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Illustration of the Kidney Organ

Attributes of the Kidney Organ

Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms, Volume 2: The Body

Northern Position: Kan original: "北位坎"; Kan is the trigram from the I Ching (Book of Changes) representing the Water element.
The two ears are its openings In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the health of the Kidney is said to manifest in the hearing and the condition of the ears.
The Triple Burner is attached here original: "三焦附斯" (Sanjiao); a functional organ system in TCM responsible for fluid metabolism and energy distribution.
The internal mass is named "Running Piglet" original: "積名賁奔" (Benben); a specific clinical condition described as a sensation of gas or a mass rushing up from the abdomen to the throat.
Its sound is groaning The vocal expression associated with the Kidney system.
The Bladder is its partner organ 腑 (fu): a "hollow" organ that processes and transmits, rather than stores, essence.
Its vitality flourishes in Winter
Its nature belongs to the Water element

Its flavor is salty
Its fluid is thick saliva distinct from thin, watery saliva, this refers to the viscous fluid generated at the back of the throat.
Diagnosing its pulse:
- A deep and slippery pulse is normal.
- A floating and rough pulse indicates distress caused by the Spleen. In the Five Elements cycle, Earth (Spleen) overcomes Water (Kidney); thus, a Spleen-like pulse at the Kidney position suggests the organ is being suppressed.
Its color is black
Its odor is putrid

Kidney Water The Kidney is considered the primary source of the body's Yin fluids.
- Weight: One catty and two taels. Approximately 600–700 grams by Ming Dynasty standards.
- Two pieces, hanging opposite one another below.
Observing its form:
- Its color is like that of a crow’s feather.
- Its shape resembles a crouching hen. original: "伏雌"; a classic anatomical metaphor comparing the curved, tucked shape of the kidney to a nesting female bird.