When the defense qi at the cunkou is abundant, it is called "high". When the nutrient qi is abundant, it is called "distinct". The combination of high and distinct is called "strong". When the defense qi is weak, it is called "fearful". When the nutrient qi is weak, it is called "low". The combination of fearful and low is called "damage". When the defense qi is harmonious, it is called "slow". When the nutrient qi is harmonious, it is called "delayed". The combination of delayed and slow is called "sinking".

Note: The character "sinking" in "called sinking" should be "strong", as will be clear from the following text.

bubble_chart Annotation

This details the condition of the pulse's coming and going, abundance and decline as described above. The cunkou generally refers to the cun, guan, and chi positions. The defense qi, being yang, corresponds to the exterior, while the nutrient qi, governing blood, is yin and corresponds to the interior. When the pulse rises forcefully with the finger's pressure, it indicates abundant defense qi, termed "high". When the pulse descends forcefully with the finger's pressure, it indicates abundant nutrient qi, termed "distinct". High signifies prolonged abundance, and distinct signifies clarity. The combination of high and distinct is called "strong", indicating that both the nutrient and defense qi are in excess, with a sense of overall control. When the pulse rises weakly with the finger's pressure, it indicates weak defense qi, termed "fearful". When the pulse descends weakly with the finger's pressure, it indicates weak nutrient qi, termed "low". Fearful implies vagueness, and low implies sinking. The combination of fearful and low is called "damage", indicating that both the nutrient and defense qi are insufficient, with a sense of diminishment. If the pulses of high, distinct, fearful, and low appear together with pulses that are neither fast nor slow, neither urgent nor delayed, then the abundance is not excessive, and the weakness is not declining, all of which are termed harmonious pulses. The strong pulse is as described below.