典藏书目

Umbilicus (Navel): It is the place where the placenta and umbilical cord were connected at birth. Five cun above the umbilicus is the Shangwan (CV13) acupoint; this area belongs to the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner). Four cun above the umbilicus is the Zhongwan (CV12); this area belongs to the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner). The Lung Meridian originates from the Middle Jiao, specifically at this location. Two cun above the umbilicus is the Xiawan (CV10), which is the lower opening of the Stomach, belonging to the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner); this is called the Yangmen (Pylorus), through which food enters the Small Intestine. Ancient theories divided the human body into three parts, precisely delineating these Upper, Middle, and Lower Wan regions. Some modern opinions state that pain in the Zhongwan belongs to the Spleen, pain at the umbilicus belongs to the Kidney, and pain in the lower abdomen belongs to the Liver. While attributing the Liver and Spleen may be acceptable, why should pain at the umbilicus be attributed to the Kidney? The sinews of the Heart knot at the umbilicus, and the meridians of the Stomach flank the umbilicus; thus, the area around the umbilicus clearly belongs to the Stomach and Spleen. If the sinews of the Kidney run from the waist through the spine and do not reach the umbilicus, then treating umbilical pain by targeting the Kidney is erroneous and misleading.

Kidney: The *Neijing* states: "The Kidney is the official of strength and vigor, from whom skills and dexterity emerge." It also states: "The Kidney is attached below the fourteenth vertebra of the spine." The Kidney Meridian is typically characterized by less blood and more Qi. The Kidney governs the bones, its luster manifests in the hair, and it opens into the two orifices of the lower body (anterior and posterior). The *Nanjing* states: "There are two Kidneys, weighing one jin and two liang, whose primary function is to store Jing (Essence) and Zhi (Willpower)." The *Zhongzangjing* states: "The Kidney is the residence of spirit and mind, the root of life and nature." Zhang Jiebin stated: "There are two Kidneys, shaped like kidney beans, lying side by side and curved, attached to both sides of the spine, each at a distance of 1.5 cun. Externally wrapped in yellow fat, each has two ligaments; the upper ligament ties to below the heart, and the lower ligament trends toward the large bone below the spine. At the end of the spinal column, approximately half a hand's length from the end of the vertebral column, there are two acupoints where the Kidney ligaments pass. These ascend along the spinal cord to the brain, connecting to the Sea of Marrow."

Mingmen (Gate of Life): Within the human body, there is the Mingmen, attached to the spine and directly opposite the umbilicus. The small aperture on its right side is the source of Qi of the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), which is the innate formless Fire, also known as the "Vital Qi between the Kidneys." The small aperture on its left side is the source of True Yin Water Qi, which is also formless and travels invisibly throughout the body following the Ministerial Fire, to nourish the four extremities. The Mingmen is centered, with apertures opening 1.5 cun to the left and right respectively.