Zangxiang Jingmai Yuanliu Zeyin (Exploration of Origin and Development of Visceral Manifestation and Meridians

) reveals that the theory of visceral manifestation and meridians of TCM is evolved with Tiandao (way of heaven) in different periods of ancient times. In the Warring States period

the "way of heaven" referred to

yinyang

and four directions

based on which

the manifestation of four viscera was developed. During the Qin and Han dynasties

six meridians were developed on the basis of six types of

qi

. In terms of "six types of

qi

and five elements"

five

zang

six

fu

and eleven meridians were structured in TCM. Corr

esponding to the twelve cycles of the ecliptic and celestial sphere

twelve meridians were composed. The book displays a particular style of research with rich quotations

and provides a new way of thinking for the study of ancient TCM books.