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Cold is the transformation of Taiyang (Greater Yang) water qi. In heaven it is cold, in earth it is water, and in humans it corresponds to the Bladder (Pang Guang). Taiyang governs with cold-water; the Foot-Taiyang Bladder belongs to water, while the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine belongs to fire. Although water and fire are different energies, they are unified under cold-water. This is because water resides below but originates above; the yin line within the Li trigram (representing Heart/Fire) is the root of water. The yin of Li descends and interacts with the Kan position (representing Kidney/Water) to transform into water. Water descends into fire; thus, Bing Fire (Small Intestine/Yang Fire) transforms qi within Ren Water (Bladder/Yang Water). When fire transforms into water, heat transforms into cold. Therefore, the qi of Taiyang unifies both water and fire, yet is named exclusively for cold-water. The nature of water is inherently cold. The fire of Shaoyang Sanjiao (Triple Burner) descends along with Taiyang. When water receives this fire, it should not be cold. However, what is known as "not cold" refers to Gui Water (Kidney/Yin Water), not Ren Water (Bladder/Yang Water). Generally, water possesses the nature of hibernation and storage; fire is concealed internally, and water is gathered externally; this state is called a healthy person (Ping Ren). Wood and Fire govern the interior, growing from within, so the interior qi remains warm. Metal and Water govern the exterior, collecting from without, so the exterior qi remains clear. Blood is born from Wood and Fire, thus blood is warm and emanates inward. Qi is transformed by Metal and Water, thus qi is clear and gathers outward. Regarding human meridians: Jueyin is in the interior, akin to the internal generation of spring wind. Next is Shaoyin, akin to the internal growth of summer qi. Next is Yangming, akin to the external gathering of autumn qi. Taiyang is on the exterior, akin to the external storage of winter qi. If the Yang organs are balanced, the exterior is clear and the interior is warm; if Yang leaks, the interior becomes cold and the exterior hot; the exterior easily transforms cold-water into hot-fire, and the interior easily transforms warm springs into ice-cold. If the exterior becomes hotter and the interior colder, the root of vital energy is severed, leading to death. If Gui Water is warm and Ren Water is cold, health prevails; if Gui Water is cold and Ren Water is hot, disease arises. Disease in Gui Water inevitably involves cold; disease in Ren Water often involves heat. Because Ding Fire (Heart/Yin Fire) transforms from Gui Water, the Zang organ of Shaoyin is most prone to cold diseases. Since Ren Water transforms from Bing Fire, the Fu organ of Taiyang is most prone to heat diseases. Therefore, when treating cold diseases, one blames only Gui Water and not Ren Water; when treating heat diseases, one blames only Ren Water and not Gui Water.

Zhang Zhongjing's *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) establishes laws based on the Six Meridians, following the Six Qi. The nature, temperament, shape, and manifestation of the Six Qi are clearly revealed. Physicians must understand this to comprehend the syndromes of the Six Meridians. Although changes in the Six Meridians are numerous, they ultimately do not exceed the Six Qi. Since the Wei and Jin dynasties, there have been virtually no interpreters of this principle. The methods of the Sages have passed down only a single thread, declining until today to an unspeakable state.

[Method for Treating Jueyin Wind-Wood]
Guizhi Lingjiao Decoction (Cinnamon Twig, Poria, and Donkey-Hide Gelatin Decoction)
Gancao (Licorice Root), Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), Baishao (White Peony Root), Fuling (Poria), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Ejiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin), Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger), Dazao (Jujube). For upper heat, add Huangqin (Scutellaria Root); for lower cold, add Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) and Fuzi (Aconite Lateral Root).

[Method for Treating Shaoyin Sovereign Fire]
Huanglian Danpi Decoction (Coptis and Moutan Decoction)
Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), Baishao (White Peony Root), Shengdi (Rehmannia Root), Danpi (Moutan Bark). In Shaoyin disease, water overcomes and fire loses, making it most prone to generate cold. If there is lower cold, use Jiaofu (Pepper and Aconite).

[Method for Treating Shaoyang Minister Fire]
Chaihu Shaoyao Decoction (Bupleurum and Peony Decoction)
Chaihu (Bupleurum Root), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), Gancao (Licorice Root), Banxia (Pinellia Tuber), Renshen (Ginseng Root), Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger), Dazao (Jujube), Baishao (White Peony Root).

[Method for Treating Taiyin Damp-Earth]
Zhugan Lingze Decoction (Atractylodes, Licorice, Poria, and Alisma Decoction)
Gancao (Licorice Root), Fuling (Poria), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), Zexie (Alisma Rhizome).

[Method for Treating Yangming Dry-Metal]
Baihe Wuwei Decoction (Lily Bulb and Schisandra Decoction)
Baihe (Lily Bulb), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Wuweizi (Schisandra Fruit).

[Method for Treating Taiyang Cold-Water]
Linggan Jiangfu Decoction (Poria, Licorice, Dried Ginger, and Aconite Decoction)
Gancao (Licorice Root), Fuling (Poria), Ganjiang (Dried Ginger), Fuzi (Aconite Lateral Root). Taiyang disease easily transforms into damp-heat, as it transforms qi through Bing Fire (Small Intestine) and is constrained by Damp-Earth. If there is damp-heat, use Zhi (Gardenia) and Shigao (Gypsum).