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The *Yin Yang Li He Pian* (Chapter on Yin-Yang Separation and Union) states: The East corresponds to the Azure color, its qi connects internally with the Liver (Gan, 肝), opens externally through the Eyes (Mu, 目), and stores essence in the Liver. The South corresponds to the Red color, its qi connects internally with the Heart (Xin, 心), opens externally through the Ears (Er, 耳), and stores essence in the Heart. The Center corresponds to the Yellow color, its qi connects internally with the Spleen (Pi, 脾), opens externally through the Mouth (Kou, 口), and stores essence in the Spleen. The West corresponds to the White color, its qi connects internally with the Lung (Fei, 肺), opens externally through the Nose (Bi, 鼻), and stores essence in the Lung. The North corresponds to the Black color, its qi connects internally with the Kidney (Shen, 肾), opens externally through the two yin orifices (the urethra and anus), and stores essence in the Kidney. Heaven covers from above, Earth supports from below, and all things begin to grow. Those that have not yet emerged from the earth are called "Yin places" (Yin Chu, 阴处), named "Yin within Yin" (Yin Zhong Zhi Yin, 阴中之阴); [Being situated within the Yin position, it is called a Yin place; since the form has not moved out, it is still Yin, and because Yin resides in Yin, it is called Yin within Yin.] Those that have emerged from the earth are called "Yang within Yin" (Yin Zhong Zhi Yang, 阴中之阳). [Since the form moves out, this constitutes Yang, and because Yang resides in the Yin position, it is called Yang within Yin.] Yang provides the correct energy, while Yin serves as the master. [Yang imparts righteous qi, allowing all things to begin to grow; Yin acts as the holder, enabling various forms to stand.] Thus, life arises due to Spring, grows due to Summer, harvests due to Autumn, and stores due to Winter. If these norms are violated, the Qi of Heaven, Earth, and the Four Seasons will become blocked. [Losing their normal course, the Qi of the four seasons becomes obstructed, and the Qi of Yin and Yang cannot circulate normally.]

The *Yin Yang Bie Lun* (Chapter on Differentiating Yin and Yang) states: Pulse manifestations have Yin and Yang; knowing Yang allows one to know Yin, and knowing Yin allows one to know Yang. [Deep understanding implies comprehensive recognition of their transformations.] Generally, there are five types of Yang meridians, and five times five equals twenty-five Yang pulses. [There are five Yang meridians; precisely, within each Fu organ, the pulses of the other four Fu organs are contained, hence five times five yields twenty-five Yang pulses. By analogy, within each Zang organ, the pulses of the other four Zang organs are also contained, yielding twenty-five Yin pulses.] What is referred to as "Yin" is the True Zang Pulse (Zhen Zang Mai, 真脏脉); if seen, it indicates failure and certain death. [What is called Yin refers to the true pulses of the five Zang organs. When the true Zang pulse appears, the organ has failed; failure inevitably leads to death, hence it is said: seeing the true Zang pulse means death.] What is referred to as "Yang" is the Yang of the Stomach House (Wei Yuan Zhi Yang, 胃院之阳). [The Yang of the Stomach House refers to the Qi at the Renying (ST9) acupoint. Observing the movement, size, and whether it corresponds to the Cun Kou (Radial) pulse. Renying is located on both sides of the Adam's apple, where the pulse beats palpably. Its movement is usually smaller on the left and larger on the right; the smaller left pulse typically observes Zang Qi, and the larger right pulse typically observes Fu Qi. Since the Stomach is the great master of the five Zang and six Fu organs, despite the differences among the twenty-five Yang pulses, they essentially do not go beyond the manifestation of the Stomach pulse. If auspicious, it indicates the presence of Stomach Qi; if ominous, it indicates the absence of Stomach Qi.] Differentiating Yang allows one to know the location of the disease; differentiating Yin allows one to know the time of death. [Yang protects the exterior and maintains solidity; however, when external pathogens strike, differentiating Yang reveals the disease site. Yin stores Shen (Spirit) and guards inwardly; to examine true success or failure, differentiating Yin reveals the patient's prognosis of life or death.] The Qi of the three Yang meridians gathers at the head, and the Qi of the three Yin meridians gathers at the hands; this is what is meant by unity. [Head refers to Renying. Hand refers to Qikou (Cunkou). These two correspond to each other, coming and going together; if they are equal in size like a taut rope, it is called a healthy person, hence it is said to be unified. Qikou is one cun behind the thenar eminence; Renying is one inch five fen on both sides of the Adam's apple; both can be used to observe Zang-Fu Qi.] What is called Yin and Yang: departing is Yin, arriving is Yang; stillness is Yin, motion is Yang; slow is Yin, rapid is Yang. [This discusses dividing Yin and Yang based on pulse characteristics. Pulses have departure and arrival, dividing Yin and Yang accordingly; pulses have stillness and motion, dividing Yin and Yang accordingly; pulses have slowness and rapidity, dividing Yin and Yang accordingly.] Regarding Sheng Yang (Vital Yang) and Si Yin (Dead Yin): Liver transmitting to Heart is called Sheng Yang, [Receiving Yang leads to life, losing Yang leads to death, hence called Sheng Yang and Si Yin. Transmission from Liver to Heart follows Wood generating Fire, receiving vital Qi, thus called Sheng Yang; recovery occurs within four days.] Heart transmitting to Lung is called Si Yin, [Transmission from Heart to Lung involves Fire overcoming Metal, thus called Si Yin; death occurs within three days.] Lung transmitting to Kidney is called Chong Yin (Double Yin), [Lung Metal and Kidney Water, although transmitted as mother and son, if both Metal and Water are diseased, it results in Double Yin and the extinction of Yang.] Kidney transmitting to Spleen is called Pi Yin (Deviant Yin), which is incurable and fatal. [Earth naturally controls Water, but Water counter-attacks Spleen, this is called Pi Yin. Pi Yin means deviance or perversity.]