Library

I have heard that human life is nurtured by the Five Elements (Wu Xing) and takes shape through the "Four Great Elements" (Earth, Water, Fire, Wind). Therefore, the *Ling Shu* and *Su Wen* observe facial features and body posture: internally, Zang organs are divided according to the Five Elements; externally, physical forms correspond to the Five Zang organs. For instance, the Lung corresponds to the skin, the Spleen to the muscles, the Heart to the vessels, the Liver to the sinews, and the Kidney to the bones. The skin is the domain of the Lung, the muscles the domain of the Spleen, the vessels the domain of the Heart, the sinews the domain of the Liver, and the bones the domain of the Kidney. These are all methods of distinguishing Zang organs by physical form. However, since the meridians and collaterals of the Zang organs circulate within the physical form, the regions of the physical form should also be classified according to the meridians and collaterals of the Zang organs. According to the *Ling Shu: Meridian Channels* chapter:

The Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian originates in the Middle Jiao, descends to connect with the Large Intestine, returns along the upper opening of the stomach, passes through the diaphragm, and belongs to the Lung. From the lung system (trachea and larynx), it emerges horizontally below the axilla, descends along the medial aspect of the upper arm, anterior to the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian and Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, reaches the cubital fossa, descends along the medial aspect of the forearm, enters the Cun Kou pulse point, ascends to the Thenar eminence, follows the radial border of the thenar eminence, and exits at the tip of the thumb. Its branch arises from behind the wrist, goes directly to the radial side of the index finger, and exits at its tip.

The Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian originates at the tip of the index finger, follows the radial border of the finger, emerges between the first and second metacarpal bones at Hegu (LI4), ascends into the space between the two tendons, follows the radial border of the forearm, enters the lateral aspect of the elbow, ascends along the anterolateral aspect of the upper arm, emerges anterior to the shoulder joint, ascends to emerge above the meeting point of the vertebral bones (Dazhui GV14), descends into the Supraclavicular Fossa, connects with the Lung, passes through the diaphragm, and belongs to the Large Intestine. Its branch ascends from the Supraclavicular Fossa to the neck, penetrates the cheek, enters the lower teeth, returns to cross the mouth, intersects at Renzhong (GV26), crosses from left to right and right to left, and ascends to flank the nostrils.

The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian originates at the intersection of the nose (Jingming BL1), approximately intersecting with the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, descends along the lateral aspect of the nose, enters the upper teeth, returns to flank the mouth and encircle the lips, intersects at Chengjiang (CV24), retreats along the posterior inferior margin of the mandible, emerges at Daying (ST5), follows Jiache (ST6), ascends anterior to the ear, passes through Shangguan (GB3/Keguzhuren), follows the hairline, and reaches the forehead. Its branch descends from anterior to Daying to Renying (ST9), follows the throat, enters the Supraclavicular Fossa, passes through the diaphragm, belongs to the Stomach, and connects with the Spleen. Its main trunk descends from the Supraclavicular Fossa along the medial aspect of the nipple, descends flanking the umbilicus, and enters the Qi Street (inguinal region). Another branch originates from the lower opening of the stomach, descends within the abdominal cavity to the Qi Street, where it merges with the main trunk, descends to Bituan (ST31), reaches Futu (ST32), descends to the patella, follows the lateral aspect of the tibia, descends to the dorsum of the foot, and enters the space between the medial aspects of the second toe. A branch descends three cun below the knee, diverges to enter the lateral space of the second toe. Another branch diverges from the dorsum of the foot, enters the space between the great toe, and exits at its tip.

The Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian originates at the tip of the great toe, follows the medial white flesh margin, passes posterior to the nuclear bone (base of the first metatarsal), ascends anterior to the medial malleolus, follows the anterior medial aspect of the lower leg, runs posterior to the tibia, crosses anterior to the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian, ascends to the anterior medial aspect of the knee and thigh, enters the abdomen, belongs to the Spleen, connects with the Stomach, passes through the diaphragm, flanks the pharynx, connects to the root of the tongue, and spreads under the tongue. Its branch diverges from the Stomach, passes through the diaphragm, and pours into the Heart.

The Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian originates in the Heart, emerges to belong to the Heart System, passes through the diaphragm, and connects with the Small Intestine. Its branch ascends from the Heart System, flanks the pharynx, and connects to the Eye System (ocular connection to the brain). Its main trunk returns from the Heart System, ascends to the Lung, emerges below the axilla, follows the posterior medial aspect of the upper arm, posterior to the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, descends to the medial elbow, follows the posterior medial aspect of the forearm, reaches the end of the styloid process of the ulna (Shao Hai area), enters the posterior medial aspect of the palm, follows the medial aspect of the little finger, and exits at its tip.

The Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian originates at the tip of the little finger, follows the lateral aspect of the hand, ascends the wrist, emerges from the ulnar styloid process, goes straight up along the lateral aspect of the ulna, emerges between the two tendons at the medial elbow, ascends along the posterolateral aspect of the upper arm, emerges from the shoulder joint, winds around the scapula, intersects at the shoulders, enters the Supraclavicular Fossa, connects with the Heart, follows the pharynx, passes through the diaphragm, reaches the Stomach, and belongs to the Small Intestine. Its branch arises from the Supraclavicular Fossa, follows the neck to the cheek, reaches the lateral canthus, enters the ear. Another branch diverges from the cheek, ascends to the zygomatic bone, reaches the nose, arrives at the medial canthus, and obliquely connects to the zygomatic bone.

The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian originates at the medial canthus, ascends to the forehead, and intersects at the vertex. Its branch extends from the vertex to the supra-auricular angle. Its main trunk enters from the vertex to connect with the Brain, returns to descend separately along the nape, follows the scapular region, runs medially flanking the spine, reaches the waist, enters the paraspinal muscles, connects with the Kidney, and belongs to the Bladder. Its branch descends from the waist, flanks the spine, penetrates the buttocks, and enters the popliteal fossa. Another branch diverges from the medial scapular region, penetrates the scapula, runs medially flanking the spine, passes through the hip pivot, follows the lateral posterior aspect of the thigh, descends to merge with the popliteal fossa, descends through the calf muscle, emerges posterior to the lateral malleolus, follows Jinggu (BL64) to the lateral side of the little toe.

The Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian originates below the little toe,斜趋 (diagonally approaches) the center of the foot, emerges below Ran Gu (Navicular Tuberosity), follows posterior to the medial malleolus, diverges into the heel, ascends along the medial lower leg, emerges from the medial malleolus, ascends along the posterior medial aspect of the thigh, penetrates the spine, belongs to the Kidney, and connects with the Bladder. Its main trunk ascends from the Kidney, penetrates the Liver and Diaphragm, enters the Lung, follows the throat, flanks the root of the tongue. Its branch emerges from the Lung, connects with the Heart, and pours into the chest.

The Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian originates in the chest, emerges to belong to the Pericardium, passes through the diaphragm, and sequentially connects with the Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao. Its branch follows the chest, emerges three cun lateral to the axilla, ascends to the axilla, follows the medial aspect of the upper arm, running between the Hand-Taiyin and Hand-Shaoyin meridians, enters the cubital fossa, descends along the forearm between the two tendons, enters the palm, follows the middle finger, and exits at its tip. Its branch diverges from the palm, follows the ring finger, and exits at its tip.

The Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian originates at the tip of the ring finger, emerges between the two fingers, follows the dorsal aspect of the wrist, emerges between the radius and ulna of the forearm, ascends through the elbow, follows the lateral aspect of the upper arm to the shoulder, crosses posterior to the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, enters the Supraclavicular Fossa, distributes in the Tan Zhong (Chest Center), scatters to connect with the Pericardium, passes through the diaphragm, and sequentially belongs to the Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao. Its branch emerges from Tan Zhong, ascends to the Supraclavicular Fossa, ascends the neck, ties behind the ear, goes straight up to emerge above the supra-auricular angle, curves down to the cheek below the eye, and descends to the cheek. Another branch enters the ear from behind the ear, emerges anterior to the ear, passes anterior to Keguzhuren (Shangguan GB3), crosses the cheek to the lateral canthus.

The Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian originates at the lateral canthus, ascends to the temporal angle, descends behind the ear, follows the neck anterior to the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, reaches the shoulder, crosses posterior to the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, and enters the Supraclavicular Fossa. Its branch enters the ear from behind the ear, emerges anterior to the ear, and reaches posterior to the lateral canthus. Another branch diverges from the lateral canthus, descends to Renying (ST9), merges with the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, reaches below the jaw, adds Jiache (ST6), descends the neck to merge with the Supraclavicular Fossa, descends into the chest, passes through the diaphragm, connects with the Liver, belongs to the Gallbladder, follows the hypochondrium, emerges at the Qi Street, surrounds the pubic hair region, and enters the hip joint. Its main trunk descends from the Supraclavicular Fossa to the axilla, follows the chest past the costal margin, descends to merge with the hip joint, follows the lateral aspect of the thigh, emerges at the lateral aspect of the knee, descends anterior to the lateral fibular bone, reaches the end of the Jue Gu (distal fibula), emerges anterior to the lateral malleolus, follows the dorsum of the foot, and enters the space between the fourth and fifth toes. Its branch diverges from the dorsum of the foot, enters the space between the great toe, follows the interosseous space of the great toe, exits at its tip, returns to the nail bed, and emerges at the hairy margin.

The Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian originates at the hairy margin of the great toe, ascends along the lateral aspect of the dorsum of the foot, one cun from the medial malleolus, ascends eight cun above the ankle, crosses posterior to the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, ascends along the medial aspect of the thigh, follows the genital region, enters the pubic hair area, passes over the external genitalia, reaches the lower abdomen, flanks the Stomach, belongs to the Liver, and connects with the Gallbladder. It ascends through the diaphragm, distributes in the hypochondrium, follows the posterior aspect of the throat, ascends to the nasopharynx (Hang Sang), connects to the Eye System, emerges at the forehead, and meets the Du Meridian at the vertex. Its branch descends from the Eye System to the inner cheek, encircles the inside of the lips. Another branch diverges from the Liver, penetrates the diaphragm, and pours into the Lung.

Yin and Yang meridians connect continuously like a circle without beginning or end. The overflowing qi enters the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, irrigating each other. The Eight Extraordinary Vessels are: Yin Wei Mai, Yang Wei Mai, Yin Qiao Mai, Yang Qiao Mai, Chong Mai, Ren Mai, Du Mai, and Dai Mai. Yang Wei Mai originates at the meeting of all Yang meridians, ascends from the lateral malleolus into the Wei (Defensive) level, serving as the network of the whole body. Yin Wei Mai originates at the meeting of all Yin meridians, ascends from the medial malleolus into the Ying (Nutritive) level, serving as the network of the whole body. Yang Qiao Mai originates in the heel, follows the lateral malleolus, and ascends on both sides of the body, enabling agility of the joints. Yin Qiao Mai originates in the heel, follows the medial malleolus, and ascends on both sides of the body, enabling agility of the joints. The Du Mai originates at Huiyin (CV1), follows the back, and runs along the posterior aspect of the body, commanding all Yang meridians, hence called the Sea of Yang Meridians. The Ren Mai originates at Huiyin (CV1), follows the abdomen, and runs along the anterior aspect of the body, bearing all Yin meridians, hence called the Sea of Yin Meridians. The Chong Mai originates at Huiyin (CV1), runs flanking the umbilicus, and rushes upward, being the crucial point of all meridians, hence called the Sea of the Twelve Regular Meridians. The Dai Mai encircles the waist horizontally, shaped like a belt, summarizing and binding all meridians.

Thus, one distinguishes regions by meridians, knows meridians by regions, distinguishes Zang organs by meridians, or distinguishes Zang organs by physical form. All differences in syndromes, variations in appearance, and all diseases such as smallpox, rashes, carbuncles, and sores can be observed through this method. The Yellow Emperor said: "Meridians can determine life and death, manage hundreds of diseases, and regulate deficiency and excess; they must not be ununderstood." The proverb says: "If you are not familiar with the Twelve Meridians, your words and actions will be wrong from the start." Physicians entrust lives and deaths; how can they not be cautious?