The Observation on the Five Vicera's Damaged due to Seven Emotion in the 『Lingshu·Benshen』

『영추(靈樞)·본신(本神)』의 칠정상오장(七情傷五藏)에 대한 고찰(考察)

In "Lingshu Benshen". five vicera are damaged due to changes in emotion having qi flow opposite to five viscera. As a result, it suggests that mental and physical illness could develop. The content of this piece can be explained in relation to five elements but uniformly through qi's flow. The contents can be summarized as follows. 1. The Heart is fire among the five elements and mainly characterized with dispersing. The flow of its qi is characterized facing upward and outward. On the other hand, being afraid or thinking seriously is characterized by making qi to go downward and stop so that the flow of qi is mainly facing toward inward and downward, damaging the heart. 2. The spleen has the conveyance function and spreads qi. On the other hand, worry and emotion inhibit qi function, blocking qi, damaging the spleen. 3. The liver has dispelling and removing functions and the power of sending up. The qi flow goes toward upward and outward. On the other hand, sadness stagnates qi, preventing the flow of liver's qi, damaging the liver. As a result, work is not done accurately. Madness develops with heat accumulated with qi stagnation. When qi is not sending up, mentality is not clear, leading to forgetfulness. 4. The lung has astringent and sending down functions, lowering qi. On the other hand, happy and joyful emotions bring up qi, showing the opposite flow of qi compared with the lung, damaging the lung. 5. The kidney has closing and storing functions, making qi flow to downward and inward. On the other hand, being angry makes qi to go up. Excessive expression of anger damages the kidney. As a result, the yin function of kidney does not work properly, leading to forgetfulness.