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Capítulo 16 de 81
黄帝内经·灵枢
Overall Paraphrase
The Yellow Emperor said: The movement pattern of Ying Qi (the refined essence that travels within the blood vessels and is rich in nourishment) is rooted in the intake of water and grains. When food enters the stomach, after digestion and absorption, the essence ascends to the lungs, then flows internally to permeate and flood throughout the body, and externally to spread and nourish the surface. The most refined portion travels along the channel pathways (the routes through which the meridians move), circulating repeatedly without cease — this is the pattern that accords with the movement of heaven and earth.
The specific route of Ying Qi is as follows: It departs from the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin, flows into the Large Intestine Meridian of Hand-Yangming, ascends to the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming, descends to the dorsum of the foot, enters the space between the great toes, and joins with the Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin; it ascends to the medial thigh, and from the Spleen Meridian enters the Heart. Along the Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin, it emerges from the axilla, travels along the inner aspect of the arm, enters the tip of the little finger, and joins with the Small Intestine Meridian of Hand-Taiyang; it ascends through the axilla, emerges at the inner canthus, ascends to the crown of the head, descends along the nape, and joins with the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang; it travels along the spine downward to the sacrum and coccyx, then descends further to enter the tips of the little toes; it enters the Kidney Meridian of Foot-Shaoyin via the sole, ascends to enter the Kidneys, and from the Kidneys enters the Heart, spreading through the chest. It then travels along the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin, emerges from the axilla, descends along the inner arm between the two sinews, enters the palm, and emerges at the tip of the middle finger; it then flows back and enters the tip of the ring finger, joining with the Sanjiao Meridian of Hand-Shaoyang; it ascends to enter the Danzhong (the region between the breasts), spreading through the Sanjiao; from the Sanjiao it enters the Gallbladder, emerges at the flanks, and enters the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang; it descends to the dorsum of the foot, and from there enters between the great toes, joining with the Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin; it ascends to the Liver, and from the Liver ascends to the Lungs, then further ascends along the throat, enters the aperture of the Hangsang (nasopharyngeal region), and terminates at the Chumen (the nostrils). Its branch: ascends to the forehead, follows the crown, descends the nape, and travels along the spine into the sacrum — this is the pathway of the Governing Vessel; it connects with the genitals, ascends through the pubic region, enters the navel, ascends along the interior of the abdomen, enters the Quepen (supraclavicular fossa), descends to infuse the Lungs, and then emerges again at the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin. This is the complete pathway of Ying Qi's movement — the normal pattern of its forward and return flow.
The essence of this chapter lies in revealing the complete circuit of Ying Qi movement, and its scholarly thought can be summarized in three key points:
I. Grain Essence as the Root of Ying Qi 💡 "Internal grains are the treasure" establishes the material foundation for the generation of Ying Qi — the refined essence of water and grains. The Stomach is the Sea of Water and Grain, serving as the starting point for transforming Ying Qi; the Lungs govern the Qi of the whole body, serving as the pivot for its distribution. Stomach → Lungs → whole body — this is the pivotal chain from "generation" to "distribution" of Ying Qi.
II. The Twelve Meridian Cycle Is Like a Ring With No End 💡 Ying Qi circulates according to the flow order of the twelve meridians: Hand-Taiyin Lung → Hand-Yangming Large Intestine → Foot-Yangming Stomach → Foot-Taiyin Spleen → Hand-Shaoyin Heart → Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine → Foot-Taiyang Bladder → Foot-Shaoyin Kidney → Hand-Jueyin Pericardium → Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao → Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder → Foot-Jueyin Liver → return to Hand-Taiyin Lung. This "endless and repeating" cycle is the systematic description in Chinese medicine of the rhythmic movement of qi and blood.
III. The Governing Vessel Branch as a Supplementary Pathway 💡 After completing the main flow through the twelve meridians, Ying Qi has a separate branch that runs along the Governing Vessel — from the head into the spine, connecting with the genitals, entering the navel, ascending the abdomen, entering the Quepen, and ultimately also returning to the Lung Meridian. This pathway incorporates the extraordinary meridians (channels beyond the twelve regular meridians) into the Ying Qi circulation system, reflecting the holistic view of "regular meridians as the primary, extraordinary meridians as supplementary."
Value Domain: This theory constructs a complete circulatory system model, emphasizing the physiological chain of food intake → energy transformation → whole-body distribution → cyclical repetition. It shares conceptual resonance with the basic patterns of human digestion, circulation, and metabolism. The cyclical view of "like a ring with no end" also reflects the ancient intuition of dynamic equilibrium in life.
Limits Domain: The specific pathways of Ying Qi circulation (such as "entering between the great toes" or "emerging at the tip of the middle finger") are extrapolations based on ancient meridian theory, not pathways in the modern anatomical sense. As a concept, Ying Qi cannot be directly observed or verified within the modern scientific framework. The precision of the twelve-meridian flow order is closer to a modeled expression than an empirically validated description.
Rational Consideration: Understanding Ying Qi circulation as an ancient model using "meridian language" to describe the transportation and distribution of substances and energy in the human body helps us appreciate its intellectual value without being constrained by the literal pathways.
Related Concepts:
Further Reading:
This content is based on classical traditional Chinese medicine texts and is provided solely for cultural study and study purposes. It does not constitute any medical diagnosis, medication, or treatment recommendations. If you feel unwell, please consult a healthcare professional promptly.