maintain harmony and health.

The 5 Zang Organs: Yin Organs That Store Essence

The Zang organs are responsible for producing, transforming, storing, and preserving essential substances such as Qi, blood, and fluids. These are:

1. Heart (Xin)

  • Governs blood and controls blood vessels, including pulse strength.

  • Houses the Shen (mind/spirit), responsible for consciousness, sleep, memory, thinking, and emotional well-being.

  • Influences speech and the tongue, particularly the tip.

  • Manifests in the complexion and controls sweat.

  • Emotionally linked to joy.

2. Liver (Gan)

  • Stores blood and regulates menstrual cycles.

  • Ensures the smooth flow of Qi, essential for mood, digestion, and energy.

  • Controls tendons and sinews, enabling movement.

  • Opens into the eyes and manifests in the nails.

  • Linked to the ethereal soul (Hun), affecting vision, planning, and direction in life.

  • Emotion: Anger.

3. Lung (Fei)

  • Governs Qi and respiration; extracts pure Qi and spreads it throughout the body.

  • Controls the skin and body hair, and regulates defensive Qi (Wei Qi).

  • Regulates water metabolism and helps distribute fluids.

  • Opens into the nose and manages nasal function.

  • Houses the corporal soul (Po), responsible for physical strength.

  • Emotion: Grief.

4. Spleen (Pi)

  • Transforms and transports food and fluids.

  • Raises Qi, keeping organs in place and lifting clear Qi to the head.

  • Controls blood, preventing hemorrhage.

  • Manifests in the lips, opens into the mouth, and controls saliva.

  • Governs muscles and limbs, providing strength.

  • Houses Yi (thought), responsible for clear thinking and focus.

  • Emotion: Worry or pensiveness.

5. Kidneys (Shen)

  • Store essence (Jing) and govern growth, development, reproduction, and aging.

  • Produce marrow, nourish the brain, and control bones.

  • Regulate water metabolism and receive Qi from the Lungs.

  • Open into the ears and manifest in the hair.

  • Control the lower orifices and house Zhi (willpower).

  • Home to the Ming Men (Gate of Vitality), the source of life’s fire.

  • Emotion: Fear.

 

The 6 Fu Organs: Yang Organs That Transport and Transform

Unlike the Zang organs, the Fu organs are responsible for digesting food, absorbing nutrients, and excreting waste. These include:

1. Stomach (Wei)

  • Controls the rotting and ripening of food.

  • Works with the spleen to generate Qi and fluids.

  • Origin of fluids in the body.

  • Strong ST Qi indicates a good prognosis.

 

2. Small Intestine (Xiao Chang)

  • Receives and transforms digested material.

  • Separates pure from impure fluids (pure goes to the bladder; impure to the large intestine).

  • Related to the Heart.

 

3. Large Intestine (Da Chang)

  • Responsible for the excretion of waste.

  • Closely related to the Lung; both affect elimination and Qi movement.

 

4. Gallbladder (Dan)

  • Stores and excretes bile—unique as a Yang organ that stores.

  • Influences decision-making and courage.

  • Controls the joints.

  • Paired with the Liver.

 

5. Urinary Bladder (Pang Guang)

  • Stores and excretes urine.

  • Assists in fluid transformation with the Kidneys, Small Intestine, and San Jiao.

  • Emotionally linked to suspicion and resentment.

 

6. San Jiao (Triple Burner)

  • A functional organ with three divisions:

    • Upper Burner: Heart & Lung (Qi, respiration).

    • Middle Burner: Spleen & Stomach (digestion).

    • Lower Burner: Liver, Kidney, Intestines, Bladder (elimination and reproduction).

  • Helps in Qi transformation and fluid regulation.

 

The 6 Extraordinary Organs: Yin Functions with Yang Shape

These unique organs store essence or vital substances and share structural characteristics of Yang organs:

  1. Uterus (controls menstruation and pregnancy; male equivalent: Dan Tian)

  2. Brain (“Sea of Marrow”)

  3. Marrow

  4. Bones

  5. Blood Vessels

  6. Gallbladder (dual classification: also one of the Fu organs)

 

Final Thoughts: Why the Zang-Fu Organ Theory Matters

The Zang-Fu organ theory in Chinese medicine offers a holistic view of the human body, connecting physical health, emotions, and mental activity through intricate organ relationships. Whether you’re a student, practitioner, or curious about TCM, understanding the Zang-Fu organs deepens your appreciation of the body’s dynamic balance and its path to wellness.