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It is stated that the first month of pregnancy is called "beginning of form" (Shi Xing), the second month is called "beginning of paste" (Shi Gao), and the third month is called "beginning of fetus" (Shi Tai). At this time, the blood vessels are not yet flowing smoothly, and the fetal image begins to transform. The distinction between male and female has not yet been established. This arises from influence and response; therefore, pregnant women should wish to see people who are prosperous, noble, and dignified in appearance, and avoid seeing hunchbacks, dwarfs, or strange animals such as apes, monkeys, dogs, horses, and exotic birds and beasts. During nighttime sleep, one should calm the mind and quiet the will, strictly avoiding chaotic thoughts, for fear that strange forms and ominous dreams may induce inauspicious influences.

The reason why pregnant women select their diet lies in borrowing the Five Qi (Sour/Foul, Scorched, Fragrant, Fishy, Rotten) and Five Flavors (Sour, Bitter, Sweet, Pungent, Salty) to generate the Zang organs. The flavors and qi tend to return to the respective organs according to the individual's preferences. The *Treatise on Yin and Yang and Corresponding Images* states: Sour generates the Liver, Bitter generates the Heart, Sweet generates the Spleen, Pungent generates the Lung, and Salty generates the Kidney. This illustrates how the Zang organs are generated through the five flavors. The *Treatise on the Six Sections and Visceral Manifestations* states: Foul odor gathers at the Liver, scorched odor gathers at the Heart, fragrant odor gathers at the Spleen, fishy odor gathers at the Lung, and rotten odor gathers at the Kidney. This illustrates how the Zang organs are formed through the five qi.

If the fetal form and viscera are not yet complete, the pregnant woman will naturally develop an aversion to the corresponding odors and flavors due to these deficiencies. Generally, Yang governs Qi transformation, while Yin governs Flavor formation. Qi transformation produces Essence, and Flavor transformation promotes physical growth. Indeed, human life originates from Heaven in terms of Qi, and from Earth in terms of Form. The *Inner Canon* states that Heaven nourishes humans with the Five Qi, and Earth nourishes humans with the Five Flavors; this is precisely what is meant.

Once the union of Heaven and Earth has occurred, if the fetal substance remains incomplete, it is because during the period when the pregnant woman selects her food, she failed to obtain the appropriate Qi and Flavor. Consequently, defects such as strabismus, microphthalmia, hemianopia, or bilateral blindness; hand spasms and foot claudication; lumbar curvature and dorsal kyphosis, occur due to the incompleteness of the Liver's form. Slurred speech, stuttering, aphonia, or deafness, along with dull spirit and blocked Qi, occur due to the incompleteness of the Heart's form. Concave and convex chest and back, short tongue, and cleft lip occur due to the incompleteness of the Spleen's form. Sparse and thin body hair, bald temples, generalized leukotrichia, or diffuse erythema of the skin occur due to the incompleteness of the Lung's form. Scaly yellow hair, small blackish body, symptoms of "Five Stiffnesses" and "Five Softnesses," and the inability to walk even after several years, occur due to the incompleteness of the Kidney's form.

Thus, by selecting food, the pregnant woman utilizes the Qi and Flavor of food to generate the Zang organs. If any aspect is incomplete, disease will inevitably follow. This is analogous to a potter firing vessels; if the result is flawed, it is due to improper control of fire and water, not necessarily the lack of skill on the part of the artisan.