Concept

Spirit

神shen

2 sources

In Chinese medicine, the spirit: the governing vitality of all life activities and their outward manifestation, encompassing consciousness, thought, mood and mental activity. The Neijing states that spirit arises when two essences unite (兩精相搏謂之神). Rooted in essence and qi and stored by the heart, it is reflected in the eyes, complexion, speech and bearing.

Source

Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor)《灵枢·本神》（内经选读下篇·藏象·五脏藏神·原文2301）

References

《内经》论神散见多篇综合理解（本神/宣明五气/八正神明论等）
WHO IST-TCM 2022 术语对齐（WGM2# 505 Spirit）

Full definition

Classical source text (Chinese) — English summary above.

兩精相搏謂之神

Citations

Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor) · 托名黄帝/岐伯（先秦—西汉医家辑） · 《灵枢·本神》（内经选读下篇·藏象·五脏藏神·原文2301）Cited from Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor) for its definition.
WHO international standard terminologies on traditional Chinese medicine · World Health Organization · WHO IST-TCM 2022, WGM2# 505 (§1.9 其他类)Cited from WHO international standard terminologies on traditional Chinese medicine for its standardized terminology.