The Patterns of the Twelve Meridians
The Directional Patterns of the Twelve Meridians
Yin Ascending, Yang Descending
If both hands are raised (the pattern becomes evident),
then the twelve meridians of Yin ascend while those of Yang descend.
The three Yin meridians of the hand rise from the chest to the hands,
while the three Yang meridians of the hand descend from the hands to the head.
The three Yang meridians of the foot descend from the head to the feet,
and the three Yin meridians of the foot rise from the feet to the chest.
The Connection Patterns of the Twelve Meridians
The Intersection of Yin and Yang Meridians at the Four Extremities
Here, “Yin and Yang meridians” refer to the two categories of meridians that are interrelated, such as the Hand Taiyin (太阴) and Hand Yangming (阳明), Foot Yangming (阳明) and Foot Taiyin (太阴). The “four extremities” refer to the tips of the fingers and toes.
The Yin and Yang meridians that are interrelated connect at the tips of the fingers and toes:
The Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian (手太阴肺经) connects with the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian (手阳明大肠经) at the index finger, the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian (手少阴心经) connects with the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian (手太阳小肠经) at the little finger, and the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian (手厥阴心包经) connects with the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian (手少阳三焦经) at the ring finger. The Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian (足阳明胃经) connects with the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian (足太阴脾经) at the big toe, the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian (足太阳膀胱经) connects with the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian (足少阴肾经) at the little toe, and the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian (足少阳胆经) connects with the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian (足厥阴肝经) at the area behind the toenail of the big toe.
The Connection of Hand and Foot Yang Meridians at the Head and Face
Here, “Hand and Foot Yang meridians” refer to the same named meridians, such as Hand Yangming, Foot Yangming; Hand Taiyang, Foot Taiyang; Hand Shaoyang, Foot Shaoyang.
The same named Hand and Foot Yang meridians connect in the head and face:
The Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian (手阳明大肠经) connects with the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian (足阳明胃经) beside the nose, the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian (手太阳小肠经) connects with the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian (足太阳膀胱经) at the inner canthus of the eye, and the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian (手少阳三焦经) connects with the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian (足少阳胆经) at the outer canthus of the eye.
The Connection of Hand and Foot Yin Meridians in the Chest
The Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian (足太阴脾经) connects with the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian (手少阴心经) in the heart, the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian (足少阴肾经) connects with the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian (手厥阴心包经) in the chest, and the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian (足厥阴肝经) connects with the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian (手太阴肺经) in the lungs.
The Flow Patterns of Qi and Blood in the Twelve Meridians
The twelve meridians originate from the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian (手太阴肺经) (the lungs govern the hundred vessels) and terminate at the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian (足厥阴肝经).
The Transmission of Yin and Yang Meridians
The Transmission of Same Named Hand and Foot Yang Meridians
The Transmission of Hand and Foot Yin Meridians in the Order of Taiyin, Shaoyin, and Jueyin
“Tai, Shao, Jue” refers to the sequential transmission of the Hand and Foot Yin meridians according to the order of Taiyin (太阴), Shaoyin (少阴), and Jueyin (厥阴).
Memory Aids for the Twelve Meridians
Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, Spleen
Heart, Small Intestine, Bladder, Kidney
Pericardium, Sanjiao, Gallbladder, Liver
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