In acu-moxibustion literature

there are two kinds of diagrams

meridian-acupoint diagrams and meridian diagrams. Because they are very similar in outline

and people now have seldom seen the typical ancient meridian diagrams

meridian-acupoint diagrams have been being incorrectly considered to be the meridian diagrams for a long time. It results in confusion in acu-moxibustion academia. The present paper stresses its importance in academic research and introduces some methods for identifying them correctly. The key points for identification of meridian-acupoint diagrams and meridian diagrams are: the legend of diagrams and the drawing style of the ancient charts. In addition

the author makes a detailed explanation about some acu-moxibustion charts which are easily confused. In order to distinguish meridian-acupoint diagrams and meridian diagrams correctly

he or she should understand the diagrams’ intrinsic information as much as possible and make a comprehensive analysis about them.