Library

If physicians understand the principles of Yin-Yang and Five Elements (Wu Xing), they can comprehend the relationship between celestial timing and the health conditions of the people. The Five Movements (Wu Yun), Five Elements, and Five Qi transform into one another; the Six Qi (Liu Qi) arise from the Yin-Yang of Heaven and Earth. Fire is divided into Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo) and Sovereign Fire (Jun Huo); its qi manifests as Heat (Re) and Summer-Heat (Shu), corresponding to the human Zang-Fu organs and meridians. Heavenly Stems determine the Five Movements, while Earthly Branches determine the Six Qi; the numbers of Heaven (5) and Earth (6) mutually regulate each other to form patterns.

[Note] Practitioners of medicine must clearly understand the principles of Heaven and Earth's Yin-Yang and the Five Elements to discern whether the seasonal climate is harmonious and to understand the causes of diseases among the populace. Everyone knows that the Five Movements derive from the Five Elements, five substances, and five qi, but few realize that the Six Qi derive from the Yin-Yang of Heaven and Earth, six substances, and six qi. The "six substances" refer to Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Fire (the second Fire) mentioned in the classics, representing the Yin-Yang of the Earth, corresponding to the processes of growth, flourishing, transformation,收 (harvest/storage), and storage on the ground. The "six qi" refer to Wind, Summer-Heat, Dampness, Dryness, Cold, and Fire mentioned in the classics, representing the Yin-Yang of Heaven, governed by the Three Yin and Three Yang above. Therefore, Fire on Earth is divided into Sovereign Fire and Ministerial Fire; Qi in Heaven is divided into Hot Qi and Summer-Heat Qi, which correspond to the human Five Zang organs, Six Fu organs, Pericardium (Bao Luo), and Twelve Meridians.

The Yin-Yang of Heavenly Stems combine to form five, thus governing the Five Movements. Jia transforms into Yang Earth, corresponding to the human Stomach. Ji transforms into Yin Earth, corresponding to the Spleen. Yi transforms into Yin Metal, corresponding to the Lungs. Geng transforms into Yang Metal, corresponding to the Large Intestine. Bing transforms into Yang Water, corresponding to the Bladder. Xin transforms into Yin Water, corresponding to the Kidneys. Ding transforms into Yin Wood, corresponding to the Liver. Ren transforms into Yang Wood, corresponding to the Gallbladder. Wu transforms into Yang Fire, corresponding to the Small Intestine. Gui transforms into Yin Fire, corresponding to the Heart. Ministerial Fire belonging to Yang corresponds to the Sanjiao (Triple Burner). Ministerial Fire belonging to Yin corresponds to the Pericardium. This describes how Heavenly Stems correspond to the Five Zang, Six Fu organs, and Twelve Meridians.

The Yin-Yang of Earthly Branches combine to form six, thus governing the Six Qi. Zi and Wu years are governed by Shaoyin Sovereign Fire, corresponding to the Heart and Small Intestine. Chou and Wei years are governed by Taiyin Damp Earth, corresponding to the Spleen and Stomach. Yin and Shen years are governed by Shaoyang Ministerial Fire, corresponding to the Sanjiao and Pericardium. Mao and You years are governed by Yangming Dry Metal, corresponding to the Lungs and Large Intestine. Chen and Xu years are governed by Taiyang Cold Water, corresponding to the Bladder and Kidneys. Si and Hai years are governed by Jueyin Wind Wood, corresponding to the Liver and Gallbladder. This describes how Earthly Branches correspond to the Five Zang, Six Fu organs, and Twelve Meridians.

The number of Heaven is five; with five Yin and five Yang, there are ten Heavenly Stems. The number of Earth is six; with six Yin and six Yang, there are twelve Earthly Branches. The five of Heavenly Stems must obtain the six of Earthly Branches for regulation; the six of Earthly Branches must obtain the five of Heavenly Stems for constraint. Only then are the sixty Jiazi cycles completed, and the annual Qi fully prepared. Thus, within a year, the Five Movements are primarily governed by five positions over 72 days each, and the Six Qi are primarily governed by six steps over 60 days each.

[Commentary] The "Song of Twelve Meridians and Heavenly Stems" states: "Jia-Gallbladder, Yi-Liver, Bing-Small Intestine, Ding-Heart, Wu-Stomach, Ji-Spleen, Geng-Large Intestine, Xin-Lungs, Ren-Bladder, Gui-Kidneys, Sanjiao also resides with Ren, Pericardium returns to Gui." This discusses the attribution of Heavenly Stems based on spatial orientation, matching them with Zang-Fu organs; this is the constant rule for every year. Now, discussing Heavenly Stems through the lens of Five Movements, matching them with Zang-Fu organs, represents the variable changes of each year, hence the difference.

The "Song of Twelve Meridians and Earthly Branches" states: "Lungs-Yin, Large Intestine-Mao, Stomach-Chen, Splei-Si, Heart-Wu, Small Intestine-Wei, Bladder-Shen, Kidneys-You, Pericardium-Xu, Sanjiao-Hai, Gallbladder-Zi, Liver-Chou." This discusses the attribution of Earthly Branches based on the flow of Qi and Blood, matching them with Zang-Fu organs; this is the constant rule for each day. Now, discussing Earthly Branches through the lens of Six Qi, matching them with Zang-Fu organs, represents the variable changes of each year, hence the difference. Readers should examine this carefully.