Library

Han Yu said: That which transcends form is called Heaven (Tian), that which possesses form is called Earth (Di), and that which exists between the two is called Humanity (Ren). Humans are born by receiving the central qi of Heaven and Earth, and none do not assume form by inheriting the Yin and Yang Qi. Therefore, the Six Qi (Six climatic factors) weave through the sky, and the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) adhere to the earth, while humans silently emulate them. Thus, the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian is located at the Si position, and the Hand Jueyin Pericardium (Note: Text says Right Kidney, but contextually refers to Jueyin source or Triple Burner origin in some interpretations, here translated as Hand Jueyin Right Kidney per text) is located at the Hai position. Si and Hai are the gates of Heaven and Earth, so Wind-Wood transforms there. The Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian is located at the Zi position, and the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian is located at the Wu position. Zi and Wu obtain the true center of Heaven and Earth, so the Position of Ministerial Fire (Jun Huo) is established. The Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian is located at the Wei position, and the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian is located at the Chou position. Chou and Wei are the root and tip of storage and return, so Damp-Earth guards there. The Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian is located at the Yin position, and the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao (Triple Burner) Meridian is located at the Shen position. Yin and Shen grasp the beginning and end of generation and transformation, so Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo) adheres there. The Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian is located at the You position, and the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian is located at the Mao position. Mao and You are the paths of the sun and moon, so Dry-Metal moves there. The Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian is located at the Chen position, and the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian is located at the Xu position. Chen and Xu are the positions of the Seven Luminary Stars' Kui and Gang, so Cold-Water pours there. This is the mutual offering of the Three Powers (Heaven, Earth, Humanity), the interdependence of the Two Qi (Yin and Yang), an unchangeable truth, clear as pointing to one's palm. As for the Five Elements and Six Qi, they merely assist each other in generation, following a natural order without exception. For example, Jueyin Wind-Wood generates Shaoyin Ministerial Fire; Ministerial Fire generates Taiyin Damp-Earth; Damp-Earth generates Shaoyang Ministerial Fire; Ministerial Fire generates Yangming Dry-Metal; Dry-Metal generates Taiyang Cold-Water. Following the Way of Heaven rotating to the right, this is what is called "Yun Ying" (Movement and Operation). One might ask: Ministerial Fire generates Earth, Earth again generates Ministerial Fire, and Ministerial Fire again generates Metal; what is the meaning of this? This is the Dao of Generation. Once Ministerial Fire has flared up, with ashes spreading and extinguishing, it cannot exist without Earth (as fuel/container); one never sees empty space gathering fire. Metal in ore cannot be extracted without fire. Therefore, in the He Tu diagram, Fire 7 resides in the West Chamber, and Metal 9 resides in the South Chamber, likely mutually manifesting their capacity to achieve function. If deduced from a single nature, nothing is lacking. Thus, wood burned becomes fire, squeezed becomes water; stone struck produces fire, melted becomes water. Within continents, rivers compete to flow; within the great sea, firelight often rises. These are all inherent in nature, so why doubt fire in earth and metal in fire? Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water—this is the constant measure, known to all; whereas Wind, Summer-heat, Dampness, Dryness, Cold are called the standard of measurement (Kui Du), few can clearly describe their forms. Therefore, comparing Wood to Wind, Fire to Summer-heat, Earth to Dampness, Metal to Dryness, and Water to Cold, and still matching the upper and lower Qi with the Hand and Foot Three Yin and Three Yang meridians, this is called the "Qi Du" (Odd Measure). Furthermore, the Five Elements are distinct from one another, having righteous Qi, excess, and deficiency. Since Heaven and Earth's Qi transformation is thus, so too are human Zang-Fu organs. When illness arises from pathogenic influence, whether external evil, intrinsic Qi imbalance, or congenital constitution, one must deduce by analogy and regulate according to these three measures. Who but a scholar who devotes their mind to understanding the Great Dao could accomplish this?