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As stated in the *Suwen* (Basic Questions): The constant pattern of the human body is that the Taiyang channels usually have abundant blood and deficient qi, the Shaoyang channels usually have deficient blood and abundant qi, the Yangming channels usually have abundant qi and deficient blood, the Shaoyin channels usually have deficient blood and abundant qi, the Jueyin channels usually have abundant blood and deficient qi, and the Taiyin channels usually have abundant qi and deficient blood. This is the natural constant. (The character "Tian" [Heaven] here is likely a typo for "Ren" [Human].) (The New Correction notes: In the *Jiayi Jing* [Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion], Chapter on the Twelve Channels of Water, the amounts of blood and qi differ from the *Suwen*; it states that the Taiyang channel has abundant blood and abundant qi, and the Taiyin channel has abundant blood and deficient qi.) The Foot-Taiyang channel and the Foot-Shaoyin channel are exterior-interior partners; the Foot-Shaoyang channel and the Foot-Jueyin channel are exterior-interior partners; the Foot-Yangming channel and the Foot-Taiyin channel are exterior-interior partners. These constitute the Yin-Yang relationships of the lower limbs. The Hand-Taiyang channel and the Hand-Shaoyin channel are exterior-interior partners; the Hand-Shaoyang channel and the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium channel are exterior-interior partners; the Hand-Yangming channel and the Hand-Taiyin channel are exterior-interior partners. These constitute the Yin-Yang relationships of the upper limbs.

As stated in the *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues): The meridians (channels) transport blood and qi, connect Yin and Yang, and thereby nourish the body. Their circulation begins at the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), flowing into the Hand-Taiyin Lung channel and the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine channel; the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine channel flows into the Foot-Yangming Stomach channel and the Foot-Taiyin Spleen channel; the Foot-Taiyin Spleen channel flows into the Hand-Shaoyin Heart channel and the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine channel; the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine channel flows into the Foot-Taiyang Bladder channel and the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney channel; the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney channel flows into the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium channel and the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao channel; the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao channel flows into the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder channel and the Foot-Jueyin Liver channel; the Foot-Jueyin Liver channel then returns to flow into the Hand-Taiyin Lung channel.

According to *Yi Zhongzi* (Seed of Medicine): The three Foot-Yin channels do not have pulse distributions in the chest and abdomen. The *Tongren* [Bronze Man] diagrams forcibly categorize them as Yin channels, which is incorrect. However, the Yin channels of the hands emerge from the axilla, while the Yin channels of the feet enter from the thigh. To "enter" means to enter the abdominal cavity; thus, they can associate with the Zang organs and link with the Fu organs. They ascend through the diaphragm, flank the pharynx, connect to the root of the tongue, and enter the brain. They are not merely located outside the skin and muscles. Those who draw meridian maps, confused by the *Jiayi Jing*, forcibly attribute acupoints such as Ying Shu, Xiong Shu, and those of the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) to the three Foot-Yin channels, claiming they are sites where meridian qi emerges. The *Shisi Jing Fa Hui* (Elucidation of the Fourteen Meridians) is particularly erroneous, representing a long night of ignorance for millennia. Having thoroughly examined chapters such as *Yin Yang Li He Lun* (Discourse on the Separation and Combination of Yin and Yang), *Qi Fu Lun* (Discourse on Qi Houses), *Qi Xue Lun* (Discourse on Qi Acupoints), *Jing Mai Pian* (Chapter on Meridians), and *Jing Bie Pian* (Chapter on Extraordinary Meridians), I deeply understand that the listed acupoints indeed do not belong to the Yin channels. Therefore, I list them explicitly to clarify this point.

(There are twenty-two acupoints on the left and right sides combined.)

The *Jing Mai Pian* (Chapter on Meridians) states: The Lung belongs to the Hand-Taiyin Lung channel. Its meridian originates in the Middle Jiao, descends to connect with the Large Intestine, circles back along the upper opening of the stomach, ascends through the diaphragm, and enters to belong to the Lung. From the lung system (trachea and larynx), it emerges horizontally from the axilla. (Yunmen [Cloud Gate], Zhongfu [Central Palace]) It descends along the medial aspect of the arm. (Tianfu [Heavenly Granary], Xiabai [Hero's White]) It runs anterior to the Hand-Shaoyin Heart and Hand-Jueyin Pericardium channels, descends to the midpoint of the elbow. (Chize [Cistern of the Dragon]) It follows the inner border of the forearm, below the radius. (Kongzui [Palace of Leaks]) It enters the Cun Kou (Radial Pulse). (Jingqu [Water Course], Taiyuan [Great Abyss]) It ascends over the Thenar eminence, following its border. (That is Yuji [Fish Border]) It emerges at the tip of the thumb. (Shaoshang [Little Shang]) Its branch arises from behind the wrist (Lieque [Broken Apart]), goes straight out to the medial border of the index finger, and emerges at its tip.

It also states: The Luo-connecting vessel of the Hand-Taiyin channel is named Lieque. It originates between the flesh layers above the wrist, runs parallel to the Hand-Taiyin channel, directly enters the palm, and scatters into the thenar eminence. ○ When selecting this point, measure half cun from the wrist crease. (Ma Shi says: Half cun should be read as one and a half cun.) It branches off to connect with the Yangming channel.

The *Jing Bie Pian* (Chapter on Extraordinary Meridians) states: The Zheng-meridian of the Hand-Taiyin diverges and enters anterior to Yuan Ye and the Hand-Shaoyin channel, enters internally to travel to the Lung, scatters to connect with the Large Intestine, emerges superiorly at Quepen, follows the throat, and combines with the Yangming channel.

The *Miao Ci Lun* (Discourse on Miraculous Puncture) states: Pathogenic factors invade the collaterals of the Hand-Shaoyin, Hand-Taiyin, and Foot-Yangming. These five collaterals all converge in the ear, ascending to connect with the left corner of the head.

The *Xie Ke Pian* (Chapter on Invasion by Pathogens) states: The meridian of the Hand-Taiyin emerges from the tip of the thumb, curves inward, follows the white flesh margin (the palmar side edge), reaches the posterior aspect of the proximal phalanx at Taiyuan, stays there to nourish the pulse, curves outward and upward below the proximal phalanx, curves inward to meet with various Yin collaterals at the thenar eminence. Multiple pulses inject simultaneously; their qi is smooth and rapid, running deep beneath the Yonggu bone, curving outward to emerge at the Cun Kou and proceed. It ascends to the medial border of the elbow, enters beneath the large tendon, curves inward and ascends to the Yin regions, enters the axilla, and curves inward to travel to the Lung. This represents the bending and folding of forward circulation and reverse counting.

The *Jing Jin Pian* (Chapter on Sinew Channels) states: The sinew channel of the Hand-Taiyin originates above the thumb, ascends along the finger, knots at the rear of the thenar eminence, runs along the lateral aspect of the Cun Kou, ascends along the arm, knots at the elbow, ascends along the medial border, enters the axilla, emerges at Quepen, knots at the anterior shoulder, ascends to knot at Quepen, descends to knot in the interior of the chest, scatters and penetrates the贲 (BEN - cardia/gastric region), combining with the BEN, descending to reach the hypochondrium.

Zhongfu (Meeting point of the Hand-Taiyin. ○ *Qi Xue Lun* New Correction states: Meeting point of the Hand and Foot Taiyin. Same as *Lei Jing*.)
Yunmen (Site where the Qi of the Hand-Taiyin Lung emerges.)
Tianfu (Same as above.)
Xiabai (Extraordinary connection of the Hand-Taiyin.)
Chize (Where the Hand-Taiyin enters, i.e., He-Sea point.)
Kongzui (Xi-Cleft point of the Hand-Taiyin.)
Lieque (Branches off to connect with the Yangming channel.)
Jingqu (Where the Hand-Taiyin travels, i.e., Jing-River point.)
Taiyuan (Where the Hand-Taiyin pulse injects, i.e., Shu-Stream and Yuan-Source point.)
Yuji (Where the Hand-Taiyin pulse flows, i.e., Ying-Spring point. ○ *Shengji Zonglu* states: Where it flows.)
Shaoshang (Where the Hand-Taiyin pulse exits, i.e., Jing-Well point.)

According to the *Qianjin Fang* (Thousand Gold Formulas), there is a meeting point belonging to the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine channel. The commentary notes: The *Tongren* attributes it to the Sanjiao channel. The *Waitai Mi Yao* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies) does not record the Zhongfu and Yunmen points (classifying them under the Spleen channel). Cheng Yandao states: This discusses the course of the meridian rather than attributing points to the channel. *Xuefa Zhezhong* (Compromise of Acupoint Methods) states: All schools consider the points of this channel to begin at Zhongfu. The *Biao You Fu* (Marking the Profound Ode), *Lihai Ji*, and *Jinnang Milu* all state that the points of this channel begin at Yunmen. Upon examining the trend of meridian circulation, it is correct to regard Yunmen as the starting point.