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The *Suwen* (Basic Questions) states: When the two spirits (male and female essences) interact, they combine to form a shape. This substance is often generated prior to the body itself; this is referred to as **Jing** (Essence). The Upper Jiao (Upper Burner) develops and disseminates, distributing the flavors of the five grains, warming the skin, and filling the body, much like mist and dew nourishing all things; this is referred to as **Qi** (Vital Energy). When the interstices (Couli) open and sweat pours forth profusely, this is referred to as **Jin** (Thin Fluids). When food enters and Qi fills the interior, the thick and moist fluids are injected into the bones, allowing the skeletal joints to flex and extend; the thinner parts permeate inward to replenish the brain marrow and keep the skin moist and lustrous; this is referred to as **Ye** (Thick Fluids). The Middle Jiao receives Qi and extracts the juice, which transforms and turns red; this is referred to as **Xue** (Blood). The vessels constrain the Ying Qi (Nutritive Energy), preventing it from escaping; this is referred to as **Mai** (Vessels/Pulse).

When Jing is depleted, there is deafness; when Qi is depleted, vision is unclear; when Jin is depleted, the Couli open and sweat flows profusely; when Ye is depleted, the skeletal joints are stiff and difficult to flex or extend, the complexion is dull, the brain marrow diminishes, the shins atrophy, and the ears ring frequently; when Xue is depleted, the complexion is white, dry and lacking luster, and the pulse is empty and forceless.

Fright and excessive worry injure the Shen (Spirit); when the Shen is injured, fear arises, leading to the uncontrolled leakage of essence. Sorrow that disturbs the interior exhausts life force and leads to loss of vitality. Excessive joy causes the Shen to scatter and fail to remain stored. Worry and grief cause Qi to become blocked and fail to circulate. Extreme anger causes confusion and loss of rational control. Fear causes the Shen to be agitated and its root to retract improperly.

If the Heart is troubled by fright and worry, the Shen is injured; when the Shen is injured, there is fear and loss of self-control, muscles waste away, hair becomes brittle, the complexion is dull, and death may occur in Winter.

If the Spleen is troubled by unresolved worry, the Yi (Intellect/Intent) is injured; when the Yi is injured, thoughts become chaotic, the four limbs cannot be lifted, hair becomes brittle, the complexion is dull, and death may occur in Spring.

If the Liver is disturbed by sorrow, the Hun (Ethereal Soul) is injured; when the Hun is injured, there is madness, forgetfulness, and lack of focus; lack of focus leads to moral deviation, causing tendon contraction and spasms, inability to raise the costal region, brittle hair, dull complexion, and death may occur in Autumn.

If the Lungs are affected by boundless joy, the Po (Corporeal Soul) is injured; when the Po is injured, there is madness, where the mad person disregards others, the skin and leather become scorched/dry, hair becomes brittle, the complexion is dull, and death may occur in Summer.

If the Kidneys are subjected to unceasing rage, the Zhi (Willpower) is injured; when the Zhi is injured, there is frequent forgetfulness, inability to bend or extend the waist and spine, brittle hair, dull complexion, and death may occur in Late Summer (Ji Xia).

If fear remains unresolved, it injures Jing; when Jing is injured, there is soreness and coldness of the bones, flaccidity, and spontaneous emission of essence. Therefore, the Five Zang Organs store Jing; they must not be injured. If injured, Jing fails to be maintained, leading to Yin Deficiency. Yin Deficiency results in a lack of Qi, and without Qi, death ensues.