Library

Huangdi sat in the Mingtang (Bright Hall), began to rectify the heavenly principles, observed the eight extreme directions, and examined and established the Five Constants (Wu Xing/Five Phases). He then asked Tianshi (Heavenly Teacher) Guiyuqu: "Medical discussions state that heaven and earth have movement and stillness, with the divine spirit serving as their guideline; the ascending and descending of Yin and Yang manifest signs through cold and heat. I have heard from my teacher about the numbers of the Five Movements (Wu Yun). What my teacher said was to determine which of the Five Qi governs each year, starting with Jia years to establish the movement, and I wish to discuss this further." Guiyuqu replied: "Earth governs Jia and Ji years, Metal governs Yi and Geng years, Water governs Bing and Xin years, Wood governs Ding and Ren years, and Fire governs Wu and Gui years. Above Zi and Wu years, Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) governs; above Chou and Wei years, Taiyin (Greater Yin) governs; above Yin and Shen years, Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) governs; above Mao and You years, Yangming (Greater Yang) governs; above Chen and Xu years, Taiyang (Greater Yang/Water) governs; above Si and Hai years, Jueyin (Terminal Yin) governs. This seems inconsistent with Yin and Yang; what is the reason?" Qibo replied: "This is a clear principle, the Yin and Yang of heaven and earth. Those aspects of numbers that can be counted are the Yin and Yang within humans, yet their correspondence yields calculable numbers. However, Yin and Yang can be multiplied by ten, hundred, thousand, or ten thousand. The Yin and Yang of heaven and earth are not deduced by numbers but recognized by their images/appearances." The Emperor said: "I wish to hear about their origin." Qibo said: "Excellent question! I have reviewed the text of *Taishi Tianyuan Ce*. The red qi of heaven passes through Niu, Nu, and the Wu division; the green qi of heaven passes through Xin, Wei, and the Ji division; the blue qi of heaven passes through Wei, Shi, Liu, and Gui; the white qi of heaven passes through Kang, Di, Mao, and Bi; the black qi of heaven passes through Zhang, Yi, Lou, and Wei. The so-called Wu and Ji divisions refer to Kui, Bi, Jiao, and Zhen, which are the gates of heaven and earth. The beginning of observation, the birth of the Dao, must be thoroughly understood." The Emperor said: "Good. Discussions state that heaven and earth are the upper and lower of all things, and left and right are the pathways of Yin and Yang. I do not understand what this means." Qibo replied: "By 'upper and lower,' it refers to the location of Yin and Yang for the Sui Shang (Annual Upper/Sky) and Sui Xia (Annual Lower/Earth). By 'left and right,' it refers to: when Jueyin is seen above, Shao Yin is on the left and Tai Yang is on the right; when Shaoyin is seen above, Taiyin is on the left and Jueyin is on the right; when Taiyin is seen above, Shaoyang is on the left and Shao Yin is on the right; when Shaoyang is seen above, Yangming is on the left and Taiyin is on the right; when Yangming is seen above, Taiyang is on the left and Shaoyang is on the right; when Taiyang is seen above, Jueyin is on the left and Yangming is on the right. This is determined by facing north to assign positions, referring to the visible interstitial Qi." The Emperor said: "What is meant by 'below'?" Qibo replied: "When Jueyin is above, Shaoyang is below, with Yangming on the left and Taiyin on the right; when Shaoyin is above, Yangming is below, with Taiyang on the left and Shaoyang on the right; when Taiyin is above, Taiyang is below, with Jueyin on the left and Yangming on the right; when Shaoyang is above, Jueyin is below, with Shao Yin on the left and Taiyang on the right; when Yangming is above, Shaoyin is below, with Taiyin on the left and Jueyin on the right; when Taiyang is above, Taiyin is below, with Shaoyang on the left and Shao Yin on the right. This is determined by facing south to assign positions, referring to the visible interstitial Qi. When upper and lower meet, and cold and heat approach each other, if the Qi corresponds, there is harmony; if not, disease arises." The Emperor said: "Why does disease occur when the Qi corresponds?" Qibo replied: "Because the lower position encroaches upon the upper position, which is inappropriate." The Emperor said: "How do movement and stillness work?" Qibo replied: "The upper moves to the right, the lower moves to the left. They circle the heavens, and the remainder meets again." The Emperor said: "I heard Guiyuqu say: 'That which corresponds to earth is still.' Now you say the lower moves to the left. I do not understand this. I wish to know how it originates." Qibo replied: "The movement and stillness of heaven and earth, and the migration and recurrence of the Five Elements, although Guiyuqu observed only the upper, could not fully clarify them. The function of change: Heaven displays images, Earth forms shapes. The Seven Luminaries (Sun, Moon, and five planets) weave through the void, and the Five Elements attach to the Earth. Earth carries the forms of generated things. The void displays the essence and Qi corresponding to Heaven. The movement of form and essence is like roots and branches; observing the images, even distant phenomena can be known." The Emperor said: "Is the Earth below?" Qibo replied: "The Earth is below humans, but within the Great Void." The Emperor said: "Does it float?" Qibo replied: "It is held up by the Great Qi. Dryness dries it, Heat steams it, Wind moves it, Moisture moistens it, Cold hardens it, Fire warms it. Thus, Cold and Wind are below, Dryness and Heat are above, Moisture is in the middle, and Fire moves between them. The six phases of Cold and Heat enter into it, causing the void to generate transformation. If Dryness prevails, the earth becomes dry; if Heat prevails, the earth becomes hot; if Wind prevails, the earth shakes; if Moisture prevails, the earth becomes muddy; if Cold prevails, the earth cracks; if Fire prevails, the earth becomes solid." The Emperor said: "How are the Qi of heaven and earth observed?" Qibo replied: "The victory and revenge of the Qi of heaven and earth do not manifest in pulse diagnosis. The *Mai Fa* (Pulse Methods) states: 'Changes of heaven and earth cannot be diagnosed by pulses.' This is what is meant." The Emperor said: "How are the Interstitial Qi (Jian Qi)?" Qibo replied: "They follow the location of the Qi, expected on the left and right." The Emperor said: "How to expect them?" Qibo replied: "Following the Qi brings harmony; violating the Qi brings disease. Inappropriate position brings disease; shifting position brings disease; losing the position brings danger; reversal of Cun and Chi pulses indicates death; crossing of Yin and Yang indicates death. First establish the year to know its Qi, observe the corresponding left and right, and then one can speak of the reverse and smooth flow of life and death."
The Emperor said: "How do Cold, Heat, Dryness, Moisture, Wind, and Fire combine with humans? How do they generate and transform all things?" Qibo replied: "The East generates Wind; Wind generates Wood; Wood generates Sour taste; Sour nourishes Liver; Liver nourishes Sinews; Sinews nourish Heart. In Heaven it is profound (Xuan); in Humans it is Dao; in Earth it is transformation. Transformation generates the Five Flavors; Dao generates Wisdom; Profoundness generates Spirit; Transformation generates Qi. Spirit in Heaven is Wind; in Earth is Wood; in Body is Sinew; in Qi is Softness; in Zang is Liver. Its nature is warm; its virtue is harmony; its function is movement; its color is Green/Cyan; its transformation is flourishing; its insects are Hairy ones; its administration is dispersal; its command is dissemination; its change is destruction/collapse; its disaster is falling; its flavor is Sour; its emotion is Anger. Anger injures the Liver; Sorrow overcomes Anger; Wind injures the Liver; Dryness overcomes Wind; Sour injures Sinews; Pungent overcomes Sour.
The South generates Heat; Heat generates Fire; Fire generates Bitter taste; Bitter nourishes Heart; Heart nourishes Blood; Blood nourishes Spleen. In Heaven it is Heat; in Earth is Fire; in Body is Vessels; in Qi is rapid breathing; in Zang is Heart. Its nature is Summer-heat; its virtue is manifestation; its function is restlessness; its color is Red; its transformation is lushness; its insects are Feathered ones; its administration is brightness; its command is stifling heat; its change is scorching fire; its disaster is burning; its flavor is Bitter; its emotion is Joy. Joy injures the Heart; Fear overcomes Joy; Heat injures Qi; Cold overcomes Heat; Bitter injures Qi; Salty overcomes Bitter.
The Center generates Moisture; Moisture generates Earth; Earth generates Sweet taste; Sweet nourishes Spleen; Spleen nourishes Flesh; Flesh nourishes Lung. In Heaven it is Moisture; in Earth is Earth; in Body is Flesh; in Qi is fullness; in Zang is Spleen. Its nature is quiet and inclusive; its virtue is moistening; its function is transformation; its color is Yellow; its transformation is abundance; its insects are Naked ones (naked skin); its administration is tranquility; its command is clouds and rain; its change is torrential rain; its disaster is flooding and ulceration; its flavor is Sweet; its emotion is Pensiveness. Pensiveness injures the Spleen; Anger overcomes Pensiveness; Moisture injures Flesh; Wind overcomes Moisture; Sweet injures Spleen; Sour overcomes Sweet.
The West generates Dryness; Dryness generates Metal; Metal generates Pungent taste; Pungent nourishes Lung; Lung nourishes Skin and Hair; Skin and Hair nourish Kidney. In Heaven it is Dryness; in Earth is Metal; in Body is Skin and Hair; in Qi is completion; in Zang is Lung. Its nature is cool; its virtue is clarity; its function is consolidation; its color is White; its transformation is gathering/retraction; its insects are Armored ones (shelled); its administration is strength; its command is fog and dew; its change is severe killing/frost; its disaster is withering foliage; its flavor is Pungent; its emotion is Sorrow/Grief. Sorrow injures the Lung; Joy overcomes Sorrow; Heat injures Skin and Hair; Cold overcomes Heat; Pungent injures Skin and Hair; Bitter overcomes Pungent.
The North generates Cold; Cold generates Water; Water generates Salty taste; Salty nourishes Kidney; Kidney nourishes Marrow; Marrow nourishes Liver. In Heaven it is Cold; in Earth is Water; in Body is Bone; in Qi is hardness; in Zang is Kidney. Its nature is biting cold; its virtue is coldness; its function is storage/sealing; its color is Black; its transformation is solemnity; its insects are Scaly ones; its administration is stillness; its command is storage; its change is freezing; its disaster is hail; its flavor is Salty; its emotion is Fear. Fear injures the Kidney; Pensiveness overcomes Fear; Cold injures Blood; Dryness overcomes Cold; Salty injures Blood; Sweet overcomes Salty. The Five Qi stand in turn, each having precedence. If not in its proper position, it becomes Evil; if in its proper position, it is Correct. The Emperor said: "How are the changes in disease generation?" Qibo replied: "If Qi corresponds, the disease is mild; if not, it is severe." The Emperor said: "How is the Annual Qi?" Qibo replied: "If Qi is in excess, it controls what it normally overcomes and insults what it cannot overcome; if deficient, what normally overcomes it insults and exploits it, and what it normally overcomes also lightly insults it. Insulters may suffer evil themselves; suffering evil due to insulting is due to a lack of fear/respect." The Emperor said: "Good."