Texts Unearthed from Ancient Han Tombs Reveal the Anatomical Origins of Meridians

This article highlights a groundbreaking theory by Dr. Li Yongming, which posits that Traditional Chinese Medicine's meridian system originates from ancient anatomical observations rather than abstract philosophy. Evidence comes from the "Meridian Book," texts unearthed from Western Han dynasty tombs that describe a primitive meridian system different from the later Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon. These early texts show meridians as independent pathways, not an interconnected loop. Dr. Li proposes a direct correlation: "yin meridians" correspond to the body's arterial system, while "yang meridians" align with the nervous system. He supports this with evidence from anatomical distribution, physiological function, and pulse characteristics, noting that the ancient texts state only yin meridians pulsate. The article outlines a "two-stage" development of meridian theory: an initial anatomical stage based on dissection and observation, followed by a philosophical integration stage where concepts like yin-yang were introduced, systematizing the theory but detaching it from its physical foundation. This rediscovery of the anatomical roots of meridians provides a powerful scientific basis for TCM, creating a bridge for dialogue with modern medicine and encouraging future research integrating the neuroendocrine-immune network into a modern understanding of meridians.