Translating "頭竅陰", acupuncture point GB-11
The reasoning for translating "頭竅陰" as "Yin Openings Head Point" from Chinese into English. This is the original name of acupuncture point GB-11 (Gall Bladder 11).
Explanation of the point name
There are two 竅陰 'Yin Openings' points, on the foot and on the head. The 'Yin Openings' are the openings of the sense organs, the eyes, ears, nose and mouth. Both these points enhance the senses' sensitivity for the purpose of the Gallbladder's making decisions, and thus help to deal more effectively with ones environment.
足 'foot' and 頭 'head' (or 'hair on the head') indicate the location of each point, as obviously these sense organs are not on the feet. Since 'Yin Openings of the Foot' would confuse by suggesting that these openings are actually located on the feet, the word 'point' is added, even though it is not there in the Chinese.
The other point 足竅陰 is GB-44.
1st character
Meaning
Usually, 頭 is translated as 'head,' but it can actually also mean 'hair on the head.' As it happens, the three points having 頭 in their name, are all located where there's hair on the head.
Point names with 頭
For consistency in the translations, it is necessary to be aware of how the character is translated elsewhere. These are the point names it is in.
ST-8 | 頭維 | Corner of the Hair |
GB-11 | 頭竅陰 | Yin Openings Head Point |
GB-15 | 頭臨泣 | Near to Tears in the Hair |
2nd character
Point names with 竅
For consistency in the translations, it is necessary to be aware of how the character is translated elsewhere. These are the point names it is in.
GB-11 | 頭竅陰 | Yin Openings Head Point |
GB-44 | 足竅陰 | Yin Openings Foot Point |
3rd character
Meaning
In English the word 'Yin' is commonly used, so there is no need to translate this Chinese concept.
Point names with 陰
For consistency in the translations, it is necessary to be aware of how the character is translated elsewhere. These are the point names it is in.
ST-33 | 陰市 | Yin at the Market |
SP-6 | 三陰交 | Three Yin in Interaction |
SP-9 | 陰陵泉 | Yin Mound Spring |
HT-6 | 陰郄 | Yin Cleft |
BL-14 | 厥陰兪 | Body Yin Increase |
BL-67 | 至陰 | Most Yin |
KI-10 | 陰谷 | Yin Valley |
KI-19 | 陰都 | Yin City |
GB-11 | 頭竅陰 | Yin Openings Head Point |
GB-44 | 足竅陰 | Yin Openings Foot Point |
LIV-9 | 陰包 | Yin Wrapping |
LIV-11 | 陰廉 | Yin Corner |
REN-1 | 會陰 | Meeting of Yin |
REN-7 | 陰交 | Yin in Interaction |
Point names with 陽 (opposite of 陰)
For consistency in the translations, it helps to be aware of how the opposite character is translated elsewhere. These are the point names it is in.
LI-1 | 商陽 | Yang Exchanges |
LI-5 | 陽谿 | Yang Valley Stream |
ST-42 | 沖陽 | Infusing Yang |
SI-5 | 陽谷 | Yang Valley |
BL-35 | 會陽 | Meeting of Yangs |
BL-39 | 委陽 | Yield to Yang |
BL-48 | 陽綱 | Yang Headrope |
BL-55 | 合陽 | Junction of Yang |
BL-58 | 飛陽 | Scattered Yang |
BL-59 | 跗陽 | Calyx Yang |
TB-4 | 陽池 | Yang Pond |
TB-8 | 三陽絡 | Triple Yang Twist |
GB-14 | 陽白 | Yang Purity |
GB-33 | 膝陽關 | Knee Yang Joint |
GB-34 | 陽陵泉 | Yang Mound Spring |
GB-35 | 陽交 | Yang in Interaction |
GB-38 | 陽輔 | Yang Bars |
DU-3 | 腰陽關 | Waist's Yang Bar |
DU-9 | 至陽 | Most Yang |
Nearby points
Sometimes the names of consecutive points on a meridian are related. Being aware of nearby points can help to translate consistently in such a situation.
GB-8 | 率谷 | Follow the Valley |
GB-9 | 天沖 | Heavenly Infusion |
GB-10 | 浮白 | Purity Rising to the Surface |
GB-11 | 頭竅陰 | Yin Openings Head Point |
GB-12 | 完骨 | Entire Bone |
GB-13 | 本神 | Mind's Root |
GB-14 | 陽白 | Yang Purity |