1、Floating Pulse (Fu Mai)
Floating pulse is strong when lifted and weak when pressed (《脉经》). It resembles the feathers on a bird’s back being lightly blown by the wind, appearing light and floating. It is like the movement of the elm seed (《素问》), like wood floating on water (Cui’s description), or like twisting the leaves of scallions (Li’s description). (The floating pulse indicates a light and clear presence above, represented by the Qian hexagram, associated with autumn, and corresponds to the lungs, also referred to as ‘hair’. If it is excessive, it feels firm in the center and empty on the sides, like the feathers of a chicken, indicating an external illness. If it is insufficient, the qi feels weak and the illness is internal. The pulse manual states that if it feels like excessive, it is a combination of floating and surging, not a true floating pulse.)“Body Condition Poem”The floating pulse travels only on the surface, like the lightness of elm seeds. In the autumn, it indicates no illness; if found in a long-term illness, it can be alarming.“Similar Condition Poem”Floating like wood on water, large and hollow is the Kuao pulse. If it floats lightly, it is the Hong pulse; though it comes strong, it leaves slowly. The floating pulse is light and even like twisting scallions. If it feels weak and late, it is large and hollow.Floating and soft is the Ru pulse; scattered like willow fluff, it has no fixed trace. (A strong floating pulse is the Hong pulse, a weak floating pulse is the Kuao pulse, and a soft floating pulse is the Ru pulse.)“Main Disease Poem”The floating pulse indicates exterior diseases; it is slow with wind, rapid with heat, tight with cold, and restrained with dampness. A strong floating pulse often indicates wind-heat, while a weak floating pulse suggests blood deficiency. A floating pulse at the inch indicates headaches and dizziness from wind, or phlegm obstructing the chest. A floating pulse at the guan indicates earth deficiency combined with wood excess, while a floating pulse at the chi indicates urinary obstruction.(The floating pulse indicates exterior conditions; a strong pulse indicates excess, while a weak pulse indicates deficiency. A floating pulse that is slow indicates wind, a floating pulse that is rapid indicates wind-heat, a floating pulse that is tight indicates wind-cold, a floating pulse that is slow indicates wind-dampness, a floating pulse that is weak indicates heat injury, a floating Kuao pulse indicates blood loss, a floating Hong pulse indicates deficiency-heat, and a floating scattered pulse indicates exhaustion.)
2、Deep Pulse (Chen Mai)
Deep pulse is felt only when pressing down to the tendons and bones (《脉经》). It feels like cotton wrapped around sand, firm inside and soft outside (Yang’s description). It is like a stone thrown into water, which must reach the bottom. The deep pulse indicates a hidden spring below, represented by the Kan hexagram, associated with winter, and corresponds to the kidneys. It is also referred to as ‘stone’ or ‘nourishment’. If excessive, it feels like a bouncing stone, becoming firmer when pressed, indicating an external illness. If insufficient, the qi feels weak and the pulse is rapid, indicating an internal illness.The pulse manual states that a slow pulse at the three positions resembles rotten cotton, which is not a true deep pulse. The deep pulse can be slow or rapid, and each position can have its own characteristics; rotten cotton is a weak pulse, not a deep pulse.“Body Condition Poem”Water flows and moistens, the pulse comes deep, smooth and even between the tendons and bones. For women, it is at the inch; for men, it is at the chi; this is the norm across the four seasons.“Similar Condition Poem”The deep pulse helps the tendons and bones adjust evenly; when pressed, it feels like the tendons touching the bones. A deep pulse that is fine like cotton indicates a weak pulse, while a strong and large pulse is firm.(The deep pulse travels between the tendons, while the floating pulse travels above the bones; a firm and large pulse is strong, while a weak and fine pulse is weak.)“Main Disease Poem”The deep pulse indicates internal diseases; it is rapid with heat, slow with cold, slippery with phlegm. A weak and deep pulse indicates deficiency of qi, while a deep pulse with qi indicates accumulation and cold. A deep pulse at the inch indicates phlegm obstruction and water retention in the chest; at the guan, it indicates internal cold pain and obstruction; at the chi, it indicates turbid discharge and diarrhea.(The deep pulse indicates internal conditions; a strong pulse indicates excess, while a weak pulse indicates deficiency. A deep pulse that is slow indicates chronic cold, a deep pulse that is rapid indicates internal heat, a deep pulse that is slippery indicates phlegm and food, a deep pulse that is rough indicates qi stagnation, a deep pulse that is weak indicates cold-heat, a deep pulse that is slow indicates cold-dampness, a deep pulse that is tight indicates cold pain, and a deep pulse that is firm indicates cold accumulation.)
3、Slow Pulse (Chi Mai)
Slow pulse is characterized by three beats per breath, with a very slow rhythm (《脉经》). A slow pulse indicates that yang cannot overcome yin, hence the pulse is slow. The pulse manual states that a heavy hand is required to feel it, indicating a deep pulse without a floating pulse. Three beats per breath are easy to observe, while a faint pulse is difficult to detect, indicating a rough pulse.“Body Condition Poem”The slow pulse comes with three beats per breath; yang cannot overcome yin, and the qi and blood are cold.One must distinguish between floating and deep to eliminate yin; one must enhance fire to nourish the source.“Similar Condition Poem”The pulse comes with three beats, indicating it is slow; slightly faster than slow is the relaxed pulse. A slow and fine pulse is difficult to detect, while a floating and slow pulse indicates deficiency.(Three beats indicate a slow pulse; a strong pulse indicates a relaxed pulse, while a weak pulse indicates a rough pulse; a pulse that stops indicates a string pulse; a very slow pulse indicates failure; a floating and large pulse indicates deficiency.)“Main Disease Poem”The slow pulse indicates organ diseases or phlegm; it is rapid with heat and slow with cold. A strong and slow pulse indicates cold pain, while a weak and slow pulse indicates deficiency and cold. A slow pulse at the inch indicates upper jiao cold; at the guan, it indicates middle jiao cold pain; at the chi, it indicates kidney deficiency and heaviness in the lower jiao.(The slow pulse indicates organ conditions; a strong pulse indicates cold pain, while a weak pulse indicates deficiency and cold. A floating slow pulse indicates cold, while a deep slow pulse indicates internal cold.)
4、Rapid Pulse (Shu Mai)
Rapid pulse has six beats per breath (《脉经》).
The pulse flows thin and fast (《素问》). Rapid indicates that yin cannot overcome yang, hence the pulse is too strong. Floating, deep, slow, and rapid are the main pulse types. Both 《素问》 and 《脉经》 describe it as a normal pulse. The pulse manual states that there are seven superficial and eight deep pulses, but neglects the rapid pulse, which is only noted in the heart, indicating a serious condition.
“Body Condition Poem”The rapid pulse has six beats per breath; yin is weak and yang is strong, leading to agitation. The floating and deep pulses indicate the distinction between deficiency and excess, with only children showing good signs.“Similar Condition Poem”The rapid pulse has one more beat than a normal pulse; it feels tight like a string. A rapid pulse that stops is called a hurried pulse; a rapid pulse seen at the guan indicates movement. A rapid pulse that is tight indicates excess, while a flowing pulse indicates smoothness; a rapid pulse that stops is called a hurried pulse, while a very rapid pulse indicates extreme conditions.“Main Disease Poem”The rapid pulse indicates yang heat; it is treated with the fire of the emperor. It is appropriate to cool and drain excess heat, while treating lung diseases in the autumn is to be avoided. A rapid pulse at the inch indicates throat and tongue sores, with red cough indicating lung ulcers. A rapid pulse at the guan indicates stomach and liver heat, while a rapid pulse at the chi indicates nourishing yin and lowering fire decoction.(The rapid pulse indicates organ conditions; a strong pulse indicates excess heat, while a weak pulse indicates deficiency heat. A floating rapid pulse indicates exterior heat, while a deep rapid pulse indicates internal heat; a rapid pulse at the qi indicates lung abscess, while a rapid pulse at the chi indicates lung atrophy.)
5、Slippery Pulse (Hua Mai)
Slippery pulse flows smoothly, moving back and forth, feeling like pearls responding to the fingers (《脉经》). It feels like it wants to escape. The slippery pulse indicates an excess of yin qi, hence the pulse flows smoothly like water. The pulse is the vessel of blood; when blood is abundant, the pulse is slippery, hence the kidney pulse is suitable; when qi is abundant, the pulse is rough, hence the lung pulse is suitable. The pulse manual states that when pressed, it sinks; at the three positions, it feels like pearls, not moving in or out, indicating a distinction between floating slippery, deep slippery, and inch slippery pulses, which is now corrected.“Body Condition Similarity Poem”The slippery pulse feels like pearls, moving back and forth, flowing smoothly yet returning. Do not confuse slippery with rapid; the rapid pulse is only seen at the intervals.(Slippery feels like pearls, while rapid has six beats.)“Main Disease Poem”The slippery pulse indicates a decline in yang qi, leading to various diseases caused by phlegm and food. It can cause vomiting and blood retention, while women’s pulses indicate pregnancy. A slippery pulse at the inch indicates phlegm causing vomiting; at the guan, it indicates retained food and liver-spleen heat; at the chi, it indicates thirst, diarrhea, and urination.(The slippery pulse indicates phlegm and food retention; a floating slippery pulse indicates wind-phlegm, while a deep slippery pulse indicates food-phlegm; a slippery rapid pulse indicates phlegm-fire, while a slippery short pulse indicates food retention.)
6、Rough Pulse (Se Mai)
Rough pulse is fine and slow, difficult to come and go, short and scattered, sometimes stopping and then returning (《脉经》). It indicates an imbalance (《素问》). It feels like a light knife scraping bamboo (《脉诀》). It resembles rain touching sand (《通真子》). It is like a sick silkworm eating leaves. The rough pulse indicates an excess of yang qi, leading to a decrease in blood, hence the pulse comes slowly and is suitable for the lungs. The pulse manual states that it feels like there is something beneath the fingers, but when lifted, it feels empty. This is unrelated to what is stated in the pulse manual.“Body Condition Poem”Fine, slow, and rough, the pulse comes and goes slowly, scattered and faintly responding to the fingers.Like rain touching sand, it is easy to scatter; like a sick silkworm eating leaves, it is slow and difficult.“Similar Condition Poem”Imbalance in the pulse is called rough; it feels like a light knife scraping bamboo, short and difficult.It is slightly like a fine blade, while the floating and deep pulses are indistinguishable.Fine, slow, and scattered, sometimes stopping indicates roughness. Extremely fine and soft indicates weakness. A floating and soft pulse indicates Ru, while a deep and soft pulse indicates weakness.“Main Disease Poem”The rough pulse indicates blood deficiency or injury to the essence, leading to reverse stomach and loss of yang, with sweating and rain. Cold dampness enters the blood, causing blood stasis; women who are not pregnant may have no menstruation.(The rough pulse indicates blood deficiency and injury to the essence; women who are pregnant may have pregnancy-related issues, while those who are not pregnant may have blood loss.)
7、Weak Pulse (Ruo Mai)
Weak pulse is very soft and deep, felt only when pressed, and not felt when lifted (《脉经》). Weakness is the dryness of the Ru pulse. The pulse manual states that it is felt lightly. Li’s description compares it to floating foam, which is also a Ru pulse, not a weak pulse. The 《素问》 states that a weak pulse is slippery, indicating the presence of stomach qi. A weak pulse that is rough indicates a long-term illness. After illness, the weak pulse is seen in the elderly, while in healthy young people, it is reversed.“Body Condition Poem”The weak pulse comes without strength, feeling soft and deep, not floating.Yang sinks into yin, leading to blood deficiency; even the white-haired can still feel youthful sorrow.“Similar Condition Poem”See the Ru pulse.“Main Disease Poem”The weak pulse indicates yin deficiency and yang qi decline, leading to cold and heat, with weakness in the bones and muscles. Excessive fright and sweating reduce spirit; nourishing qi and adjusting the blood must be treated early. A weak pulse at the inch indicates yang deficiency; at the guan, it indicates stomach weakness and spleen decline. To seek yang sinking into yin, one must push the two parts of the spirit.(The weak pulse indicates qi deficiency; Zhang Jing states that yang sinks into yin, leading to cold and heat. The weak pulse indicates muscle weakness, while the deep pulse indicates bone weakness; a weak pulse at the inch indicates yang deficiency, while a weak pulse at the chi indicates yin deficiency.)
8、Scattered Pulse (San Mai)Scattered pulse is large and dispersed, with a presence on the surface but not in the interior (《脉经》). It is loose and uncontained (Cui’s description), lacking structure and restraint, with an irregular rhythm, sometimes coming in abundance and sometimes in scarcity. Scattered and uncontained, it resembles the scattering of willow fluff (Liu’s description). Dai Tongfu states that the heart pulse is floating and large, while the lung pulse is short and rough, indicating a normal pulse. The heart pulse is soft and scattered, indicating anxiety; the lung pulse is soft and scattered, indicating excessive drinking; the liver pulse is soft and scattered, indicating fluid retention; the spleen pulse is soft and scattered, indicating swelling, which is a disease pulse. The kidney pulse is soft and scattered, indicating a death pulse.The 《难经》 states that a scattered pulse alone indicates danger. Liu’s description states that scattering indicates both qi and blood deficiency, leading to a pulse that is detached; a woman giving birth may experience this, while a pregnant woman may experience miscarriage.“Body Condition Poem”The scattered pulse resembles willow fluff, flying and scattering; its arrival and departure are unpredictable, making it difficult to synchronize.In childbirth, it indicates a sign of life; in pregnancy, it indicates a sign of miscarriage; if found in a long-term illness, it is not necessary to treat.“Similar Condition Poem”The scattered pulse is uncontained and loose; the Ru pulse is floating and fine, like water flowing through silk.A floating and slow large pulse indicates deficiency, while a Kuao pulse is hollow with two sides.“Main Disease Poem”The left inch indicates anxiety, while the right inch indicates sweating; the left guan indicates fluid retention, while the right guan indicates swelling. The scattered pulse at the chi indicates swelling and pain.
9、Fine Pulse (Xi Mai)Fine pulse is smaller than the micro pulse and is always present, straight and soft, like a thread responding to the fingers (《脉经》).《素问》 refers to it as small. Wang Qixuan describes it as resembling a weed, indicating its softness and fineness. The pulse manual states that it comes and goes very lightly, indicating that the micro pulse is larger than the fine pulse, which is contrary to the manual’s description.“Body Condition Poem”The fine pulse comes in a continuous stream, fine like a thread, with a heavy response and no end.In spring and summer, it is not favorable for the young, while in autumn and winter, it is suitable for the elderly and weak.“Similar Condition Poem”See the micro and Ru pulses.“Main Disease Poem”The fine pulse indicates a decline in blood and qi, leading to various deficiencies and emotional disturbances. If not due to dampness invading the waist and kidneys, it indicates injury to the essence and excessive sweating. A fine pulse at the inch indicates frequent vomiting; at the guan, it indicates abdominal swelling and stomach weakness; at the chi, it indicates cold in the lower jiao, diarrhea, and loss of essence.(The fine pulse indicates blood deficiency and qi decline; if this condition is present, it is favorable; otherwise, it is unfavorable. Therefore, if vomiting or bleeding is accompanied by a deep fine pulse, it indicates survival; excessive worry leads to a fine pulse.)
10、Hidden Pulse (Fu Mai)Hidden pulse is felt only when pressed down to the bone, moving beneath the fingers (《脉经》).The pulse travels beneath the tendons (《刊误》). The pulse manual states that it feels like it is present but disappears when lifted, which is a serious error.“Body Condition Poem”The hidden pulse pushes against the tendons and bones, moving beneath the fingers.In cases of cold, it indicates a desire to sweat; in cases of reversal, it indicates abdominal pain, which is a sign of yin.“Similar Condition Poem”See the deep pulse.“Main Disease Poem”The hidden pulse indicates frequent vomiting and abdominal pain, often due to retained food. It can lead to fluid retention and chronic phlegm accumulation; warming the interior is essential.(In cases of cold, a hidden pulse indicates a desire to sweat; in cases of reversal, it indicates abdominal pain, which is a sign of yin.)
11、Moving Pulse (Dong Mai)Moving pulse is rapid, appearing at the guan and below, without a head or tail, like a bean, shaking and moving (《脉经》).Zhang Jing states that yin and yang are in conflict, leading to movement; when yang moves, sweating occurs, while when yin moves, heat occurs, indicating damage to the three jiaos.Cheng Wujin states that when yin and yang are in conflict, the weak pulse moves; hence, when yang is weak, it moves, and when yin is weak, it moves.Pang Anchang states that the first third of the guan is yang, while the last third is yin; the guan position is half yin and half yang, hence movement is seen with deficiency.The pulse manual states that it feels like it is present but disappears when lifted, which is a serious error. Zhan’s description states that its shape is like a hook or hair, which is also incorrect.“Body Condition Poem”The moving pulse shakes and appears at the guan, without a head or tail, like a bean-shaped cluster.Its origin is the conflict between yin and yang; the weak pulse shakes while the strong pulse remains stable.“Main Disease Poem”The moving pulse is primarily associated with pain and fright; sweating occurs due to yang movement, while heat occurs due to yin movement. It can lead to diarrhea, abdominal pain, and loss of essence in men and women.(Zhang Jing states that movement indicates pain and fright; 《素问》 states that yin deficiency and yang conflict indicate bleeding.)
12、Urgent Pulse (Cu Mai)Urgent pulse comes and goes rapidly, sometimes stopping and then returning (《脉经》).It feels like a sudden urge, with varying speeds (Li’s description). The pulse manual states that it is rapid and stops, which is a serious error. Rapid and stopping indicates urgency, while slow and stopping indicates a knot; why is it only at the inch?“Body Condition Poem”The urgent pulse comes rapidly and sometimes stops; this indicates that yang is extreme and desires to escape yin.The three jiaos are filled with fire, leading to excessive heat, which can be fatal.“Similar Condition Poem”See the代 pulse.“Main Disease Poem”The urgent pulse indicates a fire disease; its causes can be traced to five factors. It can lead to coughing and phlegm accumulation, or cause madness and toxic sores.(The urgent pulse indicates excess yang; the causes of urgency and knots are due to qi, blood, phlegm, fluid, and food.)
13、Knot Pulse (Jie Mai)Knot pulse is slow and sometimes stops, then returns (《脉经》).The pulse manual states that it comes and goes irregularly, which is unrelated to knots. Zhang Jing describes it as being like a long pole, indicating a yin knot, while a thick cover indicates a yang knot. The pulse manual also describes it as moving like a sesame seed, shaking and returning, indicating irregularity, which is a sign of death. These three pulses share the same name but differ in essence.“Body Condition Poem”The knot pulse is slow and sometimes stops; it indicates that yin is excessively strong and desires to escape yang.Floating indicates qi stagnation, while deep indicates accumulation; sweating and urination are clear indicators.“Similar Condition Poem”See the代 pulse.“Main Disease Poem”The knot pulse is caused by qi and blood stagnation; chronic phlegm accumulation leads to pain and swelling. It can lead to internal accumulation and external swelling, indicating a yin condition.(The knot pulse indicates excessive yin; the more severe the knot, the more severe the accumulation; the milder the knot, the milder the qi.)
14、Substitute Pulse (Dai Mai)Substitute pulse moves and then stops, unable to return, and then moves again (Zhang Jing). The pulse reaches the chi and takes a long time to return (Wu’s description).The pulse has five beats per breath, with the qi of the lungs, heart, spleen, liver, and kidneys all contributing to fifty movements per breath, which is called a normal pulse. If this is not the case, it indicates a stop. If the kidney qi cannot reach the pulse, it indicates forty movements and one stop; if the liver qi cannot reach, it indicates thirty movements and one stop. This indicates that one organ’s qi is weak while another’s is strong.“Body Condition Poem”The pulse moves and then stops, unable to return; it moves again due to the conflict.In patients, it can still be treated; in healthy individuals, it is related to longevity.“Similar Condition Poem”Rapid and stopping indicates urgency, while slow stopping indicates a knot; the pulse must be distinguished from the knot pulse.Stopping without returning indicates a substitute pulse; the knot pulse indicates death.“Main Disease Poem”The substitute pulse indicates a decline in organ qi, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and loss of essence. It can also indicate vomiting and diarrhea in the middle jiao, or pregnancy at three months.(The pulse manual states that a scattered pulse indicates death; if the pulse is scattered and the blood is lost, it indicates a serious condition.)
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