The Lungs: Metal Element

The Lungs (Yin) and Large Intestine (Yang) relate to the Metal Element.

The Metal element symbolizes refinement and relates to autumn, a time when the energy is consolidating inward as we prepare for winter “hibernation.”

Since March 2020 much has changed, shifted and been unearthed. As I think through the last four months I see a continuous thread of the Lungs and their importance in our experience of life, health and well-being. This trajectory began with the idea of COVID-19 entering and lodging into the lungs causing great illness and suffering, and ultimately making it impossible to breathe. Following this we see a video of George Floyd being killed by not being able to breathe. We hear him say just that, “I can’t breathe.” Now we are wearing masks to protect others and ourselves, while obstructing our ability to breathe.

The breath, oxygen, is something we as human beings must obtain in order to live. The breath is the easiest way to assist the body and mind to calm, ground and regulate a dysregulated nervous system. Fear, anxiety and panic easily cause the body to constrict, especially the chest and diaphragm. This makes it difficult to breathe, which means less oxygen is being received by the body as a whole. Remind yourself throughout the day to take a few breaths deep down into the belly. Go outside, ideally into nature, and get some fresh air. We are alive! We are doing this! We need air!

In Chinese medicine the Lungs relate to the Metal Element. Below I describe what the Metal Element symbolizes and the Lung’s functions.

Metal Element:

Metal symbolizes crystals, jewels, gold, treasure; purity and innocence; wisdom and self-knowledge. These are obtained by perilous journeys, hard work, honesty and pure intention.

It signifies loss and reduction. as well as, an indestructible purity which remains when all else is gone.

Metal represents the archetypal father energy - learning, discerning, questing and heroics - compelling our masculine part of us to journey onward and seek treasure.

It’s energy is direct. It excretes unproductive or used resources and retains and refines those of value.

Metal is formed deep in the earth. High pressures and temperatures separate molecules creating pure and distinct metals. This process rids impurities and dissimilar molecules. Separating the pure from impure, eliminating the impure and further refining the pure.

Metal signifies the ascendance of Yin. Cool temperatures and shortened daylight hours signify the growing dominance of Yin. The Metal phase begins Yin’s inward movement, introversion, contraction, quieting. Storing the “pure essence” of things for later.

During autumn, the sap, a plants life-force, withdraws from the leaves and branches and concentrates in the roots. Nutrients stored underground during cold winters retain their potency.

Autumn is harvest time. Traditionally, resources, vital to our survival during winter months, are stored.

Metals judgement eliminates confusion and chaos. It is recognition of a “higher” truth in it’s purest form. This process can be noble or destructive. 

Minimalism - arid lands, stark interiors - purity or poverty - the absence of anything.

Grief, mourning, letting go - many people avoid grief because its painful. Every new painful situation feels threatening, we become more rigid in controlling our feelings. Pushing grief away drains our energy & dampens all of our emotions. Grief must be honored as any other emotion. It encompasses release and crystallizes what is most important. It creates strength and teaches us value. The gift we receive is resolve, recognition of what still remains after loss.

The Lungs:

The Lung and Large Intestine organs are in charge of release, resolve, purification and grief. The Lungs refine and regulate “Qi” (energy). They purify the “Heavenly Qi” (breath) on inhalation, extracting the purest essences (oxygen), distributing these essences to the rest of the body and eliminating any impurities (CO2) on exhalation.

The Lungs defend the body from wind-invasions (colds and flus). The Lungs distribute “Wei Qi, Defensive Qi” (immune response) to the surface of the body keeping germs from entering the body. In this way the the Lungs are in charge of the opening and closing of the pores and regulating sweat, which can force sickness out of the body.

The Lungs are in charge of dispersing the body fluids toward points of elimination, sweat to the skin and urine to the bladder, in order to “dry” the body. When the Lungs are weak and fail to disperse the fluids dampness can accumulate, causing mucus and phlegm.

The Lungs open into the nose. The Lungs govern the sense of smell and clarity of the nasal passages.

The Large Intestine rules elimination. Eliminating waste and impurities, “letting go.”