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Endowed with the nature of Heaven and Earth, and gathering the spirituality of all things, with Yin and Yang in balance and constitution complete, these are all naturally so. However, odd and even numbers differ; there is expansion and depletion. The uses of rigidity and flexibility vary; some are strong, some weak. Blood (Xue) and Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi), Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) cannot escape the principles of waxing and waning, fullness and emptiness. Therefore, at the initial stage of endowment, how can one generalize? For instance, superfluous growths, hanging warts, polydactyly (extra fingers or toes), dwarfism, and lameness—these are forms where the endowment of shape and Qi manifests thus; sores, ulcers, abscesses, deafness, blindness, muteness, emaciation, and chronic consumptive diseases—these are ailments of Qi and form that manifest thus. Thus, at the beginning of embryonic creation, after the shifting of essence and transformation of Qi, methods of protection and assistance indeed have their rationale. (The *Classic of Filial Piety* states: "Among the natures of Heaven and Earth, human beings are most precious." The *Book of Documents · Tai Shi* says: "Only humans are the spirits of all things.") Heaven has Five Qi, each having its specific convergence; Earth has Five Flavors, each having its specific entry. The convergence must be regulated and moderate; the intake must have measure. All that is feared and tabooed should be known and guarded against; utilizing external substances for nourishment follows this natural principle. Rising and resting should be timed; going out and coming in should be moderated. (The *Su Wen · Liu Jie Zang Xiang Lun* states: "Heaven feeds humans with Five Qi, Earth feeds humans with Five Flavors." Wang Bing comments: "Heaven feeds humans with Five Qi: Sour Qi converges on the Liver, Scorched Qi on the Heart, Fragrant Qi on the Spleen, Fishy Qi on the Lungs, and Rotten Qi on the Kidneys. Earth feeds humans with Five Flavors: Sour flavor enters the Liver, Bitter flavor enters the Heart, Sweet flavor enters the Spleen, Pungent flavor enters the Lungs, and Salty flavor enters the Kidneys.") One can dwell in high, bright places, or in close, secure quarters, preventing mist, dew, wind, and pathogenic factors from finding an opening to enter. Nourishing oneself according to the seasons follows this appropriate principle. Furthermore, regulating anger and joy, and reducing desires... (The *Li Ji · Yue Ling* notes for the mid-summer month: "One may dwell in high, bright places, or reside in terraces and pavilions." The *Su Wen · Mai Yao Jing Wei Lun* states: "In winter, [Yang Qi] resides in the bones, insects hibernate closely, and gentlemen stay indoors. In summer, following Yang Qi rising above, one may dwell in high, bright places; in winter, following the hidden storage of Yang Qi, one may remain in close quarters.") Labor should not be excessive, allowing Qi and Blood to follow harmoniously. All these serve to protect pregnancy, ensuring various pathogens do not interfere. (The *Su Wen · Shang Gu Tian Zhen Lun*, Qibo says: "People in ancient times who understood the Dao did not labor recklessly, thus maintaining both body and spirit, and completing their natural lifespan." The *Su Wen · Tong Tian Lun* states: "Sages regulate Yin and Yang, harmonize sinews and vessels, solidify marrow, and ensure Qi and Blood flow smoothly.") If not done so, at the time of conception, a single lapse in care results in internal insufficiency to guard the center, and external weakness failing to strengthen the body. When Qi and Form are not充盈 (full/plentiful), disease arises. (The *Mai Yao* states: "The Five Zang Organs are the guards of the center. Those who retain their guard live; those who lose it die." It also states: "The Five Zang Organs are the strength of the body. Gaining strength leads to life; losing strength leads to death.") Eating rabbit meat may cause cleft lip; eating dog meat may result in voicelessness; eating mixed fish may cause facial sores and tinea—all due to failures in dietary taboos. (Sun Simiao's *Yang Tai Fa* states: "During pregnancy, eating rabbit meat causes the child to have a cleft lip. Eating dog meat causes the child to be voiceless. Eating dried carp causes the child to suffer from many sores and tinea." The *Su Wen · Yi Fa Fang Yi Lun* states: "Fish causes heat accumulation in the middle." The commentary notes: "Fish triggers sores.") Great fright to the Heart Qi can lead to epilepsy. (The *Su Wen · Qi Bing Lun*: The Yellow Emperor asks, "Why do some people are born with epilepsy?" Qibo replies, "It is named 'Fetal Disease.' This occurs because during gestation, the mother suffered great fright, causing Qi to rise but not descend, with Essence and Qi accumulating together, thus causing the child to develop epilepsy.") Insufficiency of Kidney Qi can lead to craniolaminar separation (Jie Lu). (Chao Yuanfang states: "Jie Lu refers to the condition where, as the child grows older, the fontanelle should close but does not, and the cranial sutures separate. This is due to incomplete development of Kidney Qi. The Kidney governs bone marrow, and the brain is the sea of marrow. If Kidney Qi is not robust, brain marrow is insufficient and cannot consolidate, leading to separated cranial sutures.") Disharmony of the Spleen and Stomach can lead to emaciation. (Chao Yuanfang states: "Emaciation without muscle growth is always due to disharmony of the Spleen and Stomach, inability to eat, resulting in weakened Qi and Blood, which fail to nourish the skin and muscles. Whether the fetus encounters cold in utero or the newborn harbors latent heat, it prevents the infant from feeding, leading to emaciation.") Deficiency of Heart Qi can lead to lack of Shen (Spirit) and related conditions—all due to dysregulation of Qi and Blood. If one truly knows what to avoid in diet and extends this understanding, the Five Flavors will cause no harm. If one truly knows how to regulate Qi and Blood and extends this practice, pathogens will find no opportunity to attack. These are matters of reproduction that require mutual waiting and completion. (The *Zhu Bing Yuan Hou Lun* states: "The Lungs govern Qi, the Heart governs Blood vessels. Pathogens affecting Qi and Blood circulate through the Ying system, Zang-Fu organs, and meridians. Childbirth injures Qi and Blood, leaving the Zang-Fu organs deficient. Since the Heart commands all Zang organs, if it is injured and deficient, it causes palpitations and trance-like states, indicating deficiency of Heart Qi.") Therefore it is said: "Heaven does not act without Human agency." (The *Fa Yan* states: "Heaven does not act without Human agency; Humans do not achieve success without Heaven.")