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Old pulse formulas categorized the seven superficial pulses—Floating (Fu, 浮), Knifely (Kou, 芤), Slippery (Hua, 滑), Full/Excess (Shi, 实), Wiry (Xian, 弦), Tight (Jin, 紧), and Surging (Hong, 洪)—as "Seven Superficial" (Qi Biao). They categorized eight interior pulses—Deep (Chen, 沉), Minute (Wei, 微), Slow (Chi, 迟), Moderate (Huan, 缓), Soft (Ru, 濡), Hidden (Fu, 伏), Weak (Ruo, 弱), and Choppy (Se, 涩)—as "Eight Interior" (Ba Li). They categorized nine miscellaneous pulses—Long (Chang, 长), Short (Duan, 短), Deficient (Xu, 虚), Hasty (Cu, 促), Knotted (Jie, 结), Intermittent (Dai, 代), Firm (Lao, 牢), Agitated (Dong, 动), and Thready (Xi, 细)—as "Nine Channels" (Jiu Dao). This classification is open to discussion. Floating, Deep, Slow, and Rapid constitute the four major outlines of pulse diagnosis. The old formulas omitted these characters, which is a serious error. Beyond the twenty-seven characters summarized by Li Binhu (Li Shizhen) and Li Shicai, the "Large" (Da, 大) pulse must be added to be complete. However, diseases have no fixed manifestations, and pulses do not appear in isolation. Without a systematic approach, the practitioner feels bewildered under the fingers. Therefore, this text takes Floating, Deep, Slow, Rapid, Deficient, Excess, Large, and Moderate as the primary pulses, attaching intermixed pulses to them. These are summarized in verse as a convenient method for pulse taking.

Floating Pulse: Obtained with light pressure, not felt with heavy pressure. It belongs to Yang and the Exterior (except for Deep, Hidden, and Firm pulses, it can coexist with others). Floating and hollow in the middle is the Knifely (Kou) pulse. It has edges but is empty in the center, resembling pressing a finger onto a scallion stalk. It indicates blood loss. Floating and beating against the finger is the Leathery (Ge) pulse. It is hollow inside and firm outside, resembling pressing a finger on a drumhead; it is a type of floating pulse. Compared to the Knifely pulse, it is emptier in the center and firmer on the outside. It indicates the failure of Yin-Yang interaction. Floating and scattered is the Scattered (San) pulse. Upon pressing, it is scattered and does not gather; its arrival and departure are indistinct. It indicates dissipation of Qi.

Verse: Floating is the exterior pulse, disease is Yang. Light palpation reveals it clearly under the fingers. Knifely like touching a scallion knows blood depletion. Leathery like pressing a drum recognizes Yin exhaustion. (When solitary Yang floats upward, one knows true Yin is exhausted below.) Distinguish the Scattered form from Floating, chaotic and disordered. Confirming Scattered is not Floating, but Qi failing. Except for the images of Firm and Hidden within Deep, please investigate further beyond the image. (Floating means not Deep; pulses within Deep cannot coexist with Floating.)

Deep Pulse: Not obtained with light pressure, obtained only with heavy pressure, pressing down to below the muscle layer. It belongs to Yin and the Interior (except for Floating, Leathery, Knifely, and Scattered pulses, it can coexist with others). Deep and nearly non-existent is the Hidden (Fu) pulse. It is felt only when pressing to the bone, deeper than Deep. It indicates obstruction by pathogenic factors. Deep and forceful is the Firm (Lao) pulse. It is deep, strong, straight, and beats against the finger. It indicates internal excess.

Verse: Deep is the interior pulse, disease is Yin. Shallow pressing seems like nothing, press deeply. Hidden is profound and hidden, recognized by pushing against the bone. Firm is vigorous and straight, sought by feeling the tendons. Know that various Hidden pulses often stem from new pathogenic obstruction. Understand that various Firm pulses seek internal excess. Except for Knifely, Leathery, and Scattered within Floating, many flexible methods arise from the heart. (Deep means not Floating; pulses within Floating cannot coexist with Deep.)

Slow Pulse: Three or two beats per respiration cycle (Yi Xi). It indicates involvement of the Zang organs and Cold (except for Rapid, Tight, Hasty, and Agitated pulses, it can coexist with others). Slow with occasional stops is the Knotted (Jie) pulse. In slow pulses, there is an occasional stop, but without a fixed number. It indicates Qi stagnation, blood congestion, and phlegm retention (also indicates gradual decline of Qi and Blood). Slow with replacement is the Intermittent (Dai) pulse. In moderate/slowness, there is one stop, unable to return on its own, replaced by another. The stop has a fixed number. It indicates exhaustion of Qi (also indicates meridian collapse, obstruction, or pregnancy).

Verse: Slow indicates Zang involvement and Cold. (*Mai Jing* says: Slow is Cold; Zhang Zhongjing says: Slow is in the Zang.) Less than four beats per respiration cycle. (One exhalation and one inhalation combined make one respiration cycle. Two beats per exhalation and two beats per inhalation combine to four beats per cycle, the pulse of a healthy person. Slow is three or two beats per cycle. One beat per cycle leads to death.) Knotted pulse stops occasionally without a fixed number. Intermittent pulse does not return, thus changing ends. (When one Zang Qi exhausts, the pulse goes forth but cannot return to itself, so other Zang replace it. Know that this pulse's stop has a fixed number.) It is said that Intermittent indicates exhaustion of Primordial Yang. Recognize that Knotted forms from stagnant Qi within. Except for Hasty, Tight, and Agitated within Rapid, observe carefully how various forms intermix. (Slow means not Rapid; pulses within Rapid cannot coexist with Slow.)

Rapid Pulse: Five or six beats per respiration cycle. It indicates involvement of the Fu organs and Heat (except for Slow, Knotted, and Intermittent pulses, it can coexist with others). Rapid and twisting like pulling a rope is the Tight (Jin) pulse. It indicates cold pathogens causing pain (also indicates exterior sweating). Rapid with occasional stops is the Hasty (Cu) pulse. In rapid pulses, there is an occasional stop, also without a fixed number. It indicates pathogenic factors sinking inward. Rapid appearing at the Guan position is the Agitated (Dong) pulse. Round like a bean, trembling and moving, appearing at the Guan section. It indicates struggle between Yin and Yang (also indicates Qi disturbance and fright; in men, Yang exhaustion; in women, uterine bleeding).

Verse: Rapid is the Fu organ pulse, mostly Heat. (Zhang Zhongjing says: Rapid is in the Fu; *Mai Jing* says: Rapid is Heat.) Five or six beats per respiration cycle. (Five or six beats per cycle; seven or eight beats indicate danger.) Tight resembles twisting rope, cold just closed. Agitated like shaking bean, Qi disharmonious. Occasional stop in Rapid named Hasty. Hasty indicates excessive Yang, which is demonic (Yang excess causes Hasty). Except for Knotted and Intermittent within Slow, side forms emerge intricately. (Rapid means not Slow; pulses within Slow cannot coexist with Rapid.)

Deficient Pulse: Not full, powerless upon touch, present in Floating, Middle, and Deep positions. Previous authors claimed it appears as suddenly empty and large in the Floating pulse, which is incorrect. It indicates deficiency. (There are those with congenital insufficiency who become ill due to deficiency; there are those whose pathogenic factors persist, leading to deficiency due to illness.) Deficient, Deep, and small is the Weak (Ruo) pulse. Deep, fine, and soft, obtained only upon pressing, belonging to Deep. It indicates Blood deficiency (also distinguishes Yin/Yang and Stomach Qi). Deficient, Floating, and small is the Soft (Ru) pulse. Like cotton floating on water, belonging to Floating. It indicates Qi deficiency (also indicates external dampness). Deficient and vague is the Minute (Wei) pulse. Indistinct, unclear under the fingers, seeming to exist and not exist, present in Floating, Middle, and Deep. It indicates exhaustion of Yin and Yang Qi. Deficient and sluggish is the Choppy (Se) pulse. Rough and dry movement, like scraping bamboo with a light knife. It indicates Blood deficiency, also indicates dead blood (stasis). Deficient and thin is the Thready (Xi) pulse. Thin like a spider's silk, clear under the fingers. It indicates cold Qi. Deficient and contracted is the Short (Duan) pulse. Does not reach Yuji at Cun, does not reach Chize at Chi. It indicates Qi damage (also indicates Qi stagnation).

Verse: Deficient feels like cotton in all three positions, how can Yuan Qi support this accidentally? Weak in Deep indicates Yin exhaustion. Soft in Floating indicates Qi fault. Consumption makes pulse hidden, Minute hard to see (indistinct under fingers). Severe illness transmits through Jing and Dryness, then Choppy. Cold Qi like spider silk forms Thready image. (Above all describe pulse momentum; only Thready, Large, Long, and Short describe pulse shape. Thready is shaped like spider silk. Minute and Thready are similar, but Minute contrasts with distinct, Thready contrasts with Large; the distinction lies here.) Short is contracted shape, pity the stagnation.

Excess Pulse: Not deficient, forceful upon touch, present in Floating, Middle, and Deep positions. *Si Yan Mai Jue* states: When Firm is extreme, it becomes Excess; attaching it solely to Deep pulse is incorrect. Generally, clear and moderate under the fingers indicates excess of Yuan Qi; pressing tightly and unclearly indicates excess of pathogenic factors. It indicates excess. Excess and smooth is the Slippery (Hua) pulse. Smooth movement. It indicates treatment of Blood (also indicates phlegm-fluid retention). Excess and long is the Long (Chang) pulse. Reaches Yuji above, Chize below. It indicates treatment of Qi (also indicates Yang excess and Yin deficiency). Excess and surging is the Surging (Hong) pulse. Fills the finger, like waves rising. It indicates extreme heat, also indicates internal deficiency. Excess and straight is the Wiry (Xian) pulse. Like a bowstring, does not move upon pressing. It indicates Liver pathogen (also indicates Cold, pain).

Verse: Excess comes with force, image leisurely. Pathogen and Righteousness rely on finger judgment. (Pulse with force, clear and not turbid under fingers, Slippery and Long without Surging and Wiry images indicates excess of Righteous Qi. If turbid and unclear, seeing only Surging and Tight, not Slippery and Long, indicates excess of Pathogen.) Smooth indicates sufficient Yin. Long indicates disease will heal. Surging like waves transmits heat. Wiry like drawing a bow, Wood acts as enemy. Must silently grasp the slightest distinctions; if not the right person, reasons are not explained.

Large Pulse: Is the Surging pulse combined with a broad shape. Old texts grouped it under Surging; now distinguished.

Verse: Large pulse resembles Surging but is not Surging. Shape combines Surging breadth, not identical. Lacks the posture of dancing willows in the wind. Resembles troops marching to battle heroically. New disease with strong pathogen knows Righteous Qi is weak. Chronic disease with exterior excess must have hollow center. *Nei Jing* disease progression is truly admirable. Overall due to insufficient Qi of Yangming. (When pathogen is strong, Stomach Qi declines, so pulse is Large but not moderate.)

Moderate Pulse: Four beats per respiration cycle, calm and unhurried. Indicates recovery of Zheng Qi. (The Moderate meaning calm/recovered indicates recovery of Zheng Qi; the Moderate meaning sluggish indicates dampness invading Spleen.)

Verse: Moderate pulse is calm and unhurried. Diagnosed as four beats, yet not Slow. Stomach Yang spreads like auspicious light. Grain Qi originates like sweet dew. Whether Yin or Yang, rejoicing to obtain this. Regardless of duration, always suitable. If still sluggish, must distinguish. Dampness invades Spleen meridian, walking is fatigued. (When Stomach Qi recovers, pathogen retreats, so pulse is Moderate but not Large. ○ Moderate refers to the calm and unhurried atmosphere of the pulse, not the slowness of movement. Slow contrasts with Rapid; Slow means not Rapid, Rapid means not Slow. Moderate covers broadly; Slow contains Moderate, Rapid also contains Moderate. This is not comprehensible to shallow scholars. Thus *Nei Jing* pairs Moderate with Large, not with Rapid. Its meaning is profound.)