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The Yang pulse (pulse at the Cun position) is floating, large, and soft; the Yin pulse (pulse at the Chi position) is also floating, large, and soft. When the Yin pulse and the Yang pulse are of equal magnitude, it is named Huan pulse (Slow/Relaxed Pulse).

Cun belongs to Yang, and Chi belongs to Yin. Both the Cun and Chi positions exhibit a floating, large, and soft/moderate quality. The upper and lower parts are equal in degree, without deficiency on either side, and do not contend with each other; thus, the pulse is peaceful and relaxed.

Question: What does it mean when the pulse suddenly gathers and floats then sinks, called Hua pulse (Slippery Pulse)? The Master said: Sinking (Chen) represents pure Yin, while gathering/floating (Xi) represents correct Yang. When Yin and Yang harmonize and blend, the pulse becomes slippery. If the Guan and Chi pulses are naturally balanced, and the Yangming pulse is slightly sinking, digestion will be normal. If the Shaoyin pulse is slightly slippery, note that "slippery" here actually refers to a floating manifestation of a Tight pulse. This indicates an excess of Yin within the interior. The patient will inevitably experience sweating inside the thighs and dampness below the yin organs.

"Xi" implies a floating sensation. When the pulse is floating and suddenly sinks, this is termed Slippery. Sinking is pure Yin; Xi (floating) is correct Yang. When Yang Qi ascends to the Cun position, it manifests as Floating; when Yin Qi descends to the Chi position, it manifests as Sinking. When Yin and Yang harmonize, the pulse may float or sink yet still exhibit a slippery character. In such cases, the Guan and Chi pulses must naturally be balanced. The Guan position is the intersection of Yin and Yang and the midpoint between floating and sinking. If Guan is balanced, Yin and Yang harmonize to create a Slippery pulse; if Chi is balanced, the pulse sinks without appearing slippery. (Note: If Guan is balanced, the pulse is slippery; if Chi is balanced, the pulse is sinking. If Guan is unbalanced, the pulse sinks; if Chi is unbalanced, the pulse is slippery.) If Guan is unbalanced, the Yangming pulse is slightly sinking, indicating Yin Qi is slightly excessive but not severely so; digestion remains acceptable. If Chi is unbalanced, the Shaoyin pulse is slightly slippery. Although called "slippery," it is essentially a Tight pulse with a floating quality. This signifies Kidney Yin Excess, which fails to warm and ascend Liver Wood, causing Liver Qi to stagnate and move. Thus, the pulse appears slippery, but this is not the harmony of Yin and Yang. Instead, Liver Qi stagnates and agitates in the Lower Jiao, failing to fulfill its generating nature. The Wind-Wood Qi loses its proper dispersing function. Consequently, the patient experiences sweating inside the thighs and chronic dampness below the genitalia.

A pulse that is Floating and Tight is named Xian pulse (Wiry Pulse). The Wiry pulse feels like a bowstring; pressing it does not shift. A Tight pulse feels like a twisting rope, constantly changing.

Tightness indicates Cold. In Cold Damage (Shanghan), the pulse is tight because Cold has the nature of closure and storage, preventing dispersion. In winter, when Cold is severe, water freezes and the earth cracks; this illustrates the meaning of the Tight pulse. The Kidney governs hibernation and storage; therefore, the Chi pulse is Sinking and Tight. As it reaches the Guan position and becomes Floating and Tight, transforming into a Wiry pulse, this represents the sprouting phenomenon of Spring Wood. Although the Wiry pulse is firm upon pressure, it contains Floating within the Tightness, differing from the Sinking-Tight form, and lacks the ceaseless twisting motion of a Tight pulse. The "Floating of Tightness" mentioned in the previous chapter embodies this Wiry intent. If the Chi pulse, originally Sinking and Tight, suddenly becomes Slippery, it no longer solely indicates Sinking but also shows a Floating-ascending state. This is the Wiry pulse appearing at the Chi position. Since the Wiry pulse should appear at the Guan position but appears at Chi, it indicates that Wood Qi desires to ascend but cannot. Hence, it is named Slippery rather than Wiry. As the pulse gradually ascends to the Guan position, Yin and Yang become half-and-half, and Floating and Tight balance each other. It is no longer called Tight or Slippery, but directly named Wiry.