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The *Classic* (Huangdi Neijing) states: The five Zang organs are the keepers within. This refers to the places in the body where the five spirits reside and remain secure. The Liver corresponds to Wind in Heaven, Wood on Earth, and the Liver in humans. It opens into the eyes, corresponds to Spring in seasons, to the East in directions, and to Green in colors. The *Classic* says: The East belongs to Wood; it is the source of the initial growth of all things. It also says: The True Qi of the Zang organs scatters into the Liver, which stores the Qi of the sinews. Kidney Water is its Mother, Heart Fire is its Child, and it pairs with the Gallbladder as its Fu organ. It controls Earth to nourish the sinews; thus, prolonged walking damages the sinews. It governs the storage of the Hun (Ethereal Soul). Its category is plants and trees, its animal is the chicken, its trigram is Xun (Wind), its nature is Benevolence, it fleshes out the sinews, its brilliance manifests in the nails, its grain is wheat, it responds to the four seasons, and above it corresponds to the Star Suixing (Jupiter); therefore, the Qi of Spring ascends to the head. Its musical note is Jue (Ang), meaning "to touch," symbolizing Yang Qi being stirred to generate life. Its number is eight. Its disease is located in the sinews, its odor is musky, its sound is shouting, its breath is sighing, its fluid is tears, and its taste is sour. Emotionally, there is excess anger but insufficient sorrow. Externally, it corresponds to the color of the nails being green; however, it should resemble the luster of green jade, not the dullness of indigo. The *Lingshu* states: Those with thick nails have a thick Gallbladder. Furthermore, the Liver governs Wind; Wind easily injures the Liver. Diseases primarily manifest as convulsive wind (Jing Feng), and smallpox manifests as water blisters. If resentment causes Qi to rebel, it injures Liver Qi. If Dryness Qi is excessive, disease occurs. The symptoms include a green complexion, tense sinews, irritability, eye pain with a desire to close the eyes, aversion to people, or blinking accompanied by pulsation at the left side of the umbilicus. In cases of Liver Excess, there is fixed staring, loud screaming, yawning, neck stiffness, sudden chest oppression, red eyes, irritability, dizziness, headache radiating to the hypochondrium and lower abdomen. In cases of Liver Deficiency, there is blurred vision, chest pain, teeth grinding with blowing air, contracted sinews with clenched fists, and intense fear as if being pursued. If Liver Qi is exhausted, the lips and cheeks turn cyanotic, and the limbs sweat excessively. However, those with exhausted Liver Qi die within eight days. The normal pulse flourishes for seventy-two days in Spring; it is wiry, moderate, and long. A "Spring Wiry" pulse is straight, thin, weak, and long. The hostile pulse is floating, choppy, and short, which is contrary to a white complexion. The critical pulse is like a drawn bowstring.

The Heart corresponds to Heat in Heaven, Fire on Earth, and the Heart in humans. It corresponds to Summer in seasons, to the South in directions, and to Red in colors. It opens into the tongue. The *Classic* says: The South belongs to Fire; it is the source of the vigorous growth of all things. It also says: The True Qi of the Zang organs connects to the Heart. The Heart stores the Qi of the blood vessels. Liver Wood is its Mother, Spleen Earth is its Child, and it pairs with the Small Intestine as its Fu organ. It controls Metal and governs Blood. Prolonged visual strain damages the Blood. It governs the storage of the Shen (Spirit). Its category is Fire, its animal is the sheep, its trigram is Li (Fire), its nature is Propriety, its brilliance manifests on the face, it responds to the four seasons, and above it corresponds to the Star Yinghuo (Mars). Its disease is located in the vessels. Its musical note is Zhi (Zhi), meaning "to stop," indicating that when things reach fullness, they stop. Its number is seven. Its odor is scorched, its sound is speech, its breath is exhalation, it fleshes out the Blood, its fluid is sweat, and its taste is bitter. Externally, it corresponds to the palm being red; however, it should resemble silk wrapping cinnabar, not ochre. The *Lingshu* states: The Heart corresponds to the vessels. Those with thick skin have thick vessels; those with thick vessels have a thick Small Intestine. Furthermore, the Heart governs Heat; Heat injures the Heart. Diseases primarily manifest as fright-heat, and smallpox manifests as red macules. Worry and overthinking injure the Heart. If Cold Qi is excessive, disease occurs. Symptoms include a red complexion, propensity to laugh, mental restlessness, hot palms, dry mouth, delirium every other day, and pulsation above the umbilicus. In cases of Heart Excess, there is upward rushing, teeth grinding, dry mouth, propensity to laugh, fever, hematemesis or bloody sweat, distension and pain in the sinews, ribs, chest, and back, or crying, wailing, and convulsions. In cases of Heart Deficiency, there is mental vagueness, frequent fright, worry and vexation, lackluster complexion, cough, stiff tongue, and soreness and pain in the waist and back. If Heart Qi is exhausted, there is head shaking, fixed staring, and a smoky-black appearance of the form. However, those with exhausted Heart Qi die within one day. The normal pulse flourishes for seventy-two days in Summer; it is surging and moderate. "Surging" means floating, large, and scattered, coming rapidly and departing slowly. The hostile pulse is deep, soft, and faint, which is contrary to a red complexion. The critical pulse is hooked, like holding a belt hook.

The Spleen corresponds to Dampness in Heaven, Earth on Earth, and the Spleen in humans. It corresponds to the Four Seasons (the last eighteen days of each season) in time, to the Center in directions, and to Yellow in colors. It opens into the lips and mouth. The *Classic* says: The Spleen pulse belongs to Earth; it is the solitary Zang organ that irrigates the four peripheries. It also says: The True Qi of the Zang organs moistens the Spleen, which stores the Qi of the muscles. Heart Fire is its Mother, Lung Metal is its Child, and it pairs with the Stomach as its Fu organ. It controls Kidney Water and governs the muscles. Prolonged sitting damages the muscles. It governs the storage of Yi (Intellect). Its category is Earth, its animal is the ox, its trigram is Kun (Earth), its nature is Trustworthiness, its brilliance manifests in the white area around the lips, its grain is millet, it responds to the four seasons, and above it corresponds to the Star Zhentong (Saturn). Its disease is located in the flesh. Its palace is the Center; "Center" means middle. Earth resides in the center, establishing the supreme standard for the Five Phases. Its number is five. Its odor is fragrant, its sound is singing, its breath is calling, its fluid is saliva, and its taste is sweet. Externally, it corresponds to the limbs and yellow color; however, it should resemble yellow arsenic wrapped in gauze, not earth. The *Lingshu* states: The Spleen corresponds to the flesh. Those with firm and large muscle texture have a thick Stomach. Furthermore, the Spleen governs Dampness; Dampness injures the Spleen. If Wind Qi is excessive, disease occurs. Symptoms necessarily include a yellow complexion, excessive thinking, abnormal cravings, heavy body, testicular pain, inability to hold the limbs steady, and lethargy. In cases of Spleen Excess, the limbs feel heavy and difficult to lift, abdominal distension, constipation, hunger, drowsiness, fever, and thirst. In cases of Gallbladder Deficiency, there is shortness of breath, vomiting and diarrhea generating wind, undigested food in stool, bloating, borborygmus, and limb weakness. If Spleen Qi is exhausted, the umbilicus protrudes, the lips invert, the area around the mouth turns dark, and cold sweat turns yellow. However, those with exhausted Spleen Qi die within twelve days. The normal pulse寄旺 (parasitically flourishes) at the end of the four seasons, eighteen days each. Its pulse is warm and thick because Stomach Qi circulates among the Zang and Fu organs; thus, a peaceful pulse is often imperceptible, appearing only when it declines. The hostile pulse is long and tight, which is contrary to a green complexion. The critical pulse resembles a chicken pecking, stopping and then resuming.

The Lung corresponds to Dryness in Heaven, Metal on Earth, and the Lung in humans. It corresponds to Autumn in seasons, to You (West) in directions, and to White in colors. It opens into the nose. The *Classic* says: The West belongs to Metal; it is the source of the harvest and storage of all things. It also says: The True Qi of the Zang organs is high in the Lung, circulating Ying and Wei and Yin and Yang. Spleen Earth is its Mother, Kidney Water is its Child, and it pairs with the Large Intestine as its Fu organ. It controls Liver Wood and governs Qi. Prolonged lying down damages Qi. It governs the storage of the Po (Corporeal Soul). Its category is Metal, its animal is the horse, its trigram is Qian (Heaven), its nature is Righteousness, its brilliance manifests in the hair, its sensory organ is the nose, its grain is rice, it responds to the four seasons, and above it corresponds to the Star Taibai (Venus). Its disease is located in the skin and hair. Its musical note is Shang (Shang), meaning "strong," symbolizing the hardness of Metal. Its number is nine. Its odor is fishy, its sound is weeping, its breath is smiling/sighing, its fluid is nasal mucus, and its taste is pungent. Externally, it corresponds to the skin and hair being white; however, it should possess the luster of white jade, not the dullness of chalk. The *Lingshu* states: The Lung corresponds to the skin. Those with thick skin have a thick Large Intestine. Furthermore, the Lung governs Dryness; Dryness injures the Lung. Disease manifests as cough, and smallpox manifests as pus-filled blisters. If Heat Qi is excessive, disease occurs. Symptoms include a white complexion, sadness and weeping, scratching the eyebrows, eyes, nose, and face, sneezing, runny nose, spitting blood, epistaxis, panting, alternating chills and fever, and pulsation in the hypochondrium. In cases of Lung Deficiency, there is difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, excessive nasal discharge, dry throat, asthenic cough with hemoptysis, and white lips. In cases of Lung Excess, there is chest stuffiness and confusion, rapid panting, cough with rebellious Qi, nasal congestion, pain in the calves, thighs, and spine, and chest fullness. If Lung Qi is exhausted, there is sweating, moist hair, unceasing panting, and loss of hair with Qi leakage. However, those with exhausted Lung Qi die within three days. The normal pulse flourishes for seventy-two days in Autumn; it is floating and fine ("Mao"). "Fine" means sparse and soft, light and void, resembling floating. The hostile pulse is floating, large, and firm, which is contrary to a red complexion. The critical pulse is like hair blown by the wind.

The Kidney corresponds to Cold in Heaven, Water on Earth, and the Kidney in humans. It corresponds to Winter in seasons, to the North in directions, and to Black in colors. It opens into the ears. The *Classic* says: The North belongs to Water; it is the source of the closure and storage of all things. It also says: The True Qi of the Zang organs descends to the Kidney, which stores the Qi of the bone marrow. Lung Metal is its Mother, and Prosperous Water is its Child (Note: Textual anomaly, typically Wood is child of Water, but translating as written). It pairs with the Bladder as its Fu organ. It controls Heart Fire and governs the bones. Prolonged standing damages the bones. It governs the storage of Jing (Essence) and Zhi (Will). Its category is Water, its animal is the pig, its trigram is Kan (Water), its nature is Wisdom, its brilliance manifests in the hair, its grain is beans, it responds to the four seasons, and above it corresponds to the Star Chenxing (Mercury). Its disease is located in the bones. Its musical note is Yu (Yu), meaning "comfortable/expanding," symbolizing the recovery of Yang Qi and the expansion of all things. Its number is six. Its odor is putrid, its sound is groaning, its breath is blowing, its fluid is spit, and its taste is salty. Below, it corresponds to the waist and Kidneys with a black color; however, it should resemble multiple layers of lacquer in luster, not charcoal. The *Lingshu* states: The Kidney corresponds to the bones. Those with dense texture and thick skin have thick Sanjiao and Bladder. Furthermore, the Kidney governs Cold; Cold injures the Kidney. Disease primarily manifests as hernia, and smallpox manifests as black depression. Excessive sexual activity injures the Kidney. If Dampness Qi is excessive, disease occurs. Symptoms include a black complexion, fear, yawning, cold feet with rebellious Qi, abdominal pain, incomplete digestion diarrhea with tenesmus, and pulsation below the umbilicus. In cases of Kidney Excess, there is abdominal distension, heaviness of the body, shortness of breath, silence, bone pain, incomplete digestion diarrhea, and scanty urination. In cases of Kidney Deficiency, there is a sensation of falling, retraction of the genitals, blue-white complexion, open fontanelle, downward rushing, photophobia, a hanging heart feeling like hunger, chest pain radiating to the spring (likely a textual error for heart or specific region), cold extremities, polyuria, and tinnitus. If Kidney Qi is exhausted, there is reversed eyes staring, delirium, enuresis, broken waist, and withered bones. However, those with exhausted Kidney Qi die within four days. The normal pulse flourishes for seventy-two days in Winter; it is deep, soft, and stone-like ("Shi Shi"), meaning deep, soft, and slippery, with a rapid pulse upon lifting the finger. The hostile pulse is slow and large, which is contrary to a yellow complexion. The critical pulse is like a turning stone, departing like a flicking stone. These are the general principles of the Zang and Fu organs. The Heart is the master of Blood, and the Liver is the storehouse of Blood; thus, Blood originates from the Heart and is stored in the Liver. The Lung is the master of Qi, and the Kidney is the storehouse of Qi; thus, Qi originates from the Lung and is stored in the Kidney. As for the Spleen and Stomach, they are particularly the root of Post-Heaven Yuan Qi, the mechanism of transformation and generation, and the great source of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs. All Qi, Blood, Essence, and Micro-nutrients rely on them for nourishment and growth.