For example, the number of acu-points has been seen to be 365, corresponding with the number of days in a year, and the number of main meridians-12 corresponds with the number or rivers flowing through the ancient Chinese empire (and possibly the 12 months of the year).
Wood= East, green/glue, wind, sour, liver, gallbladder, eye, above bridge of nose, iris
Fire= South, red, heat, bitter, heart, small intestine, tongue, between eyes, lower part, inner/outer corner of the eye
Earth= Center, yellow, damp, sweet, spleen, stomach, mouth, bridge of nose, upper and lower lid
Metal= West, white, dryness, acrid, lung, large intestine, nose, between eyes, middle part, sclera
Water= North, black, cold, salty, kidney, bladder, ears, cheeks (below cheekbone), pupil.
There are also three special pattern diagnosis systems used in case of febrile and infectious diseases. Although TCM and its concept of disease does not strongly differentiate between a cause and effect pattern, discrimination can include considerations regarding the disease cause. There are three fundamental categories of disease causes recognized:
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QI/CHI
One of the basics tenets of TCM is that the body’s vial energy (chi or qi) circulates through channels, called meridians, which have branches connected to body organs and functions. It is well known that the body is electrical as much as it is chemical and physical. Thus, it is recognized that acupuncture points and meridian structures are special conduits for electrical signals.
Qi is defined by five cardinal functions:
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Vacuity of qi is characterized by pale complexion, lassitude of spirit, lack of strength, shortness of breath (especially on exertion), laziness to speak, non-digestion of food, spontaneous sweating, and pale and enlarged tongue.
Qi is generated partially from food and drink and partially from air by breathing. Another part is genetic.
Qi is said to circulate in the meridians and held by each of the zang-fu organs. Qi running inside the blood vessels is called ying-qi. Its function is to complement xue and its nature has a strong yin aspect although qi in general is considered to be yang.