This is a method of diagnosis by observing the change of color on different areas of the hand and foot to diagnose diseases in their correspondent related organs.

The observation of color is combined with the observation of Shen (general appearance) in traditional Chinese medicine. Color is an observable change in Shen, and they are mutually correlated. Traditional medical literature says the "increase, decrease, appearance and disappearance of Shen can be shown by the correspondent changes of color." A correct diagnosis can be made only after the observation of both Shen and color in combination.

As with the change of hand and foot luster, color is also constantly being changed by various factors. In clinical practice, the color of the palmar side of the middle pharlanx of the middle finger is considered the "constant color," the standard color for clinical diagnosis.

The colors of the hand and foot can be divided into blue, red, yellow, white, and black.

Blue: Indicates diseases of liver and gallbladder With pain, cold pathogens, stasis of blood, convulsions and chronic injury with pain.

Red: Indicates diseases of heart and small intestine with fever, local inflammation, bleeding, and the early stages of some progressive diseases.

Yellow: Indicates diseases of spleen and stomach with deficient syndrome, damp pathogens, symptoms due to deficiency of trace elements, anemia, and chronic .hemorrhage.

White: Indicates diseases of lung and large intestine with deficient syndrome, cold pathogens, pain, and loss of qi and blood.

Black: Indicates deficiency of kidney with cold pathogens, pain, retention of water, blood stasis, and longstanding chronic injuries.