Translating "勞宮", acupuncture point P-8
The reasoning for translating "勞宮" as "Working in the Palace" from Chinese into English. This is the original name of acupuncture point P-8 (Pericardium 8).
Explanation of the point name
Translations of 勞宮 like 'Palace of Weariness,' 'Palace of Toil' or 'Wearied Palace' that are elsewhere, don't quite make sense. On the surface, there seems to be some kind of poetic meaning, but it is not quite clear what exactly that meaning would be.
However, rather than translating 勞 in a sense that emphasizes a kind of work that exhausts, a perfectly valid translation is just 'work' or 'labour.' That fits with the felt sense of a working mood that this point elicits.
宮 not only means 'palace' but can also mean 'house.' Another valid translation would be 'Work in the House.'
1st character
No other point names with this character.
2nd character
Point names with 宮
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.
| SI-19 | 聽宮 | Hearing Palace |
| P-8 | 勞宮 | Working in the Palace |
| REN-19 | 紫宮 | Purple Palace |
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.
| P-5 | 間使 | Using the Space |
| P-6 | 內關 | Barrier Gate to the Inside |
| P-7 | 大陵 | Much Abuse |
| P-8 | 勞宮 | Working in the Palace |
| P-9 | 中衝 | Thoroughfare in the Middle |
| TB-1 | 關衝 | Through the Barrier Gate |
| TB-2 | 液門 | Juices Gate |