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(There are twenty-eight acupoints on the Governor Vessel.)
Changqiang (Long Strong, GV1), Yaoshu (Spinal Bone, GV2), Yangguan (Yang Gate, GV3), Mingmen (Life Gate, GV4), Xianshu (Suspension Pivot, GV5), Jizhong (Center of Spine, GV6), Zhongshu (Central Pivot, GV7), Jinsuo (Tendon Contraction, GV8), Zhiyang (Arrival at Yang, GV9), Lingtai (Spirit Platform, GV10), Shendao (Spirit Path, GV11), Shenzhu (Spirit Pillar, GV12), Taodao (Way of Tao, GV13), Dazhui (Great Vertebra, GV14), Yamen (Dark Door, GV15), Fengfu (Wind Palace, GV16), Naohu (Brain Window, GV17), Jiangjian (Strong Intercalated, GV18), Houding (Back Vertex, GV19), Baihui (Hundred Meetings, GV20), Qianding (Front Vertex, GV21), Xinhui (Fontanel Meeting, GV22), Shangxing (Upper Star, GV23), Shenting (Spirit Courtyard, GV24), Suliao (White Ridgepole, GV25), Shuigou (Water Ditch, GV26), Duanduan (End Point, GV27), Yinjiao (Gum Intersection, GV28).

The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and Du Mai (Governor Vessel) serve as the general guidelines for Yin and Yang in the human body. The Ren Mai travels along the abdomen and gathers all Yin meridians; therefore, it is called the Sea of Yin Meridians. The Du Mai travels along the back and commands all Yang meridians; therefore, it is called the Sea of Yang Meridians. Both vessels originate from the Huiyin point (Meeting of Yin, CV1). Qixuanzi (Wang Bing) stated that the *Jia Yi Jing* and *Tu Jing* designate the vessel circulating along the back as the Du Mai, and the vessel ascending from the lower abdomen as the Ren Mai, which is also referred to as the Du Mai. This distinction is merely based on the Yin-Yang characteristics of the back and abdomen. However, the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) also originates from the Baozhong (Uterus/Center of Womb) and ascends alongside the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Thus, the Ren Mai, Du Mai, and Chong Mai share a single source but branch into three. Therefore, the abdomen and back of the human body are like the Zi and Wu directions of heaven and earth; the anterior and posterior distribution of the Ren and Du vessels is like the separation of Yin and Yang by the Two Modes (Taiji).

\rDiagram of Sixteen Luo-Connecting Points\p01-e31a56.bmp\r
The *Jingmai Chapter* records only fifteen Luo-Connecting points. The *Pingren Qixiang Lun* states: "The large collateral of the Stomach is named Xuli." This makes a total of sixteen collaterals.
Among them, the collateral of the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian is named Gongsun (SP4), yet there is also a large collateral of the Spleen named Dabao (SP21); the collateral of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian is named Fenglong (ST40), yet there is also a large collateral of the Stomach named Xuli (ST15). Therefore, while each of the other meridians has only one collateral, the Spleen and Stomach each have two.

Zong Qi (Pectoral Qi) accumulates in the chest, emerges from the throat, and penetrates the Heart vessels to facilitate respiration. The *Jueqi Chapter* states: "The Upper Jiao (Upper Burner) opens and develops, distributing the flavors of grains, steaming the skin, filling the body, and moistening the hair, like mist and dew irrigating things; this is called Zong Qi." The term "Zong" implies "greatness."
Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) is Yin Qi, specifically the refined essence derived from food and drink. When this refined essence circulates within the meridians, it is called Ying Qi. Ying Qi arises from the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), accompanies the qi of the stomach, and after the functions of the Upper Jiao have manifested, it ascends to the Lungs. There, it receives pure air and extracts fluids, transforming into blood to nourish the living body, with nothing being more precious than this. Its circulation begins at the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, gradually descends, and concludes at the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian, flowing through the twelve meridian channels following the movement of Zong Qi. Hence it is said: "The clear portion becomes Ying Qi, which circulates within the vessels."
Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) is Yang Qi, specifically the bold and rapid qi derived from food and drink. Those floating, swift, slippery, and smooth energies that do not follow the meridians are called Wei Qi. Wei Qi arises from the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner) and gradually ascends. Every day at dawn, when Yin is exhausted and Yang emerges, the Yang qi exits the Jingming point (BL1) of the eyes, ascends to the head, and during the day begins its course from the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, traveling through the six Yang meridians before descending into the Yin regions. At night, it begins from the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, travels through the six Yin meridians, and then returns to inject into the Kidneys. It completes twenty-five circuits during the day and twenty-five at night, circulating independently among the skin and muscle layers without following Zong Qi. Hence it is said: "The turbid portion becomes Wei Qi, which circulates outside the vessels."