Location of the Four Flower Points, Chinese woodcut, 1443'

Woodcut from Tong ren shu xue zhen jiu tu jing (Illustrated Manual of Acupoints on the Bronze Man) by Wang Weiyi, published in 1443 (8th year of the Zhengtong reign period of the Ming Dynasty), illustrating the method for locating the 'Four Flower Points'. The illustration shows a human figure viewed from behind, with six acumoxa locations marked on the back. The three upper points are called the huanmen (Portal of Suffering), and the four lower ones are called the 'Four Flower Points' (sihua); collectively, they are referred to as the six 'Four Flower Points'. Needling these points at the onset of bone steaming and consumption is said to be infallibly efficacious, provided they are accurately located. The precise method for establishing the position of the six Four Flower points is discussed in detail in Vol. 6 of the Ming Dynasty text Xu shi zhenjiu daquan (Mr Xu's Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) by Xu Feng.

Image title: Ya Shi sihua xue tuxiang (Illustration of Mr Ya's Four Flower Acupoints)