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According to the chapter "Nine Needles and Twelve Origins" (Jiuzhen Shier Yuan) of the *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot): Each of the five Zang organs has five Shu points, totaling twenty-five points (5 × 5); each of the six Fu organs has six Shu points, totaling thirty-six points (6 × 6). The point where Qi emerges is called Jing-Well (Jing, Spring); where Qi flows slightly is called Ying-Spring (Ying, Stream); where Qi pours in is called Shu-Stream (Shu, Transport); where Qi runs is called Jing-River (Jing, River); and where Qi enters deeply is called He-Sea (He, Sea). Regarding "where Qi emerges is Jing-Well," it is like water source emerging from a well; its Qi source is profound and deep, corresponding to Water in the North. Regarding "where Qi flows slightly is Ying-Spring," Ying refers to small streams; at this stage, Meridian Qi is still weak, corresponding to Wood in the East and Spring. Regarding "where Qi pours in is Shu-Stream," Shu means transport; Qi is transported from here to there, and its Qi is just becoming vigorous, corresponding to Fire in the South and Summer. Regarding "where Qi runs is Jing-River," Jing-Qi circulates largely and is at its peak here, corresponding to Earth in the Late Summer. Regarding "where Qi enters deeply is He-Sea," Meridian Qi moves inward from here and merges into the Zang-Fu organs, corresponding to Metal in the West. (Note: The chapter "Sixty-Fifth Difficulty" of the *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) states: Jing-Well corresponds to the East and Spring, when all things begin to grow, hence "where Qi emerges is Jing-Well." He-Sea corresponds to the North and Winter, when Yang Qi enters the Zang organs, hence "where Qi enters deeply is He-Sea." This explanation seems reasonable; however, verifying against other chapters of the *Ling Shu*, they do not align. One should adhere to the original text's intent. Therefore, I dare to correct this, as detailed in Chapter 17 of the "Acupuncture Category.") Nevertheless, meridians and collaterals pervade the whole body, with no place lacking acupoints. Yet, the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, Shu-Stream, Jing-River, and He-Sea points of each meridian are located on the hands and feet and do not exceed the elbows and knees. This is precisely because the elbows and knees are referred to as the "Four Passes" (Si Guan). The Four Passes are sites of joints, which serve to connect and regulate the Qi of the three hundred and sixty-five joints throughout the body. This chapter states: "At the intersections of joints, there are three hundred and sixty-five meeting points." The term "joint" refers to places where Shen-Qi (Spiritual Qi) travels, exits, and enters, not merely skin, flesh, sinews, or bones. It also states: "The Four Passes treat diseases of the five Zang organs." From this, we know that the Qi mechanism of the whole body's meridians does not exceed the Four Passes, and the key acupoints of the ten primary meridians are inseparable from the hands and feet. Those who seek to understand the subtleties of meridians must pay special attention to the intersections of joints.

The chapter "Ben Shu" (Original Transports) of the *Ling Shu* states: Lung Meridian emerges at Shaoshang (LU11), the Jing-Well point belonging to Wood; Pericardium Meridian emerges at Zhongchong (PC9), the Jing-Well point belonging to Wood; Liver Meridian emerges at Dazhuan (LR1), the Jing-Well point belonging to Wood; Spleen Meridian emerges at Yinbai (SP1), the Jing-Well point belonging to Wood; Kidney Meridian emerges at Yongquan (KI1), the Jing-Well point belonging to Wood. Thus, the Jing-Well points of the five Zang organs all begin with Wood. It further states: Bladder Meridian emerges at Zhiyin (BL67), the Jing-Well point belonging to Metal; Gallbladder Meridian emerges at Qiaoyin (GB44), the Jing-Well point belonging to Metal; Stomach Meridian emerges at Lidui (ST45), the Jing-Well point belonging to Metal; Sanjiao (Triple Burner) Meridian emerges at Guanchong (TE1), the Jing-Well point belonging to Metal; Small Intestine Meridian emerges at Shaoze (SI1), the Jing-Well point belonging to Metal; Large Intestine Meridian emerges at Shangyang (LI1), the Jing-Well point belonging to Metal. Thus, the Jing-Well points of the six Fu organs all begin with Metal. This illustrates the principles of Metal and Wood in various meridians in the *Ling Shu*, but does not fully expound the meaning of Five Elements generation and combination. It was only in the "Sixty-Fourth Difficulty" of the *Nan Jing* that the rigidity and flexibility of the Five Elements were analyzed, and Hua Borén provided detailed annotations: Yin Jing-Well Wood generates Yin Ying-Spring Fire; Yin Ying-Spring Fire generates Yin Shu-Stream Earth; Yin Shu-Stream Earth generates Yin Jing-River Metal; Yin Jing-River Metal generates Yin He-Sea Water; Yang Jing-Well Metal generates Yang Ying-Spring Water; Yang Ying-Spring Water generates Yang Shu-Stream Wood; Yang Shu-Stream Wood generates Yang Jing-River Fire; Yang Jing-River Fire generates Yang He-Sea Earth. Furthermore, Yin Jing-Well corresponds to Yi Wood, and Yang Jing-Well corresponds to Geng Metal; Yi and Geng combine. Yin Ying-Spring corresponds to Ding Fire, and Yang Ying-Spring corresponds to Ren Water; Ding and Ren combine. Yang Shu-Stream corresponds to Jia Wood, and Yin Shu-Stream corresponds to Ji Earth; Jia and Ji combine. Yang Jing-River corresponds to Bing Fire, and Yin Jing-River corresponds to Xin Metal; Bing and Xin combine. Yang He-Sea corresponds to Wu Earth, and Yin He-Sea corresponds to Gui Water; Wu and Gui combine. Geng is Yang Metal, so the Yang Jing-Well associated with Geng represents the rigidity of Yi; Yi is Yin Wood, so the Yin Jing-Well associated with Yi represents the flexibility of Geng. This pattern of generation and emergence mirrors the four seasons, gathering like tides into rivers and seas. There is a principle of mutual generation above and below, and a logic of mutual pairing between Yin and Yang. Is this not a system that models Heaven's timing above, harmonizes with human affairs in the middle, and corresponds to Earth's geography below?