岐伯曰∶圣人之起天地之数也，一而九之，故以立九野，九而九之，九九八十一，以起
黄钟数焉。以针应九数也。何以言之？一者，天也。天者，阳也。五脏之应天者肺，肺者，
五脏六腑之华盖也，皮者，肺之合也，人之阳也，故为之治针，必大其头而锐其末，令毋得
深入而阳气出。二者，地也。人之所以应土者肉也。故为之治针，必筒其身而圆其末，令毋
得伤肉分，伤则气得竭。三者，人也。人之所以成生者，血脉也。故为之治针，必大其身而
圆其末，令可以按脉勿陷，以致其气，令邪气独出。四者，时也。时者，四时八风之客于经
络中为痼病者也。故为之治针，必筒其身而锋其末，令可以泻热出血而痼病竭。五者，音也
。音者，冬夏之分，分于子午，阴与阳别，寒与热争，两气相搏，合为痈脓者也。故为之治
针，必令其末如剑锋，可以取大脓。六者，律也。律者，调阴阳四时而合十二经脉，虚邪客
于经络，而为暴痹者也。故为之治针，必令尖如 ，且圆且锐，中身微大，以取暴气。七者
，星也。星者，人之七窍，邪之所客于经而为痛痹，舍于经络者也。故为亡治针，令尖如蚊
虻喙，静以徐往，微以久留，正气因之，真邪俱往，出针而养者也。八者，风也。风者，人
之股肱八节也。八正之虚风，八风伤人，内舍于骨解腰脊节腠之间为深痹也。故为之治针，
其身，锋其末，可以取深邪远痹。九者，野也。野者，人之节解皮肤之间也。淫邪流溢于身
，如风水之状而溜，不能过于机关大节者也。故为之治针，令尖如挺，其锋微圆，以取大气
之不能过于关节者也。一天、二地、三人、四时、五音、六律、七星、八风、九野，身形亦
应之。针有所宜，故曰九针。人皮应天，人肉应地，人脉应人，人筋应时，人声应音，人阴
阳合气应律，人齿面目应星，人出入气应风，人九窍三百六十五节应野。故一针皮，二针肉
，三针脉，四针五脏筋，五针骨，六针调阴阳，七针益精，八针除风，九针通九窍，除三百
六十五节气，此之谓有所主也。
Qibo stated: The sages deduced the numerical principles of Heaven and Earth. Starting with one, they multiplied by nine to establish the "Nine Fields" (Jiu Ye). Multiplying nine by nine yields eighty-one, which establishes the base number for Huangzhong (the fundamental pitch pipe representing the central tone in Chinese music theory and cosmology). The Nine Needles correspond to these nine numbers. Why is this so?
The first needle corresponds to Heaven. Heaven belongs to Yang. Among the Five Zang Organs, the Lung corresponds to Heaven. The Lung is the canopy (Huagai) covering the five zang and six fu organs. The skin is associated with the Lung and represents the yang aspect of the human body. Therefore, the needle used for treatment must have a broad head and a sharp tip, ensuring it does not penetrate deeply, thereby allowing the yang qi to disperse.
The second needle corresponds to Earth. In humans, flesh corresponds to Earth. Therefore, the needle used for treatment must have a cylindrical shaft and a rounded tip, ensuring it does not damage the muscle tissue. If the muscles are damaged, the healthy qi will be exhausted.
The third needle corresponds to Humanity. Human life depends on blood vessels. Therefore, the needle used for treatment must have a thick shaft and a rounded tip, allowing it to press upon the pulse without sinking into it, thereby guiding the healthy qi and expelling the pathogenic qi alone.
The fourth needle corresponds to Time. Time refers to the four seasons; stubborn diseases formed when the Eight Winds (pathogenic winds from eight directions) invade the meridians. Therefore, the needle used for treatment must have a cylindrical shaft and a sharp tip, allowing it to drain heat and release blood, thereby eliminating stubborn diseases.
The fifth needle corresponds to Tone. Tone signifies the division between winter and summer, separated by Zi and Wu (midnight and noon), where yin and yang diverge, and cold and heat contend. When these two energies clash, they combine to form carbuncles and pus. Therefore, the needle used for treatment must have a tip like a sword edge, capable of draining large abscesses.
The sixth needle corresponds to Pitch-pipes (Lü). Pitch-pipes regulate yin and yang, harmonize with the four seasons, and align with the twelve Meridians. When deficient pathogens invade the meridians, they cause sudden Bi syndrome (obstruction syndrome). Therefore, the needle used for treatment must have a tip like an arrowhead—both round and sharp—with a slightly thicker middle section, to expel sudden pathogenic qi.
The seventh needle corresponds to Stars. Stars correspond to the seven orifices of the human body. Pathogens residing in the meridians cause painful Bi syndrome and lodge within the channels. Therefore, the needle used for treatment must have a tip like the proboscis of a mosquito or midge. It should be inserted quietly and slowly, retained gently for a long time, to support the healthy qi, allowing both true qi and pathogenic qi to exit together, facilitating nourishment after withdrawal.
The eighth needle corresponds to Wind. Wind corresponds to the eight joints of the limbs (thighs and arms). Deficient winds from the eight seasonal directions injure the human body, lodging internally in the bone fissures, waist, spine, and interstices, causing deep Bi syndrome. Therefore, the needle used for treatment must have a thick shaft and a sharp tip, capable of expelling deep-seated pathogens and distant Bi syndromes.
The ninth needle corresponds to Fields. Fields correspond to the spaces between joints and the skin. Excessive pathogens overflow throughout the body, resembling wind-water edema, flowing but unable to pass through major joint hubs. Therefore, the needle used for treatment must have a tip like a straight filiform needle, with a slightly rounded point, to expel excessive qi that cannot pass through the joints.
One corresponds to Heaven, two to Earth, three to Humanity, four to Time, five to Tone, six to Pitch-pipes, seven to Stars, eight to Wind, and nine to Fields. The human body also corresponds to these. Each needle has its specific suitability, hence they are called the Nine Needles. Skin corresponds to Heaven, flesh to Earth, vessels to Humanity, tendons to Time, voice to Tone, the harmony of yin-yang qi to Pitch-pipes, teeth and facial features to Stars, inhalation and exhalation to Wind, and the nine orifices and 365 acupoints to Fields. Thus, the first needle treats the skin, the second the flesh, the third the vessels, the fourth the tendons, the fifth the bones, the sixth regulates yin and yang, the seventh benefits essence, the eighth dispels wind, and the ninth unblocks the nine orifices and eliminates pathogens at the 365 acupoints. This is what is meant by each having its specific domain.