There are five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. The senses of sight and hearing are the principal ones, and of these two the principal is the sense of sight.

• The sense of touch is perceived through the medium of the skin, which represents the earth element, and is sensitive to cold and heat.
• The sense of taste is perceived through the medium of the tongue, which represents the water element; all salt, sour and sweet, pungent and bitter tastes are distinguished by it.
• The sense of smell is perceived through the medium of the nose, the channel of the breath which alone can distinguish the odors and fragrances.
• The sense of hearing represents the air, and is perceived through the medium of the ears.
• The sense of sight represents ether, and is perceived through the medium of the eyes, which in this material body are the substitute of the soul.