帝曰∶针之长短有数乎？岐伯对曰∶一曰 针，取法于巾针，头大，末锐，去末寸半，
卒锐之，长一寸六分。二曰圆针，取法于絮针， 其身而卵其锋，针如卵形，圆其末，
长一寸六分。三曰 针，（ ，音低） 取法于黍粟之锐，长三寸半。四曰锋针，取法于
絮针， 其身，锋其末，刃三隅，长一寸六分。五曰铍针，取法于剑锋，末如剑，广二分
半，长四寸。六曰圆利针，取法于 针，且圆且锐，微大其末，反小其身，又曰中身
微大，长一寸六分。七曰毫针，取法于毫毛，尖如蚊虻喙，长一寸六分。八曰长针，取法于
綦针，锋利，身薄，长七寸。九曰大针，取法于锋针，尖如梃，其锋微圆，长四寸。针形
毕矣。此九针之长短也。
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针（平半寸，长一寸六分，头大末锐。其病热在头身，宜此。今之名箭头针是也。）
圆针（其身圆，锋如卵形，长一寸六分。肉分气满，宜此。今按摩家用之。）
针（其锋如黍粟之锐，长三寸五分，脉气虚少，宜此。）
锋针（其刃三隅，长一寸六分。泻热出血，宜此。今之所谓三棱针者是也。）
针（一名铍针，末如敛锋，广二分半，长四寸，破痈肿出脓。今名剑针是也。）
贝利针（尖如毫，且圆且利，中身微大，长一寸六分。调阴阳，去暴痹，飞经走气，今
之医常用之是也。）
毫针（法象毫尖，如蚊虻喙，长三寸六分，调经络，去疾病。）
长针（锋如利，长七寸。痹深居骨解腰脊节腠之间者，用之，今之名跳针是也。）
火针（一名燔针，长四寸。风虚肿毒，解肌排毒用之。）
The Yellow Emperor asked: Is there a fixed measure for the length of needles? Qibo replied: The first is the Chan needle (Chanzhen, 镵针), modeled after the pin used to secure caps. Its head is large, and its tip is sharp; it becomes sharply pointed halfway from the end. It is one inch and six fen long. The second is the Yuan needle (Yuánzhēn, 圆针), modeled after the sewing needle for cotton. Its body is cylindrical, and its tip is oval-shaped, resembling an egg. Its end is rounded, and it is one inch and six fen long. The third is the Di needle (Dīzhēn, 鍉针), modeled after the sharp point of millet grains. It is three inches and half a cun long. The fourth is the Feng needle (Fēngzhēn, 锋针), modeled after the sewing needle. Its body is cylindrical, its tip is sharp, and its blade has three edges. It is one inch and six fen long. The fifth is the Pi needle (Pīzhēn, 铍针), modeled after the edge of a sword. Its tip resembles a sword, with a width of two and a half fen, and a length of four cun. The sixth is the Yuanli needle (Yuánlìzhēn, 圆利针), modeled after the Hao needle. It is both round and sharp, with a slightly larger end and a slightly thinner body; some say the middle part is slightly larger. It is one inch and six fen long. The seventh is the Hao needle (Háozhēn, 毫针), modeled after fine hairs. Its tip is sharp like the proboscis of a mosquito or horsefly, and it is one inch and six fen long. The eighth is the Chang needle (Chángzhēn, 长针), modeled after the Qi needle. It is sharp and thin, and seven cun long. The ninth is the Da needle (Dàzhēn, 大针), modeled after the Feng needle. Its tip is like a club, with a slightly rounded edge, and it is four cun long. Thus, the forms of the nine needles are complete. This describes the lengths of the nine needles.
[Diagram of the Nine Needles]
Chan needle (Flat head half cun, total length one inch and six fen, large head and sharp tip. Suitable for heat in the head and body; this needle should be used. Now known as the arrowhead needle.)
Yuan needle (Cylindrical body, oval tip, total length one inch and six fen. Suitable for qi stagnation in muscle spaces; this needle should be used. Now used by massage practitioners.)
Di needle (Tip sharp like millet grains, total length three inches and five fen. Suitable for deficiency of pulse qi; this needle should be used.)
Feng needle (Blade with three edges, total length one inch and six fen. Used to drain heat and release blood; this needle should be used. Now known as the triangular needle.)
Pi needle (Also called Pi needle, tip like a sheathed sword edge, width two and a half fen, total length four cun. Used to lumb abscesses and drain pus. Now known as the sword needle.)
Yuanli needle (Tip like a hair, both round and sharp, middle part slightly larger, total length one inch and six fen. Regulates yin and yang, removes acute bi syndrome, promotes qi flow through meridians; commonly used by doctors today.)
Hao needle (Modeled after the tip of a hair, sharp like a mosquito's proboscis, total length three inches and six fen. Regulates meridians and eliminates disease.)
Chang needle (Sharp tip, total length seven cun. Used for deep-seated bi syndrome located between bones, waist, spine joints, and interstices; now known as the jumping needle.)
Fire needle (Also called Fan needle, total length four cun. Used for wind-deficiency swelling and toxicity to release muscle tension and detoxify.)