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In the case of Ping Mai (Normal Pulse) for the Heart, the pulse comes continuously like linked pearls, resembling the feeling of smoothing a piece of lustrous jade; this is called Heart Ping, with Wei Qi (Stomach Qi, reflecting the digestive function in the pulse) as the root in summer. In the case of Bing Mai (Diseased Pulse) for the Heart, the pulse comes hurriedly and continuously, with a slight curvature within; this is called Heart Disease. In the case of Si Mai (Death Pulse) for the Heart, the pulse comes curved at the beginning and rigid/stationary at the end, resembling holding a belt hook; this is called Heart Death.

When the pulse resembles linked pearls or smooth jade, appearing under the fingers as round, active, and soft, with a curve below and roundness above, it indicates the presence of Wei Qi and is named Gou Mai (Hook Pulse). Since Heart Fire prospers in summer, a slight Hook aspect in both hands' pulses represents a normal pulse with Wei Qi. If the pulse comes hurriedly connected, indicating urgency in its momentum, and possesses a slight curvature, it signifies a lack of free flow; this is a disease caused by the stagnation and rebellion of Heart Fire. "Qian Qu Hou Ju" (curved front, stationary back), resembling holding a belt hook, means that upon arrival, the pulse floats up, round and hard like the head of a hook, hence "Qian Qu"; upon departure, it sinks down, long and unturning like the body of a hook, hence "Hou Ju". This is the Zang Zhen Mai (True Visceral Pulse, devoid of Wei Qi) of the Heart, thus indicating death.

For the Lung, the Ping Mai comes lightly and softly, like falling elm seeds; this is called Lung Ping, with Wei Qi as the root in autumn. The Bing Mai for the Lung does not go up nor down, resembling touching a chicken feather; this is called Lung Disease. The Si Mai for the Lung floats like an object on water, or like wind blowing hair; this is called Lung Death.

"Yan Yan Nie Nie" describes the appearance of numerous grain heads standing upright and uniform; "like falling elm seeds" describes a light, floating, and gentle appearance. Both describe a floating, slightly rough, yet gentle pulse with Wei Qi, named Mao Mai (Feather Pulse). Since Lung Metal prospers in autumn and Yang Qi begins to descend, light pressure reveals a floating, short, and slightly rough quality, representing the image of convergence; heavy pressure reveals gentleness, indicating Wei Qi and a healthy normal pulse. "Bu Shang Bu Xia" (neither up nor down) indicates severe roughness; "like touching a chicken feather" indicates floating, rough, deficient, and soft qualities. This represents Lung Qi stagnation and injury, a disease of dried fluids and exhausted Qi. "Like an object floating" means the pulse exists entirely in the superficial layer without a root below; "like wind blowing hair" means the response to touch is scattered, lacking any pulsating force. This is the Zang Zhen Mai of impending Lung Qi exhaustion, thus indicating death.

For the Liver, the Ping Mai comes weak and continuous, like lifting the tip of a long bamboo pole; this is called Liver Ping, with Wei Qi as the root in spring. The Bing Mai for the Liver is full, solid, and slippery, resembling touching a long pole; this is called Liver Disease. The Si Mai for the Liver is urgent and strong, like a newly drawn bowstring; this is called Liver Death.

"Zhao Zhao" is synonymous with "Tiao Tiao"; although responding to the touch as weak, the source and flow are distant and continuous. "Like lifting the tip of a long pole" means raising a long pole high, where the tip is thin and soft; this is named Xian Mai (String Pulse). Since Liver Wood prospers in spring, Yang Qi initially rises while Yin Qi remains abundant. Length is an image of Yang, and string-like softness is an image of Yin; this is a normal pulse with Wei Qi. If the pulse is full, solid, and slippery, it lacks gentleness and shows hyperactive Yang, thus resembling a long pole that is straight but not soft. Slipperiness indicates Yang transforming into Fire, representing a disease of rebellious Liver Qi. However, if there is still a sense of fluidity in the slipperiness, it is not yet critical. But if it is as urgent and stiff as a newly tightened bowstring, it is the Zang Zhen Mai devoid of Wei Qi, thus indicating death.

For the Spleen, the Ping Mai comes harmonious and soft, distinct yet connected, like a chicken walking on the ground; this is called Spleen Ping, with Wei Qi as the root during Chang Xia (Late Summer/Transition periods). The Bing Mai for the Spleen is solid, full, and rapid, like a chicken lifting its foot; this is called Spleen Disease. The Si Mai for the Spleen is sharp and hard like a crow's beak, or a bird's spur; like a leaking roof dripping water, or flowing water departing; this is called Spleen Death.

"He Rou Xiang Li" (harmonious and soft, distinct yet connected) indicates balanced Yin and Yang, with a leisurely arrival and departure. "Like a chicken walking on the ground" indicates regular rhythm and clear pulse channels. The Spleen is Yin Earth, the Stomach is Yang Earth. Earth prospers in the four seasons and resides in the center of the Five Elements; thus, its gentle and slow quality is the normal pulse of health. If the pulse is solid, full, and rapid, it lacks gentleness, and the Qi is excessive. Like "a chicken lifting its foot," the rate is high but irregular, indicating Spleen disease with pathogenic accumulation. If the pulse is sharp and hard, like a crow's beak or bird's spur, it completely lacks moderate Qi. Or like a leaking roof, coming intermittently with long pauses, or like flowing water going without return, these all indicate the collapse of the Yuan Yuan (Original Essence) and exhaustion of Spleen Qi, thus being death pulses.

For the Kidney, the Ping Mai comes hurriedly and continuously like a Hook pulse, firm upon pressing; this is called Kidney Ping, with Wei Qi as the root in winter. The Bing Mai for the Kidney resembles pulling a vine, becoming firmer upon pressing; this is called Kidney Disease. The Si Mai for the Kidney emerges like two people struggling over a rope, crackling like striking stones; this is called Kidney Death.

This "hurriedly and continuously like a Hook" pulse resembles the Heart pulse in form but differs in essence. The Heart pulse has vigorous Yang ascending, manifesting in the superficial layer, soft and scattered upon pressing, external Yang and internal Yin, representing the Li Trigram. The Kidney pulse has abundant Yin and hidden Yang, manifesting in the deep layer, weak upon light pressing, but powerful and slippery upon heavy pressing, external Yin and internal Yang, representing the Kan Trigram. This is a normal pulse with Wei Qi and no disease. If the pulse comes like pulling a vine, with unclear rhythm, indicating disharmony of Yin and Yang, it becomes firmer upon pressing, lacking softness and slowness, constituting Kidney Disease. "Fa Ru Duo Suo" (emerging like a struggle for a rope) resembles two people pulling a single rope, mutually restraining, also disordered like pulling a vine, yet hard like a rope. Thus, it crackles like striking stones, completely lacking gentleness; this is the death pulse of the True Viscera.