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Yi Zong stated: The one-fen portion anterior to the Guan (Cun-Guan-Chi) pulse is the master of human life. The left side is Renying (Human Welcome), and the right side is Qikou (Qi Mouth). The "one-fen portion anterior to Guan" refers to the fact that each of the Cun, Guan, and Chi positions has three levels (upper, middle, lower), totaling nine fen. The "one-fen portion anterior to Guan" mentioned here actually remains above the Guan position, but specifically at the anterior one-fen segment. Therefore, the left anterior one-fen is called Renying, used to differentiate external wind pathogens; since the left Guan corresponds to the Liver and Gallbladder pulses, and the Liver is a Zang organ, it is said that "a tight and full Renying pulse indicates injury by wind." The right anterior one-fen is called Qikou, used to differentiate internal dietary injuries; since the right Guan corresponds to the Spleen and Stomach pulses, and the Stomach is the Sea of Water and Grain, while the Spleen is the Official of Granaries, it is said that "a tight and full Qikou pulse indicates injury by food." One should not confuse external causes (Six Excesses) with the Six Qi to seek etiology, nor should one confuse internal causes with the Seven Emotions to seek etiology. Some might mistakenly interpret the "anterior one-fen" as being above the Cun position; however, can the Heart pulse at the left Cun differentiate wind, or can the Lung pulse at the right Cun differentiate dietary injury?

In men, the Cun pulse is typically vigorous, while the Chi pulse is typically weak; if the Chi pulse is weak, it often indicates Kidney Yin deficiency with hyperactive fire, which may paradoxically present as a seemingly vigorous pulse. In women, the Cun pulse is typically weak, while the Chi pulse is typically vigorous; if the Chi pulse is vigorous, it often indicates Shaoyang Qi excess with Yin deficiency, which may paradoxically present as a seemingly weak pulse. Furthermore, for men, a larger pulse on the left side is considered favorable (Shun); for women, a larger pulse on the right side is considered favorable.

For elderly and weak individuals, the pulse should be slow and weak; if it is overly vigorous, it indicates disease. For young and robust individuals, the pulse should be full and solid; if it is overly weak, it indicates disease. Shan Fu offered further commentary: An elderly person's pulse may be vigorous but not restless/agitated; this indicates strong congenital endowment and represents a long-lived elder, termed a "Longevity Pulse." If an elderly person's pulse is agitated and rapid, appearing superficially but lacking depth (superficial without interior root), death is near. A robust person's pulse should be fine, smooth, and harmonious, with equal balance across the three positions (Cun, Guan, Chi); this indicates a tranquil congenital endowment and represents a refined and leisurely scholar, termed a "Yin Pulse." If the pulse comes in finely but is stiff and straight, with inequality between the anterior and posterior positions, one can determine the time of death.

Thin individuals have vigorous pulses, while obese individuals have deep pulses. Thin individuals tend to have more Fire, hence their pulses are vigorous; obese individuals tend to have more Dampness, hence their pulses are deep. However, if a thin individual's Fire pathogen becomes extremely excessive, the pulse may also become deep, making treatment difficult to achieve effective results.

In the Central Plains region, the four seasons bring different Qi, and residents' pulses vary accordingly with the seasons: String-like (Xian) in Spring, Surging (Hong) in Summer, Feather-light (Mao) in Autumn, and Stone-deep (Shi) in Winter. Pulses that contradict the seasonal climate are all named as pathological. In the Eastern Yi lands, the four seasons resemble Spring; the Qi is warm and harmonious, so people's pulses are mostly slow/harmonious (Huan). In the Southern Yi lands, the four seasons resemble Summer; the Qi is steaming and scorching, so people's pulses are mostly large/vigorous (Da). In the Western Yi lands, the four seasons resemble Autumn; the Qi is clear and austere, so people's pulses are mostly stiff/forceful (Jin). In the Northern Yi lands, the four seasons resemble Winter; the Qi is biting cold, so people's pulses are mostly stone-deep (Shi). Southeastern regions are low and damp; their pulses are soft and slow. Those residing on southern peaks also exhibit pulses similar to those of the Northwest (stiff). Northwestern regions are high and dry; their pulses are stiff and forceful; those residing in marshy areas also exhibit pulses similar to those of the Southeast (soft). Northerners presenting with Southern-type pulses must have inherently rigid constitutions; Southerners presenting with Northern-type pulses must have inherently soft constitutions. Differences between East and West can be classified and understood through such analogies.