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Within the body, only the course and measurement of the meridians (Jingdu) and the circulation of Ying and Wei Qi determine auspiciousness and inauspiciousness. These circulations and residencies must be carefully examined through the meridians; this is the content of the *Jingdu* chapter.

The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian and the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian are exterior-interior pairs; the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian and the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian are exterior-interior pairs; the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian and the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian are exterior-interior pairs. This constitutes the exterior-interior relationships of the lower Jiao Yin-Yang. The Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian and the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian are exterior-interior pairs; the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian and the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian are exterior-interior pairs; the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian are exterior-interior pairs. This constitutes the exterior-interior relationships of the upper Jiao Yin-Yang. (From *Lun on Blood, Qi, Form, and Will*)

The Yellow Emperor said: I wish to hear about the separation and union of the Three Yin and Three Yang. The Hui Bo physician said: When a sage stands facing south, the front is called Guangming (Broad Brightness), and the back is called Taichong (Great Surge). (Note: "Xi Da Ye" refers to the large seat. The South is governed by Bing-Ding Fire, where Yang Qi is abundant and bright, hence called Guangming. Facing south governs things, so sages face south. However, in the human body, the Heart is located in the south, hence the front is called Guangming. The Chong Mai is in the north, hence the back is called Taichong. Since Taichong involves the convergence of the Kidney Meridian and the Chong Mai being vigorous, it is called Taichong.) At the place of Taichong, it is named Shaoyin; above Shaoyin, it is named Taiyang. (Note: This clarifies that these two meridians combine to form an exterior-interior pair. The Kidney Zang is Yin, the Bladder Fu is Yang; Yin Qi is below, Yang Qi is above, forming one combined meridian qi.) The Taiyang Meridian originates at the Zhiyin point and terminates at the Mingmen. (Note: Zhiyin is the acupoint name. Mingmen is the place where essence is stored and light shines, referring to the two eyes. The Taiyang Meridian starts from the eyes and goes down to the feet, thus rooting at the toe tip and ascending to terminate at the eyes.) It is named Yang within Yin. (Note: Because Taiyang resides in the location of Shaoyin, it is called Yang within Yin.) Above the middle of the body is named Guangming; below Guangming is named Taiyin. (Note: The waist and above belong to Heaven, the waist and below belong to Earth. Thus, the area above the middle belongs to Guangming, and the area below Guangming belongs to Taiyin. ○ Xuezhai says: Below the Heart is the Taiyin Spleen Organ.) In front of Taiyin is named Yangming. (Note: The Yangming Stomach Meridian runs in front of the Spleen Meridian, while the Taiyin Spleen Meridian runs behind the Stomach Meridian.) The Yangming Meridian originates at the Lidui point and is named Yang within Yin. (Note: Because Yangming resides in front of Taiyin, it is called Yang within Yin.) The exterior of Jueyin is named Shaoyang. (Note: The Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian runs within the division of the Liver Meridian, and the Jueyin Liver Meridian runs within the position of the Gallbladder Meridian, hence Jueyin's exterior is named Shaoyang. ○ Because Shaoyang resides on the exterior of Jueyin, it is called Minor Yang within Yin.) The Shaoyang Meridian originates at the Xiaoyin point and is named Minor Yang within Yin. Therefore, the separation and union of the Three Yang are: (Note: Separation refers to distinct application, Union refers to coordination with Yin. Separation places them correctly among the Three Yang; Union forms exterior-interior relationships between Zang and Fu.) Taiyang acts as the Gate (Kai), (governing the mechanism of movement and stillness.) Yangming acts as the Door (He), (holding the power of restriction and solidity.) Shaoyang acts as the Pivot (Shu), (initiating subtle movements. Note: Guan, He, Shu refer to the unequal amounts of Qi in the Three Yang and their different functions. According to the *Spiritual Pivot: Root and Terminal* chapter: Taiyang is Kai, Yangming is He, Shaoyang is Shu. If the Gate breaks, acute diseases arise due to joint erosion, so acute diseases are treated by taking from Taiyang. If the skin and flesh wither and weaken, it is due to collapse. If the Door breaks, Qi does not stop, leading to flaccidity diseases, so flaccidity diseases are treated by taking from Yangming. Where Qi does not stop, true Qi stagnates, and pathogenic Qi resides. If the Pivot breaks, bones shake and cannot stand firm, so bone shaking is treated by taking from Shaoyang. Bone shaking indicates joints are loose and do not gather.) These three meridians must not deviate from each other; if the pulse beats with Stomach Qi and is not floating, it is called "One Yang". (Yi means uniformity. Floating but not deficient, the beating reflects Stomach Qi, hence One Yang. ○ The wise say: Feeling the pulse with Stomach Qi, floating but not deficient, means the Three Yang are uniform without differentiation in function. If floating and deficient, the Three Yang differentiate and deviate, corresponding to the previous statement "must not deviate.")

The Yellow Emperor said: I wish to hear about the Three Yin. The Hui Bo physician said: Exterior is Yang, Interior is Yin, therefore Middle is Yin. (Middle is Interior.) Its critical point is below, named Taiyin. (Chong means critical importance. The Chong Mai is below the Spleen, hence its critical point is below. The following text discusses organ positions and meridian sequences.) The Taiyin Meridian originates at the Yinbai point and is named Yin within Yin. (Note: Because Taiyin resides in Yin, it is named so.) Behind Taiyin is named Shaoyin. (Xuezhai says: Below the Spleen Organ and near the back is the position of the Kidney. The Taiyin Meridian originates at the big toe end, and the Shaoyin Meridian originates below the little toe.) The Shaoyin Meridian originates at the Yongquan point and is named Minor Yin within Yin. In front of Shaoyin is named Jueyin. (Note: Jue means exhaustion. Yin Qi reaches its limit here, hence called Absolute Yin within Yin. ○ Xuezhai says: In front of the Kidney Organ and near the top is the position of the Liver. The Jueyin Meridian crosses out behind the Taiyin Meridian.) The Jueyin Meridian originates at the Dazhun point and is named Absolute Yin within Yin. Therefore, the separation and union of the Three Yin are: Taiyin acts as the Gate (Kai), Jueyin acts as the Door (He), Shaoyin acts as the Pivot (Shu). These three meridians must not deviate from each other; if the pulse beats with Stomach Qi and is not sinking, it is called "One Yin". (Yi means uniformity. Sinking but not drowning, the beating reflects Stomach Qi, hence One Yin. Note: Also refers to inequality of Qi. If the Gate breaks, the granary cannot transport, causing diaphragmatic perforation, treat Taiyin. If the Door breaks, Qi relaxes and sadness occurs, treat Jueyin. If the Pivot breaks, pulses knot and do not flow, treat Shaoyin. ○ The wise say: Taiyang is the Gate, up to "called One Yang", implies Taiyang resides on the exterior, like a gate door in the body, securing Ying and Wei flowing outward. Yangming resides inside, like a closing door, securing Ying and Wei guarding inward. Shaoyang resides in the middle, like a pivot, allowing Ying and Wei to enter and exit. These three meridians are interconnected thus, hence they must not deviate. Why? Specifically speaking, although the Three Yang have exterior-interior differences, generally speaking, the Three Yin all belong to the Interior, and the Three Yang all belong to the Exterior. If the pulse floats but is not deficient, and beats with Stomach Qi, then the Three Yang are uniform, each guarding its post without deviation. Thus, although Taiyang is the Gate, pathogens cannot enter; although Yangming is the Door, there is no pathogen to close; although Shaoyang is the Pivot, how can pathogens enter or exit? The same applies to the Three Yin. *Lun on Yin-Yang Separation and Union*)

The Yellow Emperor said: The skin has divisions, the pulses have scriptures, the sinews have knots and networks, the bones have measurements, and the diseases they produce vary. Distinguishing their divisions, left and right, upper and lower, Yin and Yang locations, and the beginning and end of diseases, I wish to hear the method. The Hui Bo physician said: To know the Skin Regions (Pi Bu), take the meridians as the guide; this applies to all meridians. (Note: Following the course and termination of meridians reveals the Skin Regions. All meridians refer to the Twelve Primary Meridians. All twelve meridians are the same.) The Yang of Yangming is named Haifei. (Metal nature kills five insects. Note: Fei refers to generation/transformation. Hai refers to killing energy. When killing energy moves, transformation occurs, hence Haifei.) Upper and lower follow the same method. (Upper and lower refer to Hand and Foot meridians.) Observe any floating collaterals in the region. (Note: Region refers to the part of the primary meridian network; floating refers to visible appearance.) These are all collaterals of Yangming. Colors mostly blue indicate pain; mostly black indicate Bi syndrome; yellow and red indicate heat; mostly white indicate cold; seeing all five colors indicates mixed cold and heat. If the collateral is full, the pathogen enters the main meridian. Yang collaterals govern the exterior, Yin collaterals govern the interior. (Yang refers to Yang collaterals, Yin refers to Yin collaterals, stated generally. This applies to all limbs and body parts.) The Yang of Shaoyang is named Shuchi. (Shu means pivot, Chi means holding.) Upper and lower follow the same method. Observe any floating collaterals in the region; these are all collaterals of Shaoyang. If the collateral is full, the pathogen enters the main meridian. Therefore, what is in the Yang governs the Interior, what is in the Yin governs the Exit, seeping into the Interior; this applies to all meridians. (Note: The nineteen characters from "Therefore..." to "...all meridians" seem disconnected, meaning unclear.) The Yang of Taiyang is named Guanshu. (Current view: Taiyang governs Yang Qi, named Guanshu, meaning the key pivot of all Yang meridians.) Upper and lower follow the same method. Observe any floating collaterals in the region; these are all collaterals of Taiyang. If the collateral is full, the pathogen enters the main meridian. The collateral of Shaoyin is named Shuru. (Current view: Shuru means soft and compliant. Yin follows Yang, hence Shuru.) Upper and lower follow the same method. Observe any floating collaterals in the region; these are all collaterals of Shaoyin. If the collateral is full, the pathogen enters the main meridian. Those entering the meridian come from the Yang region and inject into the meridian; those exiting the meridian go from the Yin interior to the bone. (Note: The wise say: Those exiting come from the Yang meridian.) The Yin of the Heart Master (Pericardium) is named Haishan. (The Heart Master meridian enters the armpit; if Qi is discordant, it hinders shoulder and axilla movement. Current view: Wang's commentary states the nature/function for all meridians, but for the Heart Master, it says Haishan without stating the nature/function, which is obscure.) Upper and lower follow the same method. Observe any floating collaterals in the region; these are all collaterals of the Heart Master. If the collateral is full, the pathogen enters the main meridian. The Yin of Taiyin is named Guanzhe. (Closing and storing, making them move smoothly and hide.) Upper and lower follow the same method. Observe any floating collaterals in the region; these are all collaterals of Taiyin. If the collateral is full, the pathogen enters the main meridian. All twelve meridian networks are the regions of the skin. (Note: Listing Yin-Yang positions and regions governing the skin, hence "Skin Region". The wise say: Hundred diseases first affect the skin and hair. Pathogens attack, pores open, entering collaterals, staying and not leaving, transmitting to meridians, then gradually to Fu organs and Zang organs. Thus, listing Skin Regions clarifies this.)

The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) originates below Zhongji. (Note: Huiyin region.) Ascending past the pubic hair, it follows the interior of the abdomen, passes Guanyuan, reaches the throat, ascends to the chin, (Note: Below the cheekbone is the mandible, center of the mandible is the chin.) follows the face into the eyes. (Note: Following Chengjiang, circling the lips up to Dujiang, dividing to connect the centers below both eyes, meeting at Chengqi. The wise note: The following text says: "Its straight line from the lower abdomen passes through the center of the navel, ascends through the heart, enters the throat, goes up to the chin, circles the lips, and connects to the center below both eyes." Based on this and the Ren Mai's course, claiming this is connected to the Du Mai is suspected to be an interpolation. The Ren Mai always runs along the anterior body. Dongyuan says: The Ren Mai originates at Huiyin, roots at Qugu, enters the anterior yin, exits to the abdominal interior, passes the navel ascending, attaches to the Foot-Jueyin Meridian, meets the source of transformation, penetrates all meridians, having no connection it does not bind. Named Ren because women use it for pregnancy and nourishment. Also, the Chong Mai, according to *Suwen*, runs with the Foot-Shaoyin Meridian. *Nanjing* says it runs with the Foot-Yangming Meridian. Moreover, the Shaoyin Meridian flanks the navel 5 cun left and right, the Yangming Meridian flanks the navel 2 cun left and right, and Qichong is where Yangming meridian Qi emerges. Inferring from this, the Chong Mai starts from Qichong, inside the Yangming and Shaoyin meridians, flanking the navel ascending, which makes sense. Also checking *Zhenjing*, the Chong Mai runs in the abdomen through Youmen, Tonggu, Maidou, Youguan, Shangqu, Huangzhong, Zhuzhong, Siman, Qixue, Dahe, Henggu, totaling twenty-two points, all belonging to the Foot-Shaoyin. Thus, the Chong Mai running with the Foot-Shaoyin Meridian is undeniable. The above are all canonical principles, recorded together for reference.) The Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) originates at Qichong, runs with the Shaoyin Meridian, flanks the navel ascending, and disperses at the Baozhong (uterus/womb). (Note: Ren and Chong are Extraordinary Vessels. The Ren Mai runs up the center of the navel, the Chong Mai runs up flanking both sides of the navel. Zhongji point name is 4 cun below the navel. "Originating below Zhongji" means Zhongji ascends from the interior of the lower abdomen to emerge externally at the pubic hair, not that it originally starts there. Guanyuan point is 3 cun below the navel. Qichong point is 1 cun above the groin on both sides. According to the Chong and Ren Mai, both originate at the Baozhong, ascend along the abdominal interior, serving as the Sea of Meridians. Their superficial branches ascend along the abdomen, meet at the throat, branch to connect the lips and mouth. From this, it is clear that the Ren and Chong Mai ascend from the interior of the lower abdomen to below Zhongji and within Qichong.) Disease of the Ren Mai: Men develop internal binding of Seven Hernias; Women develop leukorrhea and mass accumulation. Disease of the Chong Mai: Counterflow Qi and interior urgency. Disease of the Du Mai (Governor Vessel): Stiffness of the spine and opisthotonos. (Note: The Du Mai is also an Extraordinary Vessel. However, the Ren, Chong, and Du Mai share one source and three branches. Hence, some texts call the Chong Mai the Du Mai, or call the Ren Mai running along the back the Du Mai, or call the straight line from the lower abdomen the Ren Mai, also called the Du Mai. This distinguishes names based on back/abdomen Yin-Yang. Because the Ren Mai passes over the Dai Mai from the Baozhong through the navel upward, men suffer internal binding of Seven Hernias, and women suffer leukorrhea and masses. Because the Chong Mai flanks the navel upward, joining the Shaoyin Meridian to reach the Baozhong, disease of the Chong Mai causes counterflow Qi and interior urgency. Because the Du Mai ascends along the spinal interior, disease of the Du Mai causes spinal stiffness and opisthotonos.) The Du Mai originates from the central bone below the lower abdomen. In women, it enters and connects to the Ting Kong. (Note: Originating does not mean initial start, just as Ren and Chong Mai originate from the Baozhong. Actually, it starts from below the Kidneys, reaching the lower abdomen, then descends to the center surrounded by the lumbar transverse bone. Connecting Ting Kong refers to Yaolou, a point near the anterior yin. Named so because the female genitalia are connected to the center.) It is at the end of the urine hole of the Yaolou. (Yaolou is the hole; within Yaolou there is the urine hole above; End refers to the top of the female genitalia above this urine hole. The Du Mai from the center of the bone surround reaches here.) Its network follows the yin organ, meets at the Cu Jian (Huiyin acupoint), (Huiyin acupoint.) circles behind the Cu. (Note: The separate network of the Du Mai divides from the end of the urine hole and travels separately, descending along the yin organ, then meeting at Cu Jian. "Jian" refers to the space between the anterior and posterior yins. After the two spaces, it divides again and circles behind the Cu.) Separately circles the buttocks to reach Shaoyin, merging with the middle network of Ju Yang (Taiyang), ascending along the inner rear edge of the thigh, piercing the spine, and connecting to the Kidney. (Note: Separate refers to separate networks traveling separately. The Foot-Shaoyin network ascends from the inner rear edge of the thigh, pierces the spine, and connects to the Kidney. The external walker of the Foot-Taiyang network follows the Bitshu, networks the thigh yin downward, and its middle walker descends through the buttocks to merge with the external network at the Buttock Center, hence "reaching Shaoyin and merging with the middle network of Ju Yang, ascending along the inner rear edge of the thigh, piercing the spine, and connecting to the Kidney". ○ Outer thigh is Bitou, below the bone is Bitshu.) It joins the Taiyang, originating from the inner corner of the eye, ascending to the forehead, crossing the vertex, entering the brain to network it, returning and branching down the neck, following the inside of the shoulder blades, flanking the spine, reaching the waist center, entering to follow the Lumbar muscles, and networking the Kidney. (Note: Continuing to circle up the buttocks. ○ The wise note: The forty-six characters from "ascending from Shaoyin inner thigh" to "following Lumbar muscles networking Kidney" likely have missing text or are ancient commentary interpolations.) In men, it follows the penis down to the Cu, equal to women. Its straight line from the lower abdomen passes through the center of the navel, ascends through the heart, enters the throat, goes up to the chin, circles the lips, and connects to the center below both eyes. (Note: From "joining Taiyang originating from inner eye" down to "equal to women" are all separate networks of the Du Mai. The straight line ascends from the tailbone along the spinal interior to the nasal pillar. From the lower abdomen straight up to the center below both eyes, combining the course of the Ren Mai but claiming it is connected to the Du Mai. From this, the Ren, Chong, and Du Mai are distinct yet one entity. ○ The wise note: The Du Mai always runs along the posterior body. Dongyuan says: The Du Mai emerges from the Huiyin acupoint, i.e., Cu, roots at the Changqiang acupoint, ascends along the spinal interior to the vertex, attaches to the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. The Bladder Meridian is the head of all Yang, binding Ying and Wei Qi. The Du Mai, as the attached Governor, can treat diseases of the twelve meridians above, below, middle, interior, and exterior. Named Du because it governs and leads all meridians. Furthermore, the Qiao, Du, and Ren meridians: *Neijing* states they are within the sixteen zhang two chi circulation of the twelve meridians' Ying Qi, while *Bianque* states the Eight Extraordinary Vessels are not restricted by the twelve meridians. These two theories contradict, awaiting the wise to analyze the *Bone Empty* chapter.)