人禀天地五行之气以生。受父母阴阳之气以成。是以有五脏六腑四肢十二经三百六十五
穴。
交
一气
有
先
呼
数者为阳。谓一呼一吸六至也。迟者为阴。谓往来不满三至也。于三部九候之内。察其脉形
有独异者。谓独大。独小。独疾。独迟。独不应四时者。乃受病之所也。凡人禀形气。有中
适。有躁静。各各不同。气脉潮动。亦各随其性韵。故呼而脉再至。吸而脉再至。呼吸之间
复一至。合为五至。此为中适者也。春秋中日夜正等。其呼而脉至多。吸而脉至少。或吸而
脉至多。呼而脉至少。此则皆不同。为冬夏日夜长短之异也。凡气脉呼吸。昼夜变通。效于
四时。然于呼吸定息。应五至之限。无有亏僻。犹晷刻与四时长短。而岁功日数无异也。若
人状貌。有羸有壮。其呼吸虽相接续。而昼夜息度。随其漏刻。是谓呼吸象昼夜变通。效于
四时也。
十二经其实一脉也。界为十二分而已。何以知之。手太阴起于中焦。出于大指之端。手
阳明
注于心中。手少阴起于心中。入掌内循小指。手太阳起于小指之端。
斜络于目内 。足太阳起
阴起于胸中。循小指次指出其
入大指循歧骨内出其端。足
相贯未尝间断。终而复始
云∶焦者原也。人受天地
于肺。卯时注于大肠。辰
胱。酉时注于肾。戌时注
肺。上合鸡鸣。下应潮水
覆。古人处百病决死生。
东方 甲。风、胆。乙。木、肝。
南方 丙。热、小肠。丁。火、心。
西南方 戊。湿、胃。己。土、脾。
西方 庚。燥、大肠。辛。金、肺。
北方 壬。寒、膀胱。癸。水、肾。
甲 乙 丙 丁 戊 己 庚 辛 壬 癸 风 木 热 火 湿 土 燥 金 寒
水
丙三焦相火父气也。无状有名。丁命门包络母气也。后天之根。
甲丙戊庚壬。气。(温热凉寒升浮降沉)
在天为天元一气。又为寒暑燥湿风火。在人为六腑。又为呼吸荣卫。
乙丁己辛癸。味。(辛甘淡咸苦酸散缓急软坚收)
在地为三阴三阳。又为金木水火土。在人为五脏。又为皮肉筋骨脉。
帝曰∶地之为下否乎。岐伯曰。地为人之下。太虚之中者也。帝曰。冯乎。岐伯曰∶大
气举
温
脾
至肝之分野。以肝经言之
从火化。神气衰矣。黄帝
手走头。足之三阳。从头
气谷气三焦之气右迁也。
闻其说。答曰。男子妇人
为得其平。何者。盖左
举指来疾者肾也。以
者然也。难经曰。浮而
妇人主胞胎有孕。所
故当常盛。此男子
根焉。命之所系。
有如此者。故经云
子。愿闻其说。答
事。明君主无为。
起自心中。出属心
左手心脉之右以看
则木火土金水五行
君火之右。退行一
水气治之。复行一步
颠倒右手尺脉。次心
明相火用事。主持阴
Human life is generated by inheriting the Qi of Heaven, Earth, and the Five Elements. The physical form is completed by receiving the Yin and Yang Qi from parents. Thus, there are five Zang organs, six Fu organs, four limbs, twelve meridians, and three hundred and sixty-five acupoints.
A faster pulse rate is Yang, defined as six beats per respiration cycle (one exhalation and one inhalation). A slower pulse rate is Yin, defined as fewer than three beats per cycle. Within the framework of Three Regions and Nine Locations (Sanbu Jiuhou) pulse diagnosis, if the pulse morphology shows unique abnormalities—such as being exclusively large, small, rapid, or slow, or failing to correspond with the four seasons—this indicates the location of disease.
Individuals vary in their constitutional Qi and physique; some are balanced and moderate, while others are restless or calm. The pulsation of Qi and blood follows these inherent rhythms. Therefore, a pulse that beats twice during exhalation, twice during inhalation, and once during the interval between breaths, totaling five beats, represents a balanced and moderate state.
During spring and autumn, when day and night are equal, the pulse may beat more frequently during exhalation and less during inhalation, or vice versa. These variations are due to the differences in day and night length between winter and summer.
The circulation of Qi and blood, along with respiration, varies through day and night, mirroring the changes of the four seasons. However, within a fixed respiration cycle, the pulse should adhere to the limit of five beats without deficiency or deviation, just as the sundial's shadow changes with the seasons, yet the annual cycle remains constant.
If a person's appearance is either emaciated or robust, although their respiration continues uninterrupted, the number of breaths per unit of time (clepsydra) varies throughout the day and night. This is referred to as respiration mirroring the diurnal variation and adapting to the four seasons.
The twelve meridians are essentially one continuous channel, merely divided into twelve sections. How do we know this? The Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian originates in the middle jiao and emerges at the tip of the thumb. The Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian enters the heart. The Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian originates in the heart and runs along the palm to the little finger. The Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian originates at the tip of the little finger and obliquely connects to the inner canthus of the eye. The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian... [Text fragment implies connection] ...starts from the lung, flows to the Large Intestine at Mao hour (5-7 AM), Stomach at Chen hour (7-9 AM), Spleen at Si hour (9-11 AM), Heart at Wu hour (11 AM-1 PM), Small Intestine at Wei hour (1-3 PM), Bladder at Shen hour (3-5 PM), Kidney at You hour (5-7 PM), Pericardium at Xu hour (7-9 PM), Sanjiao at Hai hour (9-11 PM), Gallbladder at Zi hour (11 PM-1 AM), and Liver at Chou hour (1-3 AM). They interconnect without interruption, ending and beginning anew.
The *Neijing* states: The Sanjiao is the envoy of the Original Qi. Humans receive Qi from Heaven and Earth. East corresponds to Jia and Yi, Wood, Wind, associated with Gallbladder (Jia) and Liver (Yi). South corresponds to Bing and Ding, Fire, Heat, associated with Small Intestine (Bing) and Heart (Ding). Southwest corresponds to Wu and Ji, Earth, Dampness, associated with Stomach (Wu) and Spleen (Ji). West corresponds to Geng and Xin, Metal, Dryness, associated with Large Intestine (Geng) and Lung (Xin). North corresponds to Ren and Gui, Water, Cold, associated with Bladder (Ren) and Kidney (Gui).
Bing represents the Sanjiao Minister Fire, the Father Qi, having no form but a name. Ding represents the Mingmen Pericardium, the Mother Qi, which is the root of post-heaven existence.
Jia, Bing, Wu, Geng, Ren represent Qi, characterized by Warmth, Heat, Coolness, Cold, and movements of Ascending, Floating, Descending, and Sinking. In Heaven, it is the Primordial Qi, manifesting as Cold, Heat, Dryness, Dampness, Wind, and Fire. In humans, it constitutes the Six Fu organs and manifests as Respiration, Ying (Nutritive), and Wei (Defensive) Qi.
Yi, Ding, Ji, Xin, Gui represent Flavors, characterized by Pungent, Sweet, Bland, Salty, Bitter, and Sour, with actions of Dispersing, Relaxing, Urgency, Softening, Hardening, and Astringing. On Earth, they constitute the Three Yin and Three Yang, manifesting as Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. In humans, they constitute the Five Zang organs and manifest as Skin, Flesh, Sinews, Bones, and Vessels.
The Yellow Emperor asked: Is the Earth located below? Qibo answered: The Earth is beneath humanity, situated within the Great Void. The Yellow Emperor asked: What supports it? Qibo answered: The Great Qi lifts it up.
Regarding the Liver's domain and meridian, transformation from Fire leads to the decline of Spirit Qi. The Yellow Emperor heard this and asked about the differences between men and women. Answering regarding the Left Hand Heart Pulse... Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water... The Five Elements... Minister Fire governs...