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Having observed the mouth, one should then examine the lips. The lips serve as the wall of the teeth, are the external manifestation of the Spleen (Pi), and constitute the root of the muscles. The Classics state: "The Spleen is like an official of remonstrance, from which wisdom and comprehensive knowledge emerge." Its function nourishes the muscles, and its brilliance manifests in the lips. Therefore, by observing the condition of the lips, one can deduce the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of the Spleen. Why is this so? Because: fine lip texture indicates a small Spleen; coarse lip texture indicates a large Spleen; everted lips indicate a high-positioned Spleen; drooping lower lips indicate a low-positioned Spleen; firm lips indicate a solid Spleen; large but non-firm lips indicate a fragile Spleen; symmetrical upper and lower lips indicate a centrally positioned Spleen; unilateral protrusion of the lips indicates a tilted Spleen. These are the standard descriptions of lip morphology. Disease on the left corresponds to the left side; disease on the right corresponds to the right side; the upper corresponds to the upper, and the lower to the lower. Any variations in morphology and differences in complexion can be inferred through these principles. This constitutes the division of anatomical correspondence. By observing morphology according to location: lip swelling indicates excess pathogenic Qi; lip atrophy indicates deficiency of form and Qi; shortening of the lips indicates injury to the Spleen; inability to close the lips indicates Spleen disease; ulceration of the lips indicates a Yangming (Stomach/Large Intestine channel) syndrome; eversion of the lips indicates the terminal stage of a Taiyin (Spleen/Lung channel) syndrome; dry and scorched lips indicate pathology in the flesh; withered lips indicate pathology in the Spleen; sores on the lips indicate the resolution of pathogens from the exterior; cracked lips indicate the emergence of toxins from within; sores inside the lips indicate intestinal parasites; fragmentation of the upper lip indicates heat in the Stomach meridian; deviation of the mouth corner indicates wind striking the sinews of the Yangming meridian; puckering of the lips indicates wind entering the vessels of the Yangming meridian. Manifestations that are excessive indicate pathology in the exterior; manifestations that are deficient indicate pathology in the interior. These are all variations in morphology. Observing morphology while viewing complexion: reddish lips represent the normal color; deep red indicates excess; pale red indicates deficiency; pale white with blackish tones indicates severe cold; deep red with dullness indicates profound heat; deep blue indicates pain; pale blue indicates cold. White lips indicate Spleen deficiency; yellow lips indicate Spleen disease. Light colors indicate deficiency of healthy Qi; dark colors indicate excess of pathogenic Qi. Bright, lustrous, and blood-colored complexions indicate life; withered, dull, and bloodless complexions indicate death. These are all differences in complexion. Discussing morphology and complexion separately serves to identify the normal state; observing them together serves to understand variations. However, investigating the normal and the variable, and tracing the beginning and end, although their substance and function differ, none do not take Shen (Spirit/Vitality) as the foundation. What is called Shen is brightness, lucidity, and the presence of blood color. Possession of Shen leads to life; loss of Shen leads to death. The *Yi Zhuan* (Commentary on the Book of Changes) states: "Essence and Qi condense to form things; wandering souls undergo transformation; thus, one can know the conditions of spirits and ghosts." This refers to the distinction between life and death.