The twelve meridians are interconnected through the yin and yang channels of the hands and feet, forming a continuous circulation system that operates in a cyclical manner. Qi and blood flow through the meridians to nourish the internal organs and reach the surface of the body, facilitating the operation of the entire system. The sequence of flow is as follows: starting from the Taiyin Lung Meridian (Shǒu Tàiyīn Fèi Jīng), it successively transmits to the Yangming Large Intestine Meridian (Shǒu Yángmíng Dàcháng Jīng), the Yangming Stomach Meridian (Zú Yángmíng Wèi Jīng), the Taiyin Spleen Meridian (Zú Tàiyīn Pí Jīng), the Shaoyin Heart Meridian (Shǒu Shàoyīn Xīn Jīng), the Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian (Shǒu Tàiyáng Xiǎocháng Jīng), the Taiyang Bladder Meridian (Zú Tàiyáng Pángguāng Jīng), the Shaoyin Kidney Meridian (Zú Shàoyīn Shèn Jīng), the Jueyin Pericardium Meridian (Shǒu Juéyīn Xīnbāo Jīng), the Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian (Shǒu Shàoyáng Sānjiāo Jīng), the Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian (Zú Shàoyáng Dǎn Jīng), the Jueyin Liver Meridian (Zú Juéyīn Gān Jīng), and finally returning to the Taiyin Lung Meridian (Shǒu Tàiyīn Fèi Jīng). The pathways and connections are as follows: the three yin meridians of the hands travel from the chest to the hands, connecting with the three yang meridians at the fingertips; the three yang meridians of the hands travel from the hands to the head, connecting with the three yang meridians of the feet on the face; the three yang meridians of the feet travel from the head to the feet, connecting with the three yin meridians at the toes; the three yin meridians of the feet travel from the feet to the abdomen, connecting with the three yin meridians of the hands in the chest and abdominal cavity.
The Ren Meridian (Rèn Mài) and Du Meridian (Dù Mài) are the body’s front and back “lifelines”!
