黄帝曰余闻九针于夫子众多博大矣余犹不能寤敢问九针焉生何因有名。（九针法于三才故曰博大。）岐伯曰九针者天
地之大数始于一而终于九故曰一以法天二以法地三以法人四以法四时五以法五音六以法六律七以法七星八以法八风九
以法九野。（此言其博大也。）黄帝曰以针应九之数奈何岐伯曰夫圣人之起天地之数也一而九之故以立九野九而九之九九
八十一以起黄钟数焉以针应数。（黄钟即起于一也之。）一者天也天阳也五脏之应天者肺也肺者五脏六腑之盖也皮者肺之
合人之阳也故为之治针必以大其头而锐其末令无得深入而阳气出二者地也地者土也人之所以应土者肉也故为之治针必
筒其身而员其末令无伤肉分伤则气竭三者人也人之所以成生者血脉也故为之治针必大其身而员其末令可以按脉勿陷以
致其气令邪气独出四者时也时者四时八风之客于经络之中为痼病者也故为之治针必筒其身而锋其末令可以泻热出血而
痼病竭。（以下言九针有法象也此一名 针卒锐之者令其易入大其头使不得深也二者员针员其末如鸡卵也三者 针员其
末者末如黍粟之锐也四者锋针筒其身如筒之员也锋其末者针末三隅利也。）五者音也音者冬夏分分于子午阴与阳别寒与
热争两气相薄合为痈脓者也故为之治针必令末如剑锋可以取大脓。（名曰 针。）六者律也律者调阴阳四时而合十二经脉
虚邪客于经络而为暴痹者故为之治针必令尖如耗且员且锐中身微大以取暴气。（名曰员利针也耗毛也毛形且员且锐中身
微大也。）七者星也星者人之七窍邪客于经而为痛痹舍于经络者也故为之治针令尖如蚊虻喙静以徐往微以久留正气因之
真邪俱往出针而养者也。（“况羽反”即移反喙诩秽反口嘴也名曰豪针也养者久留也。）八者风也风者人之股肱八节也八
正之虚风八风伤人内舍于骨解腰脊节腠之间为深痹者也故为之治针必长其身锋其末可以取深邪远痹。（名曰长针锋利
也。）九者野也野者人之节解皮膜之间也淫邪流洫于身如风水之状而留不能过于机关大节者也故为之治针令尖如梃其锋
微员以取大气之不能过于关节者也。（名曰大针也大节十二大节也梃当为HT 小破竹也。）黄帝曰针之长短有法乎岐伯
曰一曰 针者取法于布针去木半寸卒锐之长一寸六分主热在头身也二曰员针取法于絮针筒其身而卵其锋长一寸六分主
治分间气三曰 针取法于黍粟之锐长三寸半主按脉取气令邪出四曰锋针取法于絮针筒其身锋其末长一寸六分主痈热出
血五曰 针取法于剑锋广二分半长四寸主大痈脓两热争也六曰员利针取法于耗微大其末反小其本令可深内也长一寸六
分主取痈暴痹者七曰豪针取法于豪毛长一寸六分主寒痛痹在络者也八曰长针取法于綦针长七寸主取深邪远痹者九曰大
针取法于锋针其针微员长四寸主取大气不出关节者针形毕矣此九针小大长短之法也。（此言九针之状并言所疗之病 仕
咸反 钉奚反针形也 披眉反綦奇眉反也。）凡针之名各不同形一曰 针二曰员针三曰 针四曰锋针五曰 针六曰员利
针七曰豪针八曰长针九曰大针 针者头大末锐主泻阳气员针者锋如卵形揩摩分间令不得伤肌以泻分气 针者锋如黍粟
之锐主按脉勿陷以致其气锋针者刃参隅。（参音三也。）以发痼疾 针者末如剑锋以取大脓员利针者尖如耗且员且锐中身
微大以取暴气豪针者尖如蚊虻喙静以徐往微以久留之而养以取痛痹长针者锋利身博。（音团）可以取远痹大针尖如梃其
锋微员以泻机关之水九针毕。（此言九针用法。）
黄帝说：我从夫子那里听闻九针，内容众多且博大精深，但我仍然不能彻底领悟。冒昧请问，九针是如何产生的？因何而得名？（九针的法度依据天、地、人三才，所以称为博大。）
岐伯说：九针是天地的大数，起始于一而终结于九，所以称为一以效法天，二以效法地，三以效法人，四以效法四季，五以效法五音，六以效法六律，七以效法七星，八以效法八风，九以效法九野。（这是说明其博大之处。）
黄帝说：用针来对应九的数目，是怎么回事呢？
岐伯说：圣人建立天地之数，从一到九，因此确立了九野。九乘以九得八十一，从而起算黄钟律管的基数，用针来应合这个数理。（黄钟的基数即起于一。）
第一针效法天。天属阳，五脏中应天的是肺。肺是五脏六腑的华盖，皮表是肺的外合，也是人体的阳气所在。因此制作这种针时，必须使针头大且末端锐利，使其不能深入体内，以便排出阳气。
第二针效法地。地即是土，人体中应土的是肌肉。因此制作这种针时，必须使针身圆筒状且末端圆润，使其不损伤肌肉组织，如果损伤了肌肉，气就会耗竭。
第三针效法人。人之所以能生存，依靠的是血脉。因此制作这种针时，必须使针身粗大且末端圆润，使其能够按压脉道而不陷入其中，从而引导正气，使邪气单独排出。
第四针效法时。时指四季，八风之邪客居于经络之中，形成顽固性疾病。因此制作这种针时，必须使针身圆筒状且末端锋利，使其能够泻热出血，使顽固性疾病枯竭。
第五针效法音。音指冬夏之分，分于子午之时，阴与阳相别，寒与热相争，两气相互搏结，化为痈脓。因此制作这种针时，必须使针尖像剑锋一样，可以用来排取大的脓液。（名为铍针。）
第六针效法律。律指调和阴阳四季并配合十二经脉。虚邪客居经络导致暴发性痹证。因此制作这种针时，必须使针尖像毫毛一样，既圆又锐，针身中部略微粗大，用来祛除暴发性病气。（名为员利针。耗即毫毛，毫毛形状既圆又锐，针身中部略微粗大。）
第七针效法星。星指人的七窍。邪气客居经络导致痛痹，停留于经络之中。因此制作这种针时，使针尖像蚊虻的口器一样，操作时安静缓慢地进入，微微久留，使正气随之聚集，真气与邪气一同外出，出针后加以调养。（“喙”读如“况羽反”，即移反；“诩”读如“诩秽反”，意为口嘴。名为毫针。养指久留针。）
第八针效法风。风指人的大腿和小腿的八个关节。八正之时的虚风伤害人体，内舍于骨骼缝隙、腰脊和节腠之间，形成深部的痹证。因此制作这种针时，必须使针身长且末端锋利，可以祛除深部的邪气和远处的痹证。（名为长针，锋利也。）
第九针效法野。野指人的关节缝隙和皮膜之间。淫邪流注于身体，像风水病的状态，停留在体内但不能超过机关大节的地方。因此制作这种针时，使针尖像梃（小木棒）一样，其锋微圆，用来祛除不能通过关节的大气。（名为大针。大节有十二个。梃应当为“梃”，小破竹也。）
黄帝说：针的长短有法度吗？
岐伯说：第一种是铍针，取法于布针，去掉木柄半寸，末端锐利，长一寸六分，主治头身的热证。第二种是员针，取法于絮针，针身圆筒状而针锋如卵形，长一寸六分，主治分肉间的气滞。第三种是鍉针，取法于黍粟的锐利，长三寸半，主治按压脉道以获取正气，令邪气排出。第四种是锋针，取法于絮针，针身圆筒状而末端锋利，长一寸六分，主治痈热出血。第五种是铍针，取法于剑锋，宽二分半，长四寸，主治大痈脓及两热相争。第六种是员利针，取法于毫毛，末端微大，根部反而小，使其可以深入，长一寸六分，主治痈疾和暴痹。第七种是毫针，取法于毫毛，长一寸六分，主治寒性痛痹在络脉者。第八种是长针，取法于綦针，长七寸，主治深部邪气和远处痹证。第九种是大针，取法于锋针，针体微圆，长四寸，主治大气不出关节者。针的形状至此完毕，这就是九针大小长短的法度。（这是说明九针的形态并言其所治疗的疾病。“仕”读咸反，“钉”读奚反，指针形。“披”读眉反，“綦”读奇眉反。）
凡是针的名称各不相同，形态各异。第一种是铍针，第二种是员针，第三种是鍉针，第四种是锋针，第五种是铍针，第六种是员利针，第七种是毫针，第八种是长针，第九种是大针。铍针头大末锐，主治泻除阳气；员针锋如卵形，揩摩分肉之间，令不伤肌肉，以泻分肉之气；鍉针锋如黍粟之锐，主治按脉勿陷，以致其气；锋针刃有三个角（参隅），用来发散顽固疾病；铍针末如剑锋，用来取大脓；员利针尖如毫毛，既圆又锐，针身中部微大，用来取暴气；毫针尖如蚊虻口器，安静缓慢地进入，微微久留以滋养，用来取痛痹；长针锋利，身宽，可以取远痹；大针尖如梃，其锋微圆，用来泻机关之水。九针的功能至此完备。（这是说明九针的用法。）
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.)