The Purple Palace of the chest. Zigong (CV-19) sits high on the breastbone, over the heart and lungs, and its great gift is opening the chest — easing the breath, quieting cough, and letting the Qi flow freely through the upper body.
Contraindications
CV-19 is on the sternum and must never be needled perpendicularly into the bone. Always use an oblique angle along the sternum surface. With correct technique, this is a safe and straightforward point to use.
Name & story
紫宫 Zigong means 'Purple Palace'. In ancient China, purple was the colour of the emperor's inner court — the most sacred and protected space. The heart was called the 'emperor' of all the organs, and the chest around it was its palace. So this point, sitting right over that royal chamber, carries a name that honours the heart's home. There is something quietly poetic about it: needling Zigong is like opening the gates of the palace to let the air move freely inside.
Point family & character
CV-19 belongs to the Conception Vessel (CV), the great Yin vessel that runs up the front midline of the body. It is a local point of the chest, sitting on the sternum between its more famous neighbours — Shanzhong CV-17 below and Tiantu CV-22 above.
Location
Find the centre of the breastbone. CV-19 is located on the midline of the sternum, at the level of the 1st intercostal space — two Cun above Shanzhong CV-17 (the point between the nipples).
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies on the sternum, over the manubrium or upper body of the breastbone, at the level of the first intercostal space.
Needling
The needle is inserted obliquely, angled downward along the surface of the sternum. The needle should not be inserted perpendicularly into the sternum.
Safe depth
0.3–0.5 Cun, oblique insertion along the sternum.
Moxa, cupping & Tui Na
Gentle Moxa warming over this point can help in cases of Cold obstructing the chest or chronic cough with cold signs. Acupressure and gentle tapping or rubbing along the sternum in the direction of CV-19 can be used at home to relieve chest tightness.
Functions
Opens the chest and descends rebellious Qi; Stops cough and relieves breathlessness; Soothes the throat and chest; Regulates the Lung Qi.
Indications
The golden tip
For a tight chest or shallow breathing, gently press the centre of your breastbone a little above the nipple level — this is roughly where Zigong sits. Hold steady pressure or rub slowly up and down the midline of the sternum for a minute or two. Paired with slow, deep breathing, this can bring noticeable relief from chest tightness. It is a safe and simple self-care technique.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.