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It is said: Human beings are born from the Qi of Heaven and Earth, and their formation follows the laws of the Four Seasons. Thus, there are five Zang organs and six Fu organs, four limbs, twelve meridians, and 365 acupoints, corresponding to the Five Movements and Six Qi, the four seasons and twelve months, and the degrees of the celestial sphere. The changes of Yin and Yang flow in harmony with Heaven and Earth. If one deviates from the nature of Qi and goes against the principles, Yin and Yang will become chaotic, the Zang and Fu organs will be imbalanced, the pulse flow will vary in speed, and Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi will lose their regulation, giving rise to various diseases. Without pulse diagnosis, it is impossible to explore profound and hidden pathologies. The so-called pulse is the primordial Yuan Qi of true nature and the spirit of living beings. When the spirit departs, the pulse principle ceases. Therefore, the sages of ancient times, by observing nature and examining forms, dissected and distinguished the Zang and Fu organs, detailed the meridians, integrated internal and external aspects, recorded their characteristics, and named each acupoint. Those skilled in pulse diagnosis calmly contemplate its meaning, observe changes in the unseen, unite spirit with spirit, and attain solitary enlightenment that cannot be expressed in words. First, distinguish Yin and Yang, examine clarity and turbidity, and know the location of the disease. Observe breathing and listen to sounds to understand the origin of the disease. What is meant by Yin and Yang here: what moves out with exhalation is Yang; what enters with inhalation is Yin. What is active is Yang, characterized by a pounding and restless pulse; what is quiet is Yin, characterized by a deep and silent pulse. What is rapid (Shu) is Yang, defined as six beats per breath cycle; what is slow (Chi) is Yin, defined as fewer than three beats per cycle. Within the Three Regions and Nine Locations, inspect the pulse form. If there is a unique abnormality—such as being exclusively large, small, rapid, or slow, or not corresponding to the Four Seasons—that is the site of the disease.

The Cun Kou pulse on the left hand, when lightly palpated (Fu), corresponds to the Small Intestine as a Fu organ; when deeply palpated (Chen), it corresponds to the Heart as a Zang organ, associated with the Hand Taiyang and Hand Shaoyin meridians. The Guan position pulse on the left hand, when lightly palpated, corresponds to the Gallbladder as a Fu organ; when deeply palpated, it corresponds to the Liver as a Zang organ, associated with the Foot Shaoyang and Foot Jueyin meridians. The Chi position pulse on the left hand, when lightly palpated, corresponds to the Bladder as a Fu organ; when deeply palpated, it corresponds to the Kidney as a Zang organ, associated with the Foot Taiyang and Foot Shaoyin meridians. The Cun Kou pulse on the right hand, when lightly palpated, corresponds to the Large Intestine as a Fu organ; when deeply palpated, it corresponds to the Lung as a Zang organ, associated with the Hand Taiyin and Hand Yangming meridians. The Guan position pulse on the right hand, when lightly palpated, corresponds to the Stomach as a Fu organ; when deeply palpated, it corresponds to the Spleen as a Zang organ, associated with the Foot Taiyin and Foot Yangming meridians. The Chi position pulse on the right hand, when lightly palpated, corresponds to the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) as a Fu organ; when deeply palpated, it corresponds to the Pericardium (Xin Bao Luo) and also the Right Kidney, associated with the Hand Shaoyang and Foot Jueyin meridians.