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The floating pulse (Fú Mài, Floating Pulse) indicates exterior syndromes, associated with wind, deficiency, or summerheat. A floating and scattered pulse relates to the Heart; a floating, short, and choppy pulse relates to the Lung; a floating and rapid pulse indicates heat. If a floating and rapid pulse is present but the patient experiences aversion to cold instead of fever, it indicates carbuncles and sores (Chuāng Jū). A floating pulse at the left Cun position indicates wind-stroke with fever, headache, and dizziness. A floating pulse at the left Guan position indicates abdominal distension. A floating pulse at the left Chi position indicates wind-heat in the Bladder, with red and scanty urine. A floating pulse at the right Cun position indicates wind-stroke with wheezing, coughing, and clear nasal discharge. A floating pulse at the right Guan position indicates Spleen deficiency with central fullness. A floating pulse at the right Chi position indicates wind-dryness in the Lower Jiao, with constipation of the Large Intestine.

The deep pulse (Chén Mài, Deep Pulse) indicates interior syndromes, where pathogenic factors reside in the Zang organs. A deep and fine pulse indicates shortness of breath; a deep and slippery pulse indicates retained food; a deep and slow pulse indicates chronic cold or pain due to cold qi. A deep pulse at the Cun position indicates retention of cold drinks and fluids in the chest. A deep pulse at the Guan position indicates hypochondriac pain. A deep pulse at the Chi position indicates cold in the lower back and pain in the feet. If carbuncles and sores present with a deep pulse, it indicates that the pathogenic factor is deep-seated, making it difficult to treat, though slightly more manageable after ulceration.

The slow pulse (Chí Mài, Slow Pulse) indicates syndromes of Qi and Blood deficiency, associated with cold and deficiency. If acquired in a new illness, it indicates severe deficiency of healthy Qi; if acquired in a chronic illness, it may be treatable. A slow pulse at the Cun position indicates shortness of breath. A slow pulse at the Guan position indicates Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold with anorexia. A slow pulse at the Chi position indicates Kidney deficiency with turbid urine in men, and amenorrhea in women; generally, it indicates Cold of the Zang organs with diarrhea, lower abdominal pain, and heaviness in the waist and legs.

Rapid (Shuò Mài, Rapid Pulse) indicates heat, fire, carbuncles and sores, vexation and thirst, and dryness with constipation. A floating and rapid pulse indicates exterior heat; a deep and rapid pulse indicates interior heat. A rapid pulse with force indicates excess heat; a rapid pulse without force indicates dryness. If a rapid pulse appears in a person without illness, it suggests latent toxic sores. A rapid pulse at the Cun position indicates Fire in the head and eyes. A rapid pulse at the Guan position indicates Spleen Heat with bad breath, Stomach Fire with vomiting and reflux, eye heat, and Liver Fire. A rapid pulse at the Chi position indicates yellow urine and constipation.

The slippery pulse (Huá Mài, Slippery Pulse) indicates syndromes of Phlegm-Qi, Phlegm-vomiting, and Phlegm-reversal. In women, a slippery pulse in the Taiyin position indicates pregnancy accompanied by vomiting. In healthy individuals, a slippery yet weak pulse indicates the presence of Stomach Qi and no disease.

The choppy pulse (Sè Mài, Choppy Pulse) indicates deficiency syndromes, associated with deficiency, Essence injury, stagnant blood, and Qi consumption. A choppy pulse at the Cun position indicates Yang deficiency headache. A choppy pulse at the Guan position indicates abdominal pain, where Spleen Qi fails to transport and transform, leading to indigestion. A choppy pulse at the Chi position indicates numbness in the feet, and heavy, weak sensation in the waist and knees, making walking difficult. In women, a choppy pulse without pregnancy indicates Blood deficiency; with pregnancy, it indicates fetal pain.

The deficient pulse (Xū Mài, Deficient Pulse) indicates insufficiency, with both Blood and Qi being weak, leading to poor appetite, fatigue in the four limbs, spontaneous sweating, and night sweats. A deficient pulse at the Cun position indicates symptoms of fright, terror, and mental confusion. A deficient pulse at the Guan position indicates Spleen and Stomach dysfunction with anorexia. A deficient pulse at the Chi position indicates insufficient Kidney Water with seminal emission.

The excess pulse (Shí Mài, Excess Pulse) indicates surplus conditions. It indicates Qi stagnation, food accumulation with internal pain, hidden Yang within, dry feces, and delirious speech. In a healthy person, a large and excess pulse suggests impending dysentery, requiring purgation first. A healthy person with an excess pulse is not ill; however, for a patient, an excess pulse indicates flourishing pathogenic factors, as stated in the Classics: "When pathogenic factors are flourishing, there is excess." An excess pulse in a chronic illness is ominous. For patients with carbuncles and sores, an excess pulse requires urgent purgation because the pathogenic factor is in the interior.

The surging pulse (Hóng Mài, Surging Pulse) indicates syndromes of Blood excess and accumulated heat, associated with carbuncles, dryness-heat, flourishing Fire, dry mouth and thirst, and difficulty in urination and defecation. In a healthy person, a surging and large pulse indicates the arrival of disease, which should first be cleared and drained.

The fine pulse (Xì Mài, Fine Pulse) indicates deficiency syndromes, including Yuan Qi deficiency, damp diarrhea, loss of Essence, and bone萎 (withering) due to cold-dampness. For patients with Phlegm-Fire, a fine and rapid pulse is ominous.

The long pulse (Cháng Mài, Long Pulse) indicates excess Qi, internal excess, and body heat with sweating. In Shanghan (Cold Damage), a long pulse indicates that sweating will occur naturally, resolving the condition. A long and moderate pulse indicates recovery from all diseases.

The short pulse (Duǎn Mài, Short Pulse) indicates deficiency of Qi and Blood, internal deficiency, shortness of breath, retained food stagnation, and weak Stomach Qi. A short pulse indicates Qi pathology; all diseases presenting with a short pulse are difficult to treat due to insufficiency of True Qi.

The tight pulse (Jǐn Mài, Tight Pulse) indicates flourishing pathogenic factors and various pains. A floating and tight pulse with body pain can be treated with sweating; a deep and tight pulse with abdominal pain can be treated with purgation. The tight pulse also indicates masses and accumulations. Generally, tight pulses are mostly associated with pain and accumulations.

The moderate pulse (Huǎn Mài, Moderate Pulse) is the pulse of Stomach Qi, indicating peace and health. A floating and moderate pulse indicates Wind pathogen causing skin insensitivity. A middle moderate pulse indicates harmonious Stomach Qi. In any illness, the appearance of a moderate pulse indicates spontaneous recovery without treatment. For all diseases, a moderate pulse indicates impending recovery, as Stomach Qi returns.

The hurried pulse (Cù Mài, Hurried Pulse) indicates excessive Yang unable to harmonize with Yin, blazing Fire, Phlegm obstruction, depression, and unsmooth flow of Qi and Blood. If unchecked, it leads to carbuncles, ulcers, macules, and rashes. The hurried pulse is due to Yang excess; if it recedes, it is good; if it persists, it is critical.

The knotted pulse (Jié Mài, Knotted Pulse) indicates excessive Yin preventing Yang from entering, excessive overthinking, insufficient Spleen Qi, retained food stagnation, discomfort in the four limbs, Qi obstruction, and Yin coagulation leading to knotting.

The intermittent pulse (Dài Mài, Intermittent Pulse) indicates that the Qi of one Zang organ cannot move; when it reaches its corresponding position, there is a pause, while other Zang organs compensate. This indicates exhaustion of Yuan Qi and is fatal in dying persons. However, pregnant women may also have an intermittent pulse, indicating a fetus of over two months. This pulse is not reliable in cases of severe pain.

The firm pulse (Láo Mài, Firm Pulse) is deep and forceful, moving immovably. It indicates imminent exhaustion of Yuan Qi and is ominous. It indicates panting and shortness of breath, edema of the skin, and extreme emotions. A firm and rapid pulse indicates fever; a firm and slow pulse indicates chills; irregular slowness and speed indicate alternating chills and fever. Appearance of a firm pulse is critical.

The wiry pulse (Xián Mài, Wiry Pulse) indicates flourishing pathogenic factors. A wiry and moderate pulse is normal; a wiry and tight pulse indicates pain. The wiry pulse indicates malaria and accumulations. A wiry pulse at the Cun position indicates headache; at the Guan position, hypochondriac and abdominal pain; at the Chi position, hernia pain.

The drum-skin pulse (Gé Mài, Drum-Skin Pulse) indicates deficiency. It is deep, hidden, solid, and large like a drum skin. It represents deviation from normal measures, failure of Yin and Yang interaction, uterine bleeding or prolapse, miscarriage in pregnancy, distension and fullness, lower collapse, and diseases caused by Wind-stroke and dampness invasion.

The scallion-stalk pulse (Kōu Mài, Scallion-Stalk Pulse) indicates deficiency and blood loss. A scallion-stalk pulse at the Cun position indicates vomiting and epistaxis. At the Guan position, hematemesis. At the Chi position, lower bleeding.

The minute pulse (Wēi Mài, Minute Pulse) indicates deficiency of Qi and Blood. In chronic illness, a minute pulse is easy to treat. In healthy people, a minute pulse indicates deficiency, and supplementation is appropriate. A minute pulse at the Cun position indicates Heart deficiency with shortness of breath and aversion to cold. At the Guan position, Spleen and Stomach deficiency with poor appetite and limb weakness. At the Chi position, diarrhea, scanty Essence, and metrorrhagia.

The weak pulse (Ruò Mài, Weak Pulse) indicates deficiency of Qi and Blood, though better than the minute pulse. Appearance of a weak pulse also warrants supplementation. If physical Qi is strong but the pulse is weak, it is critical; otherwise, it brings disaster. Both pulses indicate severe deficiency.

The pulsating pulse (Dòng Mài, Pulsating Pulse) indicates unrest of Shen Qi, indicating fright, palpitations, and terror, as well as blood loss and consumptive fatigue.

The hidden pulse (Fú Mài, Hidden Pulse) indicates masses and accumulations with unsmooth Qi, retained food and痞气 (masses), uterine masses in women, non-movement of True Qi, and accumulation of pathogenic factors.

The soggy pulse (Rú Mài, Soggy Pulse) indicates deficiency of Qi and Blood, exterior deficiency with profuse sweating, timidity and lack of strength, and damp diarrhea due to dampness injury. A soggy pulse at the Cun position indicates palpitations. At the Guan position, poor appetite. At the Chi position, diarrhea and exhaustion of Yuan Qi.