CIRCULATORY PICTURE OF JING-YING OF MERIDIAN

Zhang Yimin

(Heilongjiang Institute of TCM, Harbin)

Ziwuliuzhu is a kind of acupoints selection method which uses the five Shu acupoints of the twelve meridians on time, while acupoints selection method of Heavenly Stems in accordance with time is called Heavenly Stems Method which is much used at present. According to the result of the research in acupuncture literature and material, the author deems that the acupoints selection method of the general Ziwuliuzhu, Heavenly Stems Method came from Xu's verse of Selected Acupoints and Circulatory Picture (both were written by Xu Feng) in his book of Acupuncture, Therefore it is called Xu's Method of Acupoints Selection. The formed Circulatory Picture was revised on the basis of "Circulatory Picture of Jing-Ying of meridian" in "Ziwuliuzhu Zhen Jing" by Xu Feng. The author of Circulatory Picture of Jing-Ying of meridian was Yan Minguang of Jin Dynasty, so the content of acupoints selection method of Circulatory Picture of Jing-Ying of Meridian is called Van's Acupoints Selection Method. Yan's method existed before Xu's book and maintained original shape of early stage of Ziwuliuzhu Heavenly Stems Method, therefore it is a sort of useful material of studying the history of Ziwuliuzhu. Yan's method can express Ziwuliuzhu theory of "liking ring without end" of energy and blood circulation and Ziwuliuzhu theory of circulation of twelve meridians. It is easy to use in clinical application and has a certain value of academic research.