The Profound Principles of Acupuncture and the Yin-Yang Theory

The Yellow Emperor said: “I have read the nine articles on the Nine Needles and have personally verified their principles. I have also gained a general understanding of their underlying logic. From the first needle to the ninth, there are many profound truths hidden within. However, I have not yet truly grasped their essence. The principles behind the Nine Needles are intricate and vast, profound and mysterious, with boundless applications. I know that they align with the laws of nature, human affairs, and the changes of the four seasons. I wish to summarize these complex discussions into a single outline. Is this possible?”

Qi Bo replied: “You ask a very insightful question! Not only acupuncture principles, but also governing a nation should follow such a comprehensive framework.”

The Yellow Emperor said: “What I wish to hear is the principle of acupuncture, not matters of state.”

Qi Bo responded: “Governing a nation requires an overarching guideline. Without such a framework, how could one possibly unify complex matters of varying degrees of magnitude and depth?”

The Yellow Emperor said: “I would appreciate it if you could explain it in detail.”

Qi Bo replied: “This can be likened to the sun and moon, water and mirrors, or drums and sound. The light from the sun and moon must cast a shadow on objects. Water and mirrors reflect the form of objects clearly. When a drum is struck, it emits a sound, and the sound and the drumbeat occur almost simultaneously. Shadows, sounds, and reflections are all in harmony with one another. Understanding these principles will allow you to fully comprehend the reasoning behind acupuncture.”

The Yellow Emperor said: “This is a question that makes me feel somewhat awkward. The light of the sun and moon cannot be obscured, and the reason it cannot be obscured is because it follows the principles of Yin and Yang. In clinical practice, we must combine all situations and observe them together, using pulse diagnosis to verify and external observation to understand the external manifestations of disease, just as clear water or a mirror cannot lose their truth. If the five sounds of the body are weak or the five colors are not distinct, it indicates that the functions of the five organs are abnormal. This demonstrates the interrelation between internal and external factors. Just as the sound follows the strike of the drum and the shadow follows the object, the changes in the external appearance of the patient can be used to infer changes within the internal organs. By examining the internal organs, one can also deduce the corresponding external symptoms. This is the essence of the Yin and Yang theory. Everything in the universe is encompassed within Yin and Yang. Let me keep this knowledge safe within the Spirit Orchid Chamber and prevent it from fading away.”