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The principle of the Floating Pulse (Fu Mai, 浮脉) emulates Heaven; it can be obtained with light touch, floating superficially like a piece of wood drifting on water. If forceful, the pulse is surging and large, vigorous in onset and slow in decline; if deficient, the pulse is empty and large, slow and soft. If deficiency is extreme, it becomes scattered and diffuse, unable to gather, present at the edges but absent in the center, named KOU Pulse (Kou Mai, 芤脉 - hollow pulse). If floating and small, it is named RU Pulse (Ru Mai, 濡脉 - soggy pulse), like cotton floating on water; when Ru is extreme, it becomes WEI Pulse (Wei Mai, 微脉 - minute pulse), which cannot withstand heavy palpation. The above describes the form of the Floating Pulse, incorporating the meanings of various pulses.

Heaven covers from above, belonging to Yang; the Floating Pulse resembles this, hence termed "emulating Heaven." Its pulse corresponds to the skin and hair, obtainable with light touch, and upon pressing, there is a tendency to float upward, like wood drifting in water; even if pressed down, it rises immediately with the release of pressure. This is what the *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic) refers to as "abundant upon lifting, insufficient upon pressing." If the Floating Pulse is accompanied by surging and large qualities, vigorous onset and slow decline, it is called a Forceful Floating Pulse, or also a Floating-Large Pulse. If the Floating Pulse is accompanied by empty and large qualities, slow and soft, it is called a Deficient Floating Pulse, or also an Empty-Large Pulse. If the Floating and Empty-Large qualities are extreme, it becomes scattered and diffuse, not gathering and not solid, named SAN Pulse (San Mai, 散脉 - scattered pulse). The *Mai Jing* states this corresponds to "excess Qi and deficiency Blood, exterior without interior." If present at the four sides but absent in the center, it is named KOU Pulse. "Kou" refers to hollow grass, resembling a scallion stalk. The *Mai Jing* states: "Floating, large, and soft; pressing reveals emptiness in the center and solidity at the sides." If floating and small, it is named RU Pulse, like silk floating on water, soft and thin upon pressing, entirely lacking force. If Floating and Ru are extreme, they become extremely empty and small, named WEI Pulse, which cannot withstand heavy palpation. The *Mai Jing* states: "As if present and as if absent, or nearly imperceptible."

The principle of the Deep Pulse (Chen Mai, 沉脉) emulates Earth; it lies near the sinews and bones, deep within. When sinking to the extreme, it becomes FU Pulse (Fu Mai, 伏脉 - hidden pulse). If forceful, it is LAO Pulse (Lao Mai, 牢脉 - firm pulse), solid, large, wiry, and long; when Lao is extreme, it becomes SHI Pulse (Shi Mai, 实脉 - excess pulse), strong and powerful. If deficient, it is RUO Pulse (Ruo Mai, 弱脉 - weak pulse), soft and small like cotton; when Ruo is extreme, it becomes XI Pulse (Xi Mai, 细脉 - thready pulse), fine as a spider's thread. The above describes the form of the Deep Pulse, incorporating the meanings of various pulses.

Earth supports from below, belonging to Yin; the Deep Pulse resembles this, hence termed "emulating Earth." Its pulse lies near the sinews and bones, obtainable only with heavy pressure, possessing a deeply sinking trend. The *Mai Jing* states this corresponds to "insufficient upon lifting, abundant upon pressing." When sinking to the extreme, appearing attached to the sinews and bones, it is named FU Pulse. The *Mai Jing* states: "Obtained only with heavy pressing." If deep and forceful, solid, large, wiry, and long, "Wiry" implies tension and strength, being both large and solid, implying firmness, which can be inferred. When Lao is extreme, both interior and exterior are solid and strong, like having a root. If deep and deficient, both small and soft, it is named RUO Pulse. The *Mai Jing* states: "Extremely soft, deep, and thin; pressing makes it feel nearly absent, distinct under the fingers." When Ruo is extreme, it becomes softer and smaller, as if present and as if absent, lingering like a spider's thread, named XI Pulse and WEI Pulse; these two are indeed closely related.