黄帝问于岐伯曰。余闻人之合于天道也。内有五脏。以应五音五色五时五味五位也。外有六腑。以应六律。六律建
阴阳诸经。而合之十二月。十二辰。十二节。十二经水。十二时。十二经脉者。此五脏六腑之所以应天道。夫十二经脉
者。人之所以生。病之所以成。人之所以治。病之所以起。学之所始。工之所止也。粗之所易。上之所难也。请问其离
合出入奈何。岐伯稽首再拜曰。明乎哉问也。此粗之所过。上之所息也。请卒言之。足太阳之正别入于 中。其一道下
尻五寸。别入于肛。属于膀胱散之肾。循膂。当心入散。直者。从膂上出于项。复属于太阳。此为一经也。足少阴之正。
至中。别走太阳而合。上至肾。当十四 。出属带脉。直者。系舌本。复出于项。合于太阳。此为一合成。以诸阴之
别。皆为正也。足少阳之正绕髀。入毛际。合于厥阴。别者。入季胁之间。循胸里。属胆。散之肝。上贯心。以上挟咽。
出颐颔中。散于面。系目系。合少阳于外 也。足厥阴之正。别跗上。上至毛际。合于少阳。与别俱行。此为二合也。
足阳明之正。上至髀入于腹里。属胃。散之脾。上通于心。上循咽。出于口。上 。还系目系。合于阳明也。足太阴
之正。上至髀。合于阳明。与别俱行。上结于咽。贯舌中。此为三合也。手太阳之正。指地。别于肩解。入腋。走心。
系小肠也。手少阴之正。别入于渊腋两筋之间。属于心。上走喉咙。出于面。合目内 。此为四合也。手少阳之正。指
天。别于巅。入缺盆。下走三焦。散于胸中也。手心主之正。别下渊腋三寸。入胸中。别属三焦。出循喉咙。出耳后。
合少阳完骨之下。此为五合也。手阳明之正。从手循膺乳。别于肩 。入柱骨。下走大肠。属于肺。上循喉咙。出缺盆。
合于阳明也。手太阴之正。别入渊腋少阴之前。入走肺。散之太阳。上出缺盆。循喉咙。复合阳明。此六合也。
据事直书条理分明疏畅之中自见苍老。通篇无一字非实事。无一句不排比。却无一字一句板滞者。叹其笔力之清雄
也。
Huangdi asked Qibo, saying: "I have heard that humans correspond to the Heavenly Dao. Internally, there are the Five Zang Organs (Five Zang Organs), which correspond to the Five Tones, Five Colors, Five Seasons, Five Flavors, and Five Positions; externally, there are the Six Fu Organs (Six Fu Organs), which correspond to the Six Lv (Six Pitch-pipes). The establishment of the Six Lv constructs the Yin and Yang meridians, which combine with the Twelve Months, Twelve Earthly Branches, Twelve Solar Terms, Twelve Rivers, and Twelve Double-hours. These Twelve Primary Meridians (Twelve Primary Meridians) are how the Five Zang and Six Fu organs correspond to the Heavenly Dao.
These Twelve Primary Meridians are the basis of human life, the cause of disease formation, the method of treatment, the origin of disease onset, the beginning of learning, and the limit of skilled craftsmanship. They are overlooked by mediocre practitioners but are difficult for superior practitioners. I ask about their separation, convergence, emergence, and entry. How does this work?
Qibo bowed twice and said: 'Your question is indeed clear! This is where mediocre practitioners err and where superior practitioners pause to reflect. Let me briefly explain it.
The Zheng-branch (Regular Branch) of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian enters the popliteal fossa. One branch descends five cun below the sacrum, separately enters the anus, belongs to the Bladder, and scatters in the Kidney. It follows the spinal muscles, disperses at the heart level; the straight branch ascends from the spinal muscles to emerge at the nape, rejoining the Foot-Taiyang channel. This constitutes one meridian.
The Zheng-branch of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian reaches the popliteal fossa, separately joins the Foot-Taiyang channel and converges with it. It ascends to the Kidney, emerges at the level of the fourteenth thoracic vertebra, and belongs to the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel); the straight branch ties to the root of the tongue, re-emerges at the nape, and converges with the Foot-Taiyang channel. This forms the first convergence of Yin and Yang. Because the separate branches of all Yin meridians are called 'Zheng' (Regular/Branch).
The Zheng-branch of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian circles the lateral thigh, enters the pubic region, and converges with the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. Another branch enters the space between the costal cartilages and hypochondrium, follows the interior of the chest, belongs to the Gallbladder, scatters in the Liver, pierces through the Heart, ascends along the sides of the pharynx, emerges in the middle of the jaw, scatters on the face, ties to the eye system, and converges with the Foot-Shaoyang channel at the outer canthus.
The Zheng-branch of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian separately emerges above the dorsum of the foot, ascends to the pubic region, converges with the Foot-Shaoyang channel, and travels together with its separate branch. This is the second convergence.
The Zheng-branch of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian ascends to the thigh, enters the abdominal cavity, belongs to the Stomach, scatters in the Spleen, connects upward to the Heart, follows the pharynx upward, emerges from the mouth, ascends to the eyes, returns to tie to the eye system, and converges with the Foot-Yangming channel.
The Zheng-branch of the Foot-Taipin Spleen Meridian ascends to the thigh, converges with the Foot-Yangming channel, travels together with its separate branch, knots at the pharynx, and penetrates the middle of the tongue. This is the third convergence.
The Zheng-branch of the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian points downward to the earth, separates at the shoulder joint, enters the axilla, travels to the Heart, and ties to the Small Intestine.
The Zheng-branch of the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian separately enters between the two tendons below the Yuanye point, belongs to the Heart, ascends to the throat, emerges on the face, and converges at the inner canthus of the eye. This is the fourth convergence.
The Zheng-branch of the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian points upward to the heaven, separates at the vertex, enters the Supraclavicular Fossa, descends to travel through the Sanjiao, and scatters in the chest cavity.
The Zheng-branch of the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian separately descends three cun below the Yuanye point, enters the chest cavity, separately belongs to the Sanjiao, emerges and follows the throat upward, emerges behind the ear, and converges with the Hand-Shaoyang channel below the Wanggu point. This is the fifth convergence.
The Zheng-branch of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian travels from the hand along the chest and breast, separates at the Jianyu point, enters the vertebral column, descends to travel through the Large Intestine, belongs to the Lung, follows the throat upward, emerges from the Supraclavicular Fossa, and converges with the Hand-Yangming channel.
The Zheng-branch of the Hand-Taipin Lung Meridian separately enters anterior to the Hand-Shaoyin channel below the Yuanye point, travels into the Lung, scatters in the Large Intestine, emerges upward from the Supraclavicular Fossa, follows the throat upward, and again converges with the Hand-Yangming channel. This is the sixth convergence.
This text records facts directly, with clear logic and smooth flow, revealing a vigorous and mature style within its clarity. Not a single word in the entire passage is not factual, nor is any sentence not parallel in structure, yet no word or sentence feels rigid or stagnant. One must sigh at the clarity and heroism of its literary power."