Theory of the Organs

The Zhang / Fu 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine the internal organs have the same names as those we know, like the Lungs, Heart, Spleen, Liver, and Kidneys. But aside from the names being the same, the functions and relationships of these organs differ notably between East and West.

Chinese medical theory posits that there are 5 major organs (as listed above) and  5 lesser organs, the Large Intestine, Small intestine, Stomach, Gall Bladder, and Urinary Bladder.

As Chinese medicine is largely about energy (qi), the major organs, also known as the Yin organs or the Zhang organs, produce, circulate, and store this energy. 

The YANG organs

The large intestine, small intestine, stomach, gall bladder, and urinary bladder, are known as the Yang organs or the FU organs and are considered less important. These are hollow organs, like vats and tubes and are responsible mainly for the transportation and elimination of food. 

The Yin and Yang organs are grouped in 5 Yin & Yang pairs.  The Lungs are assosiatied with the Large Intestine, The Heart with the Small Intestine, the Spleen with the Stomach, The Liver with the Gall Bladder, and the Kidneys with the Urinary Bladder.

Note that there is also a sixth pair that does not relate to any Western organ. This pair is the Pericardium and San Jiao (aka Triple-Heater).

The Pericardium surrounds and protects the heart, and the San Jiao (triple warmer aka triple burner", or "triple energizer", or "triple heater", is a concept that only exists in traditional Chinese medicine. It is considered the sixth  The San Jiao are the three hollow spaces inside the trunk of the body.

Functions of the Organs

*(supreme being)