 |
Location Guides: |
Sun Si-miao Ghost point (4th Trinity - Alternative to Huiqian)
Meeting of Extra Head/Neck with Du, Stomach Divergent and Inner Nature line (Xing Xian 性線)
At the glabella, at the midpoint between the medial extremities of the eyebrows
With the fingers of the hand pinch up the skin over the point and with the other hand needle transversely in an inferior or lateral direction, 0.3 - 0.5 cun
Pacifies Wind and calms the shen
Benefits the nose
Acitvates the channel and alleviates pain
Superficial Innervation: Ophthalamic branch of trigeminal nerve (CN V1)
Dermatome Segment: CN V1 ophthalamic branch of trigeminal
In seizing martial arts (Qin Na) this point is a cavity press point (Dian Xue, 點穴) which can be struck with a fist or back-fist to cause fainting or nosebleed (Yang, 1995, Tai Chi Chin Na).
This is one of the eight striking points in Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu. These are the nonfatal areas on an attacker's body that can be struck when just defending or wanting to defeat an attacker. Described as "The point between the eyebrow and eye socket" by Olson suggesting Bl-1, however the diagram seems to point to this point (Olson, 2010, The Complete Guide to Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu). Wong Honfan (1946) describes it as "the space between the eyebrows as well as the eyes themselves" (Ravenswood Academy, 2020, The Eight Forbidden Strikes of Praying Mantis Fist) which would cover both.
See Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com for explanation of effects.
One of several locations claimed to be the "One Opening of the Mysterious Barrier" in alchemical work.
Also probable location for the upper dan tian or cinnabar field in alchemical practice, along with Baihui Du-20. Probably between the two in the centre of the head (Wang Mu, 2011, Foundations of Internal Alchemy).
This point is referred to as the location of the "Upper Magpie Bridge (上鵲橋 Shang Que Qiao) which sealed by pressing the tongue on the roof of the mouth sealing the Ren and Du meridian circuit in the nasal area. The other end of the Ren and Du meridian circuit (the "Lower Magpie Bridge" (下鵲橋 Xia Que Qiao) is located at Huiyin Ren-1 is sealed by tensing the perineum (Wile, 1992, The Art of the Bedchamber, p.38).
The Inner Nature line (Xing Xian 性線) line is an internal line used in inner cultivation arts (Neigong Shu 內功術) that connects this point with Naohui Du-17 (using its alternative name, Yuzhen, Jade Pillow). At its midpoint, in the centre of the brain, where this line intersects with the Reflection line (Fanshe Xian 反射線) which connects Baihui Du-20 to Huiyin Ren-1, is the location of the "Postnatal Mirror" (Wang, 2019, Daoist Internal Mastery ).
"Calming spirit at the Ancestral Orifice ... causes original energy to encase cosmic energy, gathering it into the smallest unit and allowing it to be recovered and stored within the body ... The method is called yin embraces yang" (ibid: 45).
This point, together with the eyes, make up the Sun, Moon and Stars; or Yang, Yin and Primordial Spirit with this point representing the Stars/Primordial aspect (ibid). The practice of looking without seeing is a means to harmonise these three spirits.
Jeffrey Yuen (2005, 3 Spirits & 7 Souls) places this point along with Fengfu Du-16 and Baihui Du-20 as the three points where the three spirits reside: Shen, Hun and Po, in the Jing Shen Shi Jie (world of Jing and Shen).
Yintang, being between the eyes which reflect the state of the Shen and it's use in possession, most likely represents the Shen. The Po is the first aspect of the soul to come into existence, which generates the Hun and then merge together to form Shen.
When combined with Qichong St-30 or Gongsun Sp-4 and Guangming GB-37 this point is related to the final Seventh Level of Manifestation of the Soul, equivalent to the Sahasrara crown chakra. It deals with the interconnectedness of all things, collective consciousness and connection with the Divine (ibid.).
All of the points in this set have a strong association with the Blood and the region of the eyes and hence the Shen: Gongsun Sp-4 and Qichong St-30 being on the Chong Mai which governs Blood and terminates at the eyes, Guangming GB-37 being a Luo point that spreads across the foot to Chongyang St-42 where it accesses the Chong Mai and is often used for eye disorders, while Yintang is located between the eyes which is often bled.
In Sufism this level would relate to the Valley of Poverty and Annihilation described by Attar in the Conference of the Birds as:
"He who is drowned in the absolute sea of bliss
Forever is lost, forever is in peace;
And if he manages to emerge from the ocean
He will be gifted to see by revelation ..."
Here the mystic is absorbed into the Divine in a state of timeless bliss.
This point along with Baihui Du-20, Qianding Du-21, Xinhui Du-22, Shangxing Du-23 and Shenting Du-24 connect with the frontal brain concerned with differentiation of experiences and is associated with the Liver, Pericardium and Yang channels (Yuen, 1995, The Curious Organs, taken from class notes by Avi Magidoff).
Ghost Points:
This is also a possible alternative location for the final Ghost Point in the fourth trinity, instead of Haiquan.
The fourth trinity of Ghost Points is concerned with self-destructive behaviour, self-harm and attempts at suicide.
Guifeng, Ghost Seal, indicates that the ghost has placed its seal on your spirit, like a Daoist exorcist does with a talisman when they trap a ghost in a container.
It is generally bled with plum blossom needling (Yuen, 2005, 3 Spirits & 7 Souls). A prick to bleed with a fine lancet or a strongly dispersing needling technique can be alternative options.
Ge Hong (4th century) relates a cure for sexual possession of a woman due to having intercourse with a malignant spirit. The symptoms include talking and laughing to herself, depression and delirium.
The cure involves a ritual and acupuncture. First the master conceals 5 needles in his hair and sets up a vessel full of water with three strips of red cloth placed over the top and a sword laid flat over the top. Next, he calls out the patient's name. She will try to run but must not be allowed to leave. Then, he takes a mouthful of water and sprays it over her, glaring furiously. After repeating this three times he wipes the water from her face and snaps his fingers above her forehead by the hairline and asks her if she wants to be cured. She will not answer until doing this twice, snapping the fingers 7 times each.
Then insert a needle at Renzhong Du-26, Jiache St-6, Shangxing Du-23 and this point. Cross examine her thoroughly and she will gradually regain consciousness and the possession will come to an end.
Strickmann, M. (2002), Chinese Magical Medicine, p. 242. Stanford University Press.
In Tung acupuncture this point is called Zheng Jing, Tranquil Peace (1010.08) and indicated for putting the mind at peace. It is often combined with Zheng Hui, located at Baihui Du-20 (Chu, 2015). It is sometimes bled in acute conditions (eLotus, 2022),
Jin's Three Needles for Calming the Shen locate a point 0.5 cun above Yintang, paired with two points 0.5 cun above Yangbai GB-14. All three are needled inferiorly. They are indicated for ADD, vertigo, ADHD, intellectual disability and general learning difficulties (eLotus, 2021).
Avicenna describes venesection at this point in his treatise On Venesection:
"Among the veins is the frontal vein (supratrochlear vein), running vertically between the two eyebrows. Its venesection is beneficial in heaviness of the head, especially the back of the head, heaviness of the eyes and chronic lasting headache." (Aspects of Treatment According to General Diseases, 21st section in Abu-Asab, Amri & Micozzi, 2013, Avicenna's Medicine)
In the qabalah this point would be the location of Chokmah, or Wisdom (Farrow, 2007, The Psychology of the Body).
The combination of Baihui Du-20, Naohu Du-17 and Yintang as the Shen, Hun and Po could make these points equivalent of the highest triad of sephiroth in Qabalah.
In Mayan medicine:
Vena lu ni (vein of the nose): bled once during a child's lifetime on a Saturday ceremony to prevent pain or paralysis as an adult. If not received it can be performed on an adult during any Friday (Garcia, Sierra, Balam, 1999: Wind in the Blood)
In traditional western medicine:
Medieval phlebotomy point (John de Foxton, 1408: Liber Cosmographiae, maa.cam.ac.uk)
The "vein in the forehead" was recommended by Galen to be cut in instances of heaviness of the head and pains that have become chronic as a result of plethos (Brain, 1986, Galen on Bloodletting, p.94). Acute symptoms were treated by cupping and sometimes scarification at the neck.
Hippocrates' Affections recommends bleeding this point in diseases of the head (ibid.: p.115).
In Hippocrates' Aphorisms Section V, 68, it is recommended that "when a person is pained in the back part of the head, he is benefited by having the straight vein in the forehead opened" (trans Adams, 1849, http://classics.mit.edu/Hippocrates/aphorisms.5.v.html). Chadwick and Mann (1950) translate this as "the vessel which runs vertically in the forehead", both of which suggest the frontal veins which connect at this point.
In the Vedic tradition the Ajna Chakra would be located between this point and Naohu Du-17.
In Ayurvedic medicine:
Sthapni marma point
Size: 1/2 angula (cun)
Structure: Blood vessels
Effect of Injury: Post extraction fatal (vishalyaghan marma)
(Harish Johari, 1996, Ayurvedic Massage, Sanatan Society; Anupama Bhattacharya, n.d. Marma Shastra)
Lad and Durve (2008) in Marma Points of Ayurveda call this point Nasa Mula and associate it with the doshas: Prana Vayu, Sadhaka Pitta, Tarpaka Kapha, Apana Vayu.
They give the following functions:
- Calms the mind, balances emotions
- Relieves headaches
- Regulates prana
- Benefits the eyes and nose
- Pacifies pitta dosha
They locate Sthapani slightly superior which they also call Ajna. They associate it with the doshas: Tarpaka Kapha, Sadhaka Pitta and Prana Vayu.
They give Sthapani / Ajna the following actions:
- Regulates tarpaka kapha and enhances cerebral circulation
- Facilitates optimal function of pituitary and pineal gland, regulates hormonal secretions
- Relieves headaches
- Improves concentration, stimulates memory
- Unfolds intuition and insight
- Calms mind, balances emotions, relieves stress
- Relieves intraocular pressure
- Benefits eyes and nose
They locate another point, Nasa Madhya midway between Yintang and Du-25 which they associate with Prana Vayu, Sadhaka Pitta and Tarpaka Kapha.
They functions of Nasa Madhya are given as:
- Benefits nose
- Relieves congestion
- Calms the mind
In Siddha medicine this point is known as tilartakkalam and must be opened using the "power mudra", a open handed hand position (Sieler, 2015, Lethal Spots, Vital Secrets, p.125) whereas in Chinese medicine it is often shown being opened using Zhen Fa vibration technique directed through the middle finger of a two fingered "sword hand" (e.g. Pritchard, 2010, Tui Na: A Manual of Chinese Massage Therapy).
One function function described by Sieler (2015, p.162) is to address an injury to its opposite vital spot on the back of the head, cirunkollivarmam, maybe Qingjian Du-18.
In Tibetan medicine:
Moxa point (AMNH, Tibetan Medical Paintings)
In Thai massage:
Acupressure point along the central Itha and Pingala sen line of head running from base of occiput, Fengfu Du 16, to nostrils, Yingxiang L.I. 20.
Indicated for dizziness, fainting, fatigue, headache, insomnia and psychological ailments.
(Salguero & Roylance, 2011, Encyclopedia of Thai Massage)
Basic information on location, needle depth, TCM actions, indications and combinations is taken from Deadman et al (2001): A Manual of Acupuncture with additional anatomical information researched by reference to Gray's Anatomy (38th Ed., 1995) unless otherwise referenced. Images were found on acupunctureschoolonline.com and can be traced back to Claudia Focks (2008) Atlas of Acupuncture originally. I cannot claim any credit or rights over them. Other sources should be quoted in the text.
For some of the more unusual terms I have created a glossary here
Steve Woodley Acupuncture & Traditional Medicine
90 Deane Croft Road,
Eascote, Pinner, Greater London. HA5 1SP
Tel/WhatsApp: +44 (0) 7946 174 829
Email: steve@steve-woodley.co.uk
