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The five-string pulse belongs to Yang. Upon deep pressure, the force feels insufficient; upon light pressure, it feels abundant. Its shape resembles the strings of a zither (zheng). When it occasionally carries a rapid frequency, it is called the Wiry Pulse (Xian Mai, 弦脉). It primarily governs Labor-Wind disease, manifesting as fatigue, night sweats with profuse sweating, soreness and pain in the hands and feet, and dry, withered skin and hair.

The five-string pulse belongs to Yang, which is Yang Wood. What is Yang Wood? It is the Wood of Shaoyang (Lesser Yang). Shaoyang governs the ascending command of spring. Therefore, the spring pulse is wiry. In Taiyang-Shaoyang syndrome (Shaoyang syndrome of Cold Damage), the pulse is also wiry. Thus, we know that the wiry pulse belongs to Yang. Some say that Zhang Zhongjing classified the wiry pulse as Yin, while Wang Shuhe alone classified it as Yang. Why? It is unknown that Zhang Zhongjing discussed Cold Damage (Shanghan), describing the progression from the exterior gradually entering the interior, from outside to inside; hence, he regarded the wiry pulse as Yin. Wang Shuhe discussed consumptive diseases (Lao Zheng), describing the progression from the interior gradually reaching the exterior, from inside to outside; hence, he regarded the wiry pulse as Yang. However, since the wiry pulse indicates consumption/labor, the palpation method states: "Insufficient upon deep pressure" indicates Yin insufficiency; "Abundant upon light pressure" indicates Yang excess; "Shape like zither strings" indicates the contraction of Qi and Blood; "Occasionally rapid" indicates internal heat generated by Yin deficiency. Therefore, the governing diseases are stated as labor-wind and fatigue. Since it is called "labor," why is it also called "wind"? This may be due to excessive physical exertion or sexual indiscretion, causing Kidney sweat to emerge. When Kidney sweat emerges, the Yuan Fu (pores) open. Where there is deficiency, pathogenic factors inevitably converge, thus forming the syndrome of labor-wind and fatigue. Yin insufficiency leads to night sweats. Normally, when Essence and Blood are sufficient, they penetrate into the Marrow internally and moisten the Skin and Hair externally. Now, having been scorched by labor-wind, internally there is no capacity to fill the Marrow, resulting in soreness and pain in the hands and feet; externally there is no capacity to moisten the Skin and Hair, resulting in dry and withered integument.

According to the *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic): The wiry pulse seems absent upon light pressure but feels hard like a bowstring upon deep pressure. Another description says it is like a drawn bowstring, remaining fixed upon pressure. It is also said that a deep and tight pulse is wiry. The classics state: "Wiry and rapid pulses indicate Malaria." It is also said: "The pulse of malaria is naturally wiry." Wiry-rapid pulses indicate Heat; wiry-slow pulses indicate Cold. The wiry pulse governs Painful Obstruction (Tong Bi) and Feng Zhu (a chronic wasting disease). A unilateral wiry pulse indicates Fluid retention (Yin); bilateral wiry pulses indicate hypochondriac stiffness, urgency, and pain, accompanied by aversion to cold and shivering. It is also said that a wiry and hook-like pulse causes stabbing pain under the hypochondrium, resembling Fei Shi (flying corpse/ghost affliction), leading to critical illness and death. The classics further state: "Wiry and urgent pulses indicate Hernia and Jia masses (abdominal lumps) with lower abdominal pain." It also governs Pi diseases (abdominal masses). It is also said: "Wiry and small pulses indicate Cold." It is also said: "Deep and wiry pulses indicate Xuan Yin (fluid retention in the chest/hypochondrium) and internal pain." It is also said: "Wiry-rapid pulses with cold-fluid retention are difficult to treat in both winter and summer." It is also said: "Wiry and tight pulses indicate hypochondriac pain, organ injury, and blood stasis." It is also said: "Wiry-small-tight pulses can be treated with purgatives." It is also said: "Wiry-slow pulses are suitable for warm herbs."

Furthermore, according to *Ci Nan Zhi* (Difficulties of the Matter): Zhang Zhongjing discusses wiry and choppy pulses as Yin, while Wang Shuhe states wiry and choppy pulses as Yang. What is the meaning? Generally, the wiry pulse corresponds to the East, and the choppy pulse to the West, divided by North and South. Hence, there is a distinction between Yin and Yang. The choppy pulse essentially belongs to Dryness-Fire, while the wiry pulse essentially belongs to deficient Water. Although there is a division of North and South, in summary, it does not depart from the principle that "all rapid pulses indicate Heat, all slow pulses indicate Cold." The theories of Zhang Zhongjing and Wang Shuhe originate from two different approaches and do not contradict each other; considered together, both are correct. Zhang Zhongjing's statement refers to Cold Damage entering from the exterior; Wang Shuhe's statement refers to the Five Viscera manifesting from the interior. Cold Damage enters via Qi; therefore, Zhang Zhongjing regards the wiry pulse as Yin, moving from Gen (Northeast) inward, from exterior to interior, first involving the Taiyang channel. Its position is in the Northeast. Miscellaneous diseases exit via Blood; therefore, Wang Shuhe regards the wiry pulse as Yang, moving from Xun (Southeast) outward, from interior to exterior, first involving the Shaoyang channel. Its position is in the Southeast.