Roots and Knots

The taiyang channel roots at Zhiyin and knots at the gate of life. The gate of life here means the eyes.

ORIGINAL太阳根于至阴，结于命门。命门者，目也。

tài yáng gēn yú zhì yīn，jié yú mìng mén。mìng mén zhě，mù yě。

The yangming channel roots at Lidui and knots at the great forehead. The great forehead means the region at the temples, gripping the ear.

ORIGINAL阳明根于厉兑，结于颡大。颡大者，钳耳也。

yáng míng gēn yú lì duì，jié yú sǎng dà。sǎng dà zhě，qián ěr yě。

The shaoyang channel roots at Qiaoyin and knots at the window cage. The window cage means the inside of the ear.

ORIGINAL少阳根于窍阴，结于窗笼。窗笼者，耳中也。

shǎo yáng gēn yú qiào yīn，jié yú chuāng lóng。chuāng lóng zhě，ěr zhōng yě。

Taiyang opens, yangming closes, and shaoyang is the hinge between them.

ORIGINAL太阳为开，阳明为阖，少阳为枢。

tài yáng wéi kāi，yáng míng wéi hé，shǎo yáng wéi shū。

When the opening fails, the flesh and joints become clogged and sudden illness arises; hence for sudden illness one takes the taiyang channel …

ORIGINAL故开折则肉节渎而暴病起矣，故暴病者取之太阳……

gù kāi zhé zé ròu jié dú ér bào bìng qǐ yǐ，gù bào bìng zhě qǔ zhī tài yáng……

When the closing fails, qi has nowhere to rest and wasting illness arises; hence for wasting illness one takes the yangming channel …

ORIGINAL阖折则气无所止息而痿疾起矣，故痿疾者取之阳明……

hé zhé zé qì wú suǒ zhǐ xī ér wěi jí qǐ yǐ，gù wěi jí zhě qǔ zhī yáng míng……

When the hinge fails, the bones loosen and the patient cannot stand firm on the ground; hence for shaking bones one takes the shaoyang channel.

ORIGINAL枢折即骨繇而不安于地，故骨繇者取之少阳。

shū zhé jí gǔ yáo ér bù ān yú dì，gù gǔ yáo zhě qǔ zhī shǎo yáng。

The taiyin channel roots at Yinbai and knots at the great granary, Zhongwan.

ORIGINAL太阴根于隐白，结于太仓。

tài yīn gēn yú yǐn bái，jié yú tài cāng。

The shaoyin channel roots at Yongquan and knots at Lianquan.

ORIGINAL少阴根于涌泉，结于廉泉。

shǎo yīn gēn yú yǒng quán，jié yú lián quán。

The jueyin channel roots at Dadun, knots at Yuying, and connects with Shanzhong.

ORIGINAL厥阴根于大敦，结于玉英，络于膻中。

jué yīn gēn yú dà dūn，jié yú yù yīng，luò yú dàn zhōng。