Library

Huangdi asked, "When collateral vessels (Luo Mai) are visible on the surface, their colors vary among green, yellow, red, white, and black. What is the reason for this?" Qibo replied, "The main meridians (Jing Mai) have constant colors, whereas the colors of the collaterals are subject to change."

Huangdi asked, "What are the constant colors of the main meridians?" Qibo said, "The Heart corresponds to red, the Lungs to white, the Liver to green, the Spleen to yellow, and the Kidneys to black. These all correspond to the colors of their respective meridians." Huangdi asked, "Do the Yin and Yang collaterals also correspond to the colors of the meridians?" Qibo said, "The color of the Yin collaterals corresponds to that of the meridian. However, the color of the Yang collaterals changes without constancy, following the four seasons. When cold predominates, Qi and blood coagulate and stagnate; stagnation results in a green or black color. When heat predominates, Qi and blood become moist and lustrous; luster results in a yellow or red color. These are considered normal colors, indicating absence of disease. If all five colors appear simultaneously, it is termed a condition of alternating cold and heat." Huangdi said, "Excellent."

Huangdi asked, "I have heard that there are 365 acupoints corresponding to the days of a year, but I do not know their locations. I wish to hear them fully explained." Qibo bowed twice with his head touching the ground and replied, "Your question is indeed profound! Only a sage emperor could exhaust its principles. Therefore, please ask freely, and I will speak completely regarding their locations." Huangdi clasped his hands, stepped back slightly, and said, "Sir has enlightened me. Although I have not seen these points nor heard their numbers before, my eyes are now clear, and my ears are now sharp." Qibo said, "This is what is meant by saying that sages are easy to instruct, and fine horses are easy to drive." Huangdi said, "I am not as easy to instruct as a sage. It is said in the world that true numbers open the human mind. The true numbers I inquire about now can enlighten the ignorant and resolve doubts, yet they are insufficient for discussing the Great Dao. However, I wish to hear you explain their locations in detail, so that I may understand their meaning. Please allow me to store this in the Golden Casket (Jin Gui), and I dare not reveal it again." Qibo bowed twice and rose, saying, "Your servant will explain. For pain where the back and heart pull against each other, treatment involves Tiantu (CV22), the point at the tenth thoracic vertebra (Zhiyang, GV12), and Shangji (the epigastrium). Shangji refers to the Stomach region (specifically Zusanli, ST36 area), and Xiaji refers to Guanyuan (CV4). When evil qi connects obliquely between the back and chest, linking Yin and Yang on left and right, such diseases manifest as pain and涩 (stiffness/obstruction) in the front and back, pain in the chest and hypochondrium, dyspnea, inability to lie flat, Qi rebellion, shortness of breath, and unilateral pain. The pulse becomes full and rises, slanting out from the Mai of the sacrum, connecting the chest and hypochondrium, supporting the Heart, piercing through the Diaphragm, ascending to the shoulder adding to Tiantu, and slanting down to the shoulder intersecting below the tenth vertebra. There are 50 Back-Shu points of the Zang organs, 72 Back-Shu points of the Fu organs, 59 Heat Shu points, and 57 Water Shu points. On the head, there are five rows, five points per row, totaling 25 points. On both sides of the spine, there are five points each, totaling 10 points. On both sides of Dazhui (GV14), there is one point each, totaling 2 points. Tongzidongzi Fubai (BL81) has 2 points. Liabi Yanfen Zhong (GB30) has 2 points. Dubi (ST35) has 2 points. Erzhong Duosuo Wen (TE17) has 2 points. Meiben (EX-HN22) has 2 points. Wanggu (GB12) has 2 points. Xiang Zhongyang (GV16) has 1 point. Zhengugu (EX-HN1) has 2 points. Shangguan (ST7) has 2 points. Daying (ST5) has 2 points. Xiaguan (ST7) has 2 points. Tianzhu (BL10) has 2 points. Juxu Shangxia Lian (ST36, ST37) has 4 points. Quya (ST6) has 2 points. Tiantu (CV22) has 1 point. Tianfu (LU3) has 2 points. Tianyou (TE16) has 2 points. Futu (LI17) has 2 points. Tianchuang (SI16) has 2 points. Jianjie (SI9) has 2 points. Guanyuan (CV4) has 1 point. Weiyang (BL39) has 2 points. Jianzhen (SI9) has 2 points. Yinmen (REN22? Note: Text says Yinmen, likely referring to a specific point or typo for Yamen GV15 or similar, but keeping literal 'Yinmen') has 1 point. Qi Zhong (CV8) has 1 point. Xiongshu has 12 points. Beishu has 2 points. Yingshu has 12 points. Fenrou has 2 points. Huaisu Heng has 2 points. Yin Yang Qiao has 4 points. Water Shu points are located in various fenrou (muscle spaces). Heat Shu points are located in Qi points. Cold-Heat Shu points are in Liang Haiyan Zhong (2 points). There are 25 Great Taboo points, located five cun below Tianfu. In total, there are 365 points, which are the pathways for needle therapy." Huangdi said, "I already know the locations of the Qi points and the residence of the wandering needles. I wish to hear about the Sun Luo (Branch Collaterals) and Xi Gu (Valleys), and whether they also have corresponding correspondences?" Qibo said, "The 365 intersections of the Sun Luo also correspond to the days of a year. They serve to drain odd evils and unblock Ying and Wei Qi. If Ying and Wei Qi stagnate, Wei Qi scatters, and Ying blood overflows, Qi depletes and Blood stasis forms. Externally, this causes fever; internally, it causes shortness of Qi. One must drain quickly without delay to unblock Ying and Wei. Upon seeing the pathogenic factor, drain it, regardless of the specific intersection." Huangdi said, "Excellent. I wish to hear about the convergence of the Xi Gu." Qibo said, "The large gathering of muscles is called Gu (Valley); the small gathering of muscles is called Xi (Stream). Between muscle fibers, the convergence of Xi and Gu serves to circulate Ying and Wei Qi and gather Grand Qi. If evil qi overflows and Qi becomes obstructed, pulses become hot and flesh decays. If Ying and Wei Qi cannot circulate, pus will inevitably form. Internally, it consumes bone marrow; externally, it breaks large muscles. If it remains in the joints, it will inevitably lead to decay. Accumulated cold stays put, Ying and Wei Qi cannot reside, muscles curl and shrink, tendons contract, ribs and elbows cannot extend. Internally, it becomes Bone Bi; externally, it leads to insensitivity. This is called deficiency, caused by great cold remaining in the Xi Gu. The 365 intersections of the Xi Gu also correspond to the days of a year. For minor Bi syndromes with overflowing evil, moving along the meridians, micro-needles can reach them, and the method is the same." Huangdi then dismissed those around him, stood up, and bowed twice, saying, "Today you have enlightened me and resolved my doubts. I will store this in the Golden Casket and dare not reveal it again." Thus, it was stored in the Chamber of Golden Orchids, titled "Locations of Qi Points." Qibo said, "Among the Sun Luo vessels that branch off from the main meridians, those with abundant blood that should be drained number 365. They all pour into the collaterals, transmitting through the twelve Luo vessels. It is not just the fourteen Luo vessels; internally, ten vessels are resolved and drained."