the Spirit. The same emotions can make the Lung pulse Weak, but this can be caused by very
many other factors too. Thus the pulse, tongue and complexion should always be closely
integrated in order to diagnose mental-emotional problems correctly.
Anger makes the pulse Wiry, sometimes only on the left side. A Wiry quality of the pulse is
always a reliable pointer to problems from anger when other signs (such as a pale face and weak
voice) seem to point to sadness and grief.
If anger occurs at meal-times, it manifests with a Wiry quality on the Stomach position.
Repressed anger and resentment make the pulse "stagnant", a quality which is not one of the
traditional 28 pulse qualities. A stagnant pulse is somewhat tight, but not so hard as the Tight
pulse and it seems to flow reluctantly.
Sadness and grief make the pulse Choppy or Short and it characteristically flows without wave.
The pulse without wave seems to flow upwards towards each pulse position separately, rather
than flowing smoothly from the rear towards the Front position (see Figure 9.3(241)).
The sad pulse quality occurs only in the Front or Middle position, never on the Rear position. If
only one position is affected (for example, only the Lung position), the sadness has not lasted for
over a year. If both the Front and Middle positions of left and right have the sad quality, the
sadness is long-standing.
Sometimes these emotions also manifest with a very Weak quality on both Lung and Heart
positions. Again, this finding should be checked against others, since such a pulse configuration
can also be caused by an accident to the chest.
Excessive joy makes the pulse slow and slightly Hollow or Overflowing-Empty on the Heart
position.
Fear and shock render the pulse rapid. In severe cases they can give the pulse a Moving quality,
that is, a pulse that is short and shaped like a bean, and which vibrates. Shock also makes the
Heart pulse Tight and Fine.
Guilt makes the pulse rapid; the pulse also gives the impression of shaking as it pulsates.
Tongue
One of the tongue's most reliable indications of emotional problems is a red tip. However,
although this is a sure sign of emotional or mental problems, it is not very specific since it can
arise from almost any emotional problem. The reason for this is two-fold. Why is the tip of the
tongue affected and why is it red? First of all, the tip of the tongue is affected because it
corresponds to the Heart and this organ, as mentioned above, is affected by all emotions. This is