Library

Huangdi said: I have heard from the Master about the Nine Needles; their content is abundant and profound, yet I still cannot fully comprehend it. May I ask how the Nine Needles originated and why they are named as such? (The principles of the Nine Needles are based on the Three Realms of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity, hence described as profound.)

Qibo replied: The Nine Needles correspond to the great numbers of Heaven and Earth, starting with one and ending with nine. Thus, the first corresponds to Heaven, the second to Earth, the third to Humanity, the fourth to the Four Seasons, the fifth to the Five Tones, the sixth to the Six Pitch-pipes, the seventh to the Seven Stars, the eighth to the Eight Winds, and the ninth to the Nine Fields. (This explains their profundity.)

Huangdi asked: How do the needles correspond to the number nine?

Qibo answered: The Sages established the numbers of Heaven and Earth from one to nine, thereby defining the Nine Fields. Nine times nine equals eighty-one, which initiates the base number of Huangzhong (Yellow Bell, a fundamental pitch standard), and the needles correspond to this numerical system. (The base of Huangzhong originates from one.)

The first needle corresponds to Heaven. Heaven is Yang. Among the Zang organs, the Lung corresponds to Heaven. The Lung is the canopy of the five Zang and six Fu organs. The skin is the exterior correspondence of the Lung and represents the Yang of the human body. Therefore, this needle must be made with a large head and a sharp tip, preventing deep insertion, so that Yang Qi may be released.

The second needle corresponds to Earth. Earth is Soil. In the human body, Muscle tissue corresponds to Soil. Therefore, this needle must have a cylindrical body and a rounded tip, ensuring it does not damage muscle fibers. If muscles are damaged, Qi will be exhausted.

The third needle corresponds to Humanity. Human life depends on Blood vessels. Therefore, this needle must have a thick body and a rounded tip, allowing it to press upon the pulse without sinking in, thereby guiding Zheng Qi (True Qi) and expelling Xie Qi (Pathogenic factors) alone.

The fourth needle corresponds to Time. Time refers to the Four Seasons. Pathogenic Eight Winds invading the meridians cause chronic diseases. Therefore, this needle must have a cylindrical body and a sharp tip, enabling it to drain heat and blood, causing chronic diseases to wither away.

The fifth needle corresponds to Tone. Tone relates to the division between Winter and Summer, occurring at Zi and Wu hours, where Yin and Yang separate, and Cold and Heat contend. The conflict between these two energies results in carbuncles and pus. Therefore, this needle must have a tip like a sword edge, used for draining large amounts of pus. (Named Pipi Needle / Sword Needle.)

The sixth needle corresponds to Pitch-pipes. Pitch-pipes regulate Yin and Yang, the Four Seasons, and align with the Twelve Meridians. When deficient pathogenic factors invade the meridians, they cause sudden Bi syndrome (obstruction). Therefore, this needle must have a tip like a hair, both round and sharp, with a slightly enlarged middle section, used to dispel sudden pathogenic Qi. (Named Yuanli Needle / Round-Sharp Needle. Hao means hair; the shape is round and sharp, with a slightly enlarged middle.)

The seventh needle corresponds to Stars. Stars refer to the seven orifices of the human body. Pathogenic factors invading the meridians cause painful Bi syndrome, lodging within the channels. Therefore, this needle must have a tip like the proboscis of a mosquito or horsefly. It should be inserted quietly and slowly, retained slightly for a long time, allowing Zheng Qi to gather, so that True Qi and Pathogenic Qi exit together. After withdrawal, nourishment is provided. ("Hui" refers to the beak/proboscis. Named Hao Needle / Filiform Needle. "Nourish" implies prolonged retention.)

The eighth needle corresponds to Wind. Wind refers to the eight joints of the thighs and calves. Deficient winds from the Eight Directions injure the body, lodging internally in the bone gaps, waist, spine, and interstices, causing deep Bi syndrome. Therefore, this needle must have a long body and a sharp tip, capable of removing deep-seated pathogens and distant Bi syndromes. (Named Chang Needle / Long Needle.)

The ninth needle corresponds to Fields. Fields refer to the spaces between joints and fascia. Excessive pathogens flow through the body like wind-water disease, remaining trapped but unable to pass through the major joints. Therefore, this needle must have a tip like a wooden peg (Ting), with a slightly rounded edge, used to remove excessive Qi that cannot pass through the joints. (Named Da Needle / Large Needle. There are twelve major joints. Ting refers to a small split bamboo stick.)

Huangdi asked: Is there a standard for the length of needles?

Qibo answered:
1. The Pipi Needle (Sword Needle) is modeled after a cloth needle, with the wooden handle removed by half an inch, leaving a sharp tip. It is 1.6 cun long and treats heat in the head and body.
2. The Yuan Needle (Round Needle) is modeled after a cotton needle, with a cylindrical body and an egg-shaped tip. It is 1.6 cun long and treats Qi stagnation in the intermuscular spaces.
3. The Di Needle (Press Needle) is modeled after the sharpness of millet grains. It is 3.5 cun long and is used to press the pulse to obtain Qi and expel pathogens.
4. The Feng Needle (Pricking Needle) is modeled after a cotton needle, with a cylindrical body and a sharp tip. It is 1.6 cun long and treats carbuncle-heat and bleeding.
5. The Pi Needle (another reference to Sword Needle) is modeled after a sword edge, 0.25 cun wide and 4 cun long, treating large carbuncles and conflicting heat.
6. The Yuanli Needle is modeled after hair, with a slightly enlarged tip and a narrower base to allow deep insertion. It is 1.6 cun long and treats carbuncles and sudden Bi syndrome.
7. The Hao Needle (Filiform Needle) is modeled after hair, 1.6 cun long, treating cold painful Bi syndrome in the collaterals.
8. The Chang Needle (Long Needle) is modeled after the Qi needle, 7 cun long, treating deep pathogens and distant Bi syndrome.
9. The Da Needle (Large Needle) is modeled after the Feng Needle, slightly rounded, 4 cun long, treating excessive Qi trapped at the joints.

These complete the forms of the Nine Needles, representing the standards for their size and length. (This describes the shapes of the Nine Needles and the diseases they treat. "Shi" sounds like "Xian", "Ding" sounds like "Xi", referring to needle shapes. "Pi" sounds like "Mei", "Qi" sounds like "Qi Mei".)

The names of the needles differ, as do their forms:
1. Pipi Needle: Large head, sharp tip, used to drain Yang Qi.
2. Yuan Needle: Tip like an egg, used to massage intermuscular spaces without damaging muscle, draining Qi from the spaces.
3. Di Needle: Tip sharp like millet grain, used to press the pulse without sinking, guiding Qi.
4. Feng Needle: Blade has three corners (San Yu), used to disperse chronic diseases.
5. Pi Needle: Tip like a sword edge, used to drain large abscesses.
6. Yuanli Needle: Tip like hair, round and sharp, with a slightly enlarged middle, used to drain sudden pathogenic Qi.
7. Hao Needle: Tip like a mosquito proboscis, inserted quietly and slowly, retained for nourishment, used to treat painful Bi syndrome.
8. Chang Needle: Sharp and thin, broad body, used to treat distant Bi syndrome.
9. Da Needle: Tip like a wooden peg, slightly rounded edge, used to drain fluid from joint mechanisms.

Thus, the functions of the Nine Needles are complete. (This describes the usage of the Nine Needles.)