十二月大寒至二月春分，为初之气，厥阴风木主令。经曰∶“厥阴之至其脉弦。”
春分至小满，为二之气，少阴君火主令。经曰∶“少阴之至其脉钩。”小满至六月大暑，为三之气，少
阳相火主令。经曰∶“少阳之至大而浮。”大暑至八月秋分，为四之气，太阴湿土主
令。经曰∶“太阴之至其脉沉。”秋分至十月小雪，为五之气，阳明燥金主令。经曰∶“阳明之至短而
涩。”小雪至十二月大寒，
为六之气，太阳寒水主令。经曰∶“太阳之至大而长。”
东极之地，四时皆春，其气暄和，民脉多缓。
南极之地，四时皆夏，其气蒸炎，民脉多软。
西极之地，四时皆秋，其气清肃，民脉多劲。
北极之地，四时皆冬，其气凛冽，民脉多石。
东南卑湿，其脉软缓，居于高巅，亦西北也；西北高燥，其
脉刚劲，居于污泽，亦东南也。南人北脉，取气必刚；北人南脉，取气必柔。东西不齐，可以类剖。
肝脉来软弱招招，如揭长竿末梢，曰肝平。（招招，犹迢迢也。揭，高举也。高揭
长竿，梢必和缓，乃弦长而兼和缓柔软之象也。）
心脉来累累如连珠，如循琅 ，曰心平（连珠琅 ，皆状其盛满流行，而无太过不及之弊也。）
脾脉来和柔相离，如鸡践地，曰脾平。（和柔者，悠悠扬扬也。相离者，不模糊也。如鸡践
地，喻其缓而不迫，胃气之妙也。）
肺脉来厌厌聂聂，如落榆荚，曰肺平。（厌厌聂聂，涩之象也。如落榆荚，毛之象也。轻浮
和缓，为和平之象。）
肾脉来喘喘累累如钩，按之而坚，曰肾平。（喘喘、累累、如钩，此三者，皆心脉之
阳也；而济之以沉石，则阴阳和平也。）
From the Great Cold (Dahan) in December to the Spring Equinox (Chunfen) in February, this is the First Qi, governed by Jueyin Wind-Wood. The Classics state: "When Jueyin arrives, its pulse is Xian (wiry)."
From the Spring Equinox to the Minor Fullness (Xiaoman), this is the Second Qi, governed by Shaoyin Sovereign Fire. The Classics state: "When Shaoyin arrives, its pulse is Gou (hooked)." From Minor Fullness to the Great Heat (Dashu) in June, this is the Third Qi, governed by Shaoyang Ministerial Fire. The Classics state: "When Shaoyang arrives, its pulse is large and floating."
From the Great Heat to the Autumn Equinox (Qiufen) in August, this is the Fourth Qi, governed by Taiyin Damp-Earth. The Classics state: "When Taiyin arrives, its pulse is Chen (deep)." From the Autumn Equinox to the Light Snow (Xiaoxue) in October, this is the Fifth Qi, governed by Yangming Dry-Metal. The Classics state: "When Yangming arrives, its pulse is short and Se (rough)." From Light Snow to the Great Cold in December, this is the Sixth Qi, governed by Taiyang Cold-Water. The Classics state: "When Taiyang arrives, its pulse is large and Chang (long)."
In the extreme East, all four seasons resemble spring; the climate is warm and harmonious, and the people's pulses are mostly Huan (slow/relaxed).
In the extreme South, all four seasons resemble summer; the climate is steaming and scorching, and the people's pulses are mostly Ruan (soft).
In the extreme West, all four seasons resemble autumn; the climate is clear and austere, and the people's pulses are mostly Jin (firm/strong).
In the extreme North, all four seasons resemble winter; the climate is biting and cold, and the people's pulses are mostly Shi (stone-like/solid).
The Southeast is low and damp; its pulses are soft and relaxed. However, those residing on high peaks also exhibit pulses similar to the Northwest (firm); the Northwest is high and dry; its pulses are rigid and strong. However, those residing in muddy marshes also exhibit pulses similar to the Southeast (soft). A Southerner presenting a Northern pulse indicates that their acquired constitution must be Gang (hard/strong); a Northerner presenting a Southern pulse indicates that their acquired constitution must be Rou (soft/gentle). The differences between East and West can be distinguished by analogy.
The Liver's normal pulse is Xian (wiry). The Heart's normal pulse is Gou (hooked). The Spleen's normal pulse is Dai (intermittent/modifying). The Lung's normal pulse is Mao (feathery). The Kidney's normal pulse is Shi (stone-like).
When the Liver pulse comes weak and flexible, swaying like the tip of a long pole held high, it is called a Normal Liver Pulse (Gan Ping). ("Zhaozhao" means lingering and slow. "Jie" means holding high. Holding a long pole high, the tip must be gentle and slow, reflecting the image of Xian being long yet combined with gentleness and softness.)
When the Heart pulse comes linked like pearls, as if smoothing polished jade (Langgan), it is called a Normal Heart Pulse (Xin Ping). ("Linked pearls" and "polished jade" both describe the full flow of Qi without excess or deficiency.)
When the Spleen pulse comes harmonious and distinct, like a chicken treading on the ground, it is called a Normal Spleen Pulse (Pi Ping). ("Harmonious" means leisurely and graceful. "Distinct" means clear and not blurred. Like a chicken treading on the ground, it metaphorically represents slowness without urgency, illustrating the subtlety of Stomach Qi.)
When the Lung pulse comes faint and fluttering (Yanyan NieNie), like falling elm seeds, it is called a Normal Lung Pulse (Fei Ping). ("Yanyan NieNie" is the image of Se (rough). Falling elm seeds is the image of Mao (feathery). Light, floating, and gentle constitutes the image of peace and health.)
When the Kidney pulse comes panting and linked like a hook, and feels firm upon deep pressure, it is called a Normal Kidney Pulse (Shen Ping). ("Panting," "linked," and "like a hook" all reflect the Yang aspect of the Heart pulse; when aided by the Chen-Shi (deep and stone-like) quality, Yin and Yang achieve harmony.)