The 12 Officials in TCM Theory
TCM Theory
The 12 Officials in TCM Theory
The "12 Officials" theory is yet another way to describe the inter-relationships and interplay between the organ systems as they are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). They are described in the 8th chapter of the Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen and are modeled after a layout of governing systems at that time.
The Twelve Officials
|
Organ System |
Position |
Meaning |
| Heart | Monarch | Represents the individual consciousness and serves as the sovereign of all of the organs and wisdom. Leads spiritual transformation |
| Lung | Minister | Aids the heart in regulating the qi of the body |
| Liver | General | Acts courageously and intelligently, carefully assessing circumstances and planning action |
| Gall Bladder | Impartial Justic | Applies discernment to guide appropriate action |
| Pericardium (Tanzhong, Tandanzhong) | Envoy (Ambassador) | Where joy is derived from, like a court jester |
| Stomach / Spleen | Officials in Charge of Food Storage | Act as officials for food storage and assimilation |
| Large Intestine | Transportation Official | Directs the processing of food and the transformation and passage of waste |
| Small Intestine | Receiving Official | Receives food from the stomach and spleen and further assimilates, distributes and divides the pure from the turbid (useful vs. waste) |
| Kidney | Health Official | Direct the creation of power in the body, distribution and activity of the extremities, coordination, and the mental powers of focus and willpower |
| Triple Heater (San Jiao, Triple Warmer) | Irrigation Official | Directs the transformation and use of fluids throughout the body |
| Urinary Bladder | District Official | Stores fluids so when they are enacted by qi they can flow outward to the systems |
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