Library

The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: Heaven and Earth are the parents of all things. Yin and Yang correspond to the male and female aspects of blood and qi. Men carry Yin and embrace Yang, while women carry Yang and embrace Yin. The South belongs to Fire. When men face South at birth (symbolizing adherence to Yang Qi), their Cun (Inch) pulses are located in the South, receiving Yuan Yang (Original Yang), thus the Cun pulse is洪大 (Hongda, large and forceful), while the Chi (Cubit) pulse is weak. Women face North at birth (symbolizing adherence to Yin Qi), their Cun pulses are located in the North, receiving Yuan Yin (Original Yin), thus the Cun pulse is weak, while the Chi pulse is洪大 (Hongda, large and forceful). A man's pulse resembling a woman's indicates deficiency; a woman's pulse overcoming a man's indicates excess. The *Mai Jue* (Pulse Classic) states: "Women's pulses are the reverse of this; one must observe the Chi pulse, and diagnose disease at the third position," which refers precisely to this principle.

Generally, a woman's conception is like the earth bearing things; when Yin and Yang harmonize, all things are born. The way of husband and wife is also that when Yin and Yang harmonize, males and females are born. When a woman's menstruation is regular and smooth, and hundred diseases do not arise, then pregnancy can be formed. Conception is primarily based on blood. Wang Shuhe stated: "When blood is abundant and qi is deficient, there should be pregnancy; when blood is deficient and qi is abundant, there will certainly be no pregnancy." A weak Chi pulse, a slippery and rapid Guan (Bar) pulse with smooth flow, and the appearance of Que Zhuo (Sparrow Pecking) pulse are all signs of fetal pulses, though the pregnant mother may not feel them. If the Left Hand pulse shows a Zong (Longitudinal) pattern, it predicts two boys; if the Right Hand pulse shows a Heng (Transverse) pattern, it predicts twin girls. If the Left Hand pulse is Ni (Reverse), it predicts three boys; if the Right Hand pulse is Shun (Smooth/Return), it predicts three girls. If the Taiyang (Greater Yang) pulse on the Left is Fu (Floating), it predicts an older boy; if the Taiyin (Greater Yin) pulse on the Right is Chen (Deep) and Xi (Fine), it predicts a girl. Generally, Yang pulses indicate males, and Yin pulses indicate females. Zhang Zhongjing stated: "Pulses have characteristics of Xiang Cheng (Mutual Inheritance), Zong Heng (Longitudinal and Transverse), and Ni Shun (Reverse and Smooth)." Why? The answer is: Water overcoming Fire, and Metal overcoming Wood, are called Zong (Longitudinal); Fire overcoming Water, and Wood overcoming Metal, are called Ni (Reverse); Metal overcoming Water, and Wood overcoming Fire, are called Shun (Smooth). One might ask: What are the Can Zei (Residual and Robber) pulses? The six pulses of Xian (Wiry), Jin (Tight), Fu (Floating), Hua (Slippery), Chen (Deep), and Se (Choppy) are the Zei (Robber) pulses. However, when various Zei pulses cause disease, this is referred to as "Can" (Residual/Damage). Furthermore, in pregnancy pulses: "Fu Cheng Qi Kui" (Husband overcomes Wife's deficiency) manifests as Zong Qi appearing; "Qi Cheng Fu Kui" (Wife overcomes Husband's deficiency) manifests as Heng Qi assisting; "Zi Cheng Mu Kui" (Child overcomes Mother's deficiency) manifests as Ni Qi being respectful; "Mu Cheng Zi Kui" (Mother overcomes Child's deficiency) manifests as Shun Qi protecting. If Yin Blood arrives first and Yang Essence rushes later, Zong Qi comes to overcome, similar to the rising and falling of mist and dew, where blood wraps essence; this is called "Fu Cheng Qi Kui Zong Qi Wu" (Husband overcomes Wife's deficiency with Longitudinal Mist Qi), and the male fetus forms. If Yang Essence arrives first and Yin Blood follows respectfully, the Heng Qi from both sides assists, and the rising essence wraps blood; this is called "Qi Cheng Fu Kui Heng Qi Zhu" (Wife overcomes Husband's deficiency with Transverse Assistance Qi), and the female fetus forms. Whenever fetal Qi gathers suddenly, it must possess Zong, Heng, Ni, and Shun characteristics to form a fetus.