The importance and necessity of traditional Chinese medicine（ TCM） pattern quantification was discussed in this article.There were some differences between patterns of the same nature in a certain degree.Patterns of different nature had a large number of transitional patterns.There were single or multiple pattern quantitative characteristics in complex diseases.The TCM pattern quantification is reflected by pattern names

treating principles

therapies

formulas and drugs.The uncertainty and limitation of TCM pattern can be overcome by quantitative pattern differentiation.