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*Ling Shu: Ben Cang* Chapter (Full Text)

The Yellow Emperor asked Qibo: The blood, qi, and spirit of a person are what nourish life and ensure the completeness of nature and destiny. ("Feng" means to nourish. "Zhou" means to supply sufficiently. The human body takes blood and qi as its root, and spirit as its function. Combining these four aspects to nourish life ensures the completeness of nature and destiny.) The meridians are what transport blood and qi, circulate yin and yang, moisten sinews and bones, and facilitate joint movement. (The meridians are the pathways of Ying Qi circulation. "Ying" means to circulate. "Ru" means to moisten. Ying Qi circulates within the vessels, thus governing the interior and benefiting sinews and bones.) Wei Qi is what warms the muscle intervals, fills the skin, thickens the interstices, and controls the opening and closing of pores. (Muscles have grain patterns, hence called "fen rou". Wei Qi circulates outside the vessels, thus governing the exterior and controlling the opening and closing of hair follicles and skin.) Zhi Yi (Will and Intent) is what commands the spirit, gathers the soul and ethereal soul, adapts to cold and heat, and harmonizes joy and anger. ("Yu" means to command. "Shi" means to regulate.) Therefore, when blood and qi are harmonious, the meridians flow smoothly, Ying Qi encompasses yin and yang, sinews and bones are strong, and joints are clear and free. ("Fu" means to encompass.) When Wei Qi is harmonious, the muscle intervals are loose and beneficial, the skin is supple and soft, and the interstices are dense. ("Zhi" sounds like zhì.) When Zhi Yi is harmonious, the spirit is focused and upright, the soul and ethereal soul do not scatter, regret and anger do not arise, and the Zang organs are not invaded by pathogenic factors. ("Zhuan Zhi" refers to what the *I Ching Commentary* says: "In stillness it is focused; in motion it is straight," meaning focused and upright.) When cold and heat are moderate, the Fu organs digest food and water, wind-bi does not occur, the meridians are unobstructed, and limbs and joints are at peace. This is the normal state of health for ordinary people. (All these refer to the peaceful state of ordinary people.)

The Zang organs store spirit, blood, qi, soul, and ethereal soul. (As described in the *Xuan Ming Wu Qi* chapter of the Disease category.) The Fu organs transform food and water and distribute fluids and moisture. These are endowments received from Heaven. Whether one is foolish or wise, virtuous or unworthy, there is no bias. ("Yi" means bias. Another reading suggests it should be "yi" [different].) However, some individuals fully enjoy their natural lifespan without deviant diseases. Even in old age, despite encountering wind and rain, sudden cold, or intense heat, they cannot be harmed. (This refers to those with innate constitution stronger than average.) Others do not leave sheltered rooms and have no fear or anxiety, yet they still fall ill. Why? I wish to hear the reason. (This refers to those with innate constitution weaker than average.)

Qibo replied: Your question is difficult! The Zang organs correspond to Heaven and Earth, match Yin and Yang, connect with the Four Seasons, and transform according to the Five Phases' rhythms. ("Jiong" means difficult. "Can" is synonymous with "san" [three]. "Fu" means to match. "Lian" means to connect. Transforming according to five rhythms means changing in accordance with the seasonal order of the Five Phases.) The Zang organs naturally vary in size (large/small), position (high/low), texture (firm/brittle), alignment (upright/tilted). The Fu organs also vary in size, length, thickness, structure (knotted/straight), and tension (loose/tight). All twenty-five variations differ from person to person, ranging from good to bad, auspicious to inauspicious. Let me explain the principles. (These determine strength or weakness, caused by the Qi of the Zang and Fu organs.)

If the Heart is small, it is stable, and pathogens cannot harm it, but it is easily injured by worry; if large, worry cannot harm it, but it is easily injured by pathogens. If high, it presses against the Lungs, causing chest fullness and forgetfulness, making it hard to guide with words; if low, the organ's Qi leaks outward, easily injured by cold, and easily frightened by words. If firm, the organ is secure and stable; if brittle, it is prone to Xiao Dan (wasting-thirst) and internal heat. If upright, harmony prevails and injury is difficult; if tilted, willpower is inconsistent and lacks steadfastness. (Small Heart implies timidity, leading to much worry. Large Heart is unstable, so pathogens easily invade. High Heart presses on Lungs, blocking orifices. Low Heart suppresses Yang Qi, dimming Spirit. Brittle Heart fire moves easily. Tilted Heart lacks centrality. "Men" means chest fullness. Xiao Dan is an internal heat disease.)

If the Lungs are small, drinking is minimal, and wheezing does not occur; if large, drinking is excessive, prone to Xiong Bi (chest bi), Hou Bi (throat bi), and rebellious Qi. If high, Qi rebels upward, causing shoulder-lifting breathing and cough; if low, it presses on the贲 (Bī) gate near the Lungs, causing pain under the ribs. If firm, cough and rebellious Qi do not occur; if brittle, suffering from Xiao Dan and susceptibility to pathogens. If upright, harmony prevails and injury is difficult; if tilted, pain occurs on one side of the chest. (Wheezing refers to急促 breath sounds. Shoulder-lifting cough involves shrugging shoulders while coughing. "Ju" should be "ku" [suffer]. Low Lungs obstruct airways, causing suffering from pressure under ribs. "Ben" sounds like bēn or mì.)

If the Liver is small, the organ is safe, with no rib-side pain; if large, it presses on the Stomach and throat, causing difficulty in the diaphragm and rib-side pain. If high, it supports upward against the Bī gate, causing rib distension and Xī Bēn (asthma/wheezing); if low, it presses on the Stomach, leaving the rib area empty and susceptible to pathogens. If firm, the organ is safe and hard to injure; if brittle, prone to Xiao Dan and easy injury. If upright, harmony prevails and injury is difficult; if tilted, rib-side pain occurs. (Upward support against Bī gate refers to Liver meridian branches causing obstruction and urgency. Both left and right hypochondrium are Liver/Gallbladder meridians, so Liver diseases often manifest there.)

If the Spleen is small, the organ is safe and hard to injure; if large, it causes congestion and pain in the hypochondrium, preventing fast walking. If high, it pulls on the季胁 (minor ribs) causing pain; if low, it adds weight to the Large Intestine, making the organ susceptible to pathogens. If firm, the organ is safe and hard to injure; if brittle, prone to Xiao Dan and easy injury. If upright, harmony prevails and injury is difficult; if tilted, prone to fullness and bloating. ("Cou" means congestion. "Chen" refers to soft flesh under the ribs. Ji Xie are minor ribs. "Chen" sounds like miǎo.)

If the Kidneys are small, the organ is safe and hard to injure; if large, prone to lower back pain, inability to bend or extend, and easy injury by pathogens. If high, suffering from back and spine pain, unable to bend; if low, pain in the loins and sacrum, unable to extend, leading to Hu Shan (fox hernia). If firm, no back pain; if brittle, prone to Xiao Dan and easy injury. If upright, harmony prevails and injury is difficult; if tilted, suffering from loins and sacrum pain. ("Lv" sounds like lǚ, referring to muscles along the spine. "Fu" is same as "min". "Kao" sounds like kāo, referring to the coccyx.)

These twenty-five variations are common ailments that cause suffering. (The five variations are: size, position, texture, alignment, tilt. Humans have five Zang organs, each with five variations, totaling twenty-five, which are common sources of suffering.)

The Yellow Emperor asked: How do we know this? Qibo replied: Red complexion with fine texture indicates Small Heart; coarse texture indicates Large Heart. Absence of Jiuwei bone indicates High Heart; short and elevated Jiuwei bone indicates Low Heart. Long Jiuwei bone indicates firm Low Heart; weak and thin Jiuwei bone indicates brittle Heart. Straight, non-elevated Jiuwei bone indicates Upright Heart; tilted Jiuwei bone indicates Tilted Heart. (Texture refers to muscle grain. "KT" sounds like jié yú, referring to the Jiuwei bone.)

White complexion with fine texture indicates Small Lungs; coarse texture indicates Large Lungs. Broad shoulders, reversed sternum, and depressed throat indicate High Lungs; tucked armpits and spread ribs indicate Low Lungs. Thick shoulders and back indicate firm Lungs; thin shoulders and back indicate brittle Lungs. Thick back and chest indicate Upright Lungs; slanted and sparse ribs indicate Tilted Lungs. (Sides of chest are Ying. Protruding chest is reversed Ying. High shoulders and protruding chest cause throat retraction, called depressed throat. Tucked armpits and spread ribs mean armpits gathered and ribs open. Slanted sparse ribs mean ribs are oblique and not dense.)

Green complexion with fine texture indicates Small Liver; coarse texture indicates Large Liver. Wide chest and reversed ribs indicate High Liver; ribs low and closed like a rabbit indicate Low Liver. Good chest and rib shape indicate firm Liver; weak ribs indicate brittle Liver. Harmonious chest and abdomen indicate Upright Liver; slanted and raised ribs indicate Tilted Liver. (Lower shin bone near foot is "Heng". Here, analyzing "reversed Heng" and "rabbit Heng" to inspect Liver suggests using subcostal bones as "Heng". Reversed Heng means ribs high and open. Rabbit Heng means ribs low and closed like a rabbit. "Heng" sounds like qiāo.)

Yellow complexion with fine texture indicates Small Spleen; coarse texture indicates Large Spleen. Everted lips indicate High Spleen; drooping lips indicate Low Spleen. Firm lips indicate firm Spleen; large but not firm lips indicate brittle Spleen. Well-formed upper and lower lips indicate Upright Spleen; slanted and raised lips indicate Tilted Spleen. (Spleen Qi connects to the mouth, its glory manifests in the lips, so Spleen condition is visible in the lips.)

Black complexion with fine texture indicates Small Kidneys; coarse texture indicates Large Kidneys. High ears indicate High Kidneys; depressed ear lobes indicate Low Kidneys. Firm ears indicate firm Kidneys; thin and unfirm ears indicate brittle Kidneys. Ears well-shaped and positioned forward at the jaw indicate Upright Kidneys; high-set ears indicate Tilted Kidneys. (Kidney Qi connects to the ears, so Kidney condition is visible in the ears.)

Regarding all these variations, maintaining balance brings peace; reduction leads to disease. (If one can maintain balance despite deviations, peace is achieved; slight reduction leads to illness.)

The Yellow Emperor said: Excellent. But this is not what I asked. I wish to know about those who cannot be diseased, living out their natural lifespan. Even with deep sorrow or great fear, their health is not diminished, nor are they harmed by extreme cold or heat. Conversely, why do those who stay indoors without fear still fall ill? Please explain. (Reduction means damage. "Cannot be diseased" means pathogens cannot enter. "Cannot avoid disease" means frequently ill. These are far apart, hence the question.)

Qibo said: The Zang and Fu organs are abodes for pathogens. Let me explain. If all Zang organs are small, few illnesses occur, but the person suffers inner distress and deep worry; if all are large, affairs are handled slowly, and worry cannot trouble them. If all are high, the person prefers lofty actions; if all are low, the person prefers to submit to others. If all are firm, there is no disease; if all are brittle, disease is constant. If all are upright, harmony prevails and wins hearts; if all are tilted, the mind is crooked, prone to theft, unjust, and speech is inconsistent. (Zang and Fu store spirit and nutrients. Disharmony allows pathogens to reside, hence "abode of pathogens". "Unjust" means the mind is obscure and deceitful, inculturable.)

The Yellow Emperor asked: I wish to know the correspondence of the Fu organs. Qibo answered: The Lung corresponds to the Large Intestine, which corresponds to the skin. The Heart corresponds to the Small Intestine, which corresponds to the vessels. The Liver corresponds to the Gallbladder, which corresponds to the sinews. The Spleen corresponds to the Stomach, which corresponds to the flesh. The Kidney corresponds to the Sanjiao and Bladder, which correspond to the interstices and body hair. (Lung matches skin, Large Intestine responds similarly; Heart matches vessels, Small Intestine responds similarly. This applies to Gallbladder and Stomach too, so exterior-interior Qi is identical. Kidney matches bone, but here Sanjiao/Bladder match interstices/hair. As per *Wu Long Jin Ye Bie*, Sanjiao emits Qi to warm muscles and fill hair, hence the correspondence. See previous chapters for Kidney-Sanjiao/Bladder theory.)

The Yellow Emperor asked: How does the correspondence work? Qibo said: Lung corresponds to skin. Thick skin indicates thick Large Intestine; thin skin indicates thin Large Intestine. Loose skin and large abdomen indicate large and long Large Intestine; tight skin indicates urgent and short Large Intestine. Smooth skin indicates straight Large Intestine; skin and flesh tightly adhered indicate knotted Large Intestine. (Below discusses Fu organ correspondences. Lung/Large Intestine are exterior-interior. Lung matches skin, so Large Intestine status is known via skin. "Not separating" means firm.)

Heart corresponds to vessels. Thick skin indicates thick vessels, indicating thick Small Intestine; thin skin indicates thin vessels, indicating thin Small Intestine. Loose skin indicates slow vessels, indicating large and long Small Intestine; thin skin and small vessels indicate small and short Small Intestine. All Yang meridians being tortuous indicate knotted Small Intestine. (Heart/Small Intestine are exterior-interior. Heart matches vessels, so Small Intestine status is known via vessels. Vessels run in skin/flesh; skin/flesh observation reveals vessel thickness. "Chong" means void. Yang meridians are superficial. "Yu Qu" means tortuous.)

Spleen corresponds to flesh. Thick and firm flesh indicates thick Stomach; thin flesh indicates thin Stomach. Small and thin flesh indicates unfirm Stomach. Flesh disproportionate to body indicates low Stomach, where lower constriction is ineffective. Unfirm flesh indicates slow Stomach. Flesh lacking fine texture indicates urgent Stomach. Flesh with varying amounts of fine texture indicates knotted Stomach, where upper constriction is ineffective. (Spleen/Stomach are exterior-interior. Spleen matches flesh, so Stomach status is known via flesh. "Chen" means muscle accumulation. "Me" means thin. "Yue" means uncomfortable. "Shao Li Lei" meaning is unclear; Gao Zhizhai interprets it as feeling slight firmness in the muscle mass. "Chen" sounds like qú yǔn. "Cheng" is falling tone.)

Liver corresponds to nails. Thick yellow nails indicate thick Gallbladder; thin red nails indicate thin Gallbladder. Hard green nails indicate urgent Gallbladder; soft red nails indicate slow Gallbladder. Straight white nails without constraint indicate straight Gallbladder; ugly black nails with many lines indicate knotted Gallbladder. (Liver/Gallbladder are exterior-interior. Liver matches nails, so Gallbladder status is known via nails. Knotted means Gallbladder Qi is stagnant.)

Kidney corresponds to bones. Fine texture and thick skin indicate thick Sanjiao/Bladder; coarse texture and thin skin indicate thin Sanjiao/Bladder. Loose interstices indicate slow Sanjiao/Bladder; tight skin without hair indicates urgent Sanjiao/Bladder. Beautiful and coarse hair indicates straight Sanjiao/Bladder; sparse hair indicates knotted Sanjiao/Bladder. (Kidney/Bladder are exterior-interior; Sanjiao combines with Kidney. Hence earlier statement that Kidney matches Sanjiao/Bladder, responding via interstices/hair. Thus, Sanjiao/Bladder status is known via interstices/hair.)

The Yellow Emperor said: Thickness, thinness, beauty, and ugliness all have external forms. I wish to know the diseases they cause. Qibo answered: Observe external correspondences to know internal states, and you will know the disease. (Once external form is clear, internal organs can be inspected, and disease thereby known. Diseases refer to the twenty-five variations mentioned above.)