Library

The pulse is formed by inheriting the essence of Yin, Yang, and the Five Elements (Wu Xing), and its function relies on the transmission of Jing Wei (Essence and Qi) from food and water. Thus, it corresponds to the mechanism of opening and closing, with regular beats during respiration, revealing the principles of reversal and smoothness, and possessing spiritual efficacy in determining auspiciousness and misfortune. Its source lies in the moving Qi between the kidneys below the navel, acting like a bellows鼓动 (drumming/pumping) below. Its flow benefits from the refined Qi of dietary intake in the Stomach, coordinating with respiration above. Therefore, during exhalation, the Heart and Lung dominate, and the pulse beats twice; during inhalation, the Kidney and Liver dominate, and the pulse also beats twice. One exhalation and one inhalation constitute one "Xi" (respiratory cycle), during which the pulse beats four times.

The Spleen and Stomach belong to Earth, providing sustenance for all things. When food enters the Stomach, the Grain Qi boils and rushes upward to the diaphragm. The clear part transforms into Ying Blood (Nutritive Blood), and the turbid part becomes Wei Qi (Defensive Qi). This is first received by the Lung, travels along the meridians, and emerges at the Cun Kou (Inch Position) of both wrists. It surges smoothly to nourish the various meridians. Since Earth's nature is harmonious and compliant, the pulse is fundamentally moderate/sluggish (Huan). It integrates among the Four Zang Organs and thus has no specific name, serving as the master of harmony, preventing the Four Zang and Four Seasons from showing extreme bias. Hence, humans rely on Stomach Qi as the root. However, the form of the pulse's movement reflects the state of Qi and Blood circulation and surging. The Classics state: "Blood without Qi stagnates and does not move; Qi without Blood scatters and lacks foundation." Qi is like a bellows, Blood is like waves; when wind blows, water moves; when Qi moves, Blood flows. Thus, the pulse derives its spirit from this Qi and Blood.

Qi and Blood are generated based on the quantity of dietary intake by the Spleen and Stomach. Stomach Qi is rooted in the prosperity or decline of Yuan Qi (Original Qi). The reception and transmission of food depend on the conveying functions of the Lung and Large Intestine. Although all Twelve Meridians have arterial pulses, they all revere this Stomach Qi. Grain Qi rushes upward, and the Lung receives it first. Shaped like a canopy, the Lung is hollow to house Qi, as all Twelve Meridians converge here, making it the ancestor of all vessels. Therefore, when food enters the Stomach, its Qi and Blood ride upon Stomach Qi to penetrate the Twelve Meridian vessels, like tides pouring into hundred rivers. The clear part becomes Ying Blood, governed by the Heart, emerging first at the Ren Ying position of the Left Hand Cun Kou, then descending to the three positions. The turbid part becomes Wei Qi, governed by the Lung, filling the Qi Kou position of the Right Hand Cun Kou, then descending to the three positions. The Classics state: "Pulses congregate at Tai Yuan." Tai Yuan is the name of a point on the Lung Meridian, located at the Cun Kou position of both hands.

However, all Twelve Meridians have pulsations. For example, the Large Intestine Meridian pulses at Ren Ying near Jie Bang; the Stomach Meridian pulses at Chong Yang; the Spleen Meridian pulses at Ji Men; the Heart Meridian pulses at Shen Men; the Small Intestine Meridian pulses at Ting Gong; the Bladder Meridian pulses at Wei Zhong; the Kidney Meridian pulses at Tai Xi; the Pericardium Meridian pulses at Tian Chi and Lao Gong; the San Jiao Meridian pulses at He Liao; the Gallbladder Meridian pulses at Ting Hui; the Liver Meridian pulses at Tai Chong. These are the Twelve Meridians having arterial pulses. We exclusively select the Cun Kou to determine the life, death, auspiciousness, and misfortune of the Five Zang and Six Fu Organs because all other pulses converge at the Hand Taiyin (Lung) Meridian, forming the great assembly of pulses. However, Zang Qi cannot reach the Hand Taiyin Meridian on its own; it must arrive there via Stomach Qi. It is also said: "Even if the Cun and Guan pulses are absent, if the Chi pulse is unceasing, coming and going evenly, and the pulse at the ankle does not cease, such a flow, why worry about demise?" From this, we see that the Lung is the master of Qi, the pulse is the body of Qi, Stomach is the function of the pulse, and the Kidney is the root of Qi.

The *Ling Shu* states: "Among the Twelve Meridians, only the Hand Taiyin, Foot Shaoyin, and Yangming [Meridians] pulse continuously without rest. Why?" The Lung Meridian pulses without rest because Ying Qi follows Zong Qi (Gathering Qi) to travel through the various meridians, and the Qi of all meridians converges at the Lung. The Stomach Meridian pulses without rest because Wei Qi originates from the Stomach and circulates endlessly. The Kidney Meridian pulses without rest because the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) runs parallel with the Kidney Meridian and circulates endlessly. This is why they differ from the other meridians!

On the left hand, the area one division before the Guan corresponds to Ren Ying, representing the Liver and Gallbladder positions, used to observe injuries caused by the Six Excesses (Six Evils: Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire), as well as improper lifestyle, and contracting abnormal Qi from seasonal epidemics. Whenever the pulse is tight and vigorous, it indicates injury from Cold, belonging to syndromes of excess due to external contraction.

On the right hand, the area one division before the Guan corresponds to Qi Kou, representing the Spleen and Stomach positions, used to observe injuries caused by the Seven Emotions (Joy, Anger, Worry, Thought, Grief, Fear, Fright), as well as sexual exhaustion, hard labor, and irregular diet. Whenever the pulse is tight and vigorous, it indicates injury from food, belonging to syndromes of deficiency due to internal damage.