人配天地,而称三才,人身俨然一小天地也。凡两间之理,无所不应,他不具论,即如脉之合
于五行者,粲若指掌请得而陈之。北方为坎,水之位也。南方为离,火之位也。东方为震,木之
位也。西方为兑,金之位也。中央为坤,土之位也。试南面而立,以观两手之部位。心属火居寸,
亦在南也。肾属水居尺,亦在北也。肝属木居左,亦在东也。肺属金居右,亦在西也。脾属土居
关,亦在中也。以五行相生之理言之,天一生水,故先从左尺肾水生左关肝木,肝木生左寸
心火。心火为君主,其位至高不可下,乃分权于相火。相火寓于右肾,肾本水也,而火寓焉。如
龙伏海底,有火相随。右尺相火生右关脾土,脾土生右寸肺金,金复生水,循环无端,此相生
之理也。更以五行相克之理言之,相火在右尺,将来克金,赖对待之左尺,实肾水也。火得水
制,则不乘金矣。脾土在右关,将来克水,赖对待之左关,实肝木也,土得木制,则不侮水矣。肺
金在右寸,将来克木,赖对待之左寸,实心火也,金得火制,则不贼木矣。右手三部,皆得左手
三部制矣,而左手三部竟无制者,独何欤?右寸之肺金,有子肾水可复母雠。右关之脾土,有
子肺金可复母雠。右尺之相火,有子脾土可复母雠。是制于人者仍可制人,相制而适以相
成也。此相克之理也。人诚能体天地之道以保其身,脉何有不调者哉。
Humans are matched with Heaven and Earth, collectively known as the "Three Powers" (San Cai), and the human body is essentially a microcosm of the universe. All principles governing the cosmos correspond to those within the human body; without discussing them all, let us examine how pulse diagnosis aligns with the Five Elements (Wu Xing), which is as clear as looking at one's own palm. I shall elaborate on this.
The North corresponds to the Kan trigram, representing the position of Water. The South corresponds to the Li trigram, representing the position of Fire. The East corresponds to the Zhen trigram, representing the position of Wood. The West corresponds to the Dui trigram, representing the position of Metal. The Center corresponds to the Kun trigram, representing the position of Earth. Imagine standing facing south to observe the positions of the pulses in both hands. The Heart belongs to Fire and resides in the Cun position (inch position, near the wrist crease), which is also in the South. The Kidneys belong to Water and reside in the Chi position (cubit position, further up the arm), which is also in the North. The Liver belongs to Wood and resides on the left side, which is also in the East. The Lungs belong to Metal and reside on the right side, which is also in the West. The Spleen belongs to Earth and resides in the Guan position (bar position, between Cun and Chi), which is also in the Center.
Speaking from the perspective of the generating cycle (Sheng) of the Five Elements: "Heaven generates One with Water." Thus, it begins with Kidney Water at the Left Chi position generating Liver Wood at the Left Guan position, and Liver Wood generating Heart Fire at the Left Cun position. Heart Fire, as the Sovereign Lord, occupies the highest position and cannot descend; therefore, it delegates authority to Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo). Ministerial Fire resides in the Right Kidney. Although the Kidney fundamentally belongs to Water, Fire resides within it. This is like a dragon lurking at the bottom of the sea, accompanied by fire. Ministerial Fire at the Right Chi position generates Spleen Earth at the Right Guan position, and Spleen Earth generates Lung Metal at the Right Cun position. Lung Metal then generates Water again, cycling endlessly. This is the principle of generation.
Furthermore, speaking from the perspective of the controlling cycle (Ke) of the Five Elements: Ministerial Fire is at the Right Chi position and will eventually control Metal. Fortunately, the opposing Left Chi position contains substantial Kidney Water. When Fire is controlled by Water, it does not over-control (Cheng) Metal. Spleen Earth is at the Right Guan position and will eventually control Water. Fortunately, the opposing Left Guan position contains substantial Liver Wood. When Earth is controlled by Wood, it does not insult (Wu) Water. Lung Metal is at the Right Cun position and will eventually control Wood. Fortunately, the opposing Left Cun position contains substantial Heart Fire. When Metal is controlled by Fire, it does not rob (Zei) Wood. The three positions on the right hand are all controlled by the three positions on the left hand, yet the three positions on the left hand seem to have no controllers. Why is this? Lung Metal at the Right Cun position has its offspring, Kidney Water, which can avenge its mother's enemy (by controlling Fire). Spleen Earth at the Right Guan position has its offspring, Lung Metal, which can avenge its mother's enemy (by controlling Wood). Ministerial Fire at the Right Chi position has its offspring, Spleen Earth, which can avenge its mother's enemy (by controlling Water). Thus, those who are controlled can also control others; mutual control serves to mutually complete each other. This is the principle of control. If humans can embody the Dao of Heaven and Earth to preserve their bodies, how could the pulse be disordered?