5 element pulse qualities

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Pulse Quality Water

Chen Mai = the pulse that is deep; also: stony, rocky pulse
Chen means to sink, to drown, sinking, deep; the Chinese character contains the water radical Shui, next to it a
person who retires and leaves a room.
Stony, rocky in the sense of: low-lying, gentle, sliding

A pulse that can not be felt until strong pressure is exercised on the wrists tendon and bone, is called
decreasing or low pulse. (1)

Similarly, with Chen Mai the pulse wave sinks into the depths and seems to leave the ordinary pulse area. Only
with firm pressure beneath the flesh but above the bone, we can feel its presence again. (2)

It feels like a cotton ball on sand, soft on the surface, but strong and firm on the ground. Yyou can only feel it
when you look for it, it is like a stone in the water. It is deep and weighed down, like water that naturally sinks
to the bottom. (3)

(1), (2) Udo Lorenzen, Die Wandlungsphasen der traditionellen chinesischen Medizin, Band 5,
Wandlungsphase Wasser (Munchen: Muller & Steinicke, 2000), p. 166
(3) From the pulse book Bin Hu Xue Li Shi Zhen May (ca. 1368-1644 AD)

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Pulse Quality Fire

Hong Mai = the pulse that is overflowing

Hong also means flood, abundance, immense, large, a superlative, big waves, diluvian

A pulse that approaches like a mighty wave but that recedes with a low ebb is called Hong May = overflowing
pulse. It is like an ocean wave that hits the beach with power, but quietly and calmly pulls back. (1) [In
classical acupuncture the phase element water controls of the phase element fire, conventional medicine
recognizes a relationship between renal insufficiency (water), and heart problems (fire).]

An interesting thing about this image is that the pathological fire-pulse is explained by the uncontrolled power
of water. (2)

(1) From the pulse book Bin Hu Xue Li Shi Zhen May (ca. 1368-1644 AD)
(2) Udo Lorenzen, Die Wandlungsphasen der traditionellen chinesischen Medizin. Band 4. Wandlungsphase
Feuer (Munchen: Muller & Steinicke, 1998), p. 138

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Pulse Quality Wood

Xian Mai = the pulse that is like a string

This pulse feels like a bowstring, eager to shoot an arrow. It is thin, elastic and springy, like the string of a lute.
(1)

Xian Mai is Yang. When examined under the finger it is not sufficient; if pressure decreases it shows
abundance. It is like a lute string, from time to time like a belt. (2)

A string-like pulse in spring occurs because the liver is related to the East and the [phase element] wood. At
this time, all things come to life. Just as a tree still has no leaves the pulse bears characteristics of lightness,
softness, growth. This is why it is called string-like.
The string-like pulse is the pulse of spring. (3)

The pulse quality of the phase element wood is described in the

Yellow Emperor as wiry and full. I try to recognize this quality in nature:

In March, during the first warm spring days. I watch bushes sprouting, a fine, light green, pale yellow veil
suddenly enveloping dry branches, inevitably increasing day by day.

It is this unstoppable driving force that characterizes the early phase element wood. But there is also delicacy
the first, tender Yang of spring. Zhen [Gallbladder]: relentless, pervasive and at the same time transparent,
vulnerable (what can be more vulnerable than young leaves in spring?), ethereal. A curious mixture: infinitely
tender and absolutely unstoppable. Wiry describes this state very well.

I think Sun is different, Sun [Liver] comes later: then when leaves lose the initial delicacy, when they become
full. Sun is earthy, full-toned, strong.

(1) Udo Lorenzen, Die Wandlungsphasen der traditionellen chinesischen Medizin, Bd. Holz, 2nd Aufl.,
Munchen: Muller und Steinicke, 2002, p. 120
(2) From the Mai Jue (probably synonymous with the classic pulse book May Jing Wang Shu He)
(3) From the Nan Jing

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Pulse Quality Metal

Fu Mai = the pulse that is hairy

The metal pulse is referred to as hairy: superficial, late, short

The Fu Mai is a Yang-pulse. It is a pulse that feels strong when lifting (the finger), but weak when pressing
firmly. It is even and moves like a gentle breeze that lifts the back feathers of a bird. Extremely lightweight and
superficial as the seed of an elm tree or a piece of wood at the water surface. Just as if you rolled an onion skin
between your fingers. By its nature Fu Mai may seem weak, but it is clearly palpable and superficial. (1)

In autumn the pulse is hairy (Mao Mai) because it corresponds to the lung, the Western region and the metal
phase. It is the time when everything comes to an end. In autumn all flowers and leaves of plants and trees fall
down. Only branches remain. They resemble fine hair. Therefore, the pulse is weak (in autumn), lightweight
and superficial. It is called Mao (Mai). (2)

(1) The pulse theory of Bin Hu and (2) Nan Jing Chapter 15 in: Udo Lorenzen, Die Wandlungsphasen der
traditionellen chinesischen Medizin, Bd. Metall, 2 (Munchen: Muller & Steinicke, 1994), p. 155-156

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Pulse Quality Earth

Huan Mai = the pulse that is sedate; relaxed, large

Huan means slowly, unhurried, loose, delayed a little sloppy

A pulse, which is slightly faster than a slow pulse with exactly four beats per respiration, is called sedate
(Huan).
It is like a thread on the loom which is not yet tightened. It is loose on the finger and normal in every respect. It
is smooth and relaxed, just as the branch of a weeping willow, gently swaying in the spring breeze. The sedate
pulse displays a wealth of Shen Qi. No matter what other qualities are present, if the pulse is sedate and relaxed
it displays Shen. A pulse that contains Shen Qi usually shows that stomach Qi is still intact and the kidney Qi is
abundant. (1)

(1) From the pulse book Bin Hu Xue Li Shi Zhen May (ca. 1368-1644 AD)

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