A study on the nine orifices -from horizontal and vertical views-

구규(九竅)에 대한 연구(硏究) -수평(水平)과 수직(垂直)의 관점을 위주로-

In this paper the nine orifices were analyzed horizontally and vertically and the relationship between the upper seven orifices and lower two orifices was looked into specifically. The following results were obtained : l. Horizontal is the shenji (神機) which comes in and out, and it symbolizes animality based on heaven. so it is dynamic. Vertical is the qiji (氣機) which goes up and down. and it symbolizes vegetability based on earth. so it is static. 2. The shape of the eyes and lips is horizontal, so the shape of the liver and spleen which are related to the eyes and lips respectively is also horizontal. Thus the eyes and lips can move and the action of these are mainly concerned with the coming in and out of energy. 3. The shape of the nose and ears is vertical. so the shape of the lungs and kidneys which are related to the nose and ears respectively is also vertical. Thus the nose and ears remain still and the action of these are mainly concerned with going up and down of energy. 4. One means yang(陽) and two means yin(陰). so the nose and mouth which have one are yang. the eyes and ears which have two are yin. 5. The urethra consists of yangming(陽明) and taiyin(太陰) which control the front so it draws out urine which is yang(陽). The anus controls the back. so it draws out feces which is yin(陰). 6. The upper seven orifices are related to the five viscera which control immaterial spirit. The lower two orifices are related to the six bowels which control material movement.