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Xing (Form) refers to the facial morphology. Qi (Vital Energy) refers to the state of Shen (Spirit). When investigating pediatric syndromes and signs, one cannot rely on a single aspect; rather, one must observe whether the exterior and interior correspond, and whether internal and external factors mutually reflect each other.

How could those who are rigid and inflexible, like someone playing a fixed-string instrument without adjusting the tuning pegs, be able to know the syndrome merely by observing the form? Indeed, this is true. Moreover, the deficiency or excess conditions in children are not solely determined by fatness or thinness, but by the changes in Qi coloration.

Why is this so? For there are cases where a child is fat yet has deficient Qi, or thin yet has robust Qi. When Qi is deficient, the complexion must be tender/delicate, indicating a deficiency syndrome; when Qi is robust, the complexion must be vibrant/prosperous, indicating an excess syndrome.

The Qi of the Five Zang Organs manifests on the face: Liver corresponds to Green, Heart to Red, Lungs to White, Kidneys to Black, and Spleen to Yellow; these are the Five Colors. The Liver Qi prospers in Spring, Heart Qi in Summer, Lung Qi in Autumn, and Kidney Qi in Winter, each governing for 72 days; the Spleen Qi prospers for 18 days at the end of each season, which constitutes their proper positions.

However, sometimes outside of Spring and Winter, if the face turns green or black, it is not necessarily due to the Liver or Kidneys. Outside of Autumn and Summer, if the face turns red or white, it is not necessarily due to the Heart or Lungs. This is because the Qi colors of the Five Zang Organs appear in layers and shift with the form to indicate syndromes, having no fixed initial pattern. Suddenly appearing green/black indicates Pain; suddenly appearing red indicates Heat; suddenly appearing white indicates Cold; suddenly appearing yellow indicates Accumulation. This opening and closing of Qi does not depend on the season nor is it confined to specific positions.

Furthermore, the Heart governs the forehead, the Liver governs the eyes and left cheek, the Spleen governs the upper and lower lips, the Lungs govern the right cheek, and the Kidneys govern the area before the ears and outside the chin. The form may appear in its corresponding position or manifest in other parts; this illustrates why one cannot judge based on a single aspect.

Additionally, the Spleen governs the upper and lower lips. In cases of vomiting and diarrhea, or prolonged dysentery, if the complexion turns black, it signifies Kidney Water overcoming Spleen Earth (Water counter-acting Earth), known as "Strong Overcoming." The organ function may be failing.

The Liver governs the eyes and left cheek. If the color is green, it is the normal color of the organ, indicating Fright or Convulsions, which is a favorable syndrome (Shun Zheng). If white is seen, it signifies Lung Metal overcoming Liver Wood, which is an unfavorable syndrome (Ni Zheng).

By deducing from this and adapting flexibly, the outcome depends on the practitioner's skill.

For infants, one only needs to observe the five colors of the face to understand the source of the disease. One must also examine whether the eyeballs possess Shen (Spirit). Shen refers to the spiritual luster and radiance within the eyes. Whether hidden, manifest, or rushing across, appearing according to position, they correspond to the Five Zang Organs and Five Colors: Green, Black, Yellow, White, and Red. Liver-Green, Heart-Red, Spleen-Yellow, Lung-White, Kidney-Black. Whenever a disease resides within the Five Zang Organs, there must inevitably be form and color manifested externally. When a child is ill, first observe the form and color of the relevant region, analyze the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of the Five Elements' generation and overcoming cycles; only if the form and color correspond should one then listen to the voice and palpate the pulse.