| Meridians and acupoints are the core concepts of the theoretical system of acupuncture and moxibustion.With the increase of unearthed documents and cultural relics,the development and evolution of meridians and acupoints in the pre-Qin and Han dynasties gradually became clear.The early acupuncture theory was affected by various factors and presented multi-level and multi-system characteristics.The form and connotation have undergone a process from the accumulation of practical experience to a high degree of theoretical solidification,and The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon(《黄帝内经》)and The Yellow Emperor’s Ming Tang Classic(《黄帝明堂经》)are the representative of the relatively solidified theory of meridians and acupoints respectively.● Topic Selection Basis By reviewing the current status of relevant theoretical research,it is necessary to conduct in-depth research on the characteristics of the meridians and acupoints in the unearthed medical literature.However,at present,the experimental research and medical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion are mainly guided by the textbooks of colleges and universities,and there is not enough attention to the theoretical characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion in the pre-Qin and Han dynasties.The pre-Qin and Han dynasties were a critical period for the evolution and maturity of acupuncture theory,and the accurate understanding of the core concepts in acupuncture theory such as meridians and acupoints affected the construction and development of modern acupuncture theory system.● Research Purpose The research objectives mainly include the following two points:First,to sort out the specific evolution process of the theory of meridians and acupoints in the pre-Qin and Han dynasties,based on the unearthed documents,cultural relics,The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon(《黄帝内经》)and The Yellow Emperor’s Ming Tang Classic(《黄帝明堂经》).Second,discuss the related concepts of meridians and acupoints in the pre-Qin and Han dynasties,and supplement the relative blanks of theoretical research,so that the related concepts and theories can be more accurately interpreted and perfected.● Research Significance The theoretical significance of this study is to sort out the development context and characteristics of the meridian and acupoint theories in the pre-Qin and Han dynasties,accurately grasp the connotation of the relevant concepts,and also have a certain discussion and supplement to the philosophical views and body views of the Qin and Han physicians.The practical significance of this study is helpful for a correct understanding of the relevant content of handed down medical books;an objective understanding of the treatment experience of Qin and Han physicians,avoid misunderstanding or over exaggeration of the basic concepts of acupuncture,and provide reference for future literature and experimental research.● Research Materials This research is mainly based on the documents and cultural relics that contain meridians and acupoints in the pre-Qin and Han dynasties.It is divided into two categories,“unearthed documents,unearthed cultural relics” and “handed down documents”,the introduction is as follows:Bamboo slips and silk books containing the contents of meridians and acupoints have been unearthed all over the country,mainly including:Zubi Shiyimai Jiujing(《 足 臂 十 一 脉 灸 经 》 Moxibustion Therapy on the Eleven Meridians of Legs and Arms)and Yinyang Shiyi Mai Jiujing(《阴阳十一脉灸经》Moxibustion Therapy on the Eleven Meridians of Yin and Yang)from the MawangduiHan Tomb in Changsha,Hunan Province.Mai Shu(《脉书》Pulse Book)from the Zhangjiashan Han Tomb in Jiangling,Hubei Province.Shi Er Mai(《十二脉》Twelve Meridians),Ci Shu(《刺数》Needling Methods),Bie Mai(《别脉》)from the Laoguanshan Han Tomb in Chengdu,Sichuan Province.Wuwei Medical Slips of the Han Dynasty(《武威汉代医简》)from the Hantanpo Han Tomb in Wuwei,Gansu Province.Medical Slips Related to the Han Tomb in Hujia Caochang,Jingzhou,Hubei Province.There are two main artifacts unearthed:Meridian lacquered wood human figure from the Shuangbaoshan Han Tomb,Mianyang,Sichuan Province.Lacquer-painted wooden figures on the meridians and acupoints of the Laoguanshan Han Tomb in Chengdu,Sichuan Province.“handed down documents” mainly include:Medical books such as: The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon(《黄帝内经》),The Yellow Emperor’s Ming Tang Classic(《黄帝明堂经》),Nan Jing(《难经》The Classic on Medical Probiem),etc.Involving medical literature such as: Chuang Tzu(《庄子》),Shi Ji(《史记》),etc.● Research Methods This study firstly uses the quantitative research method of philology to collect and sort out the relevant data of meridians and acupoints in the documents and cultural relics of the Pre-Qin and Han Dynasties;secondly,with the help of historical analysis method,it studies the social background and cultural background of the Pre-Qin and Han Dynasties and other factors on the evolution of meridians and acupoints.On this basis,sort out the specific evolution process of meridians and acupoints,and use relevant scientific research methods,such as using “scientific comparison method” to compare the similarities and differences between meridians in different texts,so as to understand their characteristics,use the “theoretical abstract method” to explain the reasons,specific processes and meanings of the evolution of the meridians and acupoints;use the“scientific induction method” to analyze the results of the evolution of the meridians and acupoints to provide a regular understanding.Multidisciplinary research methods comprehensively analyze the evolution process of meridians and acupoints,especially thinking from the standpoint of Qin and Han physicians,which can avoid mixing modern people’s thinking concepts in the research process.● Research Results The research results are mainly reflected in the following five aspects:a)There are many factors affecting the formation and evolution of meridians and acupoints in the pre-Qin and Han dynasties.Mainly include: Understanding of anatomical solid tissue;diagnosis of surface arterial pulsation and superficial veins;experience accumulated in early medical activities using bone needles and stone needles;the witch doctor’s understanding of the path of evil spirits invading the body prompted the ancestors to form the concept of “pulse” and “meridian”;The formation of the“Essential Qi Theory”,and the introduction of the concept of “Qi” into the blood vessels and parts of the body,and the formation of subordinate concepts such as “Blood Qi”(血气),“Head Qi”(头气)and “Foot Qi”(足气),promoted the running of Blood Qi in the meridians,the circulation and infusion system of the meridians and the The formation of awareness such as "Qi Street".Philosophical concepts such as “heaven six,earth five”(天六地五),“twelve months”(十二月),“eight poles”(八极)and “three hundred and sixty-five days”(三百六十五日)affect the evolution of the number of meridians and acupoints.b)The naming of meridians from the early days “foot/arm + yin/yang + meridian”Zubi Shiyimai Jiujing(《 足臂十 一脉灸 经》Moxibustion Therapy on the Eleven Meridians of Legs and Arms),“yin/yang + meridian”,“body part + meridian”,“arm +giant(Thai)/shaoyin + meridian” Yinyang Shiyi Mai Jiujing(《阴阳十一脉灸经》Moxibustion Therapy on the Eleven Meridians of Yin and Yang),the more complex naming method evolved into the unified naming method of “zang/fu + hand/foot +yin/yang + meridian” in Lingshu·Meridian(《灵枢·经脉》),and its influencing factors are not only related to the change of the starting and ending points of the meridians,but also It is related to the habitual language and writing of pre-Qin and Han physicians.In terms of the number of meridians,it is mainly reflected in “the heart has four branches”(The History of Yanzi《晏子春秋》)(Huainanzi《淮南子》),“humans have four meridians”(Su Wen《素问》Plain Question)“eleven meridians”(Zubi Shiyimai Jiujing 《足臂十一脉灸经》Moxibustion Therapy on the Eleven Meridians of Legs and Arms)(Yinyang Shiyi Mai Jiujing 《阴阳十一脉灸经》Moxibustion Therapy on the Eleven Meridians of Yin and Yang),“ten meridians”(Meridian lacquered wood human figure from the Shuangbaoshan Han Tomb),“twelve meridians”(Shi Er Mai《十二脉》Twelve Meridians)(Lacquer-painted wooden figures on the meridians and acupoints of the Laoguanshan Han Tomb)(The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon《黄帝内经》)especially the generation of the Hand Jueyin Meridian and the evolution of the path of the Hand Sanyin Meridian and the main symptoms.In terms of the meridian’s traveling path,its evolution characteristics are mainly reflected in the extension of the traveling path(extending from the wrist and ankle to the end of the fingers and toes),and the change in the traveling direction(centripetal,telecentric).In terms of meridian diseases,physicians in the pre-Qin and Han dynasties mainly use “movement disease(是动病)”and “caused(produced)disease(所生/产病)” to summarize.There is a clear inheritance relationship between unearthed documents and handed down documents.The main symptoms of acupoints recorded in The Yellow Emperor’s Ming Tang Classic(《黄帝明堂经 》)are mainly derived from the “movement disease” and “caused(produced)disease” of the meridians they belong to.c)The generation,evolution and finalization of the branches of the meridians were roughly completed in the pre-Qin and Han dynasties.The generation of meridian branches is mainly related to the accumulation of clinical experience.In order to explainthe location of the increasing number of main diseases,physicians in Qin and Han Dynasties established meridian branches to connect them.For example,the three branches of Zubi Shiyimai Jiujing(《足臂十一脉灸经》Moxibustion Therapy on the Eleven Meridians of Legs and Arms)are related to clinical diagnosis and treatment experience.In the process of evolution,the branches of the meridians have gradually been given new connotations,such as the 13 branches of the meridian on the surface of the Laoguanshan lacquer human body and the 5 branches of the human body of Shuangbaoshan wood.Compared with Zubi Shiyimai Jiujing(《足臂十一脉灸经》Moxibustion Therapy on the Eleven Meridians of Legs and Arms),not only the number has increased,In addition to contacting the parts of the disease,it also has the function of contacting the meridians.In Lingshu·Meridians(《灵枢·经脉》),the number of branches of the meridians has increased to 17,of which 10 branches are specially used to build the connection between the external and internal meridians,and further build the circular flow mode of the twelve meridians,the function of meridian branches has changed from “connecting disease sites” to “theory construction”.d)In the early evolution process,the twelve tendons gradually became the subsidiary structure of the twelve meridians.The concept of tendons was formed on the basis of the long-term understanding of the anatomical structure and physiological and pathological characteristics of the motor system by physicians in Qin and Han Dynasties,the path of the twelve tendons and the main symptoms are highly similar to the unearthed silk books.The core of its theory is “passing Wei Qi”(通行卫气),and the characteristics of acupoint selection are mainly “consolidating tendons when tendons involved in disorders,tender-point”(在筋守筋,以痛为输),“interactions of twelve tendons”(维筋相交),“inducing the tendons qi according to the meridians”(依脉引筋 气),etc.However,with the formation and popularity of the twelve-meridian circulation system constructed in the chapter Lingshu·Meridians(《灵枢·经脉》),the twelve tendons gradually evolved into the subsidiary structure of the meridian theory,making the meridian theory more and more inclusive,but practical Features andpertinence have been weakened.e)The number of acupoints in the pre-Qin and Han dynasties showed a trend from less to more.There are 116 suspected acupoints on the surface of the Laoguanshan lacquer body.There are 148 named acupoints in The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon(《黄帝内经》),and 349 acupoints in The Yellow Emperor’s Ming Tang Classic(《黄帝明堂经》),showing “blowout growth”.The main forms of the increase in the number of acupoints are:(1)the name of the bone evolves into the name of the acupoint;(2)the name of the pulse evolves into the name of the acupoint;(3)a body part evolves into multiple acupoints;(4)Adding acupoints near the commonly used points or on the path of the meridians.The increase in the number of acupoints also reflects the evolution of the nomenclature of acupoints.The acupoints in the Laoguanshan Medical Slip Ci Shu(《刺数》Needling Methods)are mainly named in the way of "body part + yin and yang".This naming method can still be seen in the The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon(《黄帝内经》).Until The Yellow Emperor’s Ming Tang Classic(《黄帝明堂经》)was completely abandoned,it became the well-known name of acupuncture points.The return of acupoints to the meridian is formed under the influence of the increase in the number of acupoints and the change in the naming of acupoints.The phenomenon of acupoints returning to the meridian has already appeared in the lacquer wood humanoid figure of Laoguanshan.Judging from the published distribution characteristics of the acupoints in the Sanyin meridian of the hand,the acupoints that return to the meridian are mainly at the pulse of the arteries,reflecting the early characteristics of “merging of acupoints and pulses”(脉穴合一).The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon(《黄帝内经》)and The Yellow Emperor’s Ming Tang Classic(《黄帝明堂经》)mainly classify the five acupoints below the elbow and knee joints of the four limbs into the corresponding meridians,while the other acupoints are summarized according to their parts by“originating from the pulse and qi”(脉气所发).The formation factors of the acupoint indications include the accumulation of medical practice experience,the reasoning of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory,and the transplantation of meridian diseases.● Research Conclusion The main conclusions of this study are as follows:a)The transformation of meridian theory in the pre-Qin and Han dynasties was affected by many factors,and non-medical practice factors such as numerical thinking and philosophical awareness cannot be ignored,so it cannot be explained from a single aspect.The transition from “eleven meridians(十一脉)” to “twelve meridians(十二脉)” cannot be regarded as a simple linear development process,the formation of acupoint indications includes practical factors and non-practical factors.In particular,there are many non-practical factors of acupoints indications in The Yellow Emperor’s Ming Tang Classic(《黄帝明堂经》),and it has been quoted by later acupuncture literatures.Accurate identification of the non-practical factors in acupoint indications is very important for the standardization of acupuncture clinical practice.b)the concept of meridians first originated from the ancestors’ observation of the shape and function of blood vessels.Zubi Shiyimai Jiujing(《足臂十一脉灸经》Moxibustion Therapy on the Eleven Meridians of Legs and Arms)suggests that the development of early meridians was deeply affected by moxibustion activities.In the process of linking disease parts,meridian branches have gradually evolved,and the functional transformation of meridian branches is closely related to the theoretical connotation of meridians.With the “twelve tendons(十二经筋)” attached to the“twelve meridians(十二经脉)”,and under the influence of the theory of zang-fu organs(藏象理论)and the theory of yin and yang and five elements(阴阳五行理论)in the Qin and Han Dynasties,the theoretical guiding role of the meridians has become stronger and stronger.c)The generation of the concept of acupoints and their early distribution locations are related to the arterial pulsation points that can be reached by palpation on the body surface,in the process of gradually increasing the number of acupoints,their positioning has become more and more clear,the meridian naming elements in the early acupoint names gradually receded,which inevitably led to the emergence of the phenomenon ofacupoints returning to the meridian specialization.In the Qin and Han Dynasties,the return of acupoints to the meridian is mainly recorded in The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon(《黄帝内经》)and The Yellow Emperor’s Ming Tang Classic(《黄帝明堂经》),and the two have a relatively consistent understanding,it is mainly a combination of two ways of returning to the meridian: the arrangement of the meridians and the arrangement of the body parts.d)When examining the meridian theory of the Pre-Qin and Han Dynasties,in addition to the texts and documents such as Zubi Shiyimai Jiujing(《 足 臂 十 一 脉 灸 经 》Moxibustion Therapy on the Eleven Meridians of Legs and Arms),Yinyang Shiyi Mai Jiujing(《阴阳十一脉灸经》Moxibustion Therapy on the Eleven Meridians of Yin and Yang),Shi Er Mai(《十 二脉 》 Twelve Meridians),Bie Mai(《 别 脉》),Lingshu·Meridians(《灵枢·经脉》),etc.we should also synthesize unearthed cultural relics,i.e.The Meridian lacquered wood human figure from the Shuangbaoshan Han Tomb and the Lacquer-painted wooden figures on the meridians and acupoints of the Laoguanshan Han Tomb,in particular,the meridian system of Meridian lacquered wood human figure from the Shuangbaoshan Han Tomb is very special.Only by integrating various documents and cultural relics can we have a comprehensive understanding of the meridian system before the finalization.The stereotype of the meridians is represented by Lingshu·Meridians(《灵枢·经脉》). |
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