Using the philological method

the comparison was conducted between the internal canals of human body

meaning the four pairs of “phleps” in the ancient Greek medicine

and the eleven “mai”(meridians

vessels

channels) of Mawangdui silk manuscripts. It is believed that they refer to the initial understanding on the connecting passages of the human body in Western medicine and Chinese medicine respectively. Although they have their own unique characteristics

there are many similarities in running courses

related indications

diagnosis and treatment

as well as theoretic foundation. Both of them represent the duality of tangible blood vessels and intangible pathways

reflecting the common cognitive mode of human body and diseases in early human medicine

with the similar characteristics

e.g.analogy

examining the exterior to deduce the conditions in the interior

holistic connection and natural balance. The four pairs of “phleps” of ancient Greek medicine

with the preliminary features of meridians

were substituted by the blood circulation theory afterwards; whereas

the eleven “mai” of Mawangdui silk manuscripts were developed into a twelve-meridian system. These different evolution paths and outcomes may be associated with the distinct medical philosophies and cultural backgrounds between ancient Greek medicine and Chinese medicine. This summary provides a new approach and new perspectives for the study on the regularity of the early human medical origin

especially the origin of meridians.