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[Ping An]: The content of this chapter from the beginning to here is found in Chapter 41, "Yin Yang Relating to Days and Months," Volume 7 of the *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot). The passage from "Zi zai shang zhe wei yang" (Those naturally above are Yang) to "Cang se" (Green color) in the original manuscript commentary was incomplete. I retrieved it from Fragment 13 of the Imperial Collection at the Japanese Ninna-ji Temple and supplemented the gaps between "sheng yu huo gu" (born from fire, therefore) and "you gan gan zhe" (having liver...) by cross-referencing the text of the *Ling Shu*. Thus, the missing parts of this chapter are restored, which is a fortunate event. From "Zi ci zhi wei ye" (From here it is said that) to the end, it is found in Chapter 6, "Yin Yang Li He Lun" (Discussion on the Separation and Combination of Yin and Yang), Volume 2 of the *Su Wen* (Basic Questions); also in Chapter 5, "Gen Jie" (Roots and Connections), Volume 2 of the *Ling Shu*; and further in Chapter 5, Volume 2 of the *Jia Yi Jing* (Classified Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).

Huang Di (Yellow Emperor) said: I have heard that Heaven is Yang, Earth is Yin; the Sun is Yang, the Moon is Yin. How do these correspond to the human body? Qi Bo replied: The waist and above correspond to Heaven, and the waist and below correspond to Earth; thus, Heaven is Yang, and Earth is Yin. (Generally, there are multiple types of Yin and Yang in the human body: there is Yin and Yang of the back and abdomen, upper and lower; internal and external of Zang-Fu organs; male and female of the Five Zang organs; left and right of the limbs; and upper and lower of the waist corresponding to Heaven and Earth.) The twelve meridians of the feet correspond to the twelve months. The Moon is born from Water, so what is below belongs to Yin. (The waist below is Earth, so each foot has three Yin and three Yang meridians corresponding to the twelve months, totaling twelve meridians. On either side of the body, there are twelve meridians, reflecting the universal application of Heaven and Earth. The Moon is the essence of Great Yin, generating Water on Earth, hence it is Yin.) The ten fingers of the hands correspond to the ten Heavenly Stems. The Sun is born from Fire, so what is above belongs to Yang. (The Sun is the essence of Great Yang, generating Fire in Heaven, hence it is Yang.)

Huang Di asked: How is this correspondence manifested in the meridians? Qi Bo answered: The month of Yin (the first lunar month) is when Yang energy begins to generate; it governs the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) meridian of the left foot. The month of Wei (the sixth lunar month) governs the Shaoyang meridian of the right foot. The month of Mao (the second lunar month) governs the Taiyang (Greater Yang) meridian of the left foot; the month of Wu (the fifth lunar month) governs the Taiyang meridian of the right foot. The month of Chen (the third lunar month) governs the Yangming (Bright Yang) meridian of the left foot; the month of Si (the fourth lunar month) governs the Yangming meridian of the right foot. These two Yang energies combine anteriorly, hence it is called Yangming. (From Yin to Wei, six earthly branches belong to Yang; from Shen to Chou, six belong to Yin. In the eleventh month, one Yang generates; in the twelfth, two Yangs generate; in the first month, three Yangs generate. Once three Yangs have generated, they enable all things to rise, hence called "Sheng Yang" (Generating Yang). In the first month, the Yang energy for life is not yet great, hence called Shaoyang; in the sixth month, Yang energy is diminishing, hence called Shaoyang. In the second month, Yang energy is already great, hence called Taiyang; in the fifth month, Yang energy remains great, hence called Taiyang. In the third and fourth months, two Yangs combine to illuminate, hence called Yangming.)

The month of Shen (the seventh lunar month) is when Yin energy begins to generate; it governs the Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) meridian of the right foot. The month of Chou (the twelfth lunar month) governs the Shaoyin meridian of the left foot. The month of You (the eighth lunar month) governs the Taiyin (Greater Yin) meridian of the right foot; the month of Zi (the eleventh lunar month) governs the Taiyin meridian of the left foot. The month of Xu (the ninth lunar month) governs the Jueyin (Terminal Yin) meridian of the right foot; the month of Hai (the tenth lunar month) governs the Jueyin meridian of the left foot. These two Yin energies intersect and exhaust, hence it is called Jueyin. (In the fifth month, one Yin generates; in the sixth, two Yins generate; in the seventh, three Yins generate. Once three Yins have generated, they cause all things to begin to decline, hence called "Sheng Yin" (Generating Yin). In the seventh month, Yin energy is still slight, hence called Shaoyin; in the twelfth month, Yin energy has declined, hence called Shaoyin. In the eighth month, Yin energy is already great, hence called Taiyin; in the eleventh month, Yin energy remains great, hence called Taiyin. In the ninth and tenth months, two Yins intersect and exhaust, hence called Jueyin. Jue means exhaustion.)

The Heavenly Stem Jia governs the Shaoyang meridian of the left hand; Ji governs the Shaoyang meridian of the right hand. Yi governs the Taiyang meridian of the left hand; Wu governs the Taiyang meridian of the right hand. Bing (Jing) governs the Yangming meridian of the left hand; Ding governs the Yangming meridian of the right hand. These two Fire energies merge, hence it is Yangming. (Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji are the Yang meridians of the hands; Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui are the Yin meridians of the hands. Jia and Yi are Shaoyang because Spring Qi floats in the first month, hence Shaoyang; Ji represents Summer Yang about to decline, hence Shaoyang. Jia is in the East, hence Left; Ji is in the Central Palace, hence Right. Yi and Wu are Hand Taiyang; Yi is the second month, Yang energy is already great, hence Taiyang; Wu is Summer Yang flourishing, hence Taiyang. Yi is in the East, Wu is in the Central Palace, hence Left and Right. Bing and Ding are Yangming; Bing is the fifth month, Ding is the sixth month, both are Southern Fire, two Fires combine to illuminate, hence Yangming.)

Geng governs the Shaoyin meridian of the right hand; Gui governs the Shaoyin meridian of the left hand. Xin governs the Taiyin meridian of the right hand; Ren governs the Taiyin meridian of the left hand. Therefore, the Yang meridians of the feet are Lesser Yang within Yin; the Yin meridians of the feet are Greater Yin within Yin. (Geng and Gui are Shaoyin. The twelve Earthly Branches belong to Earth, the ten Heavenly Stems belong to Heaven. Within Heaven, there is further Yin and Yang; thus Jia-Yi etc. are Yang, Geng-Xin etc. are Yin. Geng corresponds to Shen in the seventh month, Yin energy is not yet great, hence Shaoyin; Gui corresponds to Chou in the twelfth month, Yin energy is nearing its end, hence Shaoyin. Xin and Ren are Taiyin; Xin corresponds to You in the eighth month, Yin energy is already great, hence Taiyin; Ren corresponds to Zi in the eleventh month, Yin energy is abundant, hence Taiyin. The Heart governs the Jueyin meridian, but this is not the true Heart meridian; it has no associated stem outside the ten stems. The feet belong to Yin. The presence of Yang in the feet is Lesser Yin within Yin; the presence of Yin in the feet is Greater Yin within Yin.)

The Yang meridians of the hands are Greater Yang within Yang. (The six Yang meridians of the hands are Yang within the Yang of the upper body, hence called Taiyang.) The Yin meridians of the hands are Lesser Yin within Yang. (The six Yin meridians of the hands are Yin within the Yang of the upper body. Since Yang is great and Yin is slight, it is called Shaoyin.) The upper part of the waist is Yang; the lower part of the waist is Yin. (This refers to Upper-Lower Yin and Yang.)

Regarding the Five Zang organs: The Heart is Greater Yang within Yang; the Lung is Lesser Yin within Yang. (Above refers to Upper-Lower Yin and Yang; this refers to Zang organ Yin and Yang. The Heart and Lung reside above the diaphragm, belonging to Yang; the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney reside below the diaphragm, belonging to Yin. Thus, Yang relates to exhalation, associated with Heart and Lung; Yin relates to inhalation, associated with Spleen and Kidney. Both Heart and Lung are Yang; the Heart belongs to Fire, hence Greater Yang within Yang. Both are Yang; the Lung belongs to Metal, hence Lesser Yin within Yang.) The Liver is Lesser Yang within Yin; the Spleen is Ultimate Yin within Yin; the Kidney is Greater Yin within Yin. (These three organs reside below the diaphragm, belonging to Yin. The Liver belongs to Wood, hence Lesser Yang within Yin. The Spleen resides below the diaphragm and belongs to Earth, and being located inferiorly, it is Ultimate Yin within Yin. The Kidney belongs to Water inferiorly, hence Greater Yin within Yin.)

Huang Di asked: How should treatment be conducted based on these principles? Qi Bo replied: In the first, second, and third months, the Qi of humanity is in the left; do not needle the Yang meridians of the left foot. (In the three spring months, the Three Yang Qi of humans is prosperous in the left foot, hence it should not be needled.) In the fourth, fifth, and sixth months, the Qi is in the right; do not needle the Yang meridians of the right foot. (In the three summer months, the Three Yang Qi is prosperous in the right foot, hence it should not be needled.) In the seventh, eighth, and ninth months, the Qi is in the right; do not needle the Yin meridians of the right foot. (In the three autumn months, the Three Yin Qi is prosperous in the right foot, hence it should not be needled.) In the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth months, the Qi is in the left; do not needle the Yin meridians of the left foot. (In the three winter months, the Three Yin Qi is prosperous in the left foot, hence it should not be needled.)

Huang Di said: According to the Five Elements, the East is Jia and Yi Wood governing Spring; Spring corresponds to the Green color; the Green color corresponds to the Liver; the Liver governs the Foot Jueyin meridian. Now it is said that Jia governs the Left Hand Shaoyang meridian, which contradicts the numerical order. Why is this? Qi Bo replied: This refers to the Yin and Yang of Heaven and Earth, not the sequential movement of the Four Seasons and Five Elements. Moreover, the Dao of Yin and Yang has names but no form; thus, counting it can yield ten, dividing it can yield a hundred, scattering it can yield a thousand, and deducing it can yield ten thousand. This is what is meant. (In the sequence of Five Elements, Jia is Jueyin; in the Yin and Yang of Upper and Lower Heaven/Earth, Jia is Yang. This is because the Dao of Yin and Yang is formless and shapeless, shaping creation and governing infinite matters. Names are applied to entities, so counting can reach ten, and deduction can reach ten thousand.)

Huang Di said: I have heard that Heaven is Yang, Earth is Yin; Sun is Yang, Moon is Yin; 365 days make a year, and humans correspond to them. Now I hear of Three Yin and Three Yang, which do not correspond to the dual numbers of Heaven, Earth, Sun, and Moon Yin and Yang. What is the reason? (The number of Three Yin and Three Yang is three each, not corresponding to the dual number of Heaven/Earth/Sun/Moon Yin/Yang. Huang Di does not lack knowledge but wishes to ask broadly to expand on the infinite changes of Yin and Yang.) Qi Bo replied: The principle of Yin and Yang can be counted to ten, divided to a hundred, scattered to a thousand, and deduced to ten thousand. The magnitude of ten thousand is incalculable, yet its essence is One. (This means the principle of Yin and Yang is vast without exterior and subtle without interior; even the finest hair tip is carved by Yin and Yang. Thus, its numbers are incalculable. Therefore, Yin contains Yin, Yang contains Yang, Yang contains Yin, and Yin contains Yang. However, formed as a whole, they are identical as one Qi, hence the essence is One.)

Heaven covers and Earth bears, and all things begin to grow. (The Two Instruments [Heaven and Earth] combine their Qi.) Those not yet emerging from the earth are called places of Yin, named Yin within Yin. (Distinguishing Yin and Yang, i.e., Male and Female. Humans and things, before birth, are combined in Yin, not yet out of the earth. Pre-birth is Yin; being within Yin, it is called Yin within Yin.) Those that have emerged from the earth are called Yang within Yin. (What has been born and exists is Yang; newly born but not yet separated from the earth, it is called Yang within Yin.) Yang provides the correct energy; Yin serves as the master. (Yang Qi provides the vital energy for the generation of beings; Yin Qi serves as the nourishing master.) Thus, growth depends on Spring, expansion on Summer, harvesting on Autumn, and storing on Winter. If the norm is violated, the four seasons of Heaven and Earth become blocked. (One Qi separates into Yin and Yang, becoming the root of generation and nourishment, then divides into four seasons, serving growth, expansion, harvest, and storage. Ending and restarting like a ring without end is called the Norm. If the norm is lost, the transformation of the four seasons becomes obstructed.) The changes of Yin and Yang in humans can also be dispersed and counted. (Disperse means divide. Changes of Yin and Yang penetrate internal and external. As with external objects, changes in the internal body can also be divided into many, incalculable.)

Huang Di said: I wish to hear about the separation and combination of Three Yin and Three Yang. (Separating into Three Yin and Three Yang allows deduction to ten thousand, hence "Li" (Separation). Being only One Yin and One Yang is "He" (Combination).) Qi Bo said: The Sage stands facing South. (Ancient Sages wished to emulate the image of the Three Powers—Heaven, Earth, and Humanity—and stood facing South in the Ming Tang to take this model.) The front is called Guangming (Broad Brightness); the back is called Taichong (Great Surge). The place of Taichong is named Shaoyin. (The upper body of the Sage, Yangming is exterior and anterior, hence Guangming. Taiyin is interior and posterior, hence below Guangming is named Taiyin. The Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) is below Taiyin, hence the back is called Taichong. Below the Taichong vessel is Shaoyin, hence Shaoyin is Earth, because the Kidney is lowest.) Above Shaoyin is named Taiyang. (Taiyang is the Foot Taiyang, the meridian of the Bladder, the Fu organ of the Kidney. Zang Yin is internal, Fu Yang is external, hence "above".) Taiyang roots at Zhiyin (Ultimate Yin) and knots at Mingmen (Gate of Life). (Zhiyin is the Shaoyin meridian of the Kidney, the extreme of Yin and the place where Yang is born, hence Zhiyin. Taiyang connects to Zhiyin to arise, hence roots at Zhiyin. It ascends to connect to the neck and gathers at the eyes. Knot means gather.) It is named Yang within Yin. (Shaoyin contains this Yang Qi within Water, hence Yang within Yin.)

The upper middle body is named Guangming; below Guangming is named Taiyin. (The superior aspect of the body's surface is Guangming. The Spleen Zang Foot Taiyin meridian goes from the foot to under the tongue. The Taiyin meridian is inside Guangming, hence "below". Guangming is exterior, hence "above".) Anterior to Taiyin is named Yangming. Yangming roots at Lidui and knots at Sangda. (The Yangming meridian of the Spleen Fu is anterior to the exterior of Taiyin. It starts at Lidui on the toe, ascends, and gathers at the Sang (forehead/crown). Sang means forehead.) It is named Yang within Yin. (The human abdomen is Yin. Yangming arises from Taiyin, travels through the abdominal Yin, and ascends to the Sang, hence Yang within Yin.)

Anterior to Jueyin is named Shaoyang. Shaoyang roots at Qiaoyin and knots at Chuanglong. It is named Lesser Yang within Yin. (The Jueyin meridian starts above the hair on the big toe, follows the inner thigh, and注入s into the Lung, connecting internally to the Yin Zang. The Shaoyang meridian of the Liver Fu starts at Qiaoyin on the foot, ascends to gather at the ear, serving as the exterior Yang Fu. Since Shaoyang belongs to Wood, it is Lesser Yang within Yin.)

Therefore, in the separation and combination of Three Yang: Taiyang is the Guan (Door Bolt/Barrier), Yangming is the Ge (Door Leaf/Shutter), and Shaoyang is the Shu (Pivot/Hinge). (Three Yang separate and combine into Guan, Ge, and Shu to manage the body. A door has three meanings: First, Guan (Barrier), primarily for prohibition. The Foot Taiyang Bladder meridian prohibits leakage of fluids and pores, hence Guan. Second, Ge (Shutter), the door leaf, primarily for closing. The Foot Yangming Stomach meridian stops the flow of True Qi and prevents stagnation, hence Ge. Third, Shu (Pivot), primarily for rotation. The Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder meridian governs tendons, supports bones, and enables movement, hence Shu.)

These three meridians must not deviate from each other; when gathered, they do not float, named One Yang. (If only Taiyang Guan exists, True Qi stagnates, and bones shake. If only Yangming Ge exists, flesh joints deteriorate, and bones shake. If only Shaoyang Shu exists, True Qi stagnates, and flesh joints rot internally. When harmonious, each guards its function, together forming the Dao of One Yang. Bo means harmony; Zhuan means losing one's post.)

I wish to hear about Three Yin. Qi Bo said: Exterior is Yang, Interior is Yin. However, the Middle is Yin. Where the Chong is below, it is named Taiyin. Taiyin roots at Yinbai and knots at Tacang. It is named Yin within Yin. (Chong is below Taiyin, above Shaoyin. Foot Taiyin meridian exits Yinbai, gathers at Tacang, and ascends to the root of the tongue. This is the Spleen Yin meridian, traveling through abdominal Yin, hence Yin within Yin.)

Posterior to Taiyin is named Shaoyin. Shaoyin roots at Yongquan and knots at Lianquan. It is named Shaoyin. (Kidney Foot Shaoyin meridian enters Yongquan below the little toe, ascends to gather at Lianquan, reaching the root of the tongue.)

Anterior to Shaoyin is named Jueyin. Jueyin roots at Dacun and knots at Yuying. (Liver Foot Jueyin meridian is anterior to Shaoyin, starting above the hair on the big toe, entering Dacun, gathering at Yuying, ascending to the head to meet the Du Mai at the vertex, and injecting into the Lung.) It is the Absolute Yin of No Yang, named Absolute Yin of Yin. (Yin without Yang is Yin that must be absolute/extinct, hence Absolute Yin of Yin.)

Therefore, in the separation and combination of Three Yin: Taiyin is Guan (Barrier), Jueyin is Ge (Shutter), and Shaoyin is Shu (Pivot). (Three Yang are the Outer Door; Three Yin are the Inner Door. The Inner Door also has three: First, Guan (Barrier), primarily for prohibition. Foot Taiyin Spleen meridian prohibits water and grain Qi, ensuring retention without loss, hence Guan. Second, Ge (Shutter), primarily for opening and closing. Foot Jueyin Liver meridian guards the entry and exit of Spirit Qi, including blockage and emotions, hence Ge. Third, Shu (Pivot), primarily for movement. Foot Shaoyin Kidney meridian circulates body fluids and connects all meridians, hence Shu.)

These three meridians must not deviate; when gathered, they do not sink, named One Yin. (Three Yin meridians. The Three Yin meridians gather without sinking偏偏, thus achieving the unified function of Three Yin.)

Yin and Yang move continuously, transmitting in one cycle. (Zhongzhong means moving without stopping. Ying and Wei Qi circulate through Three Yin and Three Yang, continuously feeding into each other, rotating daily and nightly for fifty cycles.)