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(Mingmen, also known as Jinggong [Palace of Essence], is located on the back directly opposite the umbilicus. The measurement method involves standing a bamboo pole upright on the ground to ensure accurate height). This acupoint belongs to the Du Meridian (The *Mingtang Jing* states: "The Mingmen acupoint is located in the interspace below the fourteenth vertebral segment, corresponding to the kidneys. It should be accessed with the patient prone; this is where the Qi of the Du Meridian emerges." If the condition presents as heat in the five Zang organs accompanied by a wiry and tense pulse, fifty moxibustion cones should be applied, adjusted according to the age of the patient. For deficiency-cold conditions, one hundred cones should be applied). Furthermore, it belongs to the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian (The *Nan Jing* states: "The meridians of the twelve channels are all connected to the 'Source of Vital Qi'. The Source of Vital Qi refers to the moving Qi between the two kidneys; it is the root of the five Zang and six Fu organs, the origin of the Sanjiao, and the gate of respiration. It is also called the 'God who guards against pathogenic factors'. If the root is severed, the branches and leaves will wither; thus, there are cases where the pulse at the Cun Kou appears normal yet death occurs, because the vital Qi alone has been severed internally." The commentary notes: "The moving Qi between the kidneys refers to the Mingmen acupoint." Gu Yingbai said: "Mingmen is situated between the two kidneys, so the *Mai Jue* claims the left is the kidney and the right is Mingmen, which is incorrect." One must not fail to understand the twelve meridians, which include the Pericardium and Sanjiao; how can the abdominal organs treat the two kidneys as two separate viscera? The Bladder and Kidney are paired; since there are two Kidneys but only one Bladder, the Bladder is termed the 'Single Organ'; later generations should not be confused and err due to this? Or some further confuse Mingmen with Zihu [Sub-household], which is even more absurd! Zihu is beside Zhongji, and the left side is also called Baomen; could this stem from confusing Mingmen with the Pericardium? This is truly lamentable! Dantian is also called Mingmen; it is an emerging point of the Ren Meridian and serves as the Mu-Alarm point of the Sanjiao, hence Mingmen is specifically associated with the Sanjiao. However, the Mingmen in the *Mai Jue* must belong to the Du Meridian, as it can connect with the Kidney).

(This region of Shenque Acupoint, also known as Qishe [Residence of Qi]). It is the convergence of the Ren Meridian and the Chong Meridian (The *Su Wen* states: "The Ren Meridian originates from the lower abdomen and goes straight up through the center of the umbilicus." It also says: "The Chong Meridian originates from Qichong, runs alongside the Foot-Shaoyin Meridian, ascends flanking the umbilicus, and disperses in the chest.") Furthermore, it belongs to the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian (The *Ling Shu* states: "In heat diseases accompanied by urgent pain around the umbilicus and fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, Yongquan should be selected. Yongquan is the Jing-Well point of the Foot-Shaoyin Meridian." It also says: "The sinews of the Foot-Taiyin ascend into the abdomen and knot at the umbilicus." Li Dongyuan stated: "Abdominal pain around the umbilicus belongs to the Shaoyin channel; it is primarily treated with formulas such as Six Reversal Decoction [Sini Tang], True Warrior Decoction [Zhenwu Tang], or Aconite Decoction [Fuzi Tang]. Therefore, if there is severe pain below the umbilicus and black discoloration of the Renzhong area, it is incurable." The *Jiyao* states: "Heat below the umbilicus is a disease of the Kidney Meridian, which cannot be eliminated without Prepared Rehmannia Root [Shu Dihuang], because it tonifies the Kidney." The *Xin Jian* states: "When the Spleen is exhausted, the signs are protrusion of the umbilicus and retraction of the lips.") Furthermore, it belongs to the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian (The *Ling Shu* states: "The Foot-Yangming Meridian descends from the inner aspect of the breast, flanking the umbilicus, and enters the Qichong area." It also says: "Accumulation in the sinews of Yangming resides flanking the umbilicus; symptoms improve after eating and worsen during extreme hunger." It also says: "Heat in the Stomach leads to rapid digestion, causing a sensation of emptiness in the heart and frequent hunger, with heat in the skin above the umbilicus. Heat in the Intestines leads to the discharge of yellow, porridge-like stool, with coldness in the skin below the umbilicus. Cold in the Stomach causes abdominal distension; cold in the Intestines causes borborygmus and undigested food diarrhea. Cold in the Stomach and heat in the Intestines cause both distension and diarrhea; heat in the Stomach and cold in the Intestines cause frequent hunger and painful distension in the lower abdomen." The *Su Wen* states: "When a person's body, hips, and thighs are swollen and there is pain circling the umbilicus, the disease is named Fuliang [Hidden Beam]; this is the root of wind pathogens. Its Qi overflows into the Large Intestine and attaches to the Huang [Huangmo/Blind Tissue]; the source of the Huangmo is below the umbilicus, hence the pain circles the umbilicus." The *Zhong Zang Jing* states: "In winter, if the Large Intestine is additionally affected by cold, there will be pain at the umbilicus in the abdomen, gurgling sounds, inability to stand for long periods, and upon cessation of pain, white mucus will be discharged"). It also concurrently belongs to the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian and the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian (Zhu Danxi stated: "Symptoms of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian include protrusion of the umbilicus." Shen Chengzhi stated: "The acupoints Tian Shu, located two cun to the left and right of the umbilicus, are the Mu-Alarm points of the Large Intestine, belonging to the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian and converging with the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. Three cun below the umbilicus is Guan Yuan, the Mu-Alarm point of the Small Intestine; four cun below is Zhong Ji, the Mu-Alarm point of the Bladder; these converge with the Foot-Sanyin Meridians [Spleen, Kidney, Liver] and the Ren Meridian"). Furthermore, the Five Zang Organs are distinguished by arterial pulsations (The *Nan Jing* states: "Moving Qi to the left of the umbilicus belongs to the Liver; moving Qi to the right belongs to the Lung; moving Qi above belongs to the Heart; moving Qi below belongs to the Kidney; moving Qi directly at the umbilicus belongs to the Spleen." It also says: "Hardness and pain above the umbilicus indicate internal pathology of the Heart; hardness and pain below the umbilicus indicate internal pathology of the Kidney; hardness and pain to the right of the umbilicus indicate internal pathology of the Lung; hardness and pain to the left of the umbilicus indicate internal pathology of the Liver").