Meridians
Jingbie, Luomai, Jingjin, Pibu
1. Jingbie
(1) Meaning of Jingbie
Jingbie refers to the twelve jingbie, which are branches of the twelve meridians, distributed in the chest, abdomen, and head. They connect the exterior and interior meridians and strengthen the relationship with the organs, forming another meridian system. They are included within the scope of the twelve meridians, hence referred to as the “meridians of the branches”.
(2) Pathway of Jingbie
The pathways of the twelve jingbie all begin from the limbs, penetrating into the internal organs, and then ascend to the superficial areas of the head and neck, connecting the exterior and interior. The points of “departure, entry, exit, and convergence” are closely related to the pathways of the twelve meridians, but there are significant differences in the direction of flow. For example, the pathway of the hand three yin meridian starts from the chest and goes to the hand, while the jingbie penetrates the chest cavity from the armpit and then ascends to the head, converging with the hand three yang meridian; the pathway of the hand three yang meridian starts from the hand and goes to the head, while the hand three yang jingbie penetrates the internal organs from the armpit and then ascends to the head; the pathway of the foot three yin meridian starts from the foot and goes to the chest (abdomen), while the foot three yin jingbie goes from the foot to the head; the pathway of the foot three yang meridian starts from the head and goes to the foot, while the foot three yang jingbie goes from the foot to the head.
The main difference between the twelve jingbie and the regular meridians is that their pathways exhibit the characteristics of “departure, entry, exit, and convergence”. Each jingbie branches from its corresponding regular meridian, referred to as “departure”, enters the chest and abdomen referred to as “entry”, exits at the head and neck referred to as “exit”, and converges with the exterior meridians referred to as “convergence”. The three yin and three yang of the hands and feet together form six pairs, known as “the six harmonies”.
1. Foot Taiyang – Foot Shaoyin (One Convergence)
(1) Foot Taiyang Jingbie
Entry: At the Yanzhong point, one branch reaches five cun below the buttocks, entering the anus.
Pathway: Belongs to the bladder, disperses to the kidneys, and connects to the heart, linking to the root of the tongue.
Exit: Exits from the back and ascends to the neck.
Converges with: Foot Taiyang.
(2) Foot Shaoyin Jingbie
Entry: At the Yanzhong point.
Pathway: One branch converges with Foot Taiyang and ascends to the kidneys, connecting at the fourteenth vertebra, linking to the Dai Mai; the direct pathway ascends from the kidneys to the root of the tongue.
Exit: Exits again at the neck.
Converges with: Foot Taiyang.
2. Foot Shaoyang – Foot Jueyin (Two Convergences)
(1) Foot Shaoyang Jingbie
Entry: Ascends around the hip, converging with the Foot Jueyin meridian at the hairline, while the branch enters between the ribs.
Pathway: Circulates in the chest, belongs to the gallbladder, disperses to the liver, penetrates the heart, and ascends to the throat.
Exit: Exits at the jaw, disperses to the face, and connects to the outer corner of the eye.
Converges with: Foot Shaoyang meridian.
(2) Foot Jueyin Jingbie
Entry: Branches from the back of the foot, ascending to the hairline.
Pathway: Ascends and converges with the Foot Shaoyang jingbie.
Converges with: Foot Shaoyang meridian.
3. Foot Yangming – Foot Taiyin (Three Convergences)
(1) Foot Yangming Jingbie
Entry: Ascends to the hip, penetrating into the abdomen.
Pathway: Belongs to the stomach, disperses to the spleen, ascends to the heart, and circulates to the throat.
Exit: Exits from the mouth, ascends to the upper part of the nose and below the eye socket, and connects to the eye system.
Converges with: Foot Yangming meridian.
(2) Foot Taiyin Jingbie
Entry: Branches up to the hip.
Pathway: Converges with the Foot Yangming jingbie, linking to the throat, and penetrating to the root of the tongue.
Converges with: Foot Yangming meridian.
4. Hand Taiyang – Hand Shaoyin (Four Convergences)
(1) Hand Taiyang Jingbie
Entry: Branches from the shoulder, entering the armpit.
Pathway: Circulates to the heart, linking to the small intestine.
Converges with: Hand Taiyang meridian.
(2) Hand Shaoyin Jingbie
Entry: Between the two tendons in the armpit.
Pathway: Belongs to the heart, ascends to the throat.
Exit: Exits at the face, converging at the inner canthus of the eye.
Converges with: Hand Taiyang meridian.
5. Hand Shaoyang – Hand Jueyin (Five Convergences)
(1) Hand Shaoyang Jingbie
Entry: Branches from the top of the head, entering the chest.
Pathway: Descends to the three jiaos, dispersing in the chest.
Converges with: Hand Shaoyang meridian.
(2) Hand Jueyin Jingbie
Entry: Branches from three cun below the armpit.
Pathway: Enters the chest, linking to the three jiaos.
Exit: Circulates along the throat, exiting behind the ear, and converging at the occipital bone.
Converges with: Hand Shaoyang meridian.
6. Hand Yangming – Hand Taiyin (Six Harmonies)
(1) Hand Yangming Jingbie
Entry: Ascends from the hand, circulating between the chest and breast, branching at the Jianyu point, entering the Tianzhu bone.
Pathway: Descends from the Tianzhu, entering the large intestine, ascending to connect with the lung, and further ascending along the throat.
Exit: Exits from the Tianzhu.
Converges with: Hand Yangming meridian.
(2) Hand Taiyin Jingbie
Entry: Branches from the armpit, preceding the Hand Shaoyin meridian.
Pathway: Enters the lung, disperses to the large intestine.
Exit: Exits from the Tianzhu, circulating along the throat.
Converges with: Hand Yangming meridian.
(3) Physiological Functions of Jingbie
The six yang jingbie of the twelve jingbie all pass through their corresponding interior organs, such as “the jingbie of Foot Shaoyang disperses to the liver,” “the jingbie of Foot Yangming disperses to the spleen,” and “the jingbie of Foot Taiyang disperses to the kidneys.” This indicates that the twelve jingbie are connected to the organs, playing a nourishing role within the body, and highlights the mutual relationship between the yin and yang meridians. Their distribution and interrelationship are more intricate than the communication of the exterior and interior tissues through the luomai.
The twelve jingbie assist the twelve meridians in connecting the internal organs and the body surface, reflecting the “departure, entry, exit, and convergence” of the three yin and three yang of the hands and feet, and their mutual infusion, together with the twelve regular meridians, fifteen luomai, and eight extraordinary meridians, forming a system of qi and blood circulation. Since each meridian has its own jingbie, the therapeutic range of a specific acupoint is not limited to the pathway of the meridian, which specifically illustrates the function of the jingbie.
The twelve jingbie are not recorded in the Neijing as having specific diseases. However, the jingbie significantly influence the therapeutic properties of certain acupoints. The symptoms that each meridian acupoint can treat may not be reached by the meridian itself but rather by the jingbie. For instance, the acupoints Chengshan, Chengjin, and Heyang of the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian can treat hemorrhoids, but the pathway of the bladder meridian does not reach the anus, while the jingbie pathway is “five cun below the buttocks, entering the anus.”
2. Luomai
(1) Meaning of Luomai
Luomai are branches that emerge from the meridians, also known as “bie luo”, mainly consisting of fifteen luomai. The fifteen luomai are composed of the branches of the twelve meridians and the luomai of the Ren and Du meridians, as well as the great luo of the spleen.
Smaller branches that emerge from the luomai are called “sun luo”. The luomai that are distributed on the surface of the skin are called “floating luo”. The luomai can interconnect with each other, “converging in the skin, their meeting points are all visible externally” (Ling Shu: Meridians). The luomai branch from large to small, forming countless fine branches that spread throughout the body, allowing qi and blood to permeate into various parts and tissues of the body, thus transforming the linear flow of qi and blood in the meridians into a diffuse surface distribution, nourishing the whole body.
After the luomai branch from specific acupoints, they are named according to the acupoint from which they branch. For example, the luomai of the Hand Taiyin meridian branches from the Lieque point, hence this luomai is named “Lieque”.
(2) Pathway of Luomai
Among the fifteen luomai, the luomai of the twelve meridians emerge from the limbs below the elbows and knees, connecting between the yin and yang meridians of the exterior and interior, serving as a link for the twelve meridians to communicate with each other in the limbs.
The luomai of the Ren meridian is distributed in the abdomen, connecting with the Chong meridian; the luomai of the Du meridian is distributed in the back, apart from connecting with the Taiyang, it can also link the Ren meridian and the Foot Shaoyin meridian; the great luo of the spleen is distributed in the lateral body, able to connect all the yin and yang luomai. These three play a connecting role in the trunk, thus enhancing the unified connection of the front, back, and sides of the body.
1. Hand Taiyin Luomai
Luomai Name: Lieque.
Location: One and a half cun behind the wrist.
Neighboring Meridian: Connects with the Hand Yangming meridian.
Pathway: Branches from the Lieque point, starts above the wrist joint, connects with the Hand Taiyin meridian directly into the palm, dispersing at the ball of the thumb.
2. Hand Shaoyin Luomai
Luomai Name: Tongli.
Location: One cun behind the wrist.
Neighboring Meridian: Connects with the Hand Taiyang meridian.
Pathway: Branches from the Tongli point, ascends along the meridian into the heart, connects to the root of the tongue, belonging to the eye system.
3. Hand Jueyin Luomai
Luomai Name: Neiguan.
Location: Two cun behind the wrist.
Neighboring Meridian: Converges with the Hand Shaoyang meridian.
Pathway: Branches from the Neiguan point, emerges between the two tendons, ascends along the meridian connecting to the pericardium, linking to the heart system.
4. Hand Yangming Luomai
Luomai Name: Pianli.
Location: Three cun behind the wrist.
Neighboring Meridian: Branches from the Hand Taiyin meridian.
Pathway: Branches from the Pianli point, connects with the Hand Taiyin, its branch ascends along the arm to the shoulder, dispersing to the teeth, with branches entering the ear, converging with the main meridian.
5. Hand Taiyang Luomai
Luomai Name: Zhizheng.
Location: Five cun behind the wrist.
Neighboring Meridian: Connects with the Hand Shaoyin meridian.
Pathway: Branches from the Zhizheng point, ascends to the elbow, connecting to the shoulder.
6. Hand Shaoyang Luomai
Luomai Name: Waiguan.
Location: Two cun behind the wrist.
Neighboring Meridian: Converges with the Heart (Jueyin).
Pathway: Branches from the Waiguan point, circulates around the outer side of the arm, entering the chest, converging with the Jueyin meridian.
7. Foot Yangming Luomai
Luomai Name: Fenglong.
Location: Eight cun above the outer ankle.
Neighboring Meridian: Connects with the Foot Taiyin meridian.
Pathway: Branches from the Fenglong point, connects with the Taiyin, its branch ascends along the outer side of the tibia, linking to the top of the head, and dispersing to the throat and pharynx.
8. Foot Taiyang Luomai
Luomai Name: Feiyang.
Location: Seven cun above the outer ankle.
Neighboring Meridian: Connects with the Foot Shaoyin meridian.
Pathway: Branches from the Feiyang point, connects with the Foot Shaoyin meridian.
9. Foot Shaoyang Luomai
Luomai Name: Guangming.
Location: Five cun above the outer ankle.
Neighboring Meridian: Connects with the Foot Jueyin meridian.
Pathway: Branches from the Guangming point, connects with the Foot Jueyin, linking down to the dorsum of the foot.
10. Foot Taiyin Luomai
Luomai Name: Gongsun.
Location: One cun behind the first metatarsophalangeal joint.
Neighboring Meridian: Connects with the Foot Yangming meridian.
Pathway: Branches from the Gongsun point, connects with the Foot Yangming meridian, its branch enters the abdominal cavity, linking to the stomach and intestines.
11. Foot Shaoyin Luomai
Luomai Name: Dazhong.
Location: Below the inner ankle.
Neighboring Meridian: Connects with the Foot Taiyang meridian.
Pathway: Branches from the Dazhong point, connects with the Foot Taiyang meridian. Its branch ascends to the pericardium, circulating along the lumbar spine.
12. Foot Jueyin Luomai
Luomai Name: Ligou.
Location: Five cun above the inner ankle.
Neighboring Meridian: Connects with the Foot Shaoyang meridian.
Pathway: Branches from the Ligou point, connects with the Foot Shaoyang meridian. Its branch passes through the tibia, ascending to the testicles, converging at the penis.
13. Luomai of the Ren Meridian
Luomai Name: Jiutai.
Location: Below the xiphoid process of the sternum.
Neighboring Meridian: Du Meridian.
Pathway: Branches from the Jiutai point, descends from the xiphoid process, dispersing in the abdomen.
14. Luomai of the Du Meridian
Luomai Name: Changqiang.
Location: Half an inch below the coccyx.
Neighboring Meridian: Connects with the Foot Taiyang meridian.
Pathway: Branches from the Changqiang point, running alongside the spine, ascending to the neck, dispersing on the head. The descending luomai starts from the shoulder blade, branching to the left and right, connecting to the Foot Taiyang meridian, entering the muscles beside the spine.
15. Great Luo of the Spleen
Luomai Name: Dabao.
Location: Three cun below the armpit.
Neighboring Meridian: Connects with the blood of the whole body.
Pathway: Branches from the Dabao point, three cun below the armpit, dispersing in the chest and ribs.
(3) Physiological Functions of Luomai
They serve as a link between the yin and yang meridians, participating in the overall circulation of the twelve meridians. The characteristics of their pathological changes are: the conditions reflected by the fifteen luomai mainly focus on diseases of the limbs and body surface, often being localized conditions, unlike the more complex and severe conditions of the twelve meridians.
3. Jingjin
(1) Meaning of Jingjin
Jingjin is an abbreviation for the twelve jingjin, which is a system where the qi of the twelve meridians nourishes the muscles and joints, a fascial system attached to the twelve meridians, and another pathway for the meridian qi to circulate between the limbs, bones, and muscles of the body. Since it runs along the surface muscles, it is called jingjin. Jingjin is also divided into the three yin and three yang of the hands and feet, with the same number as the meridians, and their pathways often connect with the meridians.
(2) Pathway of Jingjin
The direction and distribution of the twelve jingjin generally align with the pathways of the twelve meridians. However, while the twelve meridians have different directions, the jingjin pathways all start from between the fingers and toes, gathering at the ankles, wrists, knees, hips, elbows, armpits, and neck, terminating at the head and face, running along the body surface without entering the internal organs, and connecting with other meridians.
1. Hand Taiyin Jin
The Hand Taiyin jingjin starts at the top of the thumb, ascends along the thumb, converging at the ball of the thumb, runs along the outer side of the wrist, ascends along the forearm, converging at the elbow, and then ascends along the inner side of the upper arm, entering the armpit, exiting at the Tianzhu area, converging at the front of the shoulder, and above it converging at the Tianzhu, dispersing in the chest, and connecting with the Hand Jueyin jingjin at the diaphragm, converging at the lateral ribs.
2. Hand Yangming Jin
The Hand Yangming jingjin starts at the radial side of the second finger, converging at the back of the wrist, ascends along the forearm, converging at the outer side of the elbow, and then ascends along the outer side of the upper arm, converging at the shoulder. Branches from the shoulder girdle run along the spine, while the direct jingjin runs from the shoulder girdle to the neck, with branches running towards the cheek, converging at the side of the nose and zygomatic area, while the direct pathway converges at the head, descending to the right side of the jaw.
3. Foot Yangming Jin
The Foot Yangming jingjin starts at the second toe, middle toe, and ring toe, converging at the dorsum of the foot, obliquely attaching to the fibula, ascending to the outer side of the tibia, converging at the hip joint, and then ascending along the side of the ribs, belonging to the spine. The direct pathway ascends along the tibia, converging at the knee, while the branch converges at the outer fibula, connecting with the Foot Shaoyang jingjin. The direct pathway ascends along the quadriceps, converging at the genital area, and then ascends to the abdomen, converging at the Tianzhu area, and then ascends to the neck, converging at the sides of the mouth, connecting at the side of the nose, while the upper branch converges at the upper eye area, and the lower branch converges at the side of the nose. The back branch converges at the outer side of the shoulder girdle, while one branch enters the armpit, ascending to the Tianzhu area, converging at the side of the nose.
4. Foot Taiyin Jin
The Foot Taiyin jingjin starts at the inner side of the big toe, ascending to the inner ankle, directly ascending to the inner condyle of the knee, and then ascending along the inner side of the thigh, converging at the genital area, ascending to the abdomen, converging at the navel, and then along the abdomen, converging at the ribs, dispersing in the chest, while the internal jingjin attaches to the side of the spine.
5. Hand Shaoyin Jin
The Hand Shaoyin jingjin starts at the inner side of the little finger, converging at the back of the wrist, ascending to the inner side of the elbow, entering the armpit, connecting with the Hand Taiyin jingjin, circulating along the inner side of the breast, converging at the chest, and descending along the diaphragm, linking to the navel.
6. Hand Taiyang Jin
The Hand Taiyang jingjin starts at the top of the little finger, converging at the back of the wrist, ascending along the inner side of the forearm, converging at the inner condyle of the humerus, entering the armpit. Its branches run along the back of the elbow, ascending around the shoulder girdle, circulating along the neck, converging at the mastoid area behind the ear, with branches entering the ear, while the direct pathway exits from above the ear, descending to the jaw, while the upper branch connects to the outer corner of the eye.
7. Foot Taiyang Jin
The Foot Taiyang jingjin starts at the little toe, ascending to the ankle, obliquely ascending to the knee, while the lower pathway runs along the outer side of the foot, converging at the heel, ascending along the Achilles tendon to the calf. Its branches converge at the calf, ascending along the inner side of the thigh, converging at the buttocks, ascending along the spine, while the back branch converges at the root of the tongue, while the direct pathway converges at the occipital bone, descending to the face, converging at the nose, while the branches converge at the upper eye area, while the lower branches converge at the side of the nose. The back branches converge at the outer side of the shoulder girdle, while one branch enters the armpit, ascending to the Tianzhu area, converging at the side of the nose.
8. Foot Shaoyin Jin
The Foot Shaoyin jingjin starts at the bottom of the little toe, converging at the sole of the foot, running obliquely below the inner ankle, converging at the heel, connecting with the Foot Taiyang jingjin, ascending to the inner condyle of the tibia, while the Foot Taiyin jingjin ascends along the inner side of the thigh, converging at the genital area, while the back branch converges at the occipital bone, connecting with the Foot Taiyang jingjin.
9. Hand Jueyin Jin
The Hand Jueyin jingjin starts at the middle finger, running parallel to the Hand Taiyin jingjin, converging at the inner side of the elbow, ascending along the inner side of the upper arm, converging at the armpit. Its branches enter the armpit, dispersing in the chest, converging at the diaphragm.
10. Hand Shaoyang Jin
The Hand Shaoyang jingjin starts at the tip of the fourth finger, converging at the back of the wrist, running towards the outer side of the arm, converging at the elbow, ascending along the outer side of the upper arm, converging at the neck, connecting with the Hand Taiyang jingjin. Its branches enter the lower jaw, linking to the root of the tongue, while one branch runs along the front of the ear, connecting to the outer canthus of the eye, ascending to the temporal area, converging at the forehead.
11. Foot Shaoyang Jin
The Foot Shaoyang jingjin starts at the fourth toe, converging at the outer ankle, ascending along the outer side of the tibia, converging at the outer side of the knee. Its branches arise from the fibula, ascending along the outer side of the thigh, converging at the back of the thigh, while the direct pathway runs along the lateral abdomen, ascending along the front of the armpit, linking to the chest and breast, converging at the Tianzhu area, while the direct pathway ascends from the armpit, passing through the Tianzhu area, running towards the front of the Foot Taiyang jingjin, ascending along the forehead, converging at the top of the head, descending towards the jaw, converging at the side of the nose, while the branches converge at the outer canthus of the eye.
12. Foot Jueyin Jin
The Foot Jueyin jingjin starts at the upper side of the big toe, converging at the front of the inner ankle, ascending along the inner side of the tibia, converging below the inner condyle of the tibia, ascending along the inner side of the thigh, converging at the genital area, linking with other jingjin.
4. Pibu
(1) Meaning of Pibu
Pibu refers to the twelve pibu, which are the areas on the body surface that reflect the functional activities of the twelve meridians, the regions where the qi of the meridians is distributed, divided into twelve areas according to the twelve meridians. The meridians, jingbie, luomai, and jingjin are generally divided into the three yin and three yang of the hands and feet. The skin on the body surface is also divided according to the meridians, hence referred to as the twelve pibu.
(2) Pathway of Pibu
The twelve pibu are grouped into six meridian pibu, each with a specific name, as shown in the table below.
|
Meridian Name |
Taiyang |
Yangming |
Shaoyang |
Taiyin |
Shaoyin |
Jueyin |
|
Pibu Name |
Guan Shu |
Hai Fei |
Shu Chi |
Guan Zhe |
Shu Ru |
Hai Jian |
(3) Physiological Functions of Pibu
The twelve pibu belong to the outermost layer of the body, connecting with the qi and blood of the meridians, serving as a barrier for the body, with functions of protecting the body, resisting external pathogens, and reflecting pathological changes. “The skin is the part of the meridian. If pathogens invade the skin, the pores open, allowing pathogens to enter the luomai; if the luomai is full, it enters the meridians; if the meridians are full, it affects the organs” (Suwen: Discussion on the Skin). Thus, the skin, luomai, meridian, organ, and viscera form a hierarchy of disease transmission; the diseases of the organs and meridians can reflect on the pibu, such as “if the color is mostly blue, it indicates pain; if mostly black, it indicates obstruction; if yellow or red, it indicates heat; if mostly white, it indicates cold”. From external examination and treatment, one can infer and treat internal diseases. Techniques such as skin acupuncture, pricking, and application are all based on the theory of pibu.
END
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