(228) Four Gates

[HB KIM]

COMPOSITION OF THE FOUR GATES

What makes the Four Gates special?

In Korean Acupuncture there are actually 24 Four Gates.  The popular combination of LI4 and LV3 is just one of the Four Gates combinations.  There are many reasons why LI4 and LV3 are a Four Gates pair: 

1. Locations
The name of LI4 is translated as "Union Valley," due to its location as the pivot, or center, of the thumb and the fingers.  When the hand grasps an object, LI4 is the bending point.  The location of LV3 on the foot mirrors the location of LI4 on the hand.  When the foot grasps at an object, LV3 is the pivotal point.

2. Elemental Energies
The Large Intestine channel is a yang channel and metal element, conversely the Liver channel is a yin channel and wood element.  Both LI4 and LV3 are yuan-source points. 

3. The Six Energies
The Large Intestine channel is a yang-ming meridian, while the Liver channel is a jue-yin meridian. This implies polarity between the most outward and bright levels versus the deepest levels. 

4. Four Substances
LI4 has metal energy and strongly influences the qi, while LV3 has wood and strongly influences blood (as well as qi).

5. Yin-Yang
It is notable that the LI channel is the only yang channel with a jing-well point starting from the medial side of the extremity, and LI4 is at the junction of transition of the channel from yin to yang.  On the other hand, the Liver channel is the only yin meridian with a jing-well point located at the lateral side of the extremity, and LV3 is at the junction of transition from yang to yin.  So the use of these two points is superb for balancing yin and yang, which is of course the main concept of TCM. 

6. Korean Acupuncture
In Korean traditional "Opening Qi Acupuncture (Tong-gi Chim)," a Four Gates treatment is always used at least for the first treatment of any condition.

7. Yintang & DU20
Yintang and DU20: Yintang and DU20 are generally also used with the Four Gates treatment.  Four Gates treatments are good to link nature (heaven and earth) to body (human), effectively aligning us in time and space with the universe.  Four Gates treatments can be used for jet lag or better cognition before playing sports, for example. 

In addition, Yintang and DU20 can help to open the mind's powers of intuition intuition and psychic ability.

Yintang belongs to the Ajna Chakra which is considered the chakra of the mind. When something is seen in the mind's eye, or in a dream, it is being 'seen' by Ajna. Ajna Chakra also bears the names The Third Eye or Shiva's Eye and it represents the superior mental consciousness that has direct perception of otherwise imperceivable dimensions, as well as more subtle aspects of our own world.

DU20 (Baihui) belongs to Sahasrana which symbolizes detachement from illusion; an essential element in obtaining supreme higher consciousness of the truth that one is all and all is one. In oriental literature, it is known as "the supreme center of contact with God."

These two points are the most important points to open in order to communciate with nature, our immediate surroundings, and the universe. That's why with Four Gates treatments, in combination with Yintang and DU20, it is recommended to open the Eight Extra Vessels.  The Eight Extra Vessels are located dementionally between nature and the primary channels.

8. Time
Normally the Four Gates are needled first; however, at 11 pm-1 am and 11 am-1 pm, the head points (Yin Tang, DU20) are needled first because that's the only time when humans are in line with heaven and earth from head to toe.  So, the needling order according to time of day is as follows: 
a. 11 pm-1 am: DU20 - Yintang - Four Gates
b. 1 am-11 am: Four Gates - DU20 - Yintang
c. 11 am-1 pm: Yintang - DU20 - Four Gates
d. 1 pm-11 pm: Four Gates - Yintang - DU20