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Civilization Object No. 103
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TCM Four Diagnostic Methods

中医四诊

The four foundational TCM diagnostic pillars — inspection, listening, inquiry, and pulse palpation — codified over 2,000 years ago.

dna Heritage DNA
history Origin

Warring States period (5th–2nd century BCE)

category Domain

traditional medicine

verified Level

National Heritage

pin_drop Region

North China

pulse Status

active

person Key Masters
person

Wang Ju

national

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The four diagnostic methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine — inspection, listening/smelling, inquiry, and pulse palpation — form the foundation of TCM clinical practice. Inspection (wang) observes the tongue, complexion, and body posture. Listening and smelling (wen) assess voice quality, breathing, and body odors. Inquiry (wen) gathers symptoms, history, and lifestyle details. Palpation (qie) includes pulse diagnosis and abdominal examination. This comprehensive system was codified during the Warring States period.

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Stories & Legends

Medicine Without Borders: TCM's Ancient Wisdom

historical

A system of medicine that views the human body as a microcosm of the universe.

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Skills & Techniques

TCM Four Diagnostic Methods expand_more

The four-pillar diagnostic system of Traditional Chinese Medicine: inspection, listening/smelling, inquiry, and palpation for clinical assessment.

Steps

  1. Begin with inspection (wang) — examine the tongue body, coating, complexion, and posture
  2. Perform listening and smelling (wen) — assess voice quality, breathing sounds, and body odors
  3. Conduct inquiry (wen) — ask about main complaint, medical history, appetite, sleep, and bowel habits
  4. Execute pulse palpation (qie) — feel the radial pulse at three positions and three depths
  5. Synthesize the four diagnostic findings into a TCM pattern differentiation
  6. Formulate the treatment principle based on the identified pattern

Tools

pulse pillow, tongue depressor, diagnostic chart, medical records brush

Materials

xuan paper, ink, herbal reference texts (Bencao)

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Relationship Constellation

This heritage item connects to 8 entities across the atlas — masters, places, festivals, and stories.

pin_drop Beijing location person Wang Ju inheritor build TCM Four Diagnostic Methods skill person Chinese Herbal Medicine ich person Acupuncture and Moxibustion ich person Warring States Period dynasty auto_stories Medicine Without Borders: TCM's Ancient Wisdom story person North China region
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