[The relationship between early Dao Yin, Qi and meridian theory]

This paper introduced and summarized the ways and skills of promoting the circulation of air in the human body (Dao Yin Xing Qi) in Dao Yin Tu and Yin Shu and compared them with the way of breathing in Qu Gu Shi Qi. It was found that early Dao Yin drew on breathing thinking (Qi theory) and was meaningful for human health and helpful in examining how Qi theory was shaped and developed. It was also found that Dao Yin treated diseases based on meridian theories because Dao Yin for disease treatment in Dao Yin Tu and Yin Shu was related with the eleven meridians and their main symptoms in Mai Shu. The methods of practicing Dao Yin were likely to take references from the transmission routes of human meridians. The relationship between Dao Yin, Qi and meridians indicated that Qi and meridians were taken as the focus for people to understand the human body. Qi and meridians theories, widely accepted in ancient times, were taken as theoretical guidelines by stone needle, moxibustion and Dao Yin to maintain health and disease treatment.