The 5 Shen (Spirits) in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In the west, we tend to think of the soul as an ephemeral concept that encompasses our consciousness, emotions, humanity, and will to live. And it’s generally thought to reside in the head or heart. There are, of course, other interpretations. The concept of the soul transcends cultures and borders. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the soul is known as “Wu Shen” and consists of five different types of Shen (spirits) that are stored in different organs. Today, we’ll be taking a deeper look at the TCM soul and how it relates to your body. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient medical system that has evolved over thousands of years and is used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness and disease. There are many branches of TCM, like acupuncture, tai chi, and herbal medicine. The foundational principle in TCM is that vital energy called Qi (pronounced “chee”) flows through our bodies. When Qi becomes imbalanced or stagnates, this causes us to become sick. Each branch of TCM employs techniques designed to restore balance and activate our bodies’ natural healing processes.  

How does Traditional Chinese Medicine differ from western medicine? 

The fundamental difference is in TCM’s holistic approach to medical treatment. Traditional Chinese Medicine treats all systems and organs in the body as being deeply interconnected. This interconnectedness is how modalities like acupuncture, which is non-invasive, treat conditions affecting deep tissue and internal organs. Further, TCM practitioners tailor their treatments to their patients’ individual needs, rather than rely on statistical models for how a condition should be treated. Put more simply, the goal is to restore you to good health rather than simply treat a collection of symptoms. 

The concept of Wu Shen in Traditional Chinese Medicine describes the five Shen, or spirits, that inhabit your body. Each type of Shen is responsible for some aspect of your being, whether it’s willpower, consciousness, intelligence, or your capacity to think and reason. Wu Shen doesn’t emanate from a single source within your body. Every organ has a role to play in your physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. It’s the five Yin organs that store the different types of Shen: 

• The heart stores Shen 
• The kidney stores Zhi 
• The spleen stores Yi 
• The liver stores Hun 
• The lung stores Po 

The best way to think of the types of Shen (spirit) is as different facets of your soul. Each have their own qualities and govern different parts of your being.  

1. Shen (heart)

Shen, or more accurately the “little” Shen is stored in your heart. It is considered the most revered aspect of the human consciousness, and governs your ability to think, reason, and make decisions. Little Shen also holds influence over your ability to form and maintain relationships. It’s linked to your sense of identity, consciousness, insight, and memory. 

2. Zhi (kidney)

Zhi is the mind spirit and resides in the kidneys. It governs your willpower, and it is the part of your consciousness that strives to move forward, grow, and evolve. Zhi is the source of your courage and ability to push past uncertainty. It also allows you to adapt to stressful situations, trust and have faith, and to accept the future you cannot control. 

3. Yi (spleen)

Yi, or the spirit mind, is stored in the spleen. Much like how the spleen is responsible for digestion, Yi governs your intellect or applied thinking. It’s your capacity for and generation of thought and memory and allows you to sustain intentions. When you experience clarity of thoughts and actions, it is because your Yi is balanced. And imbalanced Yi manifests in poor focus and concentration, as well as an inability to finish tasks or to memorize information. 

4. Hun (liver)

Hun, or the ethereal spirit, most closely resembles the western concept of the soul. It is stored in the liver, the organ responsible for the smooth flow of Qi. Hun governs your innermost thoughts and dreams and is what allows you to bring them to fruition. It is the source of your creativity and imagination, as well as your capacity to dream while you sleep. Your ability to plan your life and your intuition are both tied to Hun. 

5. Po (lung)

Po is the corporeal soul that is stored in your lungs. This is the type of spirit responsible for your ability to experience physical sensations like pain and pleasure. It governs your knee-jerk reactions and keeps you connected to the present moment. It is believed that Po is connected to your life force or essence. It enters your body with your first breath and dissipates at the end of your life when you draw your last breath. 

Each type of spirit is needed to form a whole and well-rounded person. Knowing where each is stored and what they govern will help you tend to and support your spiritual health so that you can thrive and flourish.