1
黃帝問于歧伯曰：余聞九鍼於夫子衆多矣，不可勝數。余推而論之，以爲一紀，余司誦之，子聽其理，非則語余，請其正道，令可久傳，後世無患。得其人乃傳，非其人勿言。
黄帝问于歧伯曰：余闻九针于夫子众多矣，不可胜数。余推而论之，以为一纪，余司诵之，子听其理，非则语余，请其正道，令可久传，后世无患。得其人乃传，非其人勿言。 Huáng Dì wèn yú Qí Bó yuē: yú wén jiǔ zhēn yú fū zǐ zhòng duō yǐ, bù kě shèng shǔ. yú tuī ér lùn zhī, yǐ wéi yī jì, yú sī sòng zhī, zǐ tīng qí lǐ, fēi zé yǔ yú, qǐng qí zhèng dào, lìng kě jiǔ chuán, hòu shì wú huàn. dé qí rén nǎi chuán, fēi qí rén wù yán.
黄帝问歧伯说：我从先生这里听到九针的道理很多，不可胜数。我推求论述，编为一纪，由我诵习，先生听其理，不对就告诉我，请正其道，使它可久传后世而无患。遇到合适的人才传，不是合适的人就不要说。
The Yellow Emperor asked Qi Bo: I have heard the nine needles from you, Master, in great number — more than can be counted. I have pushed and reasoned on them and made them into one record; I recite it, and you listen to its principle. Where it is wrong, tell me; pray set it on the right way, so that it may be handed down long and later ages suffer no harm. Only to the right man may it be transmitted; to the wrong man do not speak of it.
2
歧伯稽首再拜曰：請聽聖王之道。
歧伯稽首再拜曰：请听圣王之道。 Qí Bó jī shǒu zài bài yuē: qǐng tīng shèng wáng zhī dào.
歧伯叩头再拜说：请听圣王之道。
Qi Bo bowed his head twice and said: I beg to hear the way of the sage king.
3
黃帝曰：用鍼之理，必知形氣之所在，左右上下，陰陽表裏，血氣多少，行之逆順，出入之合，謀伐有過，知解結，知補虚寫實，上下氣門，明通於四海，審其所在，寒𤍠淋露，以輸異處。
黄帝曰：用针之理，必知形气之所在，左右上下，阴阳表里，血气多少，行之逆顺，出入之合，谋伐有过，知解结，知补虚写实，上下气门，明通于四海，审其所在，寒𤍠淋露，以输异处。 Huáng Dì yuē: yòng zhēn zhī lǐ, bì zhī xíng qì zhī suǒ zài, zuǒ yòu shàng xià, yīn yáng biǎo lǐ, xuè qì duō shǎo, xíng zhī nì shùn, chū rù zhī hé, móu fá yǒu guò, zhī jiě jié, zhī bǔ xū xiè shí, shàng xià qì mén, míng tōng yú sì hǎi, shěn qí suǒ zài, hán rè lín lù, yǐ shū yì chù.
黄帝说：用针之理，必须知道形气所在、左右上下、阴阳表里、血气多少、运行的逆顺、出入的会合，谋划攻伐其有过之处；知道解结，知道补虚泻实，上下气门，明通四海，审察其所在；寒热淋露，各有不同的输注之处。
The Emperor said: In the principle of using the needle one must know where form and qi are, left and right, above and below, yin and yang, outside and inside, whether blood and qi are much or little, whether movement is adverse or smooth, the meeting of exit and entry, and plan the attack on what is at fault. Know how to untie knots, know how to tonify emptiness and drain fullness, the qi gates above and below, and be clear about the four seas, examining where they are; cold, heat, dripping dew — each has its different transport.
4
審於調氣，明於經隧，左右肢絡，盡知其會。
审于调气，明于经隧，左右肢络，尽知其会。 shěn yú tiáo qì, míng yú jīng suì, zuǒ yòu zhī luò, jìn zhī qí huì.
要审于调气，明于经隧，左右肢络，尽知其会合之处。
Be careful in tuning qi, clear about the channels and tunnels; of the left and right limb network vessels know all their meetings.
5
寒與𤍠争，能合而調之。虚與實鄰，知決而通之。左右不調，把而行之，明於逆順，乃知可治。陰陽不奇，故知起時。審於本末，察其寒𤍠，得邪所在，萬刺不殆，知官九鍼，刺道畢矣。
寒与𤍠争，能合而调之。虚与实邻，知决而通之。左右不调，把而行之，明于逆顺，乃知可治。阴阳不奇，故知起时。审于本末，察其寒𤍠，得邪所在，万刺不殆，知官九针，刺道毕矣。 hán yǔ rè zhēng, néng hé ér tiáo zhī. xū yǔ shí lín, zhī jué ér tōng zhī. zuǒ yòu bù tiáo, bǎ ér xíng zhī, míng yú nì shùn, nǎi zhī kě zhì. yīn yáng bù qí, gù zhī qǐ shí. shěn yú běn mò, chá qí hán rè, dé xié suǒ zài, wàn cì bù dài, zhī guān jiǔ zhēn, cì dào bì yǐ.
寒与热争，能合而调之。虚与实相邻，知道决开而通之。左右不调，把握而推行之。明于逆顺，才知道什么可治。阴阳没有反常，所以知道病起的时辰。审察本末，观察寒热，得知邪之所在，万刺也不会出错；知道九针的官用，刺道就完备了。
When cold and heat contend, one can join and tune them. When emptiness and fullness are neighbours, know how to open and free them. When left and right are untuned, hold and move them. Be clear about adverse and smooth, and then you know what can be treated. When yin and yang are not anomalous, you know the hour of rising. Examine root and tip, observe cold and heat, find where the evil is: ten thousand insertions without danger. Knowing the official nine needles, the way of needling is complete.
6
明於五輸，徐疾所在，屈伸出入，皆有條理。言陰與五，合於五行，五藏六府，亦有所藏，四時八風，盡有陰陽，各得其位，合於明堂。各處色部，五藏六府，察其所痛，左右上下，知其寒温，何經所在。審皮膚之寒温滑濇，知其所苦，膈有上下，知其氣所在。先得其道，稀而疏之，稍深以留，故能徐入之。
明于五输，徐疾所在，屈伸出入，皆有条理。言阴与五，合于五行，五藏六府，亦有所藏，四时八风，尽有阴阳，各得其位，合于明堂。各处色部，五藏六府，察其所痛，左右上下，知其寒温，何经所在。审皮肤之寒温滑涩，知其所苦，膈有上下，知其气所在。先得其道，稀而疏之，稍深以留，故能徐入之。 míng yú wǔ shū, xú jí suǒ zài, qū shēn chū rù, jiē yǒu tiáo lǐ. yán yīn yǔ wǔ, hé yú wǔ xíng, wǔ zàng liù fǔ, yì yǒu suǒ zàng, sì shí bā fēng, jìn yǒu yīn yáng, gè dé qí wèi, hé yú míng táng. gè chù sè bù, wǔ zàng liù fǔ, chá qí suǒ tòng, zuǒ yòu shàng xià, zhī qí hán wēn, hé jīng suǒ zài. shěn pí fū zhī hán wēn huá sè, zhī qí suǒ kǔ, gé yǒu shàng xià, zhī qí qì suǒ zài. xiān dé qí dào, xī ér shū zhī, shāo shēn yǐ liú, gù néng xú rù zhī.
明于五输与徐疾所在，屈伸出入都有条理。讲阴与五，合于五行；五藏六府也各有所藏。四时八风尽有阴阳，各得其位，合于明堂。各部各居其色部，五藏六府，察其所痛，左右上下，知其寒温，在哪一经。审察皮肤的寒温滑涩，知其苦处；膈有上下，知其气之所在。先得其道，用穴少而疏，稍深而留针，所以能缓缓入针。
Be clear about the five transports, where slow and fast are; the bending, stretching, exit and entry all have their order. Speak of yin and the five, joining them to the five phases; the five viscera and six bowels each have what they store; the four seasons and eight winds all have yin and yang, each attaining its place and joining at the bright hall. Each occupies its colour region; of the five viscera and six bowels observe where pain is, left and right, above and below, know its cold or warmth, and in which channel it lies. Examine the skin’s cold, warmth, slippery or rough, and know what he suffers; the diaphragm has above and below, know where the qi is. First get its way, then use few and sparse points, go a little deeper and retain, and so you can insert slowly.
7
大𤍠在上，推而下之，從下上者，引而去之，視前痛者，常先取之。大寒在外，留而補之，入於中者，從合寫之。
大𤍠在上，推而下之，从下上者，引而去之，视前痛者，常先取之。大寒在外，留而补之，入于中者，从合写之。
dà rè zài shàng, tuī ér xià zhī, cóng xià shàng zhě, yǐn ér qù zhī, shì qián tòng zhě, cháng xiān qǔ zhī. dà hán zài wài, liú ér bǔ zhī, rù yú zhōng zhě, cóng hé xiè zhī.
大热在上，推而使之下行；病从下向上来的，引而使之离去；看先前痛处，常先取之。大寒在外，留针而补；寒已入于中的，从其合穴泻之。
When great heat is above, push it down; when it comes from below upward, lead it away; where pain was before, always take it first. When great cold is outside, retain and tonify; when it has entered the middle, drain it from the meeting point.
8
鍼所不爲，灸之所宜，上氣不足，推而揚之，下氣不足，積而從之。陰陽皆虚，火自當之。厥而寒甚，骨廉陷下，寒過於膝，下陵三里，陰絡所過，得之留止。寒入於中，推而行之，經陷下者，火則當之。結絡堅緊，火所治之。不知所苦，兩蹻之下，男陰女陽，良工所禁，鍼論畢矣。
针所不为，灸之所宜，上气不足，推而扬之，下气不足，积而从之。阴阳皆虚，火自当之。厥而寒甚，骨廉陷下，寒过于膝，下陵三里，阴络所过，得之留止。寒入于中，推而行之，经陷下者，火则当之。结络坚紧，火所治之。不知所苦，两𫏋之下，男阴女阳，良工所禁，针论毕矣。 zhēn suǒ bù wéi, jiǔ zhī suǒ yí, shàng qì bù zú, tuī ér yáng zhī, xià qì bù zú, jī ér cóng zhī. yīn yáng jiē xū, huǒ zì dāng zhī. jué ér hán shèn, gǔ lián xiàn xià, hán guò yú xī, xià líng sān lǐ, yīn luò suǒ guò, dé zhī liú zhǐ. hán rù yú zhōng, tuī ér xíng zhī, jīng xiàn xià zhě, huǒ zé dāng zhī. jié luò jiān jǐn, huǒ suǒ zhì zhī. bù zhī suǒ kǔ, liǎng qiāo zhī xià, nán yīn nǚ yáng, liáng gōng suǒ jìn, zhēn lùn bì yǐ.
针所不能治的，是灸所适宜的。上气不足，推而扬之；下气不足，积而从之。阴阳皆虚，火自当之。厥而寒甚，骨廉陷下，寒过于膝，取下陵、三里；阴络所过之处，得之而留止。寒入于中，推而行之；经脉陷下的，火则当之。结络坚紧，火所治之。不知痛处，取两蹻之下，男子取阴、女子取阳，这是良工所禁的。针论到此完毕。
What the needle does not do, moxa is fitting for. When upper qi is insufficient, push and lift it; when lower qi is insufficient, accumulate and follow it. When yin and yang are both empty, fire should take it. When reverting cold is severe, the bone edge sunken, and cold passes the knee, take Xia Ling and San Li; where the yin network passes, retain there. When cold enters the middle, push and move it; where the channel is sunken, fire should take it. Knots of network vessels, hard and tight, fire governs them. When one does not know where he suffers, take below the two heel vessels — yin in men, yang in women — which the good worker avoids. The discourse of needling is complete.
9
用鍼之服，必有法則，上視天光，下司八正，以辟奇邪，而觀百姓，審於虚實，無犯其邪。是得天之露，遇歲之虚，救而不勝，反受其殃。
用针之服，必有法则，上视天光，下司八正，以辟奇邪，而观百姓，审于虚实，无犯其邪。是得天之露，遇岁之虚，救而不胜，反受其殃。 yòng zhēn zhī fú, bì yǒu fǎ zé, shàng shì tiān guāng, xià sī bā zhèng, yǐ pì qí xié, ér guān bǎi xìng, shěn yú xū shí, wú fàn qí xié. shì dé tiān zhī lù, yù suì zhī xū, jiù ér bù shèng, fǎn shòu qí yāng.
用针之事，必有法则：上看天光，下司八正，以避奇邪，而观察百姓，审于虚实，不犯其邪。若遇上天的露气、岁气的虚衰，救而不能胜，反而受其祸殃。
In the service of the needle there must be a rule: above look to the heavenly light, below govern the eight uprights, to ward off anomalous evil and to observe the hundred clans; examine emptiness and fullness, and do not offend against their evil. If one meets heaven’s dew and encounters the year’s emptiness, though one rescue, one cannot prevail, and instead suffers its calamity.
10
故曰必知天忌，乃言鍼意，法於徃古，驗於來今，觀於窈冥，通於無窮，麤之所不見，良工之所貴，莫知其形，若神髣髴。
故曰必知天忌，乃言针意，法于往古，验于来今，观于窈冥，通于无穷，麤之所不见，良工之所贵，莫知其形，若神髣髴。 gù yuē bì zhī tiān jì, nǎi yán zhēn yì, fǎ yú wǎng gǔ, yàn yú lái jīn, guān yú yǎo míng, tōng yú wú qióng, cū zhī suǒ bù xiàn, liáng gōng zhī suǒ guì, mò zhī qí xíng, ruò shén fǎng fú.
所以说必须知道天忌，才可谈用针之意。取法于往古，验证于来今，观察于幽深窈冥，通达于无穷；粗工看不见的，良工却看重，没人知道它的形状，仿佛有神。
Hence it is said: one must know heaven’s taboo before speaking of the needle’s intent; take law from antiquity, verify it in the present, observe the dark and obscure, penetrate the endless. What the coarse man does not see the good worker prizes — no one knows its form, as if a spirit were dimly there.
11
邪氣之中人也，洒淅動形。正邪之中人也，微先見於色，不知於其身，若在若無，若亡若存，有形無形，莫知其情。是故上工之取氣，乃救其萌芽，下工守其已成，因敗其形。
邪气之中人也，洒淅动形。正邪之中人也，微先见于色，不知于其身，若在若无，若亡若存，有形无形，莫知其情。是故上工之取气，乃救其萌芽，下工守其已成，因败其形。 xié qì zhī zhòng rén yě, xiǎn xī dòng xíng. zhèng xié zhī zhòng rén yě, wēi xiān jiàn yú sè, bù zhī yú qí shēn, ruò zài ruò wú, ruò wáng ruò cún, yǒu xíng wú xíng, mò zhī qí qíng. shì gù shàng gōng zhī qǔ qì, nǎi jiù qí méng yá, xià gōng shǒu qí yǐ chéng, yīn bài qí xíng.
邪气伤人，洒淅寒栗而振动形体。正邪伤人，很轻微，先见于面色，身上不觉，像有像无，像去像存，有形无形，没人知道它的实情。所以上工取气，是在萌芽时救治；下工守候病已成形，因而败坏其形体。
When evil qi strikes a man there is shivering that stirs the body. When upright evil strikes a man it is faint and first shows in the colour, not known in the body, as if there, as if not, as if gone, as if present, formed or formless — no one knows its true state. Therefore the upper worker takes the qi and saves it at the sprout; the lower worker guards what is already formed and so ruins its form.
12
是故工之用鍼也，知氣之所在，而守其門户，明於調氣，補寫所在，徐疾之意，所取之處。
是故工之用针也，知气之所在，而守其门户，明于调气，补写所在，徐疾之意，所取之处。 shì gù gōng zhī yòng zhēn yě, zhī qì zhī suǒ zài, ér shǒu qí mén hù, míng yú tiáo qì, bǔ xiè suǒ zài, xú jí zhī yì, suǒ qǔ zhī chù.
所以良工用针，知道气之所在而守其门户，明于调气，补泻所在，徐疾之意，以及所取之处。
Therefore when the worker uses the needle, he knows where the qi is and guards its door; he is clear about tuning qi, where to tonify and drain, the meaning of slow and fast, and the place to take.
13
寫必用員，切而轉之，其氣乃行，疾而徐出，邪氣乃出，伸而迎之，遥大其冗，氣出乃疾，補必用方，外引其皮，令當其門，左引其樞，右推其膚，微旋而徐推之，必端以正，安以静，堅心無解，欲微以留，氣下而疾出之，推其皮，蓋其外門，真氣乃存。用鍼之要，無忘其神。
写必用员，切而转之，其气乃行，疾而徐出，邪气乃出，伸而迎之，遥大其冗，气出乃疾，补必用方，外引其皮，令当其门，左引其枢，右推其肤，微旋而徐推之，必端以正，安以静，坚心无解，欲微以留，气下而疾出之，推其皮，盖其外门，真气乃存。用针之要，无忘其神。 xiè bì yòng yuán, qiè ér zhuǎn zhī, qí qì nǎi xíng, jí ér xú chū, xié qì nǎi chū, shēn ér yíng zhī, yáo dà qí rǒng, qì chū nǎi jí, bǔ bì yòng fāng, wài yǐn qí pí, lìng dāng qí mén, zuǒ yǐn qí shū, yòu tuī qí fū, wēi xuán ér xú tuī zhī, bì duān yǐ zhèng, ān yǐ jìng, jiān xīn wú jiě, yù wēi yǐ liú, qì xià ér jí chū zhī, tuī qí pí, gài qí wài mén, zhēn qì nǎi cún. yòng zhēn zhī yào, wú wàng qí shén.
泻必用圆：切按而转针，其气才行；快进慢出，邪气才出；伸而迎之，远远开大其穴，气出才快。补必用方：外引其皮，使当门户；左手引其枢，右手推其肤；微微旋转而缓缓推入，必须端正、安静，心坚不懈；稍作留针，气下就快出针；推其皮，盖其外门，真气才能存留。用针的要领，不要忘了神。
In draining one must use the round: cut and turn it, and the qi moves; quick in, slow out, and the evil leaves; stretch and meet it, enlarge the hole afar, and the qi leaves swiftly. In tonifying one must use the square: draw the skin outward and set it at the door; with the left hand pull the pivot, with the right push the skin; turn slightly and push slowly, upright and correct, calm and still, firm of heart and without slackening. Retain slightly, and when the qi descends draw out swiftly; push the skin and cover the outer door, and true qi remains. The essentials of using the needle: do not forget its spirit.
14
雷公問於黃帝曰：鍼論曰：得其人乃傳，非其人勿言。何以知其可傳？
雷公问于黄帝曰：针论曰：得其人乃传，非其人勿言。何以知其可传？ Léi Gōng wèn yú Huáng Dì yuē: zhēn lùn yuē: dé qí rén nǎi chuán, fēi qí rén wù yán. hé yǐ zhī qí kě chuán?
雷公问黄帝说：针论说，遇到合适的人才传，不是合适的人就不要说。怎样知道可以传？
Lei Gong asked the Yellow Emperor: The needle discourse says, only to the right man may it be transmitted, to the wrong man do not speak. How does one know who can be taught?
15
黃帝曰：各得其人，任之其能，故能明其事。雷公曰：願聞官能奈何？黃帝曰：眀目者，可使視色。聰耳者，可使聽音。捷疾辭語者，可使傳論。語徐而安静，手巧而心審諦者，可使行鍼艾。理血氣而調諸逆順，察陰陽而兼諸方。緩節柔筋，而心和調者，可使導引行氣。疾毒言語輕人者，可使唾癰咒病；爪苦手毒，爲事善傷者，可使按積抑痺。各得其能，方乃可行，其名乃彰。不得其人，其功不成，其師無名。
黄帝曰：各得其人，任之其能，故能明其事。雷公曰：愿闻官能奈何？黄帝曰：眀目者，可使视色。聪耳者，可使听音。捷疾辞语者，可使传论。语徐而安静，手巧而心审谛者，可使行针艾。理血气而调诸逆顺，察阴阳而兼诸方。缓节柔筋，而心和调者，可使导引行气。疾毒言语轻人者，可使唾痈咒病；爪苦手毒，为事善伤者，可使按积抑痹。各得其能，方乃可行，其名乃彰。不得其人，其功不成，其师无名。 Huáng Dì yuē: gè dé qí rén, rèn zhī qí néng, gù néng míng qí shì. Léi Gōng yuē: yuàn wén guān néng nài hé? Huáng Dì yuē: míng mù zhě, kě shǐ shì sè. cōng ěr zhě, kě shǐ tīng yīn. jié jí cí yǔ zhě, kě shǐ chuán lùn. yǔ xú ér ān jìng, shǒu qiǎo ér xīn shěn dì zhě, kě shǐ xíng zhēn ài. lǐ xuè qì ér tiáo zhū nì shùn, chá yīn yáng ér jiān zhū fāng. huǎn jié róu jīn, ér xīn hé tiáo zhě, kě shǐ dǎo yǐn xíng qì. jí dú yán yǔ qīng rén zhě, kě shǐ tuò yōng zhòu bìng; zhǎo kǔ shǒu dú, wéi shì shàn shāng zhě, kě shǐ àn jī yì bì. gè dé qí néng, fāng nǎi kě xíng, qí míng nǎi zhāng. bù dé qí rén, qí gōng bù chéng, qí shī wú míng.
黄帝说：各得其人，任以他能做的事，所以能明其事。雷公说：愿听官能是什么意思。黄帝说：眼睛明亮的，可让他看颜色；耳朵聪敏的，可让他听声音；口齿捷疾的，可让他传论；言语徐缓安静、手巧而心细的，可让他用针灸，理血气而调诸逆顺，察阴阳而兼通诸方；骨节舒缓、筋柔而心和调的，可让他导引行气；言语刻毒轻慢别人的，可让他唾痈咒病；爪苦手毒、做事好伤人的，可让他按积抑痹。各得其能，方法才行得通，名声才彰显。不得其人，功业不成，其师也无名。
The Emperor said: Each gets the man fitting him; appoint him to what he can do, and so he can make the matter clear. Lei Gong said: I wish to hear what official capacity means. The Emperor said: The clear-eyed can be made to look at colours; the sharp-eared to listen to sounds; the quick and fluent to transmit discussions; he whose speech is slow and calm, whose hand is skilful and whose heart examines carefully, can be made to practise needle and moxa, to order blood and qi and tune all adversities, to examine yin and yang and combine all methods; he whose joints are relaxed and sinews soft, whose heart is harmonious, can be made to guide and stretch and move the qi. The fierce, poisonous in speech, who think lightly of others, can be made to spit on abscesses and incant diseases; he with bitter claws and poisonous hands, who in doing things is apt to injure, can be made to press accumulations and suppress obstruction. Each getting his capacity, the methods can be practised and his name made known. Without the right man the work is not done and the teacher has no name.
16
故曰：得其人乃言，非其人勿傳，此之謂也。手毒者，可使試按龜，置龜於器下，而按其上，五十日而死矣。手甘者，復生如故也。
故曰：得其人乃言，非其人勿传，此之谓也。手毒者，可使试按龟，置龟于器下，而按其上，五十日而死矣。手甘者，复生如故也。 gù yuē: dé qí rén nǎi yán, fēi qí rén wù chuán, cǐ zhī wèi yě. shǒu dú zhě, kě shǐ shì àn guī, zhì guī yú qì xià, ér àn qí shàng, wǔ shí rì ér sǐ yǐ. shǒu gān zhě, fù shēng rú gù yě.
所以说：得其人才说，非其人勿传，就是这个意思。手毒的人，可让他试按龟：把龟放在器下，在上面按，五十日龟就死了。手甘的人按了，龟仍复生如故。
Hence it is said: to the right man speak; to the wrong man do not transmit — this is what it means. The poison-handed can be made to test by pressing a turtle: put the turtle under a vessel and press on top, and in fifty days it dies. The sweet-handed one comes back as before.