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Li Shizhen said: In the human body, there are Jing (Main) vessels and Luo (Collateral) vessels. Those that run straight are called Jing vessels. Those that branch off are called Luo vessels. There are twelve Jing vessels in total, namely the three Yin and three Yang vessels of the hand, and the three Yin and three Yang vessels of the foot. There are fifteen Luo vessels in total; these consist of one collateral from each of the twelve Jing vessels, plus one major collateral from the Spleen, along with the collaterals of the Ren (Conception Vessel) and Du (Governor Vessel), making fifteen in all. Together, they form twenty-seven Qi pathways, moving up and down together like flowing spring water or the movement of the sun and moon, never resting. Thus, the Yin vessels nourish the Zang organs (Solid organs), and the Yang vessels nourish the Fu organs (Hollow organs). Yin and Yang interconnect continuously like a circle without beginning or end, beyond comprehension, cycling endlessly. The overflowing Qi enters the Eight Extraordinary Vessels (Qi Jing Ba Mai), irrigating each other, warming the internal Zang-Fu organs, and moistening the Cou Li (skin texture and pores). There are eight Extraordinary Vessels in total, which are not constrained by the Twelve Regular Meridians and lack exterior-interior pairing, hence they are called "Extraordinary" (Qi). Generally speaking, the regular meridians are like irrigation ditches, while the extraordinary vessels are like lakes and marshes. When the Qi in the regular meridians becomes abundant, it overflows into the extraordinary vessels. Therefore, Bian Que (Yue Ren) compared this to rain falling from the sky: when ditches overflow, heavy rain flows wildly into the lakes. This reveals secrets not yet expounded in the *Ling Shu* and *Su Wen*. Although the Eight Extraordinary Vessels are recorded in various texts, they are often described briefly and incompletely. If physicians do not understand this, they cannot probe the pathogenesis; if Daoist cultivators do not understand this, they cannot properly manage the alchemical furnace and tripod.

The Eight Extraordinary Vessels are the Yin Wei (Linking) Vessel, Yang Wei (Linking) Vessel, Yin Qiao (Heel-Climbing) Vessel, Yang Qiao (Heel-Climbing) Vessel, Chong (Penetrating) Vessel, Ren (Conception) Vessel, Du (Governor) Vessel, and Dai (Belt) Vessel. The Yang Wei Vessel originates at the convergence of all Yang vessels, ascending from the lateral malleolus into the Wei (Defensive) level. The Yin Wei Vessel originates at the convergence of all Yin vessels, ascending from the medial malleolus into the Ying (Nutritive) level. They serve as the framework for the entire body. The Yang Qiao Vessel originates in the heel, follows the lateral malleolus, and ascends on both sides of the body, enabling agility and nimbleness of the joints. The Yin Qiao Vessel also originates in the heel, follows the medial malleolus, and ascends on both sides of the body. The Du Vessel originates at the Huiyin point (CV1), runs along the back, and governs the posterior aspect of the body, serving as the commander of all Yang vessels; thus, it is called the "Sea of Yang Vessels." The Ren Vessel originates at the Huiyin point, runs along the abdomen, and governs the anterior aspect of the body, serving as the bearer of all Yin vessels; thus, it is called the "Sea of Yin Vessels." The Chong Vessel originates at the Huiyin point, runs alongside the umbilicus, and rushes upward, acting as the crucial pathway for all vessels; thus, it is called the "Sea of the Twelve Regular Meridians." The Dai Vessel encircles the waist horizontally, resembling a belt, and serves to bind and regulate all the vessels.

Therefore, the Yang Wei Vessel governs the exterior of the body, and the Yin Wei Vessel governs the interior, analogous to Heaven and Earth (Qian and Kun). The Yang Qiao Vessel governs the Yang on both left and right sides, and the Yin Qiao Vessel governs the Yin on both left and right sides, analogous to East and West. The Du Vessel governs the Yang at the posterior, and the Ren and Chong Vessels govern the Yin at the anterior, analogous to North and South. The Dai Vessel binds the vessels horizontally, analogous to the Six Directions (Si Fang plus Heaven and Earth). Thus, if a physician understands the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, they grasp the main principles of the Twelve Regular Meridians and Fifteen Collaterals. If a Daoist cultivator understands the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, they comprehend the subtle mysteries of the ascent and descent of Dragon and Tiger, and the profound mechanisms of the Mysterious Female (Xuan Pin).

Regarding pulse diagnosis: If both hands show Yang pulses upon superficial palpation and Yin pulses upon deep palpation, and both Yin and Yang are excessively full and robust, this indicates the Chong and Du Vessels. The Chong and Du Vessels are the pathways for the Twelve Regular Meridians. When the Chong and Du Vessels are dominant, the Qi of the Twelve Regular Meridians no longer converges at the Cun Kou (radial artery) pulse position. Such individuals often exhibit mental confusion, doubtfulness, and lack of clarity, characterized by indecision and dual-mindedness. If the Yang pulses of both hands are superficial, fine, and thread-like, barely perceptible, and the Yin pulses are similarly fine and thread-like, this indicates the Yin Qiao and Yang Qiao Vessels. Such individuals may have previously suffered from severe illness, demonic wind invasion, or conditions resembling soul loss and hallucinations. If the Chi (Cun) and Cun (Guan) pulses at both positions are floating and move straight up and down, this indicates pathology of the Du Vessel, manifesting as stiffness and rigidity of the lower back and back, inability to bend or extend. In adults, this presents as Dian disease (epilepsy/psychosis); in children, it presents as Feng Xian Ji (infantile convulsions). If the Chi and Cun pulses are firm (Lao) and move straight up and down, this indicates pathology of the Chong Vessel, manifesting as cold in the chest or Hernia diseases.

The *Nan Jing* states: What are the manifestations of disease in the Extraordinary Vessels? The answer is: The Yang Wei Vessel links the Yang, and the Yin Wei Vessel links the Yin. If Yin and Yang cannot link each other, the person feels despondent and loses their will, with a flaccid body unable to control itself. Disease of the Yin Qiao Vessel presents with relaxation of the Yang side and tension of the Yin side. Disease of the Yang Qiao Vessel presents with relaxation of the Yin side and tension of the Yang side. Disease of the Chong Vessel presents with counterflow Qi and abdominal urgency. Disease of the Du Vessel presents with spinal rigidity and Jue (cold extremities/fainting). Disease of the Ren Vessel presents with internal knotting; in men, it manifests as Seven Types of Hernia; in women, as Zha Ju (abdominal masses). Disease of the Dai Vessel presents with abdominal fullness and a flaccid sensation in the waist, as if sitting in water. Disease of the Yang Wei Vessel involves suffering from alternating chills and fever. Disease of the Yin Wei Vessel involves suffering from heart pain. These are the pathological manifestations of the Extraordinary Vessels.