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Lei Gong asked: What is the Heart Meridian? Qi Bo replied: The Heart is a Fire Zang organ. It is named the Hand Shaoyin Meridian because Heart Fire belongs to Post-Heaven Fire. Post-Heaven refers to tangible fire. It corresponds to the planet Mars (Yinghuo) in the heavens; although its attribute is Fire, its substance is Yin, and its meridian travels on the hand, hence it is named the Hand Shaoyin Meridian. The meridians of other Zang-Fu organs all originate from the hands or feet, but the Heart meridian originates solely from the Heart, differing from other meridians, because the Heart is the Sovereign Monarch, overseeing all authority and principles, and does not entrust its functions to the four extremities. The connections of the Heart are interlinked with all Five Zang and Seven Fu organs, particularly with the Small Intestine. The Small Intestine is the exterior counterpart of the Heart, and the Heart actually connects to the Small Intestine, extending downward to connect with the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel). Thus, the Ren Mai borrows the Qi of the Small Intestine to ascend and reach the Heart, symbolizing the gathering of officials to pay homage to the monarch. The connections of the Heart also extend upward to communicate with the Lung, flanking the throat and entering the eyes to manifest the brilliance of civilization. From the Heart connection, it ascends to the Lung, exits below the axilla, follows the posterior medial aspect of the upper arm, runs behind the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin, descends to the elbow, follows the forearm to the tip of the little finger, emerging at its end; this is the direct path of the Heart meridian system. Additionally, from the Lung, it curves backward, descends straight along the spine, penetrates through the Kidney, located in the area of Mingmen (Gate of Life); this is the pathway for the mutual interaction of Heart and Kidney (Heart-Kidney Non-interaction/Ji Ji). As a Fire Zang organ, the Heart fears being overcome by Water, so why does its connection extend to the Kidney, allowing the Kidney a path to encroach upon it? One must understand that Heart Fire and Mingmen Fire must be connected without fail even for a day. When the Heart receives Mingmen Fire, Heart Fire has its root; if the Heart does not receive nourishment from Kidney Water, Heart Fire will not flourish. Essentially, Heart Fire must be nourished by the Water and Fire within the Kidney; thus, overcoming transforms into generating. With the mutual generation of Kidney Fire and Kidney Water established, the Heart's connections can reach various Zang-Fu organs without obstruction. From here, it extends to the left to connect with the Liver. The Liver belongs to Wood and is the mother generating Heart Fire. Although Heart Fire is born from the Pre-Heaven Fire of Mingmen, without the cultivation of Post-Heaven Liver Wood, the Pre-Heaven Fire Qi would not flourish. Therefore, the Heart's connection to the Liver seeks the Qi of mutual generation from Liver Wood. Once Liver Qi is unobstructed, since the Gallbladder is beside the Liver, connecting to the Liver naturally connects to the Gallbladder, which is highly convenient. Moreover, the Gallbladder is the father of the Heart, sharing the same origin, leaving no barriers. From here, it connects to the Spleen. The Spleen is the child of the Heart. Although Spleen Earth does not rely on Heart Fire for generation, the Stomach is the beloved son of the Heart; Stomach Earth cannot grow without Heart Fire. Since the Heart generates the Stomach, generating the Stomach necessarily generates the Spleen; this is why the connections of the Spleen and Stomach are linked without gap. From here, it connects to the Lung. Fire nature tends to blaze upward, and the Lung lobes stand directly in its path; could there not be injury? However, stubborn Metal requires Fire to become pliable; within overcoming, there is also an image of generation. If Lung Metal lacks Fire, it becomes cold Metal and cold Water, severing the source of transformation for the Stomach and Bladder. How then can it warm the Kidney and transmit transformations to the Large Intestine? From here, it connects to the Heart Master (Xin Zhu). The Heart Master is the Pericardium (Tan Zhong Bao Luo), the minister assistant to the Heart Sovereign, assisting the Sovereign in managing transformations. Its entering and exiting meridians are closer than those of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, truly embodying the sentiment "when the Heart rejoices, it rejoices; when the Heart worries, it worries." Breathing communicates, acting as the sovereign's proxy to command the San Jiao (Triple Burner), ensuring Qi reaches everywhere in the Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao. This is indeed the result of the Heart's connections reaching out.

Lei Gong asked: What is the Kidney Meridian? Qi Bo replied: The Kidney belongs to Water, representing the correct Water image of Shaoyin. Seawater is the water of Shaoyin, waxing and waning with the moon, to which the Kidney responds. It is named the Foot Shaoyin Meridian because the pulse originates from the lower part of the Foot Shaoyin, ascending from the sole of the foot, following the posterior aspect of the medial malleolus, branching into the heel, ascending to the popliteal fossa, exiting the thigh, and penetrating the spine. This is the path of He Che (River Cart), which is also the path of the Ren and Du vessels. However, all belong to the Kidney; with Kidney Water, the He Che path is open, without Kidney Water, it is blocked; with Kidney Water, the Du vessel path operates, without Kidney Water, it is severed. The mutual connection and operation of these two meridians depend entirely on the Kidney; thus, the He Che path and Du vessel path are the Kidney Meridian path. From here, it travels to the Liver, following the principle of the mother entering the son's residence. From here, it travels to the Spleen, following the principle of water flowing through the earth. Passing through the Liver and Spleen meridians, it connects to the Bladder, because the Kidney is the interior of the Bladder, and the Bladder is the exterior of the Kidney. The Bladder undergoes transformation only after receiving Kidney Qi, just as this path allows for mutual connection and Qi exchange. When connecting to the Bladder, it penetrates the spine, meets the Du vessel, returns to emerge anterior to the umbilicus, and reaches the Bladder only after communicating with the Ren Mai. Although Qi transformation can reach there, it is actually conducted through meridian pathways. Its direct path enters the Lung from the Liver, returning to the mother's home. Ascending from the Lung, it follows the throat, flanks the base of the tongue, and terminates; this is to approach the Sovereign by first communicating through the throat and tongue. Although the Kidney and Heart seem to overcome each other, they actually generate each other. Thus, its connection branches out and winds around the Heart, yet dares not immediately approach the Heart Sovereign. Instead, it pours into the Tan Zhong Pericardium in the chest; afterward, the essence of the Kidney Meridian is offered upward, transforming into the fluid of the Heart. This is the meaning of the Sovereign taking from the people below, and the commoners offering tribute to the state above. Each Zang organ exists singly, but the Kidney exists in pairs, reflecting the image of Liang Yi (Two Powers). Liang Yi refers to the Sun and Moon. The Moon governs Yin, the Sun governs Yang. It seems the Kidney, being a Water Zang, should correspond to the Moon rather than the Sun. However, the Moon contains Yang Qi, and the Sun contains Yin Qi. The Kidney pairing with Sun and Moon is precisely because it contains both Yin and Yang within. Yin hides within Yang, Yang conceals within Yin, interacting and utilizing each other, comparable to the illumination of Sun and Moon. Generally, Five Zang and Seven Fu organs each possess Water and Fire, but only the Kidney's Water and Fire exist in a formless state, constituting Pre-Heaven Water and Fire, unlike the Water and Fire of other Zang-Fu organs which belong to Post-Heaven. Among these Water and Fires, only the Kidney belongs to Pre-Heaven, and there is truly a master residing between the two Kidneys. This master is Mingmen (Gate of Life). Mingmen is the "Small Heart," resembling the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate), capable of generating Pre-Heaven Water and Fire, thereby generating Post-Heaven Water and Fire. Consequently, it shapes the Five Zang and Seven Fu, allowing each to rest securely in its palace, enjoying the blessings of stability, and undergoing endless transformation.

Lei Gong asked: What is the Liver Meridian? Qi Bo replied: The Liver belongs to the Foot Jueyin Meridian. Jueyin means "Reverse Yin," corresponding to Thunder and Fire above. The pulse originates at the tufted hair of the big toe, hence named Foot Jueyin. Thunder and Fire rise from the earth and soar above the sky; their nature is urgent and uncontrollable. The nature of the Liver is also urgent; it is the most rebellious among Yin meridians. If slightly thwarted, it becomes rebellious and unstoppable. Following the dorsum of the foot upward to the ankle, crossing behind the Taiyin Spleen meridian, ascending to the medial aspect of the popliteal fossa, following the abdomen into the pubic region, passing the genitalia, and reaching the lower abdomen; this is both the path to the Liver and the path to the Spleen. Since it trends toward the Spleen, it must trend toward the Stomach. Once the Liver's connections communicate with the Spleen and Stomach, any rebellion will first attack the Spleen and Stomach, due to familiarity with the route. Although the Liver's connections communicate with the Spleen and Stomach, Liver Qi must return to its own palace. Thus, its connections also travel within the liver lobes. Beside the liver lobes attaches the Gallbladder; the Gallbladder is the elder brother, the Liver is the younger brother. The Gallbladder does not connect to the Liver, but the Liver connects to the Gallbladder, signifying the younger brother being stronger than the elder. Ascending through the diaphragm is the path to the Heart. The Liver's nature is urgent, so it should go straight to the Heart's palace, yet it does not go straight but instead traverses the membranes and diaphragm, spreading between the hypochondrium and ribs; this is the meaning of maternal compassion. A compassionate mother provides many detours for her son to enrich his storage; the hypochondrium and ribs are indeed the warehouse of the Heart's palace. However, its nature is truly urgent and cannot remain long in the hypochondrium. It follows the posterior aspect of the throat, ascends to the nasopharynx (Hangsang), connects to the eye system, ascends to the forehead, and meets the Du vessel at the vertex; this is the path of Wood and Fire ascending. Its branch descends from the eye system to the cheek, circling the lips, seeking to vent the stagnant Fire of Liver Wood through the orifices of the mouth and tongue. Another branch diverges from the Liver, pierces the diaphragm, and ascends to inject into the Lung, fearing the metal of the Lung overcoming Wood; this meridian serves as a reconnaissance route.

Lei Gong said: I have understood the purport of the Five Zang organs. Please speak in detail about the Seven Fu organs. Qi Bo said: The Stomach Meridian is also called the Yangming Meridian because its pulse connects with the Large Intestine Hand-Yangming Meridian, descending from the nose and forehead to the foot. However, the Stomach Meridian belonging to Yangming is not the same as what is meant by the Large Intestine's Yangming. The Stomach is a Fu organ abundant in Qi and Blood, possessing the image of the sun and moon shining together; it is a Pure Yang Fu organ, governing reception and digestion. Yang governs ascent; traveling from the forehead, it moves through the teeth, mouth, and lips, following the chin, cheeks, and anterior to the ear to meet at the frontal skull, demonstrating that its Yang Qi reaches everywhere. Its branch descends from behind the chin to the Yingxue point, follows the throat into the Supraclavicular Fossa (Quepen), runs outside the Foot-Shaoyin Meridian, passes through the diaphragm to communicate with the Qi of the Kidney and Pericardium. The Stomach is the gate of the Kidney and the function of the Pericardium; receiving Qi from these two meridians enables the Stomach to steam and rot food grains to transform them into fine essences. Having received Qi from these two meridians, it must return to the Stomach, hence it still belongs to the Stomach. The Stomach connects laterally to the Spleen; the Stomach is the husband of the Spleen, the Spleen is the wife; the Spleen obeys the Stomach's commands to perform transportation and transformation. Its direct path descends from the Supraclavicular Fossa to the medial aspect of the breast, flanks the umbilicus, and enters the Qijie acupoint. Qijie is the Qichong acupoint, the source of generating Qi; exploring the source fills the breasts with Qi, enabling distribution to various meridians. Its branch originates from the stomach opening, follows the abdomen outside the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, inside the main meridian, descends to merge at Qijie, still drawing Qi from the Kidney to assist the source of generating Qi. Thus, having obtained the root of Qi, the Stomach can descend to reach the foot. Descending from Qijie to Biguan, reaching Futu, down to the kneecap, following the tibia to the dorsum of the foot, entering Neiting of the middle toe and ending; these are all paths for the Stomach to descend. Its branch, from three cun below the lateral knee, diverges into the space between the toes of the middle toe, another lateral path, showing its abundance of Qi and Blood, reaching everywhere. Its branch, diverging from the dorsum of the foot, enters the space between the big toes, emerges from the Foot-Jueyin Meridian, intersects with the Foot-Taiyin Meridian, avoiding the overcoming of Liver Wood, approaching the Qi of Spleen Earth.

Lei Gong said: Please speak of the San Jiao (Triple Burner) meridian. Qi Bo said: The San Jiao belongs to the Hand-Shaoyang Meridian because the San Jiao is formless, deriving its Fire from the Shaoyang Wood Qi of the Gallbladder, and its pulse originates at the tip of the fourth finger (ring finger) of the hand, hence named Hand-Shaoyang. Following the wrist, exiting the arm, piercing the elbow, running along the outer layer of the arm, inside the Hand-Taiyang Meridian, and outside the Hand-Yangming Meridian, the Fire Qi desires to communicate with the Large and Small Intestines. Ascending the shoulder, following the upper arm, crossing behind the Foot-Shaoyang Meridian, leaning against the Gallbladder Wood to extract Fire from within the Wood. Descending to the Supraclavicular Fossa, meeting externally to the Foot-Yangming Meridian at the Tan Zhong; the Upper Jiao scatters its Qi and connects around the Pericardium; the Middle Jiao passes through the diaphragm to connect with the Bladder, regulating the Lower Jiao. Whether Stomach, Pericardium, or Bladder, these are where San Jiao Qi comes and goes between the Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao; thus, it is not assigned to the three meridians but exclusively belongs to the San Jiao. However, although San Jiao Qi moves between the Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao, if it lacks a root as a master, the Qi will gather and scatter intermittently and cannot last long. Who knows that although San Jiao derives Qi from Gallbladder Wood to generate, without Mingmen Fire it will not grow. Once San Jiao has Mingmen as its root, distributing Qi to the Stomach gives the Stomach the mechanism of operation; distributing Qi to the Pericardium gives the Pericardium the power of movement; distributing Qi to the Bladder gives the Bladder the handle of transformation. Its branch ascends from Tan Zhong, exits the Supraclavicular Fossa, reaches the neck, ties behind the ear, goes straight up to the upper angle of the ear to the temple; this is none other than ascending with the Fire Qi of the Kidney. Another branch enters the ear from behind the ear, exits anterior to the ear, passes the Zhusanli acupoint (Zhu Ren/Zhu Jun - note: text says 'Ke Zhu Ren', likely referring to an ear point like Tinghui or similar, WHO standard might vary, keeping literal 'Guest Master' or specific point if known, here 'Zhu Ren' often refers to Tinghui GB2 or similar in context of ear), crosses the cheek to the outer canthus of the eye; this is also Fire nature flaming upward, ascending with the Qi of the Pericardium. However, the outer canthus is actually an acupoint of the Gallbladder Meridian, still desiring to attach to Wood Qi to generate Fire Qi.

Lei Gong said: Please speak of the Heart Master meridian. Qi Bo said: The Heart Master meridian is the Fu organ of the Pericardium, also known as Tan Zhong. It belongs to the Hand-Jueyin Meridian because it acts on behalf of the Sovereign, serving as the minister assistant to the Heart Sovereign. Ministers represent Yin imagery, hence it belongs to Yin. However, executing the Sovereign's orders leaves no moment of rest, so its nature is urgent, identical to Liver Wood, hence also named Jueyin because it is difficult to obey and easy to rebel. The Heart's pulse originates from the Heart's original palace; the Pericardium's pulse originates from the chest. The Pericardium is outside the Heart but within the chest; thus, saying the pulse originates from the chest indicates it belongs to the original palace of the Pericardium. The pulses of other Zang-Fu organs originate externally, while the Heart and Pericardium pulses originate internally; these two meridians are the most honorable among all Zang-Fu organs. The Kidney connection intersects with the Pericardium, actually connecting with the Kidney. Presumably, the Qi of the Heart Master and the Qi of the Kidney Palace/Mingmen share the same Qi and combine, hence closely related and inseparable. Descending through the diaphragm, it sequentially connects with the San Jiao. Because the Qi of the San Jiao Fu and the Qi of Mingmen/Heart Master are essentially identical, they envelop and combine into one. Though named Interior-Exterior, there is no true distinction. Its branch follows the chest, exits the hypochondrium to the axilla, follows the arm interior, running within the Taiyin Lung/Spleen and Shaoyin Heart/Kidney, drawing Lung and Kidney Qi to generate Heart Fluid. Entering the vessels, descending the arm, entering the palm, and following the middle finger to its end. Its other branch, from the palm, follows the ring finger to its end, intersecting with the Hand-Shaoyang San Jiao pulse, clearly showing their shared Qi affinity and unity of Interior-Exterior. The Heart Master and San Jiao are two meridians; speaking of them together highlights their combination. Since the San Jiao is formless, it borrows the Qi of the Heart Master to communicate between the Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao. Without the Heart Master, the function of the San Jiao cannot be seen; thus, they must be discussed together.

Lei Gong said: Please speak of the Gallbladder Meridian. Qi Bo said: The Gallbladder Meridian belongs to the Foot-Shaoyang Meridian because the Gallbladder's pulse obtains the initial Yang Qi of Spring Wood and descends toward the foot, hence named Foot-Shaoyang. Although the Gallbladder's pulse trends toward the foot, it actually originates at the outer canthus of the eye, connecting to the Hand-Shaoyang San Jiao Meridian. From the outer canthus, it ascends to the head corner, descends past the ear, follows the neck, running before the Hand-Shaoyang Meridian, reaching the shoulder, crossing behind the Hand-Shaoyang, entering the Supraclavicular Fossa externally; this is none other than assisting the Fire Qi of the San Jiao. Its branch enters the ear from behind, exits anterior to the ear, reaches behind the outer canthus; although branching out, it still attends to the San Jiao pulse. Another branch diverges from the outer eye, descends to Daying, merges with the Hand-Shaoyang San Jiao, reaches the face, descends the neck, merges again at the Supraclavicular Fossa, descends into the chest, penetrates the membrane, diaphragm, and Pericardium, connecting to the Liver. The Pericardium is the son of the Gallbladder, and the Liver is the younger brother of the Gallbladder, hence closely related. Although the Gallbladder is the elder brother of the Liver, attaching to the Liver, it is actually the exterior of the Liver and belongs to the Gallbladder. The distinction between Gallbladder and Liver as brothers is the difference between Exterior and Interior. The Gallbladder shares Qi with the Liver; thus, Gallbladder juice flourishes, Gallbladder Qi expands, and subsequently distributes Qi to the bilateral hypochondrium, exits Qijie, covers the pubic hair region, and enters horizontally into the hip joint (Biyan). Its direct path descends from the Supraclavicular Fossa to the axilla, follows the chest past the costal margin, merging with the previous entry into Biyan; then descends along the lateral thigh, running between the Taiyang and Yangming meridians, stealing Earth and Water Qi to nourish itself. Exiting the lateral knee, descending the ribs to the end of the fibula (Juegu), exiting the lateral malleolus, following the dorsum of the foot into the space between the fourth and fifth toes; this is its direct path. Its branch, diverging from the dorsum of the foot, enters the space between the bones of the big toe, emerges at its end, passes through the nail bed, emerges at the trichiasis (Sanmao), and intersects with the Foot-Jueyin Meridian,親 (qin - close/connect) to Liver Wood Qi to prosper itself, for Yang is born from Yin.

Lei Gong said: Please speak of the Bladder Meridian. Qi Bo said: The Bladder Meridian belongs to the Foot-Taiyang Meridian. Taiyang is the Great Yang, corresponding to the Sun above; the Bladder receives the Fire Qi of the Sun and descends to the foot, just as solar fire illuminates the earth. Its pulse originates at the inner canthus of the eye, connecting to the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian to receive its Fire Qi. Ascending the forehead, crossing the vertex, to the upper angle of the ear; these are all manifestations of Fire nature flaming upward. Its direct path enters the brain from the vertex, returns, diverges to descend the nape, follows the shoulder blades, flanking the spine downward, reaching the waist, entering the muscle tissue to connect with the Kidney. The Bladder is the exterior of the Kidney, hence connected to the Kidney, communicating with the Mingmen Qi of the Kidney, taking this Qi into the Bladder to enable Qi transformation and urination. Although Qi originates from the Kidney Meridian, its connection must belong to the Bladder. Its branch descends from the waist, flanking the spine through the buttocks, ending in the popliteal fossa; this also borrows Kidney Qi to descend. Another branch diverges from the back, descending through the spleen/muscle tissue, passing the sacrum and buttocks, transforming urine through the yin organs to exit downward. Passing the hip pivot, following the lateral thigh to merge in the popliteal fossa, descending through the calves, exiting posterior to the lateral malleolus, following Jinggu, to the lateral side of the little toe, intersecting with the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian; this is also taking Kidney Qi to ascend from below to transform Water above.

Lei Gong said: Please speak of the Small Intestine Meridian. Qi Bo said: The Small Intestine Meridian belongs to the Hand-Taiyang Meridian because its pulse originates from the little finger of the hand and receives the Qi of Heart Fire, hence named so. Heart Fire belongs to Shaoyin; receiving Heart Fire Qi should be called Yin. However, Heart Fire residing internally is Yin, while manifesting externally is Yang. The Small Intestine is the exterior of the Heart, hence called Yang not Yin. Moreover, its nature is originally Yang, receiving the Solar Qi of Taiyang, hence also named Taiyang. Its pulse ascends the wrist, exits the ankle, follows the arm to the elbow, follows the leg outside the Hand-Yangming and Hand-Shaoyang, communicating with the Taiyang Gallbladder Qi, desiring to obtain Metal Qi to cool itself and Wood Qi to generate itself. Crossing the shoulder, entering the Supraclavicular Fossa, following the shoulder down to the axilla, at Tan Zhong connecting to the Heart, combining the Qi of the Sovereign and Minister Fires. Following the pharynx through the diaphragm to reach the Stomach. Although Fire generates Stomach, the Small Intestine governs discharge not generation; why reach the Stomach? It receives Stomach Qi, transports fine essences, and generates waste, akin to generating the Stomach. Thus, connecting with Stomach Qi, descending outside the Ren Mai, to return to the proper palace of the Small Intestine; if not belonging to the Small Intestine, who does it belong to? Its branch, from the Supraclavicular Fossa, follows the neck and cheek to the outer canthus, entering the ear; this is also Fire nature flaming upward, seeking to exit through orifices. Its branch, diverging to follow the cheek to the chin, reaches the nose to the inner canthus, obliquely connects to the zygoma, to intersect with the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian; this is the response of Yang to Yang.

Lei Gong said: Please speak of the Large Intestine Meridian. Qi Bo said: The Large Intestine Meridian is named Hand-Yangming because the Large Intestine is responsible for transmission and transformation, implying clarity and manifestation, an image of Yang. The Large Intestine belongs to Metal, suitable for Yin imagery, but belongs to Yang not Yin because it governs discharge not storage. It originates at the tip of the index finger, hence named Hand. Following the finger into the arm, entering the elbow, ascending the upper arm, crossing the shoulder, descending into the Supraclavicular Fossa to connect with the Lung. Lung Qi can encompass the Large Intestine, and the Large Intestine's connection also connects upward to the Lung. Receiving Lung Qi facilitates transmission and transformation, so its Qi cannot stay long in the diaphragm; its connection also passes through the diaphragm, straight to the Large Intestine to settle its function. The opening and closing of the Large Intestine are governed by the Kidney; thus, Large Intestine Qi transformation should communicate with the Kidney. Why does the Large Intestine's connection cease and not meet the Kidney? One must know that Lung Metal Qi is the Water and Fire Qi of the Kidney. Kidney Qi must come from the Lung; once Lung Qi descends into the Large Intestine, how could Kidney Qi not enter the Large Intestine? There is no need for a separate connection to the Kidney to obtain Water and Fire Qi for transmission and opening/closing. Its branch, from the Supraclavicular Fossa, ascends the neck, pierces the cheek, enters the lower gum, returns to flank the corners of the mouth, crosses the center of the lips, ascends flanking the nostrils; this clearly shows obtaining Lung and Kidney Qi and ascending with their meridians.

Chen Yuan Gong said: The Twelve Meridians are described in detail; there is no need to discuss them paragraph by paragraph.

Chapter on Pericardium Matching Fu Organs

Tian Lao asked Qi Bo: Heaven has Six Qi, transforming into the Five Elements of Earth; Earth has Five Elements, transforming into the Five Zang organs of Man. With the Yin of Five Zang, there should be the Yang of Five Fu organs. Why are there only five Zang but seven Fu? Qi Bo replied: The Pericardium is a Fu organ, its nature belongs to Yin, so it is similar to Zang Qi; therefore, it is allocated among the Six Fu organs. Tian Lao said: Since the Pericardium is allocated as a Fu, it is a Zang. Why not name it Zang but insist on distinguishing it as a Fu? Qi Bo said: The Pericardium is not a Zang. Tian Lao said: Not a Zang...