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(Huan [Slow and Soft], Jie [Knotted], Dai [Intermittent], Wei [Minute], and Ruo [Weak] pulses are all categorized under Chi [Slow] pulse.)

Chi (Slow) pulse. It belongs to Yin Earth. When the pulse beats fewer than five times during one exhalation and one inhalation, it is called Chi (Slow). This is a sign of excess Yin and deficient Yang, indicating cold in the Zang organs. By examining the strength or weakness of the Chi pulse, one can determine the depth of the cold. If forceful upon palpation, it indicates pain due to cold; if weak, it indicates deficiency-cold. A Chi pulse at the superficial level indicates exterior cold; at the deep level, interior cold. Fluctuations between slow and rapid rates indicate deficient fire. There is also a pulse that is neither superficial nor deep, neither rapid nor slow, neither minute nor weak, resembling the gentle sway of willow branches in a light breeze, which is called Huan (Slow and Soft). Huan pulse belongs to Yin; Earth has the meaning of gentleness and harmony. The harmonious Qi overflows in the pulse, and blood fills the muscles, so slowness is not considered a defect. It is the normal pulse of the Spleen. If the pulse is superficial and Huan, it indicates injury to Wei Qi (Defensive Qi); if deep and Huan, it indicates weakness of Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi). The appearance of a Huan pulse in any position indicates that Qi and Blood are failing to consolidate, representing a deficiency syndrome. A Huan pulse combined with largeness indicates severe wind-deficiency; combined with thinness, damp-bi obstruction; combined with choppy texture, blood deficiency; combined with weakness, Qi deficiency. A Huan pulse at the Cun (Cun) position indicates numbness of the skin; at the Guan (Guan) position, loss of appetite; at the Chi (Chi) position, weakness of the legs and edema below.

If the pulse comes slowly and occasionally stops before resuming, it is called Jie (Knotted) pulse. "Jie" represents the extreme of Yin pulses, where Yin alone is excessive and Yang cannot enter. This is often caused by emotional depression (Seven Emotions), or cold pathogens stagnating in the meridians, causing one of the five pathological factors—Qi stagnation, Blood stasis, Phlegm, Food retention—to accumulate within, manifesting as a Jie pulse. A superficial Jie pulse indicates Qi stagnation; a deep Jie pulse indicates accumulation masses. Both Jie and Cu (Rapid-intermittent) pulses are critical signs. These pulses have no fixed rhythm; they may beat two or three times, stop once, and then resume. In some cases, the beating stops midway and cannot recover spontaneously, requiring a long search before it resumes strongly. This is called Dai (Intermittent) pulse. If caused by sudden damage to Qi and Blood with failure of Yuan Qi (Original Qi) to continue, it may be treatable. If seen during severe pain, or in pregnant women after the third month, it may occur normally; otherwise, it indicates the failure of one Zang organ, with others attempting to compensate, thus stating that Dai pulse indicates death. If felt lightly but seems to vanish under heavy pressure, appearing present yet absent, it is called Wei (Minute) pulse. Wei pulse belongs to Yin and is a sign of extreme exhaustion and various deficiencies. A superficial Wei pulse indicates insufficient Yang; a deep Wei pulse indicates insufficient Yin. If this pulse appears after sweating, vomiting, or purging, it indicates that Yin and Yang are about to harmonize and the disease is about to heal.

When soft and extremely weak, it is called Ruo (Weak) pulse. It is flaccid and unenergetic, similar to Ru (Soggy) pulse but deeper, belonging to Yin. Qi deficiency leads to a weak pulse, which is a sign of Yang sinking into Yin. A Ruo pulse at the Cun position indicates Yang deficiency; at the Chi position, Yin deficiency; at the Guan position, Stomach deficiency. Seeing a Ruo pulse after illness or in the elderly is favorable (Shun); seeing it in healthy young people is unfavorable (Ni).