Back to search result
Previous
Next
Search in dictionary
Liver is yīn in substance and yáng in function
肝,体阴而用阳 〔肝,體陰而用陽〕 gān, tǐ yīn ér yòng yáng
The polarity between yīn substance and yáng function, seen in all the organs to some extent, is most clear in the case of the liver. Liver blood is the substance of the liver, whereas liver qì and liver yáng are its function. The liver governs free coursing and houses the ministerial fire. It governs the sinews and physical movement, the most active aspect of the body. It is the viscus of wind and wood,
and is susceptible to stirring of wind and transformation into fire, which often manifest in dynamic signs.