Difficulty 40

The medical classic states: The liver governs the five colors, the heart governs odors, the spleen governs the five flavors, the lungs govern sounds, and the kidneys govern fluids. The nose is the orifice of the lungs, yet it can distinguish fragrances and stenches; the ear is the orifice of the kidneys, yet it can hear sounds. What is the reason for this?

Answer: The lungs correspond to the element metal in the West among the five phases; in the twelve earthly branches, metal is generated at the si position. The si position corresponds in orientation to the southern fire, and fire corresponds to the heart. The heart governs odors, so the nose is enabled to distinguish fragrances and stenches. The kidneys correspond to the element water in the North among the five phases; in the twelve earthly branches, water is generated at the shen position. The shen position corresponds in orientation to the western metal, and metal corresponds to the lungs. The lungs govern sounds, so the ear is enabled to hear sounds.