Library

The acupuncture methods in the *Neijing* (Inner Canon) must integrate with Heaven and Earth, Yin and Yang, and the sun and moon to correspond with human body parts, thereby aligning with celestial patterns. These correspondences establish the appropriateness and taboos of needle manipulation. This constitutes the essence of the Dao of Acupuncture, which is crucially distinct from the mere conventional theory of meridians and collaterals.

The chapter "Shen Xing Ying Jiu Ye" (Body Shapes Corresponding to the Nine Regions) states: The left foot corresponds to Lichun (Start of Spring), on days Wu Yin and Ji Chou; the left hypochondrium corresponds to Chunfen (Spring Equinox), on day Yi Mao; the left hand corresponds to Lixia (Start of Summer), on days Wu Chen and Ji Si; the chest, throat, head, and neck correspond to Xiazhi (Summer Solstice), on day Bing Wu. On the right side, the hands, hypochondrium, feet, waist, sacrum, and lower orifices correspond to Autumn and Winter. The Six Fu organs and the three Zang organs below the diaphragm correspond to the Central Region (Earth). The Great Taboo days are those when Taiyi resides, as well as all Wu and Ji days; these are termed "Heaven's Taboos." These are the prohibitions that acupuncturists must necessarily seek out.

Furthermore, the area below the waist is regarded as Earth-Yin, corresponding to the twelve meridians of the feet to the twelve months of the year; the area above the waist is regarded as Heaven-Yang, corresponding to the ten fingers to the Ten Heavenly Stems. In relation to pulse diagnosis: Yin month is the first month, representing the generating Yang Qi, governing the Shaoyang meridian of the left foot; Wei month is the sixth month, governing the Shaoyang meridian of the right foot; Mao month is the second month, governing the Taiyang meridian of the left foot; Wu month is the fifth month, governing the Taiyang meridian of the right foot; Chen month is the third month, governing the Yangming meridian of the left foot; Si month is the fourth month, governing the Yangming meridian of the right foot. These two Yangs combine to create brightness, hence it is called Yangming. Shen month is the seventh month, representing the generating Yin Qi, governing the Shaoyin meridian of the right foot; Chou month is the twelfth month, governing the Shaoyin meridian of the left foot; You month is the eighth month, governing the Taiyin meridian of the right foot; Zi month is the eleventh month, governing the Taiyin meridian of the left foot; Xu month is the ninth month, governing the Jueyin meridian of the right foot; Hai month is the tenth month, governing the Jueyin meridian of the left foot. These two Yins intersect and exhaust themselves, hence it is called Jueyin. Essentially, this specific interpretation of Yangming and Jueyin is another viewpoint, integrating the twelve months into a yearly climate cycle, observed through the feet. This is also stated for the sake of acupuncturists, not implying that the substance and function of Zang and Fu organs should be understood thus.

While observing Qi is indispensable for acupuncturists, the most illogical practice is the later tradition of assigning the Ten Heavenly Stems to Zang and Fu organs and pairing them as Yin-Yang husband and wife. This is neither the intent of acupuncture nor does it conform to the constant principles of Zang-Fu physiology. This theory originated with the Shaoyang Gallbladder. Although the Gallbladder indeed belongs to the initial Qi of Eastern Shaoyang, the Qi of Jia should originate at Zi hour and reach its official position at Yin hour, which is actually where Jueyin Wind-Wood begins. Although the Qi resides in the Gallbladder, it starts from Jueyin. Moreover, Yi Wood is soft wood residing in the Mao position, which truly represents the Qi of the Gallbladder. Yet, current Jia-Gua assignment claims that rigid Jia belongs to the Gallbladder and soft Yi belongs to the Liver. What kind of reasoning is this?

Bing Fire is Sun Fire, representing the divine illumination of the Heart, and its master is the Taiyang meridian; Ding Fire is the fire used daily, i.e., Ministerial Fire. Therefore, Ministerial Fire is located in the Yangming Sanjiao (Triple Burner), while Bing Fire is in the Guangming region. Now it is said that Bing belongs to the Small Intestine and Ding belongs to the Heart. Can Ding belong to Sovereign Fire? The Classic states: "The Small Intestine is the envoy of the Heart." Should the "envoy" belong to Bing, while the "master" belongs to Ding? Furthermore, according to the husband-wife analogy, would the "master" become the wife and the "envoy" become the husband?

As for assigning Wu to the Stomach and Ji to the Spleen: The Spleen functions through dryness and vigorous transformation, yet is assigned to Ji Earth; the Stomach is the sea of water and grain, yet is assigned to Wu Earth. One might argue that the Spleen transports fluids for the Stomach, offering some justification for the wife analogy. However, assigning Geng to the Large Intestine and Xin to the Lung is even more unreasonable. The Lung resides superiorly, receiving the influence of Heart-Fire in summer, and in early autumn becomes the master of Yuan Qi, yet is assigned to Soft Metal (Xin). What is the Large Intestine that it can command the seasonal regulation of Roshou (autumnal harvesting) and bear the rigidity of Geng Metal to preside over the official position of autumn?

Ren is the source water of heaven, Gui is river water. The Kidney is Taiyin, the master of heavenly water, yet is paired with Gui; the Bladder stores water, yet is paired with Ren. Thus, miscellaneous waters are placed above the true primordial essence, which is indeed inverted and erroneous. The reason for this is likely the mistaken belief that Zang organs are Yin and Fu organs are Yang, failing to realize that Zang organs also generate Yang, and thus arbitrarily designating the Six Fu organs as husbands. Later scholars, unaware of this error, have perpetuated these inaccuracies as their profession. I do not know who initiated this theory, but it likely stems from a failure to study the *Neijing*.