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Difficulty 38 states: There are only five Zang organs, yet there are uniquely six Fu organs. Why is this?

The answer is: The reason there are six Fu organs refers to the Sanjiao (Triple Burner). It is a distinct branch of Yuanqi (Original Qi), governing all Qi in the body. It has a name but no form. Its meridian belongs to the Hand-Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) channel, and it is considered an external Fu organ; therefore, it is said that there are six Fu organs.
The physical form of the Sanjiao has been discussed in detail in the commentary on Difficulty 25. Here, the discussion posits the Sanjiao as the special envoy of Yuanqi, rooted in the Mingmen (Gate of Life), guiding various Qi, moving silently within the body without interruption. "External Fu" means situated outside the other Zang and Fu organs. The physical structure of the Sanjiao can be examined, but its functional transformation (Qi-hua) is difficult to see; thus, it is described as having a name but no form.

Difficulty 39 states: The classics mention five Fu organs and six Zang organs. Why is this?

The answer is: Among the Fu organs, there are actually only five. Among the Zang organs, there is also the concept of six, referring to the fact that the Kidneys consist of two organs. The left one is the Kidney, and the right one is the Mingmen (Gate of Life). The Mingmen is where the Shen (Spirit) resides; in men, it stores Jing (Essence), and in women, it anchors the Bao (Uterus). Its Qi connects with the Kidney; therefore, it is said that there are six Zang organs.
Why are there only five Fu organs?
The answer is: Each of the five Zang organs corresponds to one Fu organ. The Sanjiao is also a Fu organ, but it does not belong to any of the five Zang organs; therefore, it is said that there are five Fu organs.
The statement in the classics regarding "five Fu and six Zang" cannot be verified, and its origin is unknown. Furthermore, because the Sanjiao does not attach to a specific Zang organ, it is not named as a standard Fu organ; although there is the term "six Fu," there are only five actual Fu organs.
The idea that there are six Zang organs arises from identifying the right Kidney and the Mingmen as separate entities. However, although there are two kidneys, their Qi on the left and right communicates, so they are essentially just the Kidney; it is doubtful that they should be divided into two separate Zang organs. The detailed discussion on the Mingmen can be found in the commentary on Difficulty 36, which readers may consult for reference.
Commentary: The five Zang and five Fu organs correspond to the Five Elements: the Lung pairs with the Large Intestine (Metal); the Liver pairs with the Gallbladder (Wood); the Kidney pairs with the Bladder (Water); the Heart pairs with the Small Intestine (Fire); the Spleen pairs with the Stomach (Earth). The Pericardium (Xinbao), belonging to the Hand-Jueyin channel, is like the outer garment of the Heart, serving as the palace city governed by the Heart. The Sanjiao, belonging to the Hand-Shaoyang channel, is the fatty membrane within the cavity, acting as the outer wall of the Zang and Fu organs. They jointly govern Xianghuo (Ministerial Fire) and correspond to each other, forming the six Zang and six Fu organs to correspond to the twelve meridians. If the Kidney were divided into two Zang organs, there would be seven Zang organs. The *Ling Shu · Ben Shu* chapter states that the Kidney pairs with the Bladder, and the Bladder is the Fu organ of Jin Ye (Body Fluids). Shaoyang (Sanjiao) attaches to the Kidney, and the Kidney connects upward to the Lung; thus, the Kidney governs two Zang organs. The Sanjiao is the Fu organ of middle channels, through which water pathways exit; it attaches to the Bladder and is the solitary Fu organ. When the classic says "the Kidney governs two Zang organs," it means the Kidney governs both Water and Fire Qi. The meridian of the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao scatters in the chest, while the Kidney meridian also connects upward to the Lung. The Lung represents Heaven and governs Qi. The lower shu points of the Sanjiao belong to the Bladder, which is the Fu organ of Jin Ye and the partner of the Kidney. The Sanjiao governs Ministerial Fire, which originates in the Kidney and circulates up and down; the Bladder governs Water, which also originates in the Kidney. Thus, the Water Zang organ leads the Water Fu organ. However, the Qi of the Bladder transforms into Jin Ye, fluids, and sweat, all caused by the steaming action of the Sanjiao's Ministerial Fire. Tianyi (Heaven One) Water and Dier (Earth Two) Fire are both generated by the Kidney. Discussed together, they represent Taiji (Supreme Ultimate); discussed separately, they resemble Liangyi (Two Polarities). Therefore, the *Ben Cang* chapter states: "The Kidney pairs with the Sanjiao and Bladder." The reactions of the Sanjiao and Bladder manifest in the couli (interstices) and body hair, which illustrates this principle. Moreover, although the Kidney jointly governs two Zang organs, it is essentially characterized by the interconnection of Yin and Yang and the mutual interaction of Water and Fire, jointly governing the storage of Essence and serving as the source of Sheng Qi (Vital Qi). It is clear that one cannot divide the Kidney into two Zang organs simply because the Sanjiao has no form.