These nine needles are replicas of acupuncture needles dating back to the Han Dynasty (from 206 B.C. to 220 A.D.). The needles in those days were made of bone, but the philosophical underpinning for their use was the same as it is today - balancing Jing, Qi and Shen, the three vital elements of the human body. Jing is best described as the ultimate essence and source of life. Qi is energy and Shen is spirit.