Abstract
Objectives : The objective of this paper is to study the literature on stagnation pattern, to further determine reasoning for the emphasis on Liver-qi stagnation out of all the Five Zang stagnation patterns. Methods : Stagnation patterns in literature from the Xian-Qin/Liang-Han period, Sui-Tang-Song period, Jin-Yuan period and Ming-Qing period were studied and analyzed. Results & Conclusions : Based on chronological analysis on discussions of stagnation pattern, the Five stagnation in the Neijing were related to the excessiveness and deficiency of the Five circuits. After the discussions of the Four Masters of the Jin-Yuan period, WangAndao explained that stagnation could happen without relation to external contraction in his discussion of Benqiziyubing. Yutuan focused on the inter-relationship between the six stagnation patterns, emphasizing qi stagnation, while Sunyikui discussed stagnation pattern within the framework of the Five Zang stagnation. Zhaoxianke argued for the first time that one of the treatment methods of Wood stagnation could replace the five treatment methods, focusing on Wood stagnation which could be the clue to stagnation pattern. Of current Zangfu diagnostic terminology, the influential Liver qi stagnation remains to this day.