Glossary

The Ling Shu ch. 52 describes four Qi "Streets" (街 Jie, "street or market") on the head, chest, abdomen and shins. This implies a place where Qi travels and can be exchanged with the Zangfu. The Head Qi Street refers to the points located along the Bladder and Gall Bladder channel of the head and are said to have a special connection with the brain.

The following attributions are not listed as a group in classical sources but developed through my own meditations on the head as a microsystem and the possibility of there being an unwritten classical scalp acupuncture that predates the current models. Scalp acupuncture has become popular in modern decades due to its convenience for group seated settings but there are many systems which share few common characteristics (Wise & Lorenc, 2023) and often seem to be based on the assumption that needling the scalp will somehow affects the brain areas beneath (e.g. Hao, 2011, Chinese Scalp Acupuncture). Some peculiarities in the names and indications among some of the scalp points which implied at least the Five Elements may be represented, led to a search for more connections and eventually this model. A commentary on the reasons for these choices is in the notes for each point.

A General Theory of the Qi Streets of the Head

The Bladder Qi Street is reasonably straight with only a few points while the Gall Bladder Qi Street winds around with many points. There for the Bladder Qi Street can therefore be seen like the main thoroughfare with major department stores that deal in many things, receiving direct from the source (the Du Mai), while the Gall Bladder Qi Street is like a winding market that deals in specialist goods and has points that represent all the channels and divisions and even the Extraordinary Vessels and each of the Thee Jiao. As a Curious Organ it also has a special connection to the Brain.

The Shaoyang Gall Bladder Qi Street

Based on their names, intersections and indications, the points of the Gall Bladder channel have correspondences to the Zangfu, Primary Channels and Extraordinary Vessels, where Qi can be directed to the aspect the head that is related to that organ, similar to the Back-Shu and Front-Mu, but with a particular focus on patterns that affect the senses or the brain. They naturally have a greater propensity for clearing Yang signs in the upper body such as Heat, Wind, ascendant Yang, or sensory obstruction, than nourishing deficiencies in the Zangfu, or regulating organ functions like bowel and urinary movements. Sometimes they do have these functions when Qi rebels upwards.

They are:

The Six Zang:

GB-12: 完骨 Wangu: Kidney / Water
GB-13: 本神 Benshen: Heart / Sovereign Fire
GB-16: 目窗 Muchuang: Liver / Wood
GB-17: 正營 Zhengying: Spleen / Earth
GB-18: 承靈 Chengling: Lung / Metal
GB-8: 率谷 Shuaigu: Pericardium / Ministerial Fire

The Six Fu:

GB-10: 浮白 Fubai: Bladder / Taiyang
SJ-20: 角孫 Jiaosun: Small Intestine
GB-19: 腦空 Naokong: Gall Bladder / Shaoyang
GB-5: 懸顱 Xuanlu, GB-6: 懸厘 Xuanli and GB-7: 曲鬢 Qubin: San Jiao, relating to upper, middle and lower Jiao
GB-4: 頷厭 Hanyan: Stomach / Yangming
GB-14: 陽白 Yangbai: Large Intestine / Yangming

The Eight Extraordinary Vessels:

Ex-HN-5: 太陽 Taiyang or SJ-23: 絲竹空 Sizhukong: Chong Mai
Du-20: 百會 Baihui: Du Mai
GB-11: 頭竅陰 Touqiaoyin: Ren Mai
GB-15: 頭臨泣 Toulinqi: Dai Mai
GB-9: 天沖 Tianchong: Yin Wei Mai
GB-20: 風池 Fengchi: Yang Wei Mai
Bl-1: 睛明 Jingming: Yin Qiao Mai
GB-1: 瞳子髎 Tongziliao: Yang Qiao Mai

The Taiyang Bladder Qi Street

Based on their names and indications the following attributions can be surmised. Due to the limitation on points, only the Elements and Three Yang Divisions are represented, although some Middle and Upper Jiao symptoms of the Three Yin Divisions can also be attributed based on their respective Zang, and disorders relating to the Yang Fu be treated through their relevant Fu point.

Bl-1: 睛明 Jingming: Meeting point of the Qi Streets
Bl-2: 攢竹 Zanzhu: Yangming
Bl-3: 眉衝 Meichong: Shaoyang
Bl-4: 曲差 Quchai: Pericardium / San Jiao
Bl-5: 五處 Wuchu: Liver / Gall Bladder
Bl-6: 承光 Chengguang: Spleen / Stomach
Bl-7: 通天 Tongtian: Lung / Large Intestine
Bl-8: 絡卻 Luoque: Heart / Small Intestine
Bl-9: 玉枕 Yuzhen: Taiyang
Bl-10: 天柱 Tianzhu: Kidney / Bladder

The Du Mai

The Du Mai is not a street of Qi but the Sea of Yang, and the Du Mai points on the head in particular are referred to as the "Sea of Marrow" with Fengfu Du-16 and Baihui Du-20 in particular, identified as Sea of Marrow points by the Ling Shu ch. 33. In terms of the classical metaphors for the scalp, the Du Mai points on the scalp are like the source from which these stores and market stalls draw their supplies. Magidoff (1995, from class notes on Yuen's lecture on the Curious Organs) said that the front Du points are concerned with the frontal brain, differentiation and the Liver, Pericardium and Yang Channels. Based on this and some of their indications, the following can be deduced:

Du-16: 風府 Fengfu: Water, Kidneys, Bladder, Taiyang and Shaoyin
Du-17: 腦戶 Naohu: Earth, Spleen, Stomach and Taiyin
Du-18: 強間 Qiangjian: Shaoyang
Du-19: 後頂 Houding: Taiyang
Du-20: 百會 Baihui: Sovereign Fire, Heart, Small Intestine, Taiyang and Shaoyin
Du-21: 前頂 Qianding: Wood, Liver and Gallbladder
Du-22: 囟會 Xinhui: Ministerial Fire, Pericardium and San Jiao
Du-23: 上星 Shangxing: Metal, Lung, Large Intestine and Taiyang
Du-24: 神庭 Shenting: Yangming and Taiyang

One thing apparent about these attributions is that the two Sea of Marrow points given in the Ling Shu ch. 33 relate to the Heart and Kidneys, the houses of 精 Jing and 神 Shen, whose merging in the Curious Organ of the brain give rise to consciousness (精神 Jingshen). Like with the other points of the scalp, they mainly deal with issues involving the senses, the brain and disorders of Yang but involve tapping in deeper to the source.

Combinations

For ease of lookup, the following table contains the attributions of the main Zangfu and Five Phases are:

A Visual Map of the Kingdom

Looking at some of these associations a few patterns emerge that draw a picture upon the scalp of a royal palace attended by the officials of Su Wen ch. 8 and drawing upon other metaphors common in the classical literature of a landscape and a society. Other traditions of Neidan have also referred to the brain and upper Dantian as a palace (Liu, 2023). Based on this metaphor, the associations given above and the combinations attributed to each Zangfu and Division reveal the following which can be used as a mnemonic and a visual map of the scalp microsystem:

Sishencong, a Sacred Space

The Supreme Yang Sovereign (Heart, Baihui Du-20) pays tribute to the sun (Taiyang, Houding Du-19), aided by his Chancellor and Mentor to either side (Lung, Tongtian Bl-7), and protected by his General (Liver, Qianding Du-21) between him and his other ministers and people. Together these form Sishencong forming an inner sanctum of spiritual practice based on the sun, his closest advisors and personal guard.

Front and Back of the Body

Furthermore, by looking at the combinations attributed to each group and their location some other imagery can be deduced:

The front of the body represents the civilised kingdom with the Qi Streets of the chest, abdomen and shins, the Stomach and Kidney Channels representing trade, agriculture and waterways whereupon civilisation is built. The back, that is covered by Taiyang, represents the world of nature, both in its divine sense as the sun, which the emperors were closely associated with, but also the untamed and wild areas where civilisation cannot thrive, such as the mountains (the spine). Therefore the image is of the sun behind the emperor, connecting his Taiyang with the cosmic Taiyang of the sun as he faces his people.

The Emperor (Sovereign Fire)

The Sovereign stands at the highest point (Baihui Du-20), with his influence spreading outwards to his own kingdom where his power is rooted (Benshen GB-13, "Root of the Spirit"). His connection to the sun also sees his influence extend slightly back towards where he connects to its descending rays (Luoque Bl-8, "Declining Connection") that emanate from the Taiyang point (Houding Du-19, "Behind the Crown"). These three sovereign points all relate to calming the Shen and treating convulsions.

Another important point related to the Sovereign is his courtyard (Shenting Du-24, "Spirit Courtyard") where the outside world is received and military parades and pageants are performed. This is an important meeting point of the Yang meridians that represent various armed forces, and directly in front of Shangxing Du-23, the Chancellor and Mentor who receives those coming to the Upper Palace. It is flanked by Meichong Bl-3, "Eyebrow's Charge" and Muchuang GB-16, "Window of the Eye," representing the troops and watchtowers guarding the entrance.

The General (Wood)

The General stands in front of the Sovereign (Qianding Du-21, "In Front of the Crown"), protecting him. His forces are amassed in a large barracks (Juchu Bl-5, "Huge Place") and in watchtowers (Muchuang GB-16, "Window of the Eye"). These points all have indications for subduing Wind, excessive Yang and visual dizziness.

Armed Forces (Yang Divisions)

As well as untamed nature beyond the scalp, Taiyang is also the most Exterior Division, and the fierce guard that keeps the dangers of the outside world at bay. The points associated with Taiyang and the Exterior surround the rear hairline (Jiaosun SJ-20, Fubai GB-10 and Yuzhen Bl-9) to form a perimeter. Fengchi GB-20 can also be argued to have a special role here, as a major point on the Yang Wei Mai and indicated in the Shang Han Lun for Taiyang disorders. As a point at the occiput, more normally connected with the Kidneys in this scalp system, this represents a point whereupon the Jing can be accessed via this Extraordinary Vessels to drive out a Exterior Pathogen. These points are all related to Taiyang symptoms of stiff neck.

The Shaoyang, as half-internal half-external, are located in both the the exterior and the interior regions of the scalp, and as the "Lesser Yang" may representing the less direct, more specialised military forces, such as guerrilla troops, intelligence operatives, cavalry or archers. This connects them with the eyes (Meichong Bl-3, "Eyebrow Charge") and the brain representing strategy and planning (Naokong GB-19, "Brain's Door"). Most of their operations take place in the forests between the Upper Palace and the borders of the territory, represented by the hair on the back of the head where there are few points except Qiangjian Du-18, "Unyielding Space," representing their role to prevent progression of enemies through the land. All these points have symptoms that can be associated with Shaoyang such as headache, agitation, nausea, sensory disturbance and difficulty turning the head.

Yangming is related to the "Brilliance" and glory within the kingdom and so are naturally all located within interior border of the forehead (Zanzhu Bl-2, Yangbai GB-14 and Shenting Du-24 but also including points like Touwei St-8 and Hanyan GB-4). Still Yang they could be compared to the inner guard, internal security or police who protect the Upper Palace from rebellion and malevolent forces from within. These points are all associated with frontal headaches along the Yangming region.

The Minister (Ministerial Fire)

The Minister and Envoy to the people also stands in front of the Sovereign with the General separating them (Xinhui Du-22, "Fontanelle Meeting"). His subordinates reach to the furthest points on the front half of the hairline that represent the civilised world, delivering edicts to all corners (Quchai Bl-4, "Crooked Curve") and the valleys at the edge of the kingdom (Shuaigu GB-8, "Leading Valley"). These points all have indications for alcohol intoxication except Quchai Bl-4 which is indicated for agitation and Heat in the Heart indicating a Pericardium issue. Jiaosun SJ-20, the Small Intestine point, although a Taiyang Small Intestine point, lies close to Shuaigu GB-8 with indications for clearing Heat making these two a pair in terms of their shared functions.

The Chancellor (Metal)

The Chancellor and Mentor faces the far front, directly overseeing the kingdom from the palace courtyard (Shenting Du-24, "Spirit Courtyard"), collecting taxes from the people directly and learning the issues facing them, from which he can provide guidance to the Sovereign and hope to the people (Shangxing Du-23, "Shining Star"). The taxes and news of the empire are delivered to the Sovereign by his neighbouring points (Tongtian Bl-7, "Heavenly Connection," and Chengling GB-18, "Support the Spirit") which both connect directly to the main Sovereign point, Baihui Du-20. These points all clear the nose, the opening of the Lung.

Agriculture (Earth and Water)

Two circles, further out relate to Water and Earth and represent the building blocks of the empire:

The circle of the Earth and Spleen can be found by connecting these points: Naohu Du-17, Chengguang Bl-6 and Zhengying GB-17. The Spleen is the minister of remonstration, preventing harm from entering or leaving the Inner Circle. In this sense it serves as the barrier between the inner and outer kingdom, like the walls of the palace, outside of which the people work. It also acts as the minister for agriculture and grain storage, upon which the empire is built. These points all have indications for vomiting, except Naohu Du-17 which has a unique indication for yellow eyes and jaundice, the colour of Earth and bleeding from the tongue indicating the failure of the Spleen to hold the Blood.

This rests on top of the circle of Water upon which agriculture depends and so the entire kingdom rests. This circle supports the entire skull formed by Fengfu Du-16, Tianzhu Bl-10 and Wangu GB-12. These represent the technical operations and management of waterways upon which agriculture is dependent, and so ultimately provides the basis upon whole empire rests. These points all have indications for calming the Shen and weakness or atrophy of the lower body

Finally, and related to water, are the three points of the San Jiao: Xuanlu GB-5, Xuanli GB-6 and Qubin GB-7. Although also Shaoyang points, and sharing in the other Yang channels ability to expel Pathogens, these also share in the San Jiao's function in Su Wen ch. 8, to open the Channels and govern the waterways. Hence, they are located where sweat runs down the temples and are mostly indicated for clearing Heat when there is no sweating to do this naturally.