The Zangxiang theory and Xiang thinking in TCM,together with the anatomy,physiological functions,and pathological characteristics of viscera,were adopted to discuss the concrete,appearance,imagery,original,and diseased attributes and characteristics of the spleen.The spleen has multiple synonyms such as “pi”“bi”“sangao”,and “cui” in ancient records.The ancient term of the spleen is the summary of the pancreas and the spleen in modern medicine.The records about spleen appearance include horseshoe and knife-like shape,and the anatomical record is that the spleen and stomach are connected by a membrane.The ancient records about the original features of the spleen were analyzed.The records about the five colors,five kinds of liquids,five emotions,and five mental activities were reviewed to characterize the spleen.The records of yin-organ,beginning of yin,solitary organ,and an organ with the function like that of a criticizer indicate the nature of the spleen.The records of calmness,transportation,transformation,and drying dampness describe the functions of the spleen.The pathological rules of the spleen were summarized by review of diseases in the spleen and spleen meridian.The pathological sites of pancreatic tumors were identified as accumulation,mass at the right hypochondrium,and mass located in the upper or lower abdomen.According to the description of “This is the way to predict the beginning of Hou(solar terms) and this is the place where Dao(law) lies in” in the Huangdi's Internal Classic(Huang Di Nei Jing),this paper explains the Zangxiang of the spleen by distinguishing the ancient and modern medical definitions of the spleen and the pancreas.