This is a traditional description of developmental stages. Use it as a cultural/teaching framework, not as a medical rule. Different translations vary; Chinese quotes below are shortened.
| # | Female (Age) | Female (Key note) | Male (Age) | Male (Key note) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Kidney qi becomes abundant; hair and teeth are fully developed. | 8 | Kidney qi becomes abundant; hair and teeth are fully developed. |
| 2 | 14 | Tian Gui arrives; the Ren and Chong channels flourish; menstruation begins; fertility is possible. | 16 | Tian Gui arrives; essence qi overflows; reproductive capacity appears. |
| 3 | 21 | Kidney qi is balanced; wisdom teeth emerge; growth is at its peak. | 24 | Kidney qi is stabilized; bones and tendons strengthen; growth reaches its prime. |
| 4 | 28 | Tendons and bones are strong; hair reaches its fullest. | 32 | Tendons and bones are at their strongest; muscles are robust. |
| 5 | 35 | The Yangming channel begins to decline; facial complexion may start to change; hair can begin to shed. | 40 | Kidney qi begins to decline; hair can begin to shed; teeth may weaken. |
| 6 | 42 | The three yang channels decline; complexion can darken; hair can gray. | 48 | Yang qi declines; complexion can darken; hair can gray. |
| 7 | 49 | Ren and Chong weaken; menstruation stops; fertility ends. | 56 | Liver qi begins to decline; tendons weaken; movement becomes less agile. |
| 8 | — | (Text continues with later-life changes.) | 64 | Teeth and hair decline further; essence is markedly reduced. |
How to explain to Western audiences: “The text describes life stages in repeating 7/8-year rhythms and ties them to kidney essence/qi. Think of it as an old framework for growth, fertility, and aging.”