Chapter 5: Meridians
The theory of meridians studies the composition, distribution, physiological functions, pathological changes of the human meridian system, and its relationship with the organs, qi, and blood. It is an important part of the theoretical system of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the theoretical core of acupuncture and tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage).
The theory of meridians is formed under the guidance of the theories of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, complementing the theories of organ manifestations, qi, blood, and body fluids. It uniquely and profoundly elucidates the laws of physiological activities and pathological changes in the human body, providing significant guidance for clinical diagnosis of diseases, formulating treatment principles, and prescribing medicines, especially in acupuncture, tuina, and qigong. Hence, there is a saying: “If one studies medicine without knowing the meridians, one will make mistakes when speaking or acting.”
Section 1: The Concept of Meridians and the Meridian System
1. The Concept of Meridians
Meridians refer to the general term for the main and collateral channels. The main channels, also known as Jingmai, imply pathways. The Jingmai run through the body, connecting the internal and external, serving as the main trunk of the meridian system. Thus, it is said: “Jing refers to a path.” The Jingmai mostly run deep within the body and have specific pathways. The collaterals, also known as Luo mai, imply networks. The Luo mai are branches that diverge from the Jingmai and are smaller in size. Hence, it is said: “Those that branch out and run horizontally are collaterals.” The Luo mai crisscross and form a network throughout the body, reaching everywhere.
The meridians interconnect and are distributed throughout the body, forming a complex network. Through regular pathways and intricate connections, they constitute the meridian system, tightly linking the five zang organs, six fu organs, limbs, orifices, skin, flesh, tendons, and bones into a unified organic whole, thus ensuring the normal functioning of life activities. Therefore, it is said that meridians are a special pathway system that regulates the functions of the body by running qi and blood, connecting the zang-fu organs and limbs, and communicating internally and externally.
2. The Meridian System
The meridian system consists of the Jingmai, Luo mai, and their associated parts. The Jingmai and Luo mai are its main components.
(1) The Jingmai System
1. The Twelve Meridians
The twelve main meridians consist of the three Yin meridians of the hands, the three Yin meridians of the feet, the three Yang meridians of the hands, and the three Yang meridians of the feet, totaling four groups, each with three meridians, collectively known as the Twelve Meridians.
The Twelve Divergent Meridians: The Twelve Divergent Meridians are branches that diverge from the Twelve Meridians. They originate from the limbs, run internally, connect with the zang-fu organs, and emerge at the superficial part of the neck. The Yang Divergent Meridians diverge from their respective main meridians, run internally, reach the head and face, and then return to their original meridians; the Yin Divergent Meridians diverge from their respective main meridians, run internally, reach the head and face, and connect with the Yang meridians that correspond to them. Therefore, the Twelve Divergent Meridians not only strengthen the connections between the two meridians that correspond to each other but also connect certain organs and body parts that are not reached by the main meridians, thus compensating for the deficiencies of the main meridians.
The Twelve Muscle Meridians: The Twelve Muscle Meridians are the system where the qi of the Twelve Meridians “converges, gathers, disperses, and connects” in the muscles and joints. They are the subsidiary parts of the Twelve Meridians and are distributed in the muscle system along the pathways of the Twelve Meridians. They play a role in connecting the body, maintaining the network throughout, and controlling joint movements.
The Twelve Skin Areas: The Twelve Skin Areas are the reflex zones of the Twelve Meridians on the body surface. The skin of the entire body reflects the functional activities of the Twelve Meridians on the surface, so the skin is divided into twelve parts, each belonging to one of the Twelve Meridians, referred to as the “Twelve Skin Areas.”
2. The Eight Extraordinary Meridians: The Eight Extraordinary Meridians consist of the Du Mai (Governing Vessel), Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), Dai Mai (Belt Vessel), Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Heel Vessel), Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Vessel), Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel), and Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel). The Eight Extraordinary Meridians have the functions of regulating, connecting, and adjusting the qi and blood of the entire body.
(2) The Luo Mai System
The Luo mai can be divided into the Divergent Luo, Sun Luo, and Floating Luo.
The Fifteen Divergent Luo: The Divergent Luo refer to the branches that run from the main meridians to adjacent meridians, totaling fifteen branches, including the Luo that diverge from the Twelve Meridians in the limbs, the Luo of the Ren Mai, the Luo of the Du Mai, and the large Luo of the Spleen. The function of the Fifteen Divergent Luo is to strengthen the connection and regulatory function between the Yin and Yang meridians.
Sun Luo: The Sun Luo are the smallest branches of the Luo mai.
Floating Luo: The Floating Luo are the Luo that run superficially and are often visible.
Section 2: The Twelve Meridians
1. The Names of the Twelve Meridians
(1) Naming Principles
Inner is Yin, outer is Yang: The theory of Yin and Yang runs through the entire TCM theory, and the meridian system is also named according to Yin and Yang. The meridians distributed on the inner side of the limbs are Yin meridians, while those on the outer side are Yang meridians. One Yin and one Yang evolve into three Yin and three Yang, which have corresponding relationships of exterior and interior, namely, the front, middle, and back of the inner side of the limbs are called Taiyin, Jueyin, and Shaoyin respectively; the front, middle, and back of the outer side of the limbs are called Yangming, Shaoyang, and Taiyang respectively.
Organs are Yin, and bowels are Yang: The internal organs that “store essence and qi without leaking” are called organs and are Yin, while those that “transmit and transform substances without storing” are called bowels and are Yang. Each Yin meridian corresponds to one organ, and each Yang meridian corresponds to one bowel, with each meridian named after its corresponding organ or bowel.
Upper is hand, lower is foot: The meridians distributed in the upper limbs are prefixed with “hand”; those in the lower limbs are prefixed with “foot”.
(2) Specific Names
The Twelve Meridians are classified into four groups based on the Yin-Yang attributes of the organs they connect with and their pathways in the limbs: the three Yin meridians of the hands, the three Yang meridians of the hands, the three Yin meridians of the feet, and the three Yang meridians of the feet.
The names of the Twelve Meridians are: Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian, Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian, Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian. The meridians distributed in the upper limbs are called hand meridians, while those in the lower limbs are called foot meridians. The meridians distributed on the inner side of the limbs (the flexor side of the upper limbs) are called Yin meridians, belonging to the organs; those on the outer side of the limbs (the extensor side of the upper limbs) are called Yang meridians, belonging to the bowels.
| Yin Meridians (belonging to organs) | Yang Meridians (belonging to bowels) | Pathway (Yin meridians run on the inner side, Yang meridians run on the outer side) | ||
| Hand | Taiyin Lung Meridian, Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, Shaoyin Heart Meridian | Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian | Upper limb | Front line, middle line, back line |
| Foot | Taiyin Spleen Meridian, Jueyin Liver Meridian, Shaoyin Kidney Meridian | Yangming Stomach Meridian, Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, Taiyang Bladder Meridian | Lower limb | Front line, middle line, back line |
2. The Pathways and Connection Patterns of the Twelve Meridians
(1) The Pathway Patterns of the Twelve Meridians
The pathway of the three Yin meridians of the hands starts from the chest, runs down to the area near the navel (Shui Fen point), connects with the large intestine, and then returns upward along the upper opening of the stomach, passes through the diaphragm, directly connects to the lungs, ascends to the trachea and throat, runs horizontally along the clavicle to the armpit (Zhong Fu and Yun Men points), and descends along the inner edge of the upper limb to the elbow, along the inner edge of the forearm to the wrist (Cun Kou point), passing through the area of the thenar, reaching the radial side tip of the thumb (Shao Shang point).
The three Yang meridians of the hands start from the tip of the fingers, run up the arm to the head and face; the three Yang meridians of the feet descend from the head and face, run through the trunk and lower limbs, and stop between the toes; the three Yin meridians of the feet ascend from the toes and stop at the chest and abdomen. “The three Yin of the hands run from the chest to the hands; the three Yang of the hands run from the hands to the head; the three Yang of the feet run from the head to the feet; the three Yin of the feet run from the feet to the abdomen (chest).” This is a concise summary of the pathway patterns of the Twelve Meridians.
(2) The Connection Patterns of the Twelve Meridians
The connection between Yin and Yang meridians occurs at the limbs. For example, the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian connects with the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian at the tip of the index finger; the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian connects with the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian at the little finger; the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian connects with the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian from the palm to the tip of the ring finger; the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian connects from the dorsum of the foot to the big toe with the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian; the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian connects from the little toe diagonally to the sole of the foot with the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian; the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian connects from the dorsum of the foot to the big toe with the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian.
The connection between Yang meridians occurs at the head and face, where the Hand and Foot Yangming meridians connect at the nose, the Hand and Foot Taiyang meridians connect at the inner canthus of the eye, and the Hand and Foot Shaoyang meridians connect at the outer canthus of the eye.
The connection between Yin meridians occurs at the chest and abdomen. For example, the Foot Taiyin Meridian connects with the Hand Shaoyin Meridian at the heart, the Foot Shaoyin Meridian connects with the Hand Jueyin Meridian at the chest, and the Foot Jueyin Meridian connects with the Hand Taiyin Meridian at the lung.
The pathway and connection patterns are closely related. When combined, they form: the three Yin meridians of the hands run from the chest to the hands, connecting with the three Yang meridians of the hands; the three Yang meridians of the hands run from the hands to the head, connecting with the three Yang meridians of the feet; the three Yang meridians of the feet run from the head to the feet, connecting with the three Yin meridians of the feet; the three Yin meridians of the feet run from the feet to the abdomen (chest), connecting with the three Yin meridians of the hands, forming a pathway of “Yin and Yang interconnecting, like a ring without end.” This is the pathway and connection pattern of the Twelve Meridians.
In summary, the meridians belonging to the six zang organs (the five zang organs plus the pericardium) are called “Yin meridians,” which mostly run along the inner sides of the limbs and the chest and abdomen. The meridians belonging to the six fu organs are called “Yang meridians,” which mostly run along the outer sides of the limbs and the head, face, and trunk. The inner side of the upper limb is the three Yin meridians of the hands, running from the chest to the hands; the inner side of the lower limb is the three Yin meridians of the feet, running from the feet to the abdomen (chest). The outer side of the upper limb is the three Yang meridians of the hands, running from the hands to the head; the outer side of the lower limb is the three Yang meridians of the feet, running from the head to the feet: Yang meridians run on the outer side, and Yin meridians run on the inner side.
3. The Distribution and Interior-Exterior Relationships of the Twelve Meridians
(1) The Distribution Patterns of the Twelve Meridians
The distribution of the Twelve Meridians on the body surface follows certain patterns. This can be described in three aspects.
Head and Face: The three Yang meridians of the hands terminate at the head and face, while the three Yang meridians of the feet originate from the head and face. The three Yang meridians of the hands and feet connect at the head and face, hence it is said: “The head is the meeting point of all Yang.”
The characteristics of the distribution of the Twelve Meridians in the head and face are: the Hand and Foot Yangming meridians are distributed in the forehead area; the Hand Taiyang meridian is distributed in the cheek area; the Hand and Foot Shaoyang meridians are distributed in the ear and temple area; the Foot Taiyang meridian is distributed in the top of the head and the occipital area. Additionally, the Foot Jueyin meridian also runs to the top.
The distribution pattern of the Twelve Meridians in the head and face is: Yangming in the front, Shaoyang on the side, and Taiyang in the back.
Trunk: The general distribution pattern of the Twelve Meridians in the trunk is: the three Yin and Yang meridians of the feet and the Yangming meridian are distributed in the chest and abdomen (front), while the three Yang meridians of the hands and the Taiyang meridian are distributed in the shoulder, back, and waist (back). The three Yin meridians of the hands, the Shaoyang meridian of the feet, and the Jueyin meridian are distributed in the armpit, ribs, and side abdomen (side).
The specific distribution characteristics are shown in Table 5-3.
┌────────┬───────┬───────┬───────┐
│ 部 位 │ 第一侧线 │ 第二侧线 │ 第三侧线 │
├──┬─────┼───────┼───────┼───────┤
│ │ 胸部 │足少阴肾经（距│足阳明胃经（距│足太阴脾经（距│
│ │ │胸正中线二寸）│胸正中线四寸）│胸正中线六寸）│
│ ├─────┼───────┼───────┼───────┤
│前 │ │ │ │足太阴脾经（距│
│ │ 腹部 │足少阴肾经（距│足阳明胃经（距│腹正中线四寸）│
│ │ │腹正中线半寸）│腹正中线二寸）│足厥阴肝经从少│
│ │ │ │ │腹斜向上到胁 │
├──┼─────┼───────┼───────┼───────┤
│ │ 肩胛部 │ 手三阳经 │
│ ├─────┼───────┬───────┬───────┤
│后 │ │足太阳膀胱经 │足太阳膀胱经 │ │
│ │背、腰部 │（距背正中线一│（距背正中线三│ │
│ │ │寸半） │寸） │ │
├──┼─────┼───────┴───────┴───────┤
│ │ 腋部 │ 手三阴经 │
│侧 ├─────┼───────────────────────┤
│ │胁、侧腹部│ 足少阳胆经、足厥阴肝经 │
└──┴─────┴───────────────────────┘
The general distribution pattern of the Twelve Meridians in the limbs is: Yin meridians are distributed on the inner side of the limbs, while Yang meridians are distributed on the outer side.
┌───────────┬───────────────┬─────────┐
│ │ 内 侧 │ 外 侧 │
├─────┬─────┼───────────────┼─────────┤
│ │ 前 │ 太阴经（肺） │ 阳明经（大肠）│
│ ├─────┼───────────────┼─────────┤
│ 手 │ 中 │ 厥阴经（心包） │ 少阳经（三焦）│
│ ├─────┼───────────────┼─────────┤
│ │ 后 │ 少阴经（心） │ 太阳经（小肠）│
├─────┼─────┼───────────────┼─────────┤
│ │ 前 │ 太阴经（脾） │ 阳明经（胃） │
│ ├─────┼───────────────┼─────────┤
│ 足 │ 中 │ 厥阴经（肝） │ 少阳经（胆） │
│ ├─────┼───────────────┼─────────┤
│ │ 后 │ 少阴经（肾） │ 太阳径（膀胱）│
└─────┴─────┴───────────────┴─────────┘
In the lower half of the calf and the dorsum of the foot, the liver meridian is in front, and the spleen meridian is in the midline. After crossing at the eight-inch mark, the spleen meridian is in front, and the liver meridian is in the midline.
(2) The Interior-Exterior Relationships of the Twelve Meridians
The three Yin and three Yang meridians of the hands and feet, through the Divergent Meridians and Luo mai, communicate with each other, forming six pairs, which have an “interior-exterior” relationship, namely, “the Foot Taiyang and Shaoyin are interior-exterior, Shaoyang and Jueyin are interior-exterior, Yangming and Taiyin are interior-exterior, which is the Yin-Yang of the feet. The Hand Taiyang and Shaoyin are interior-exterior, Shaoyang and the heart master (Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian) are interior-exterior, Yangming and Taiyin are interior-exterior, which is the Yin-Yang of the hands.”
The two meridians that are interior-exterior run along the corresponding positions on the inner and outer sides of the limbs and connect at the ends of the limbs; they also belong to the same zang-fu organs, thus forming the Yin-Yang interior-exterior relationship of the zang-fu organs. The interior-exterior relationship of the Twelve Meridians not only strengthens the connection between the two meridians that are mutually interior-exterior but also allows the mutual influence of one zang and one fu in physiological functions and pathological conditions. In treatment, the acupoints of the mutually interior-exterior meridians often intersect.
4. The Flow Sequence of the Twelve Meridians
The flow refers to the continuous movement of qi and blood in the human body, infusing into various parts. The meridians are the channels for the movement of qi and blood, while the Twelve Meridians are the main channels for the flow of qi and blood. Qi and blood flow continuously within the Twelve Meridians, circulating and distributing throughout the body, forming the flow of qi and blood in the Twelve Meridians, also known as the flow of the Twelve Meridians. The flow sequence is:
Starting from the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, it flows to the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, and then returns to the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian. This forms a complete system of the Twelve Meridians, where “Yin and Yang interconnect, like a ring without end.”
5. The Pathways of the Twelve Meridians
(1) Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian
1. Pathway: The Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian starts at the Zhongwan area, descends to the area near the navel (Shui Fen point), connects with the large intestine, and then ascends along the upper opening of the stomach, passes through the diaphragm, directly connects to the lungs, ascends to the trachea and throat, runs horizontally to the armpit (Zhong Fu and Yun Men points), descends along the inner edge of the upper limb to the elbow, along the inner edge of the forearm to the wrist (Cun Kou point), passing through the area of the thenar, reaching the radial side tip of the thumb (Shao Shang point).
2. Branches: It branches from the wrist (Lie Que point), moving forward to the radial side tip of the index finger (Shang Yang point), connecting with the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian.
3. Associated Organs: It belongs to the lungs, connects with the large intestine, passes through the diaphragm, and is associated with the stomach and kidneys.
(2) Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian
1. Pathway: The Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian starts at the radial side tip of the index finger (Shang Yang point), ascends along the radial side of the index finger, passes through He Gu (between the first and second metacarpals) into the space between the two tendons (the tendon of the long abductor and the tendon of the short abductor), ascends along the outer edge of the upper limb to the shoulder, passes through the shoulder joint (Jian Yu point), and then reaches the back of the neck at the Dazhui point (below the seventh cervical vertebra), moving forward to the area of the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian (Que Pen point), connecting with the lungs, descending through the diaphragm, belonging to the large intestine.
2. Branches: It ascends from Que Pen, passes through the neck (Tian Ding, Fu Tu points) to the cheek, enters the lower gums, returns to the corner of the mouth, passes through the area of the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian (Di Cang point), and wraps around to the center of the upper lip and nose (Ren Zhong point), with the left and right pathways leading to the sides of the nostrils (Ying Xiang point), connecting with the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian.
3. Associated Organs: It belongs to the large intestine, connects with the lungs, and has a direct relationship with the stomach.
(3) Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian
1. Pathway: The Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian starts at the sides of the nostrils (Ying Xiang point), ascends to the root of the nose, runs laterally to connect with the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian (Jing Ming point), descends along the outer side of the nose (Cheng Qi, Si Bai points), enters the upper gums, returns to wrap around the corners of the mouth, intersecting at the chin-lip groove (Cheng Jiang point), then moves backward along the jaw to the Da Ying point, along the lower jaw (Jia Che point), ascends in front of the ear, along the zygomatic arch, reaching the forehead (Hui Shen Ting point).
2. Branches: The facial branch descends from the Da Ying point to the Ren Ying point, enters the throat, passes through the diaphragm, belongs to the stomach (connecting with the Ren Mai at the upper and middle Jiao), and connects with the spleen.
Chapter 5: Meridians
The theory of meridians studies the composition, distribution, physiological functions, pathological changes of the human meridian system, and its relationship with the organs, qi, and blood. It is an important part of the theoretical system of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the theoretical core of acupuncture and tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage).
The theory of meridians is formed under the guidance of the theories of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, complementing the theories of organ manifestations, qi, blood, and body fluids. It uniquely and profoundly elucidates the laws of physiological activities and pathological changes in the human body, providing significant guidance for clinical diagnosis of diseases, formulating treatment principles, and prescribing medicines, especially in acupuncture, tuina, and qigong. Hence, there is a saying: “If one studies medicine without knowing the meridians, one will make mistakes when speaking or acting.”
Section 1: The Concept of Meridians and the Meridian System
1. The Concept of Meridians
Meridians refer to the general term for the main and collateral channels. The main channels, also known as Jingmai, imply pathways. The Jingmai run through the body, connecting the internal and external, serving as the main trunk of the meridian system. Thus, it is said: “Jing refers to a path.” The Jingmai mostly run deep within the body and have specific pathways. The collaterals, also known as Luo mai, imply networks. The Luo mai are branches that diverge from the Jingmai and are smaller in size. Hence, it is said: “Those that branch out and run horizontally are collaterals.” The Luo mai crisscross and form a network throughout the body, reaching everywhere.
The meridians interconnect and are distributed throughout the body, forming a complex network. Through regular pathways and intricate connections, they constitute the meridian system, tightly linking the five zang organs, six fu organs, limbs, orifices, skin, flesh, tendons, and bones into a unified organic whole, thus ensuring the normal functioning of life activities. Therefore, it is said that meridians are a special pathway system that regulates the functions of the body by running qi and blood, connecting the zang-fu organs and limbs, and communicating internally and externally.
2. The Meridian System
The meridian system consists of the Jingmai, Luo mai, and their associated parts. The Jingmai and Luo mai are its main components.
(1) The Jingmai System
1. The Twelve Meridians
The twelve main meridians consist of the three Yin meridians of the hands, the three Yin meridians of the feet, the three Yang meridians of the hands, and the three Yang meridians of the feet, totaling four groups, each with three meridians, collectively known as the Twelve Meridians.
The Twelve Divergent Meridians: The Twelve Divergent Meridians are branches that diverge from the Twelve Meridians. They originate from the limbs, run internally, connect with the zang-fu organs, and emerge at the superficial part of the neck. The Yang Divergent Meridians diverge from their respective main meridians, run internally, reach the head and face, and then return to their original meridians; the Yin Divergent Meridians diverge from their respective main meridians, run internally, reach the head and face, and connect with the Yang meridians that correspond to them. Therefore, the Twelve Divergent Meridians not only strengthen the connections between the two meridians that correspond to each other but also connect certain organs and body parts that are not reached by the main meridians, thus compensating for the deficiencies of the main meridians.
The Twelve Muscle Meridians: The Twelve Muscle Meridians are the system where the qi of the Twelve Meridians “converges, gathers, disperses, and connects” in the muscles and joints. They are the subsidiary parts of the Twelve Meridians and are distributed in the muscle system along the pathways of the Twelve Meridians. They play a role in connecting the body, maintaining the network throughout, and controlling joint movements.
The Twelve Skin Areas: The Twelve Skin Areas are the reflex zones of the Twelve Meridians on the body surface. The skin of the entire body reflects the functional activities of the Twelve Meridians on the surface, so the skin is divided into twelve parts, each belonging to one of the Twelve Meridians, referred to as the “Twelve Skin Areas.”
2. The Eight Extraordinary Meridians: The Eight Extraordinary Meridians consist of the Du Mai (Governing Vessel), Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), Dai Mai (Belt Vessel), Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Heel Vessel), Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Vessel), Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel), and Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel). The Eight Extraordinary Meridians have the functions of regulating, connecting, and adjusting the qi and blood of the entire body.
(2) The Luo Mai System
The Luo mai can be divided into the Divergent Luo, Sun Luo, and Floating Luo.
The Fifteen Divergent Luo: The Divergent Luo refer to the branches that run from the main meridians to adjacent meridians, totaling fifteen branches, including the Luo that diverge from the Twelve Meridians in the limbs, the Luo of the Ren Mai, the Luo of the Du Mai, and the large Luo of the Spleen. The function of the Fifteen Divergent Luo is to strengthen the connection and regulatory function between the Yin and Yang meridians.
Sun Luo: The Sun Luo are the smallest branches of the Luo mai.
Floating Luo: The Floating Luo are the Luo that run superficially and are often visible.
Section 2: The Twelve Meridians
1. The Names of the Twelve Meridians
(1) Naming Principles
Inner is Yin, outer is Yang: The theory of Yin and Yang runs through the entire TCM theory, and the meridian system is also named according to Yin and Yang. The meridians distributed on the inner side of the limbs are Yin meridians, while those on the outer side are Yang meridians. One Yin and one Yang evolve into three Yin and three Yang, which have corresponding relationships of exterior and interior, namely, the front, middle, and back of the inner side of the limbs are called Taiyin, Jueyin, and Shaoyin respectively; the front, middle, and back of the outer side of the limbs are called Yangming, Shaoyang, and Taiyang respectively.
Organs are Yin, and bowels are Yang: The internal organs that “store essence and qi without leaking” are called organs and are Yin, while those that “transmit and transform substances without storing” are called bowels and are Yang. Each Yin meridian corresponds to one organ, and each Yang meridian corresponds to one bowel, with each meridian named after its corresponding organ or bowel.
Upper is hand, lower is foot: The meridians distributed in the upper limbs are prefixed with “hand”; those in the lower limbs are prefixed with “foot”.
(2) Specific Names
The Twelve Meridians are classified into four groups based on the Yin-Yang attributes of the organs they connect with and their pathways in the limbs: the three Yin meridians of the hands, the three Yang meridians of the hands, the three Yin meridians of the feet, and the three Yang meridians of the feet.
The names of the Twelve Meridians are: Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian, Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian, Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian. The meridians distributed in the upper limbs are called hand meridians, while those in the lower limbs are called foot meridians. The meridians distributed on the inner side of the limbs (the flexor side of the upper limbs) are called Yin meridians, belonging to the organs; those on the outer side of the limbs (the extensor side of the upper limbs) are called Yang meridians, belonging to the bowels.
| Yin Meridians (belonging to organs) | Yang Meridians (belonging to bowels) | Pathway (Yin meridians run on the inner side, Yang meridians run on the outer side) | ||
| Hand | Taiyin Lung Meridian, Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, Shaoyin Heart Meridian | Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian | Upper limb | Front line, middle line, back line |
| Foot | Taiyin Spleen Meridian, Jueyin Liver Meridian, Shaoyin Kidney Meridian | Yangming Stomach Meridian, Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, Taiyang Bladder Meridian | Lower limb | Front line, middle line, back line |
2. The Pathways and Connection Patterns of the Twelve Meridians
(1) The Pathway Patterns of the Twelve Meridians
The pathway of the three Yin meridians of the hands starts from the chest, runs down to the area near the navel (Shui Fen point), connects with the large intestine, and then returns upward along the upper opening of the stomach, passes through the diaphragm, directly connects to the lungs, ascends to the trachea and throat, runs horizontally along the clavicle to the armpit (Zhong Fu and Yun Men points), and descends along the inner edge of the upper limb to the elbow, along the inner edge of the forearm to the wrist (Cun Kou point), passing through the area of the thenar, reaching the radial side tip of the thumb (Shao Shang point).
The three Yang meridians of the hands start from the tip of the fingers, run up the arm to the head and face; the three Yang meridians of the feet descend from the head and face, run through the trunk and lower limbs, and stop between the toes; the three Yin meridians of the feet ascend from the toes and stop at the chest and abdomen. “The three Yin of the hands run from the chest to the hands; the three Yang of the hands run from the hands to the head; the three Yang of the feet run from the head to the feet; the three Yin of the feet run from the feet to the abdomen (chest).” This is a concise summary of the pathway patterns of the Twelve Meridians.
(2) The Connection Patterns of the Twelve Meridians
The connection between Yin and Yang meridians occurs at the limbs. For example, the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian connects with the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian at the tip of the index finger; the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian connects with the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian at the little finger; the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian connects with the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian from the palm to the tip of the ring finger; the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian connects from the dorsum of the foot to the big toe with the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian; the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian connects from the little toe diagonally to the sole of the foot with the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian; the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian connects from the dorsum of the foot to the big toe with the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian.
The connection between Yang meridians occurs at the head and face, where the Hand and Foot Yangming meridians connect at the nose, the Hand and Foot Taiyang meridians connect at the inner canthus of the eye, and the Hand and Foot Shaoyang meridians connect at the outer canthus of the eye.
The connection between Yin meridians occurs at the chest and abdomen. For example, the Foot Taiyin Meridian connects with the Hand Shaoyin Meridian at the heart, the Foot Shaoyin Meridian connects with the Hand Jueyin Meridian at the chest, and the Foot Jueyin Meridian connects with the Hand Taiyin Meridian at the lung.
The pathway and connection patterns are closely related. When combined, they form: the three Yin meridians of the hands run from the chest to the hands, connecting with the three Yang meridians of the hands; the three Yang meridians of the hands run from the hands to the head, connecting with the three Yang meridians of the feet; the three Yang meridians of the feet run from the head to the feet, connecting with the three Yin meridians of the feet; the three Yin meridians of the feet run from the feet to the abdomen (chest), connecting with the three Yin meridians of the hands, forming a pathway of “Yin and Yang interconnecting, like a ring without end.” This is the pathway and connection pattern of the Twelve Meridians.
In summary, the meridians belonging to the six zang organs (the five zang organs plus the pericardium) are called “Yin meridians,” which mostly run along the inner sides of the limbs and the chest and abdomen. The meridians belonging to the six fu organs are called “Yang meridians,” which mostly run along the outer sides of the limbs and the head, face, and trunk. The inner side of the upper limb is the three Yin meridians of the hands, running from the chest to the hands; the inner side of the lower limb is the three Yin meridians of the feet, running from the feet to the abdomen (chest). The outer side of the upper limb is the three Yang meridians of the hands, running from the hands to the head; the outer side of the lower limb is the three Yang meridians of the feet, running from the head to the feet: Yang meridians run on the outer side, and Yin meridians run on the inner side.
3. The Distribution and Interior-Exterior Relationships of the Twelve Meridians
(1) The Distribution Patterns of the Twelve Meridians
The distribution of the Twelve Meridians on the body surface follows certain patterns. This can be described in three aspects.
Head and Face: The three Yang meridians of the hands terminate at the head and face, while the three Yang meridians of the feet originate from the head and face. The three Yang meridians of the hands and feet connect at the head and face, hence it is said: “The head is the meeting point of all Yang.”
The characteristics of the distribution of the Twelve Meridians in the head and face are: the Hand and Foot Yangming meridians are distributed in the forehead area; the Hand Taiyang meridian is distributed in the cheek area; the Hand and Foot Shaoyang meridians are distributed in the ear and temple area; the Foot Taiyang meridian is distributed in the top of the head and the occipital area. Additionally, the Foot Jueyin meridian also runs to the top.
The distribution pattern of the Twelve Meridians in the head and face is: Yangming in the front, Shaoyang on the side, and Taiyang in the back.
Trunk: The general distribution pattern of the Twelve Meridians in the trunk is: the three Yin and Yang meridians of the feet and the Yangming meridian are distributed in the chest and abdomen (front), while the three Yang meridians of the hands and the Taiyang meridian are distributed in the shoulder, back, and waist (back). The three Yin meridians of the hands, the Shaoyang meridian of the feet, and the Jueyin meridian are distributed in the armpit, ribs, and side abdomen (side).
The specific distribution characteristics are shown in Table 5-3.
┌────────┬───────┬───────┬───────┐
│ 部 位 │ 第一侧线 │ 第二侧线 │ 第三侧线 │
├──┬─────┼───────┼───────┼───────┤
│ │ 胸部 │足少阴肾经（距│足阳明胃经（距│足太阴脾经（距│
│ │ │胸正中线二寸）│胸正中线四寸）│胸正中线六寸）│
│ ├─────┼───────┼───────┼───────┤
│前 │ │ │ │足太阴脾经（距│
│ │ 腹部 │足少阴肾经（距│足阳明胃经（距│腹正中线四寸）│
│ │ │腹正中线半寸）│腹正中线二寸）│足厥阴肝经从少│
│ │ │ │ │腹斜向上到胁 │
├──┼─────┼───────┼───────┼───────┤
│ │ 肩胛部 │ 手三阳经 │
│ ├─────┼───────┬───────┬───────┤
│后 │ │足太阳膀胱经 │足太阳膀胱经 │ │
│ │背、腰部 │（距背正中线一│（距背正中线三│ │
│ │ │寸半） │寸） │ │
├──┼─────┼───────┴───────┴───────┤
│ │ 腋部 │ 手三阴经 │
│侧 ├─────┼───────────────────────┤
│ │胁、侧腹部│ 足少阳胆经、足厥阴肝经 │
└──┴─────┴───────────────────────┘
The general distribution pattern of the Twelve Meridians in the limbs is: Yin meridians are distributed on the inner side of the limbs, while Yang meridians are distributed on the outer side.
┌───────────┬───────────────┬─────────┐
│ │ 内 侧 │ 外 侧 │
├─────┬─────┼───────────────┼─────────┤
│ │ 前 │ 太阴经（肺） │ 阳明经（大肠）│
│ ├─────┼───────────────┼─────────┤
│ 手 │ 中 │ 厥阴经（心包） │ 少阳经（三焦）│
│ ├─────┼───────────────┼─────────┤
│ │ 后 │ 少阴经（心） │ 太阳经（小肠）│
├─────┼─────┼───────────────┼─────────┤
│ │ 前 │ 太阴经（脾） │ 阳明经（胃） │
│ ├─────┼───────────────┼─────────┤
│ 足 │ 中 │ 厥阴经（肝） │ 少阳经（胆） │
│ ├─────┼───────────────┼─────────┤
│ │ 后 │ 少阴经（肾） │ 太阳径（膀胱）│
└─────┴─────┴───────────────┴─────────┘
In the lower half of the calf and the dorsum of the foot, the liver meridian is in front, and the spleen meridian is in the midline. After crossing at the eight-inch mark, the spleen meridian is in front, and the liver meridian is in the midline.
(2) The Interior-Exterior Relationships of the Twelve Meridians
The three Yin and three Yang meridians of the hands and feet, through the Divergent Meridians and Luo mai, communicate with each other, forming six pairs, which have an “interior-exterior” relationship, namely, “the Foot Taiyang and Shaoyin are interior-exterior, Shaoyang and Jueyin are interior-exterior, Yangming and Taiyin are interior-exterior, which is the Yin-Yang of the feet. The Hand Taiyang and Shaoyin are interior-exterior, Shaoyang and the heart master (Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian) are interior-exterior, Yangming and Taiyin are interior-exterior, which is the Yin-Yang of the hands.”
The two meridians that are interior-exterior run along the corresponding positions on the inner and outer sides of the limbs and connect at the ends of the limbs; they also belong to the same zang-fu organs, thus forming the Yin-Yang interior-exterior relationship of the zang-fu organs. The interior-exterior relationship of the Twelve Meridians not only strengthens the connection between the two meridians that are mutually interior-exterior but also allows the mutual influence of one zang and one fu in physiological functions and pathological conditions. In treatment, the acupoints of the mutually interior-exterior meridians often intersect.
4. The Flow Sequence of the Twelve Meridians
The flow refers to the continuous movement of qi and blood in the human body, infusing into various parts. The meridians are the channels for the movement of qi and blood, while the Twelve Meridians are the main channels for the flow of qi and blood. Qi and blood flow continuously within the Twelve Meridians, circulating and distributing throughout the body, forming the flow of qi and blood in the Twelve Meridians, also known as the flow of the Twelve Meridians. The flow sequence is:
Starting from the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, it flows to the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, and then returns to the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian. This forms a complete system of the Twelve Meridians, where “Yin and Yang interconnect, like a ring without end.”
5. The Pathways of the Twelve Meridians
(1) Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian
1. Pathway: The Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian starts at the Zhongwan area, descends to the area near the navel (Shui Fen point), connects with the large intestine, and then ascends along the upper opening of the stomach, passes through the diaphragm, directly connects to the lungs, ascends to the trachea and throat, runs horizontally to the armpit (Zhong Fu and Yun Men points), descends along the inner edge of the upper limb to the elbow, along the inner edge of the forearm to the wrist (Cun Kou point), passing through the area of the thenar, reaching the radial side tip of the thumb (Shao Shang point).
2. Branches: It branches from the wrist (Lie Que point), moving forward to the radial side tip of the index finger (Shang Yang point), connecting with the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian.
3. Associated Organs: It belongs to the lungs, connects with the large intestine, passes through the diaphragm, and is associated with the stomach and kidneys.
(2) Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian
1. Pathway: The Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian starts at the radial side tip of the index finger (Shang Yang point), ascends along the radial side of the index finger, passes through He Gu (between the first and second metacarpals) into the space between the two tendons (the tendon of the long abductor and the tendon of the short abductor), ascends along the outer edge of the upper limb to the shoulder, passes through the shoulder joint (Jian Yu point), and then reaches the back of the neck at the Dazhui point (below the seventh cervical vertebra), moving forward to the area of the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian (Que Pen point), connecting with the lungs, descending through the diaphragm, belonging to the large intestine.
2. Branches: It ascends from Que Pen, passes through the neck (Tian Ding, Fu Tu points) to the cheek, enters the lower gums, returns to the corner of the mouth, passes through the area of the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian (Di Cang point), and wraps around to the center of the upper lip and nose (Ren Zhong point), with the left and right pathways leading to the sides of the nostrils (Ying Xiang point), connecting with the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian.
3. Associated Organs: It belongs to the large intestine, connects with the lungs, and has a direct relationship with the stomach.
(3) Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian
1. Pathway: The Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian starts at the sides of the nostrils (Ying Xiang point), ascends to the root of the nose, runs laterally to connect with the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian (Jing Ming point), descends along the outer side of the nose (Cheng Qi, Si Bai points), enters the upper gums, returns to wrap around the corners of the mouth, intersecting at the chin-lip groove (Cheng Jiang point), then moves backward along the jaw to the Da Ying point, along the lower jaw (Jia Che point), ascends in front of the ear, along the zygomatic arch, reaching the forehead (Hui Shen Ting point).
2. Branches: The facial branch descends from the Da Ying point to the Ren Ying point, enters the throat, passes through the diaphragm, belongs to the stomach (connecting with the Ren Mai at the upper and middle Jiao), and connects with the spleen.