Characters of Wisdom: Taoist Tales of the Acupuncture Points

by Debra Kaatz

The new second edition in a beautiful new hardback edition. This title discusses the Taoist tales of the Chinese characters for 361 acupuncture points. It is an introduction to the beauty of this ancient form of healing medicine and will delight practitioners, students and anyone interested in the Chinese characters and healing spirits for each of these points. Hardback

Genres: Traditional Chinese Medicine

576 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about the meaning of the names of the acupoints - like Stomach 40 - Abundant Splendor or Gall Bladder 43 - Valiant Stream. She talks about the meaning of the Chinese Characters for each point and why it's used the way it is. I think this is a great resource for any acupuncture student or practitioner. I love the year and a half I spent in its pages.

[Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

Invaluable for the "etymology" of point names. Made me fall in love with the language and begin to fall in love with culture, which I suspect will be lifelong passions. The language has an elegance and playfulness to it which is often mistaken as simplicity, but it is actually remarkably witty. It is delightful how you can find an entire poem in even a single word, and Kaatz demonstrably thinks so too. The author has put forth her whole heart into these meditations. By providing the comprehensive etymologies and including numerous translations and synonyms of the characters, she leaves room for your interpretations as well.

Unfortunately, this book isn't particularly meticulous in its citations, which is frustrating given modern cultural/industrial demands of proof. However, I think her contribution is credible - she has collected this information throughout many years of study under her teachers, most of whom are native Chinese master physicians. This book, therefore, bespeaks of the oral tradition roots of this medicine.

p.s. points are many times over easier to remember if you don't do them by number.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never do finish reading this book before it's due back in the library and someone else has a hold on it. One of these days, I should just buy the damn thing.
It's a great "spirit of the points" reference - and I think folks who aren't acupuncturists but who have received acupuncture might find it interesting as well. It definitely brings out the poetry of the medicine.
My favorite alternate translation of a point name (to date) is KI 25 "Pantry of Dreams". How cool is that?!

[Rah~ri]

Been WANTING a book like this!!!
Stories to help one remember!!!
Maybe?
I have another one that explains the names of the points
& it tells the wherefore & why but it's not very entertaining?
Maybe this is better?

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but was hoping for greater things

[Karen Leech · Rating 5 out of 5]

a stunning book.