春弦 夏洪（一曰数一曰钩） 秋毛（一曰潘一曰浮） 冬石（一曰沉）
初之气∶自大寒日至春分，厥阴风木之阳用事，而气微。
故曰冬至后日甲子少阳主，然冬至甲子斯无常准，以大约分之∶一月如
在冬后，即大寒交初气之分也。一岁六周甲子，以应六气。下皆仿此。（一气正月、二月也）
脉乍大、乍小、乍短、乍长，时物及风木之象也。
二之气∶春分至小满，少阴君火之位，阳气清正在两阳合明之间，故又云阳明主。
脉弦也。
三之气∶小满日至大暑，少阳相火之位，阳气万物皆盛，故亦云太阳主。
脉洪大而长，天气万物人脉与造化同。
四之气∶大暑日至秋分，太阴湿土之位，天气尚盛，而夏后阴已用事，故又
云太阴主。此三阴三阳与六气标本之阴阳异矣。
脉缓大而长。
或云紧大而长者，传写之误也。湿土主缓大而长，燥金主紧细而短涩，以万物干湿明可见焉。时
湿土盛，肤腠开通，汗液时泄，故脉虽大长而力缓，不能紧也。至秋后气衰，寒凉乍闭，故虽微细而力紧也。
五之气∶秋分日以至小雪，阳明燥金之位，气衰阴盛，故又云少阴主也。
脉紧细而微。
终之气（一曰六之气）∶小雪日以至大寒，太阳寒水之位，阴极而终尽，天气之
所收隐，故曰厥阴主。厥者尽也。
脉沉短以敦（敦，浓也）。
万物收藏在内，寒气闭塞而肤腠气液不能散越，故脉沉短而反有力，敦浓而如石也。
凡四时六位平脉大退，则时气有余而为病。
如春弦太过则风为病。
不及者气衰而为病。
四时脉微见为平，此言过微也，如秋脉微而兼夏脉之类也。
反见他脉者，他气有余而来为病也。
迟为寒，而数为热之类也。
Spring pulse is Xian (String-like); Summer pulse is Hong (Surging) (also referred to as Shu [Rapid] or Gou [Hook]); Autumn pulse is Mao (Feather-like) (also referred to as Pan [Floating down] or Fu [Superficial]); Winter pulse is Shi (Stone-like) (also referred to as Chen [Deep]).
First Qi: From Da Han (Great Cold) to Chun Fen (Spring Equinox), the Yang of Jue Yin Wind Wood is in charge, but the Qi is slight.
Therefore it is said that after Dong Zhi (Winter Solstice), the first Jia Zi day is governed by Shao Yang (Lesser Yang). However, the Jia Zi of Dong Zhi has no fixed standard; roughly dividing it: if the first month falls after winter, it marks the transition of Da Han into the First Qi. There are six cycles of Jia Zi in a year, corresponding to the Six Qi. The following examples follow this pattern. (One Qi corresponds to the first and second lunar months.)
The pulse may suddenly become large, small, short, or long; these are images of seasonal phenomena and Wind Wood.
Second Qi: From Chun Fen (Spring Equinox) to Xiao Man (Grain Buds), it is the position of Shao Yin Sovereign Fire. The Yang Qi is clear and upright, situated between the combination of two Yangs, so it is also said that Yang Ming (Bright Yang) governs.
The pulse is Xian (String-like).
Third Qi: From Xiao Man (Grain Buds) to Da Shu (Great Heat), it is the position of Shao Yang Minister Fire. The Yang Qi causes all things to flourish, so it is also said that Tai Yang (Greater Yang) governs.
The pulse is Hong (Surging), large, and long. The weather, all things, and human pulses align with creation/nature.
Fourth Qi: From Da Shu (Great Heat) to Qiu Fen (Autumn Equinox), it is the position of Tai Yin Damp Earth. The heavenly Qi is still vigorous, but Yin Qi has begun to govern after summer, so it is also said that Tai Yin (Greater Yin) governs. This differs from the Yin-Yang of the root and branch of the Three Yin and Three Yang relative to the Six Qi.
The pulse is Huan (Lax), large, and long.
Some say it is Jin (Tight), large, and long, which is a transcription error. Damp Earth governs Huan (Lax), large, and long; Dry Metal governs Jin (Tight), fine, short, and choppy. This can be clearly seen in the dryness and dampness of all things. When Damp Earth is prosperous, skin pores are open, and sweat is frequently secreted; thus, although the pulse is large and long, its force is lax and cannot be tight. After autumn, when Qi declines and cold/chill suddenly closes the exterior, although the pulse may be slightly fine, its force becomes tight.
Fifth Qi: From Qiu Fen (Autumn Equinox) to Xiao Xue (Minor Snow), it is the position of Yang Ming Dry Metal. Qi declines and Yin becomes prosperous, so it is also said that Shao Yin (Lesser Yin) governs.
The pulse is Jin (Tight), fine, and subtle.
Final Qi (also called Sixth Qi): From Xiao Xue (Minor Snow) to Da Han (Great Cold), it is the position of Tai Yang Cold Water. Yin reaches its extreme and ends; the heavenly Qi collects and hides, so it is said that Jue Yin (Terminal Yin) governs. "Jue" means exhaustion/end.
The pulse is Chen (Deep), short, and Dun (Thick/Solid) (Dun means dense/thick).
All things store energy inwardly; cold Qi blocks the exterior, preventing Qi and fluids from dissipating through the skin pores. Thus, the pulse is Chen (Deep) and short, yet possesses force, appearing Dun (Thick/Solid) and heavy like stone.
If the Ping Mai (Level Pulse) of the four seasons and six positions significantly declines, it indicates excess seasonal Qi causing disease.
For example, if Spring Xian (String-like) pulse is excessive, Wind causes disease.
If it is insufficient, declining Qi causes disease.
A slight manifestation of seasonal pulses constitutes a Ping Mai (Level Pulse); here, "excessively slight" refers to cases such as an Autumn pulse that is slight yet accompanied by Summer pulse characteristics.
If contrary pulses appear, it indicates that another Qi is in excess and causing disease.
Chi (Slow) indicates Cold, and Shu (Rapid) indicates Heat, and so on.