Which element of the liver's characteristics is associated with emotions?

The liver is traditionally associated with the emotion of anger in various systems of medicine, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, each organ is linked to specific emotions, and the liver is said to play a significant role in regulating smooth emotional expression. When the liver's function is disrupted, it can lead to feelings of frustration and anger.

Anger is believed to manifest when the liver energy (or Qi) becomes stagnant. This stagnation can arise from various factors such as stress, dietary choices, and lifestyle habits. In contrast, other emotions are linked with different organs; for example, joy is often connected with the heart, sadness with the lungs, and worry with the spleen. Understanding these associations is vital for practitioners as they consider a holistic view of health, linking physical symptoms to emotional states.