Library

Zhu Danxi said: Someone asked, "What is the cause of twins?" The answer was: It is because the Jing-Qi (vital essence and qi) is in surplus, splitting into two parts, and the Blood divides to nourish them. If a male and female fetus are conceived together, conception on a Yang day or Yang hour results in a male, while conception on a Yin day or Yin hour results in a female; if conception occurs during a time of mixed Yin and Yang, it does not belong to the left nor the right, but receives Qi between the two divisions. There are also triplets, quadruplets, quintuplets, and sextuplets, which follow the same principle.

The *Renjing Jing* (Mirror of Humanity) states: When Jing-Qi is abundant, twin males are formed. When Xue-Qi (Blood and Qi) is abundant, twin females are formed. When both Jing and Xue are abundant, one male and one female are formed. If Jing and Xue are scattered and divided, a male fetus may result. Or if Jing and Xue are mixed, a fetus that is neither male nor female may result. Such individuals cannot serve as fathers or mothers respectively. They do not possess pure Qi; if they are influenced by evil spirits or strange energies, they become anomalous beings.

Zhu Danxi said: Someone asked how to distinguish between "males who cannot be fathers," "females who cannot be mothers," and males with dual sexual characteristics (Jianxing). The answer was: Males who cannot be fathers suffer from a deficiency of the Yang Dao (male principle). Females who cannot be mothers suffer from an obstruction of the Yin Dao (female principle). Those with dual sexual characteristics are caused by the invasion of mixed/impure Qi (Boqi) into the Yin body, resulting in various forms. Some females have male physical features, while others have a female lower body but a complete male upper body; this represents a severe case of impurity. Someone asked: Does the invasion of mixed Qi occur only in the Yin region, yet produce such different forms? The answer was: The Yin body is deficient, making it susceptible to mixed Qi. Once invaded by mixed Qi, Yin and Yang become mixed without a dominant aspect, belonging neither to the left nor the right, receiving Qi between the two divisions. The resulting form depends on the severity of the mixed Qi received, hence the variations in physical characteristics.

Shen Zhai commented: The above three passages describe anomalies in conception, such as twins or fetuses that do not develop into normal male or female forms. These are all due to abnormalities in Yin and Yang and the influence of mixed Qi, matters that cannot be verified by ordinary reasoning.

Chao Yuanfang said: In the first month of pregnancy, it is called Peitai (embryo), nourished by the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. In the second month, it is called Shigao (beginning of fat/grease), nourished by the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. In the third month, it is called Shitai (beginning of fetus), nourished by the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian. At this time, Blood does not circulate freely, and the image begins to transform. In the fourth month, it begins to receive the Essence of Water to form Blood vessels, nourished by the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian. In the fifth month, it begins to receive the Essence of Fire to form Qi, nourished by the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian. In the sixth month, it begins to receive the Essence of Metal to form sinews, nourished by the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. In the seventh month, it begins to receive the Essence of Wood to form bones, nourished by the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. In the eighth month, it begins to receive the Essence of Earth to form skin and flesh, nourished by the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. In the ninth month, it begins to receive the Essence of Stone to form hair, nourished by the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. In the tenth month, the Five Zang Organs, Six Fu Organs, joints, and Shen (Spirit/Human Spirit) are all complete. This is the general outline.