Discussion on the "Six Virtues" of Tianhuang and Its Quality Evaluation and Control Factors

In order to explore the quality evaluation and control factors of Tianhuang, the concept of "Six Virtues" ("Wen", "Run", "Xi", "Jie", "Ning", "Ni") of Tianhuang in Yinshi Bian and the concepts' interpretations were interpreted. By magnification observation and scanning electron microscope analysis, the microstructure of Tianhuang and the "Six Virtues" concept were correlated and analyzed. It was found that the "Xi" of "Six Virtues" reflects the size of the mineral particles contained in Tianhuang; the "Jie" of "Six Virtues" represents the degree of compactness between mineral particles; and the perception of "Run", "Ni", "Wen" of "Six Virtues" means that the surface minerals of Tianhuang have been abraded and filled with secondary minerals. The "Ning" of "Six Virtues" is a comprehensive performance of the other five virtues. Moreover, it is proposed that the microstructure observation is a relatively objective technical method for the quality evaluation of Tianhuang.