Library

In the natural world, Heaven warms and nourishes with Yang Qi (vital energy), while Earth embraces and nurtures with Yin Form. Those born between Heaven and Earth are formed by Yang transforming into Qi and Yin condensing into form. The throat connects upward to Heaven's Qi, and the pharynx receives downward the food and drink produced by Earth. (The throat is anterior, the pharynx posterior.)

Those receiving grain and water transform into turbid Qi, while those receiving atmospheric air transform into clear Qi. Clear Qi enters the Lung, and turbid Qi moves to the Stomach. Turbidity becomes Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), and clarity becomes Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi). Ying is Yin, and Wei is Yang; Ying Qi circulates within the vessels, while Wei Qi circulates outside the vessels. Yin and Yang Qi interconnect like a circle without beginning or end. Middle Qi emerges from the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner), Ying Qi emerges from the Middle Jiao, and Wei Qi emerges from the Lower Jiao. All are the vigorous essence of grain and water, circulating and spreading throughout the Zang and Fu organs. (The refined essence of grain and water is called Ying Qi, and the vigorous, slippery part is called Wei Qi.)

There are five Zang organs: the Heart stores Shen (Spirit), the Lung stores Po (Corporeal Soul), the Liver stores Hun (Ethereal Soul), the Spleen stores Yi (Intellect), and the Kidney stores Zhi (Willpower). There are six Fu organs: the Gallbladder has no entry or exit (referring to its function of excreting bile rather than receiving waste directly), the Stomach receives grain and water, the Small Intestine and Large Intestine govern fluids, and the Bladder and Triple Burner govern Qi transformation. The five Zang organs store essence and do not leak; their characteristic is "fullness" but not "solidity," so maintaining retention is considered tonification. The six Fu organs transmit and transform without storing; their characteristic is "solidity" but not "fullness," so promoting unobstructed flow is considered tonification.

The Lung's Qi descends to the right, and the Liver's Qi ascends to the left. The Spleen transports Yin essence, and the Stomach receives Yang Qi. The Bladder governs opening for urination, and the Kidney governs closing for retention. The Stomach prefers coolness, the intestines prefer warmth, the Gallbladder prefers mildness, the Heart dislikes heat, the Lung dislikes cold, the Liver dislikes wind, the Kidney dislikes dryness, and the Spleen dislikes dampness. Understanding the suffering (pathological tendencies) and desires (physiological preferences) of the five Zang organs allows for distinct methods of tonification and sedation. The Liver suffers from tension, the Heart from flaccidity, the Spleen from dampness, the Lung from rebellious Qi ascending, and the Kidney from dryness. The Liver desires dispersion, the Heart desires softening/moistening, the Spleen desires relaxation, the Lung desires astringency, and the Kidney desires firmness. Examining the entry and exit of the six Fu organs distinguishes clear from turbid, due to the differing natures of Yin Zang and Yang Fu organs.

Outside the five Zang organs lies the Pericardium (Heart Protector), also known as Danzhong (Chest Center). It acts on behalf of the Heart and pairs with the Triple Burner, completing the twelve Zang-Fu organs. The twelve meridians affiliated with these organs have specific directions of flow. The three Hand Yin meridians—Hand Taiyin Lung, Hand Shaoyin Heart, and Hand Jueyin Pericardium—flow from the Zang organs to the hands. The three Hand Yang meridians—Hand Taiyang Small Intestine, Hand Shaoyang Triple Burner, and Hand Yangming Large Intestine—flow from the hands to the head. The three Foot Yang meridians—Foot Taiyang Bladder, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder, and Foot Yangming Stomach—flow from the head to the feet. The three Foot Yin meridians—Foot Taiyin Spleen, Foot Shaoyin Kidney, and Foot Jueyin Liver—flow from the feet to the abdomen.

Taiyang and Shaoyin are exterior-interior pairs, Shaoyang and Jueyin are exterior-interior pairs, and Yangming and Taiyin are exterior-interior pairs, each pairing one Zang with one Fu organ. All Yang meridians converge on the head and face, while all Yin meridians return after reaching the chest and neck. Only the Jueyin Liver meridian ascends into the nasopharynx, connects to the eye system, rises to the forehead, and meets the Du Meridian at the vertex.

The meridian running along the back is the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian, governing the exterior. Diseases here primarily manifest as headache and spinal stiffness. The meridian running along the front is the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, governing both exterior and interior. Diseases here primarily manifest as body heat and eye pain. The meridian running along the side is the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, governing half-exterior half-interior. Diseases here primarily manifest as hypochondriac pain, deafness, and alternating chills and fever. Foot Jueyin Liver is Yang within Yin; diseases manifest as irritability, fullness, and retraction of the scrotum. Foot Shaoyin Kidney is Yin within Yin; diseases manifest as dry tongue and mouth. Foot Taiyin Spleen is Extreme Yin within Yin; diseases manifest as abdominal fullness and dry throat, all indicating interior conditions.

Regarding the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, the Yin Linking Vessel (Yinwei Mai) ascends from the medial malleolus and governs the interior of the body; the Yang Linking Vessel (Yangwei Mai) ascends from the lateral malleolus and governs the exterior of the body, thereby regulating the Ying and Wei of the whole body. Disease of the Yinwei manifests as heart pain, and disease of the Yangwei manifests as alternating chills and fever. The Yin Heel Vessel (Yinqiao Mai) originates in the heel, ascends along the medial malleolus, and governs the Yin of the left and right sides of the body. The Yang Heel Vessel (Yangqiao Mai) originates in the heel, ascends along the lateral malleolus, and governs the Yang of the left and right sides, facilitating agility through the coordination of Yin and Yang. Disease of Yinqiao presents with spasm of the inner aspect and straight legs; disease of Yangqiao presents with spasm of the outer aspect and frantic running.

The Du Meridian (Governing Vessel) originates at Huiyin, runs along the back, and commands all Yang meridians. Disease of Du manifests as spinal rigidity and collapse. The Ren Meridian (Conception Vessel) originates at Huiyin, runs along the abdomen, and assumes responsibility for all Yin meridians. Disease of Ren manifests as hernia in men and masses in women. The Chong Meridian (Penetrating Vessel) also originates at Huiyin, ascends alongside the umbilicus to the chest, occupying a critical junction for Qi. Originating from one source but branching into three, disease of Chong manifests as rebellious Qi and abdominal urgency. The Dai Meridian (Girdle Vessel) originates at the costal margin, encircles the waist horizontally, and binds all meridians. Disease of Dai manifests as abdominal distension and lower back pain. These eight vessels lack exterior-interior pairing, hence they are called Extraordinary Vessels. When the twelve regular meridians overflow with Qi and Blood, it flows into the extraordinary vessels, much like ditches overflowing into lakes during rain.

Beyond the meridians are the collaterals (Luo). There are fifteen main collaterals: one from each of the twelve meridians, plus the collaterals of Yangqiao and Yinqiao, and the large collateral of the Spleen. Generally, straight paths are meridians, and horizontal branches are collaterals. Collaterals branch further into Sun-collaterals (Grandchild Collaterals), corresponding to 365 acupoints. Initial illness resides in the collaterals, while chronic illness penetrates into the meridians. This system circulates Qi and Blood, connects Yin and Yang, and nourishes the body. Qi primarily provides warming, and Blood primarily provides moistening.

The Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian often has abundant Blood and scarce Qi. The Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian often has scarce Blood and abundant Qi. The Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian often has abundant Blood and abundant Qi. The Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian often has abundant Blood and scarce Qi. The Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian often has scarce Blood and abundant Qi. The Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian often has abundant Blood and scarce Qi. Their盈虚 (fullness and emptiness) are thus.

Qi and Blood circulate in a specific sequence: Zi hour (11 PM-1 AM) enters the Gallbladder, Chou hour (1 AM-3 AM) enters the Liver, Yin hour (3 AM-5 AM) enters the Lung, Mao hour (5 AM-7 AM) enters the Large Intestine, Chen hour (7 AM-9 AM) enters the Stomach, Si hour (9 AM-11 AM) enters the Spleen, Wu hour (11 AM-1 PM) enters the Heart, Wei hour (1 PM-3 PM) enters the Small Intestine, Shen hour (3 PM-5 PM) enters the Bladder, You hour (5 PM-7 PM) enters the Kidney, Xu hour (7 PM-9 PM) enters the Pericardium, and Hai hour (9 PM-11 PM) enters the Triple Burner. This cycle continues indefinitely.

Blood follows Qi. In Spring, Qi is in the meridians; in Summer, in the sun-collaterals; in Late Summer, in the muscles; in Autumn, in the skin; and in Winter, in the bone marrow. Their depth varies thus.

There are four Seas: Chong is the Sea of Blood, Danzhong is the Sea of Qi, the Brain is the Sea of Marrow, and the Stomach is the Sea of Grain and Water. There are seven Gates: Lips are Feimen (Flying Gate), Teeth are Humen (Household Gate), Epiglottis is Ximen (Suction Gate), Upper Stomach opening is Benmen (Gate of Entry), Lower Stomach opening is Youmen (Secluded Gate), Lower Small Intestine opening is Lanmen (Screen Gate), and Lower Large Intestine opening is Pomen (Corporeal Gate), i.e., the anus. There are nine Orifices: Lungs open at the nose, Spleen at the mouth, Heart at the tongue, Liver at the eyes, Kidneys at the ears, and the two lower orifices (urethra and anus) complete the count.

The spine has twenty-one vertebrae. The Lung has six lobes. The two ears attach near the third thoracic vertebra, called Huagai (Imperial Canopy). The Heart has seven apertures, attaches near the fifth thoracic vertebra, resembling a lotus stamen, wrapped externally by the Pericardium, connecting internally to the Lung, Spleen, Liver, and Kidney. Below the Heart is the diaphragm, shielding turbid Qi. The Liver has seven lobes (three left, four right), attaching near the ninth thoracic vertebra. The Gallbladder is three cun long, located below the liver lobes, called the Pure and Clear Organ. The Spleen resembles a sickle, connected to the Stomach by membrane. The Stomach corresponds to the eleventh thoracic vertebra, divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower Wan to reach the intestines, called the Grand Granary. The Kidneys are two, attaching near the fourteenth thoracic vertebra. The Mingmen (Gate of Life) True Yang below them is the root of life. The Small Intestine connects to the lower stomach opening, anteriorly attached to the umbilicus, posteriorly looping sixteen times around the left spine to separate clear from turbid. The Large Intestine connects to the lower small intestine opening, looping sixteen times on the right of the umbilicus, reaching the broad intestine and rectum, transmitting turbidity out through the posterior orifice. The Bladder has no upper opening, corresponds to the nineteenth thoracic vertebra, transforms Qi to seep water, and excretes via the anterior orifice. Reflecting on the syndrome of "Jiaochang" (crossed intestines), we know the Bladder does have an upper opening that remains closed normally, relying on Triple Burner Qi transformation for water to seep into the bladder to become urine.

Triple Burner Minister Fire travels through all meridians, up and down the body. The Upper Jiao is like mist, located above the middle stomach, governing the emission of Yang Qi. The Middle Jiao is like fermentation, located at the middle stomach, steaming and transforming fine essences. The Lower Jiao is like a ditch, located below the umbilicus, filtering and separating juices. These are the morphological locations of the twelve Zang-Fu organs, best understood by consulting diagrams.

Internally, all Qi belongs to the Lung, all Blood is controlled by the Spleen, all vessels belong to the Heart, all sinews are subordinate to the Liver, all marrow is managed by the Kidney, and all Zang organs receive Qi from the Stomach. Externally, the Lung governs skin and hair, the Spleen governs muscles, the Liver governs nails, the Stomach governs the four limbs, and the Kidney governs the five fluids. Sweat is generated by the Heart, nasal discharge by the Lung, tears by the Liver, saliva by the Spleen, and thick saliva by the Kidney. The Heart governs the color of the tongue. The most precious aspects of the body are Jing (Essence), Qi, and Shen (Spirit). Shen arises from Qi, Qi arises from Jing, Jing transforms into Qi, and Qi transforms into Shen. Thus, Jing is the root of the body, Qi is the master of Shen, and Form is the residence of Shen. Spirit relies on Essence like fish rely on water; Qi relies on Essence like fog gathers in an abyss. Therefore, those whose Yin Essence is abundant enjoy longevity.

Regarding form, the head is the gathering place of Yang, the fontanelle is the gate of Marrow, hair is the flower of the Brain, the forehead is the eaves of the eyebrows, the pupil is the essence of the Kidney, the Mingtang (nose tip) reflects complexion, the corners of the mouth are the granaries of Earth, the gums are the collaterals of the Stomach, teeth are the remainder of bone, the epiglottis is the door of voice, Lianquan is the channel of fluids, the tongue is the sprout of the Heart, and the pharynx is the gathering of pulses. The meridians of the Spleen, Stomach, Heart, Kidney, Liver, and Small Intestine all run along and flank the pharynx. Pulses are the dwelling of Ying Qi, Xuanfu (sweat pores) are the holes for sweat, the chest is the city wall of Yang Qi, the Li Palace (Heart) is the house of Shen, Muyuan are the voids of the five Zang organs, Ge-Huang is the barrier between upper and lower, Qijie are the tunnels of the meridians, Shenque (navel) is the palace of the umbilicus, the back is the site of Shu points (twelve meridian Shu acupoints). The spine is the pillar of the body, the sacrum is the support of the spine, the axilla is the valley of the shoulder, the elbow is the joint of the limb, the arm is the driver of the body. From shoulder down to arm, the inner side is called Nao, the outer side Bo. Joints are elbows, below elbows are arms, below arms are wrists. Guan is in the middle of the wrist bone, Cun is before Guan, Chi is after Guan. Hegu is at the divergence of bones, the Tiger Mouth acupoint is in the depression between the thumb and index finger. Laogong is in the center of the palm. The waist is the mansion of Essence, Mingmen is the root of life, the Kidney is the gate of the Stomach, the costal margin is the region of the Gallbladder, Zongjin (tendons) are the ties of the penis, the testicles are external signs of the Kidney, and the Uterus is the internal support of the Ren Meridian. The Ren Meridian governs conception. The coccyx is the end of joints, joints are the pivot of bones, the thigh is the continuation of the femur, the knee is the general of sinews, the popliteal fossa is the bend of the knee, the calf is the belly of the foot, the ankle is the protrusion of bone, the dorsum is the surface of the foot, the heel is the root of the foot, Yongquan is the heart of the sole. These are names determined by anatomical regions, which can be listed one by one.