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(Discussion on the Incompatibility of Forcing Correspondences between the Six Channels and the Five Zang Organs)

The Three Yin and Three Yang refer to the six Qi (Six Climatic Factors) of heaven, while the blood and qi in the human body correspond to them. However, the movement of blood and qi throughout the body is circulatory and formless, whereas the Three Yin and Three Yang in the body have fixed anatomical regions. Why is this? The names of the Three Yin and Three Yang in the human body are determined by the distribution of body parts, not derived from the distinct natures of blood and qi. In the *Su Wen* (Basic Questions), when describing the separation and joining of Yin and Yang, it states: "The sage stands facing south; the front is called Guangming (Broad Brightness), and the back is called Taichong (Great Surge). The region of Taichong is named Shaoyin (Lesser Yin); above Shaoyin is named Taiyang (Greater Yang); the upper part of the trunk is called Guangming; below Guangming is named Taiyin (Greater Yin); before Taiyin is named Yangming (Bright Yang); the exterior of Jueyin (Terminal Yin) is named Shaoyang (Lesser Yang); behind Taiyin is named Shaoyin; before Shaoyin is named Jueyin." From this, it is evident that the Three Yin and Three Yang are named according to human anatomical positions. Once these positions are established, the meridians and collaterals carrying blood and qi through the Taiyang region are designated as the Taiyang Meridian; those passing through the Shaoyang and Yangming regions are designated as the Shaoyang and Yangming Meridians; and those passing through the Three Yin regions are designated as the Taiyin, Shaoyin, and Jueyin Meridians. Thus, the Bladder belongs to the Cold Water meridian; although water is Yin, it is called Taiyang because it traverses the Taiyang region; the Small Intestine's classification as a Taiyang organ is self-evident. The Heart belongs to the Ministerial Fire meridian; although fire is Yang, it is called Shaoyin because it traverses the Shaoyin region; consequently, the Kidney's classification as a Shaoyin organ is understandable. If we consider the circulation of blood and qi within the meridians, the blood and qi of the Three Yang also circulate within the Three Yin, and the blood and qi of the Three Yin also circulate within the Three Yang. How could there be a rigid boundary separating Yin and Yang? Therefore, the Three Yin and Three Yang of the meridians serve to name the anterior, posterior, lateral, medial, exterior, and interior regions of the body, while the Yin and Yang of blood and qi should still be sought according to the intrinsic nature of their respective Zang and Fu organs. One must not assume that because a meridian traverses the Three Yin regions, its corresponding Zang organ's intrinsic nature is entirely Yin; nor should one assume that because a meridian traverses the Three Yang regions, its corresponding Fu organ's intrinsic nature is entirely Yang. Understanding this clarifies the principle stated in the *Jin Gui Zhen Yan Lun* (Golden Cabinet True Discourse): the Heart is Taiyang, the Lung is Shaoyin, the Kidney is Taiyin, the Liver is Shaoyang, and the Spleen and Stomach are Zhìyīn (Ultimate Yin). The Three Yin and Three Yang of the meridians are discussed in terms of the exterior-interior relationship of the regions they traverse; the Yin and Yang of the Zang and Fu organs are discussed in terms of the rigidity, softness, clarity, and turbidity of their intrinsic natures. With this understanding, the Kidney being Shaoyin need not be forced into correspondence with Ministerial Fire; the Small Intestine being Taiyang need not be forced into correspondence with Cold Water. (The same logic applies to other organs.) Furthermore, the apparent contradictions in texts regarding "Yang is turbid and Yin is clear" versus "Yin is turbid and Yang is clear" can also be resolved. Hence, the *Yin Yang Li He Lun* (Discourse on the Separation and Joining of Yin and Yang) asks: "Why do the current Three Yin and Three Yang not correspond to Yin and Yang? What is the reason?" This precisely reflects the doubt that the Three Yin and Three Yang of the Twelve Meridians do not correspond to the Yin and Yang of the Zang and Fu organs. If one understands that the Heart and Liver being Yang, and the Lungs and Kidneys being Yin, represents the fundamental meaning, one will realize that the Three Yin and Three Yang of the Twelve Meridians are merely borrowed names. Yet, people are accustomed to the Three Yin and Three Yang of the Twelve Meridians and instead suspect that the Heart and Liver are Yang, while the Lungs, Kidneys, Spleen, and Stomach (Six Fu organs mentioned here in error or specific context, usually Spleen/Stomach are Zang/Fu pair but text says Liu Fu) are Yin. This is a sign of limited vision and wonderment. Is this not clinging to the trivial details while forgetting the root?