Interesting TCM Fact 101: Acupoint Names have their own Significance and Power

During the times when I was still a student and bathing in TCM and all the magic in the school day in day out, I got to know foreign students who were there almost for 14 years, should they choose to study all the way till Doctorate level. I was then told the reason for being much longer by another 2 to 3 years (usual is 11 years to become a Doctorate from Bachelor level) was because they need to learn the Chinese language first in the first before they even start learning Traditional Chinese Medicine.

I know that there are schools in the Western countries which offer Traditional Chinese Medicine and rename the Acupoints with alphanumeric codes so that it is easier to learn and teach. There are also attempts by international authority bodies to standardize the nomenclature of the Acupoints with codes.

For me, as I was brought up bilingual and Mandarin is my mother tongue, understanding Chinese language is not an issue. And when I was being taught about the names of Acupoints, my mentor would always take some time to explain the reason for the naming with the Chinese characters. There is always a flavor, a metaphor, a philosophical and even a deep cultural reason for why the Acupoint was named in the way it is named.

For example, there is a point on the Heart meridian called 灵道Lingdao. Ling means mind. Dao means pathway. This point is used to treat issues related to the heart and mind such as depression and insomnia. And the reason it is named in this way has the significance that it is like a pathway leading towards the mind and that the heart dominates the mind. By treating along the pathway of the Heart, it will resolve the issues of the mind. In the Standard International Acupuncture Nomenclature, this point is just named as HT 4.

So if I were to teach you this point with just labeling it as HT 4, can you understand why this point has the power to treat issues related to the heart and mind? Or is it more of you will just get to know the point as just another point to memorise?

The names of the acupoints have been passed down over thousands of years and there are reasons they stay the same till now. Words have power. Names too. There are reasons why I say traditional ancient healings and knowledges are losing their true essence in the modern world. The naming is one of the aspects that are being corroded with modernity and laziness of the current society.

So I believe you should understand the reason why we should hold deep respect to the real TCM doctors who spend unbelievable time and effort to learn, uphold and upkeep the traditions.

Because there are no short cuts in traditions.

Further reading: Everything you need to know about Acupuncture