Discovering Ancient Meridians - Classical Chinese Medicine and the Embodied Practice of Numerology

Author: Li Jianmin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: This book explores the origins of the meridian theory in classical medicine. The period studied spans from the Warring States to the end of the Western Han Dynasty, a time when the medical knowledge system was gradually moving from diverse theories toward unification. Traditional explanations for the emergence of meridian concepts generally attribute them to a close relationship with acupuncture techniques. Initially, early humans gained experiential knowledge of the therapeutic effects of stimulating individual acupoints. The emergence of tools like the nine needles helped establish the locations and therapeutic functions of acupoints, allowing them to be summarized into a meridian system, which gradually evolved from points to lines. Recent discoveries of newly unearthed pulse texts and medical historical artifacts have shown that this explanation now requires revision. This book aims to trace the origins of ancient meridian theory and explore the new techniques, tools, and new body concepts that emerged around pulse studies at the time. The author attempts to answer the following questions: What is "pulse"? In what type of literature does this concept first appear? Is this concept purely within the realm of medicine? With which medical techniques was it combined? And was it ever separated from the ubiquitous numerological studies often associated with pulse discussions? Finally, what role did new tools play in the systematization of pulse theory? The book finds that pulse is a key concept in traditional Chinese medicine, but it was not initially the exclusive domain of physicians. Additionally, during the Zhou and Qin periods, there were distinct regional differences such as Yan-Qi, Qin-Shu, and Jing-Chu, with a flourishing of diverse pulse theories. Under the condition of multiple systems coexisting, these pulse texts were transmitted through reliance, secret transmission, and textual superposition. More importantly, the great tradition of pulse studies exhibited significant characteristics in different eras. The author analyzes the history of ancient pulse studies into three eras: "Imperial Officials," "Practitioners," and "Medical Classics," and structures the discussion of pulse development around these periods. The author refers to the process of systematizing pulse theory as the "numerological process." In other words, it is the transformation of scattered medical experiences into a systematic discipline, built upon numerological concepts such as qi, yin-yang, the five elements, and. The emergence of the pulse concept extended two types of human body knowledge: physicians gradually extended pulse diagnosis from multiple pulsating points on the body to the initial pathways of pulse circulation. Furthermore, from the experience of scraping blood and pus from the body surface in the "pulse awakening" technique, they inferred the existence of hidden pulses within the body. This formed the prototype of the later concept of "meridians." The theoretical formulation of these experiences relied on numerology and. As systematic astronomical knowledge matured, people of the Imperial Official era also believed that the flow of pulses in the body must correspond to a cosmic order. Practitioners accepted this new body view and tested it on the body, developing new techniques like guided exercises and breath control as they simulated the body's alignment with the celestial cycle. They believed that the qi in the human body, like the laws of the celestial universe, exhibited fluctuations in strength and decline based on time and direction. These patterns could be expressed and even predicted using symbols like yin-yang, the five elements, and the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. The book refers to this as the "numerological body view." This further developed into a cyclical and perpetual cosmic form with a fixed direction of circulation. The source of this cyclical motion was believed to be related to specific organs. At the same time, observing the cycles and their intensity could indicate whether the overall system was functioning normally. The pulse, in this context, was the track of the human cosmic cycle, much like the paths of celestial bodies or waterways. Just as astrologers could infer cosmic disorder from anomalies, or water officials could detect blockages in waterways from flooding, physicians could diagnose diseases in the body from abnormal pulse signs. Thus, the pulse concept was the core of this new body view and the standard for "determining life and death." This body view became the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine. Today, our understanding of the meridian system differs from traditional Chinese medicine, not only due to changes in individual concepts like qi, yin-yang, the five elements, and, but also due to the collapse of the entire numerological cosmic theory. The collapse of the cosmic theory has also altered modern human body experiences. Tracing this pulse, which is invisible and cannot be explained by modern anatomy, holds significance in providing an alternative paradigm for understanding life or the human body. Additionally, the author believes that acupuncture therapy is closely related to pulse studies. Today, discussions about the discovery and emergence of the pulse often overemphasize the role of acupuncture tools. The shift from acupuncture along meridians to acupuncture at specific points undoubtedly relates to advancements in tools. However, this occurred in a later stage of the systematization of pulse theory. The evolution of acupuncture tools led to the determination of acupoint properties and locations, significantly influencing the concept of pulse evolving from independent entities to being inseparable from specific points.