子者阳也午者阴也不曰阴阳而曰子午者正以见人身任督与天地子午相为流通故地理南针
不离
子午乃阴阳自然之妙用也八法者奇经八穴为要乃十二经之大会也(入门)○公孙(冲脉)内关(
阴维)临泣(带脉)外关(阳维)后溪(督脉)申脉(阳跷)列缺(任脉)照海(阴跷)其阳跷阳维并督
脉属阳主肩背腰腿在表之病其阴跷阴维任冲带属阴主心腹胁肋在里之病(入门)○周身三百六
十穴统于手足六十六穴六十六穴又统于八穴故谓之奇经八穴(入门)
流者往也注者住也神气之流行也十二经每经各得五穴井荣 经合也手不过肘足不过膝阳
于三
十六穴阴于三十穴共成六十六穴阳于多六穴者乃原穴也(入门)○大肠合又有巨虚上廉小肠合
又有巨虚下廉三焦合又有委阳也(纲目)
肺（少商 鱼际 太渊 经渠 尺泽 井木 荣火 土 经金 合水）
大肠（商阳 二间 三间 合谷 阳溪井金 荣水 木 原 经火 曲池上廉合土）
心（中冲 劳宫 太陵 间使 曲泽 井木 荣火 土 经金 合水 心不主令故代以心包）
小肠（少泽 前谷 后溪 腕骨 阳谷 井金 荣水 木 原 经火 少海下兼合土）
肝（大敦 行间 木冲 中封 曲泉 井木 荣火 上 经金 合水）
胆（窍阴 侠溪 临泣 丘墟 阳辅 阳陵泉 井金 荣水 木 原 经火 合土）
脾（隐白 大都 大白 商丘 阴陵泉 井木 荣火 土 经金 合水）
胃（厉兑 内庭 陷谷 冲阳 解溪 三里 井金 荣水 木 原 经火 合土）
肾（涌泉 然谷 太溪 复溜 阴谷 井木 荣火 土 经金 合水）
膀胱（至阴 通谷 束骨 京骨 昆仑 委中 井金 荣水 木 原 经火 合土）
三焦（关冲 液门 中渚 阳池 支沟 井金 荣水 木 原 经火 天井委阳合土）
五 阴阳配合
阴井木阳并金阴荣火阳荣水阴 土阳 木阴经金阳经火阴合水阳合土阴
阳皆不同其意何也然是刚柔之事也阴井乙木阳井庚金庚者乙之刚乙者庚之柔故为配合焉他仿
五 主病
五脏六腑各有井荣 经合皆何所主然经言所出为井所流为荣所注为 所行为
所入为合井主心下痞满(肝也)邪荣主身热(心也)邪 主体重节痛(脚也)邪经主喘咳寒热
(肺也)邪合主气逆而泄(肾也邪)此所主病也(难经)
五 针随四时
春刺井夏刺荣季夏刺 秋刺经冬刺合者何也盖春刺井者邪在肝也夏刺荣
者邪在心也季夏刺 者邪在脾也秋刺经者邪在肺也冬刺合者邪在肾也(难经)
井合有义
所出为井所入为合柰何盖井者东方春也万物始生故言所出为井也合者北方冬也阳气入脏故言所入为合也(难经)
Zi (11 PM–1 AM) represents Yang, and Wu (11 AM–1 PM) represents Yin. The reason for using "Zi" and "Wu" instead of simply saying "Yin" and "Yang" is to illustrate that the Qi of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and Du Mai (Governing Vessel) in the human body circulates in correspondence with the Zi and Wu directions of Heaven and Earth. Therefore, geographical compasses always align with the Zi-Wu axis, which is the subtle application of natural Yin and Yang. The Eight Methods focus on the eight acupoints of the Extraordinary Vessels, which serve as the major convergence points of the Twelve Primary Meridians. (From *Ru Men*) ○ Gongsun (ST40, connecting to Chong Mai), Neiguan (PC6, connecting to Yin Wei Mai), Zulinqi (GB41, connecting to Dai Mai), Waiguan (TE5, connecting to Yang Wei Mai), Houxi (SI3, connecting to Du Mai), Shenmai (BL62, connecting to Yang Qiao Mai), Lieque (LU7, connecting to Ren Mai), and Zhaohai (KI6, connecting to Yin Qiao Mai). Among these, Yang Qiao Mai, Yang Wei Mai, and Du Mai belong to Yang and primarily govern diseases of the shoulders, back, waist, and legs located in the exterior. Yin Qiao Mai, Yin Wei Mai, Ren Mai, Chong Mai, and Dai Mai belong to Yin and primarily govern diseases of the heart, abdomen, hypochondrium, and ribs located in the interior. (From *Ru Men*) ○ The 360 acupoints of the entire body are unified under the 66 specific acupoints of the hands and feet, and these 66 acupoints are further unified under the eight acupoints of the Extraordinary Vessels; thus, they are called the "Eight Acupoints of the Extraordinary Vessels." (From *Ru Men*)
"Liu" (Flow) refers to movement and circulation, while "Zhu" (Pour/Station) refers to staying or accumulating; this describes the flowing circulation of Shen Qi (Spiritual Qi). Each of the Twelve Primary Meridians has five specific acupoints: Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, Shu-Stream, Jing-River, and He-Sea. Hand meridian acupoints do not extend beyond the elbow, and foot meridian acupoints do not extend beyond the knee. Yang meridians have six acupoints per sequence, and Yin meridians have five, totaling 66 acupoints. The extra acupoint in Yang meridians is the Yuan-Source point. (From *Ru Men*) ○ Additionally, the Lower He-Sea point of the Large Intestine is Shangjuxu (ST37); the Lower He-Sea point of the Small Intestine is Xiajuxu (ST39); and the Lower He-Sea point of the San Jiao is Weiyang (BL39). (From *Gang Mu*)
Lung Meridian: Shaoshang (LU11), Yuji (LU10), Taiyuan (LU9), Jingqu (LU8), Chize (LU5). Five Elements attributes: Jing-Well Wood, Ying-Spring Fire, Shu-Stream Earth, Jing-River Metal, He-Sea Water.
Large Intestine Meridian: Shangyang (LI1), Erjian (LI2), Sanjian (LI3), Hegu (LI4), Yangxi (LI5), Quchi (LI11), Shangjuxu (ST37). Five Elements attributes: Jing-Well Metal, Ying-Spring Water, Shu-Stream Wood, Yuan-Source, Jing-River Fire, He-Sea Earth.
Pericardium Meridian: Zhongchong (PC9), Laogong (PC8), Tailing (PC7), Jianshi (PC5), Quze (PC3). Five Elements attributes: Jing-Well Wood, Ying-Spring Fire, Shu-Stream Earth, Jing-River Metal, He-Sea Water. (Note: The Heart does not directly receive pathogenic factors but is represented by the Pericardium.)
Small Intestine Meridian: Shaoze (SI1), Qiangu (SI2), Houxi (SI3), Wanggu (SI4), Yanggu (SI5), Shaohai (SI4), Xiajuxu (ST39). Five Elements attributes: Jing-Well Metal, Ying-Spring Water, Shu-Stream Wood, Yuan-Source, Jing-River Fire, He-Sea Earth.
Liver Meridian: Dadun (LR1), Xingjian (LR2), Taichong (LR3), Zhongfeng (LR4), Ququan (LR8). Five Elements attributes: Jing-Well Wood, Ying-Spring Fire, Shu-Stream Earth, Jing-River Metal, He-Sea Water.
Gallbladder Meridian: Qiaoyin (GB44), Xiaxi (GB43), Zulinqi (GB41), Qiuxu (GB40), Yangfu (GB38), Yanglingquan (GB34). Five Elements attributes: Jing-Well Metal, Ying-Spring Water, Shu-Stream Wood, Yuan-Source, Jing-River Fire, He-Sea Earth.
Spleen Meridian: Yinbai (SP1), Dabu (SP2), Taibai (SP3), Shangqiu (SP5), Yinlingquan (SP9). Five Elements attributes: Jing-Well Wood, Ying-Spring Fire, Shu-Stream Earth, Jing-River Metal, He-Sea Water.
Stomach Meridian: Lidui (ST45), Neiting (ST44), Xangu (ST43), Chongyang (ST42), Jiexi (ST41), Zusanli (ST36). Five Elements attributes: Jing-Well Metal, Ying-Spring Water, Shu-Stream Wood, Yuan-Source, Jing-River Fire, He-Sea Earth.
Kidney Meridian: Yongquan (KI1), Ran Gu (KI2), Taixi (KI3), Fuliu (KI7), Yingu (KI10). Five Elements attributes: Jing-Well Wood, Ying-Spring Fire, Shu-Stream Earth, Jing-River Metal, He-Sea Water.
Bladder Meridian: Zhiyin (BL67), Tonggu (BL65), Shugu (BL64), Jinggu (BL64), Kunlun (BL60), Weizhong (BL40). Five Elements attributes: Jing-Well Metal, Ying-Spring Water, Shu-Stream Wood, Yuan-Source, Jing-River Fire, He-Sea Earth.
San Jiao Meridian: Guanchong (TE1), Yemen (TE2), Zhongzhu (TE3), Yangchi (TE4), Zhigou (TE6), Tianjing (TE10), Weiyang (BL39). Five Elements attributes: Jing-Well Metal, Ying-Spring Water, Shu-Stream Wood, Yuan-Source, Jing-River Fire, He-Sea Earth.
Five: Yin-Yang Coordination
The Jing-Well of Yin meridians is Wood, while that of Yang meridians is Metal; the Ying-Spring of Yin is Fire, while that of Yang is Water; the Shu-Stream of Yin is Earth, while that of Yang is Wood; the Jing-River of Yin is Metal, while that of Yang is Fire; the He-Sea of Yin is Water, while that of Yang is Earth. Why are the Five Elements attributions different between Yin and Yang? This reflects the principle of Hardness and Softness (Gang-Rou). The Yin Jing-Well is Yi Wood, and the Yang Jing-Well is Geng Metal. Geng is the Hard aspect of Yi, and Yi is the Soft aspect of Geng; hence, they are coordinated in this manner. The other acupoints follow this pattern.
Five: Indications
Each Zang and Fu organ has Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, Shu-Stream, Jing-River, and He-Sea acupoints, each governing specific conditions. As stated in the classics: "What emerges is the Jing-Well; what flows is the Ying-Spring; what pours into is the Shu-Stream; what travels through is the Jing-River; what enters is the He-Sea." The Jing-Well acupoints govern fullness and obstruction in the epigastrium (e.g., Liver disorders); the Ying-Spring acupoints govern fever (e.g., Heart disorders); the Shu-Stream acupoints govern heaviness and joint pain (e.g., Spleen disorders); the Jing-River acupoints govern wheezing, cough, chills, and fever (e.g., Lung disorders); the He-Sea acupoints govern rebellious Qi and diarrhea (e.g., Kidney disorders). These are their respective indications. (From *Nan Jing*)
Five: Acupuncture According to the Four Seasons
Why prick the Jing-Well in Spring, Ying-Spring in Summer, Shu-Stream in Late Summer, Jing-River in Autumn, and He-Sea in Winter? Pricking the Jing-Well in Spring addresses pathogens in the Liver; pricking the Ying-Spring in Summer addresses pathogens in the Heart; pricking the Shu-Stream in Late Summer addresses pathogens in the Spleen; pricking the Jing-River in Autumn addresses pathogens in the Lungs; pricking the He-Sea in Winter addresses pathogens in the Kidneys. (From *Nan Jing*)
Meaning of Jing-Well and He-Sea
"What emerges is the Jing-Well; what enters is the He-Sea." What is the meaning behind this? The Jing-Well corresponds to the East and Spring, when all things begin to grow; therefore, it is said that "what emerges is the Jing-Well." The He-Sea corresponds to the North and Winter, when Yang Qi enters the Zang organs; therefore, it is said that "what enters is the He-Sea." (From *Nan Jing*)