Zang Fu
Zang-Fu translates roughly into solid organ-hollow organ. It is a concept within traditional Chinese medicine and part of the TCM model of the body. There are five zang (臟 pinyin zang4 心、肝、脾、肺、腎) and six fu (腑 pinyin fu3 胃、小腸 、大腸、膀胱、膽、三焦).
This theory treats each of the Zang organs as an energy center that runs an entire system, similar to the Hindu chakra concept. The Zang systems include organs, senses, emotions, and the musculoskeletal system--essentially, the entire person divided into five categorical systems. Zang organs are also known as yin organs, and each has a Fu partner, a yang organ (see Yin Yang). In addition to bodily functions, each Zang organ is the home of an aspect of the spirit.
With a thorough understanding of either of these schools of thought, therapeutic results are achieved accordingly. The theory is always in service of practical, therapeutic application, with the goal of an "elegant" treatment. An elegant treatment uses the least amount of force for the greatest therapeutic benefit, and requires true mastery of the art of traditional Chinese Medicine.
The five elements are associated energetically with the following Zang-Fu organs
- Wood: Liver, home of the Hun (Ethereal Soul), paired with the Gall Bladder
- Fire: Heart, home of the Shen (Aggregate Soul) paired with the Small intestine (and secondarily, the San Jiao or Triple burner and Pericardium)
- Earth: Spleen, home of the Yi (Intellect), paired with the Stomach
- Water: Kidney, home of the Zhi (Will), paired with the Bladder
- Metal: Lung, home of the Po (Corporeal Soul), paired with the Large Intestine