Memorizing the Twelve Meridians: A Song for the Pathways and Acupuncture Points

The twelve meridians are fundamental knowledge that must be mastered in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). However, some TCM enthusiasts often struggle to memorize the twelve meridians, and when it comes to acupuncture points, it becomes even more challenging. If not tackled, the application of this knowledge can become chaotic. This article presents the twelve meridians in a song format to aid memory, making it both convenient and effective.

1. The twelve meridians are arranged according to the timing of the ziwu liuzhu (子午流注) cycle, in the following order: Shou Taiyin Feijing (手太阴肺经, Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian), Shou Yangming Dachangjing (手阳明大肠经, Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian), Zu Yangming Weijing (足阳明胃经, Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian), Zu Taiyin Pijing (足太阴脾经, Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian), Shou Shaoyin Xinjing (手少阴心经, Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian), Shou Taiyang Xiaojing (手太阳小肠经, Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian), Zu Taiyang Pangguangjing (足太阳膀胱经, Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian), Zu Shaoyin Shenjing (足少阴肾经, Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian), Shou Jueyin Xinbaojing (手厥阴心包经, Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian), Shou Shaoyang Sanjiao Jing (手少阳三焦经, Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian), Zu Shaoyang Danjing (足少阳胆经, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian), Zu Jueyin Gan Jing (足厥阴肝经, Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian).

2. To memorize the twelve meridians, the following steps can be taken:

3. 

First, consider the concept of yin and yang (阴阳). Remember that the zang (脏) organs are yin, while the fu (腑) organs are yang. Therefore, the five yin organs: liver (肝), heart (心), spleen (脾), lung (肺), and kidney (肾), along with the pericardium (心包), are all yin meridians; correspondingly, the gallbladder (胆), small intestine (小肠), stomach (胃), large intestine (大肠), bladder (膀胱), and sanjiao (三焦) are all yang meridians. Second, consider the relationship between hands and feet. Remember the locations: the heart, lung, and pericardium are above the diaphragm and correspond to the hands; the liver, spleen, and kidney are below the diaphragm and correspond to the feet. The same applies to the fu organs, where the small intestine, large intestine, and sanjiao correspond to the hands, while the gallbladder, stomach, and bladder correspond to the feet.

Third, consider the size relationships. The shaoyin (少阴) corresponds to smaller organs, while the taiyin (太阴) corresponds to larger or longer organs, and the jueyin (厥阴) and yangming (阳明) correspond to medium-sized organs. This way of thinking visually associates the hand shaoyin, jueyin, and taiyin with the three organs above the diaphragm: heart, pericardium, and lung; the foot shaoyin, jueyin, and taiyin with the three organs below the diaphragm: kidney, liver, and spleen; the hand shaoyang, yangming, and taiyang with the sanjiao, large intestine, and small intestine; and the foot shaoyang, yangming, and taiyang with the gallbladder, stomach, and bladder.

1. The specific song for memorization is as follows:

2. Shou Taiyin Feijing (手太阴肺经, Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian) has 11 points:

3. Shou Taiyin Fei shiyi xue, Zhongfu Yunmen Tianfu Jue, Xiaobai zhi xia shi Chize, Kong zui xia xing jie Lieu, Geng you Jingqu yu Taiyuan, Yujie Shaoshang ru jiuye.

4. 

5. (2) Shou Yangming Dachangjing (手阳明大肠经, Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian) has 20 points:

6. Shou Yangming xue qi Shangyang, Erjian Sanjian He Gu Zang, Yangxi Pianli Fu Wenliu, Xia Lian Shang Lian Sanli Chang, Quchi Zhou Liao Wuli Jin, Binao Jianyu Ju Gu Dang, Tianding Futu He Liao Jie, Bi pang Wu fen hao Yingxiang.

7. 

8. (3) Zu Yangming Weijing (足阳明胃经, Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian) has 45 points:

9. Si shi wu xue Zu Yangming, Chengqi Si Bai Ju Liao Jing, Dica Zhang Da Ying Qia Che Ting, Xiaoguan Tou Wei He Ren Ying, Shuitu Qishe Lian Que Pen, Qihud Kufang Wu Yi Tun, Yingchuang Ruzhong Yan Rugen, Bu Rong Chengman ji Liangmen, Guanmen Taiyi Huan Roumen, Tianshu Wailing Da Ju Cun, Shuidao Guizai Qichong xue, Biguan Futou Zou Yinshi, Liangqiu Dubi Zu Sanli, Shang Ju Xu Lian Tiao Kou Wei, Xia Ju Xu xue Shang Fenglong, Jiexi Chongyang Xian Gu zhong, Xia Hang Neiting Li Dui xue, Da Zhi Ci Zhi Zhi Duan zhong.

10. 

11. (4) Zu Taiyin Pijing (足太阴脾经, Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian) has 21 points:

12. Zu Taiyin xue pi Zhongzhou, Yinbai zai zu da zhi tou, Dadu Taibai Gongsun Sheng, Shangqiu San Yin Jiao ke qiu, Lougu Diji Yinlingquan, Xuehai Qimen Chongmen kai, Fushie Fu Jie Da Heng pai, Fu Ai Shidou Tianxi lian, Xiongxiang Zhou Rong Da Bao sui, Er shi yi xue Taiyin quan.

13. 

14. (5) Shou Shaoyin Xinjing (手少阴心经, Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian) has 9 points:

15. Jiu xue Xinjing Shou Shaoyin, Jiquan Qingling Shaohai shen, Lingdao Tongli Yinxi xue, Shenmen Shaofu Shaochong xun.

16. 

17. (6) Shou Taiyang Xiaojing (手太阳小肠经, Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian) has 19 points:

18. Shou Taiyang xue yi shijiu, Shaoze Qian Gu Houxi shuo, Wan gu Yanggu Yanglao sheng, Zhizheng Xiaohai Fu Zhou, Jian Zhen Nao Yu Tianzong, Liao Wai Bingfeng Qu Yuan shou, Jian Wai Yu Lian Jian Zhong Yu, Tianchuang Nai Yu Tianrong ou, Ruiguzhi duan shang quanliao, Tinggong Er qian zhu shang zou.

19. 

20. (7) Zu Taiyang Pangguangjing (足太阳膀胱经, Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian) has 67 points:

21. Zu Taiyang xue liu shi qi, Jingming Mu nei Hongrou cang, Cuanzhu Mei Chong yu Qucha, Wuchu Cunban shang chengguang, Tongtian Luo que Yuzhen ang, Tianzhu Houji Dajin pang, Dazhu Jiaji di yi hang, Zhi xia Fengmen Fei zhu chang, You Jueyin zhu yu Xin zhu, Duxu zhu ge zhu zhu yi hang, Gan Dan Pi Wei jie Sanjiao, Shen zhu Qihai Dazhang xiang, Guanyuan Xiaochang dao Pangguang, Zhongbi Baihuan zixi liang, Shang Liao Ci Liao zhong fu, Yi Kong Er Kong sheng hou dang, Huiyang Yin weikou wai qu, Fufen Jiaji di er hang, Po Hu Gao Huang Shen Tang zou, Xuanxi Ge Guan Hunmen dang, Yanggang Yishe nai Wei cang, Mangmen Zhi Shi xu bao mang, Er shi yi zhui zhi bian chang, Chengfu Tundun Hengwen zhong, Yinmen Fu Xi Wei Yang dao, Weizhong He Yang Chengjin xiang, Chengshan Feiyang Zhuo Zhi Yang, Kunlun Pu Shen Shen Mai mang, Jinmen Jinggu Shu Gu jie, Tonggu Zhi Yin Xiaozhi pang.

22. 

23. (8) Zu Shaoyin Shenjing (足少阴肾经, Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian) has 27 points:

24. Zu Shaoyin xue er shi qi, Yongquan Rangu Tai Xi yi, Dazhong Shuizhu Tong Zhao Hai, Fuliu Jiaoxin Zhu Bin Yi,

25. Yingu Qini Neifu gu hou, Yishang Cong zu zhou zhi xi, Henggu Dahe Lianqi xue, Siman Zhongzhu Mang zhi ji, Shangqu Shiguan Yin du mi, Tonggu Youmen ban cun bi, Bulang Shenfeng you Lingxu, Shen Zang huo zhong yu fu bi.

26. 

27. (9) Shou Jueyin Xinbaojing (手厥阴心包经, Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian) has 9 points:

28. Jiu xue Xinbao Shou Jueyin, Tianchi Tianquan Quze shen, Ximen Jian Shi Neiguan dui, Daling Laogong zhong Chong xun.

29. 

30. (10) Shou Shaoyang Sanjiao Jing (手少阳三焦经, Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian) has 23 points:

31. Er shi san xue Shou Shaoyang, Guanchong Yemu Zhong Chupang, Yangchi Wailian Zhi Gou Zheng, Huizong Sanyang Si Du Chang, Tianjing Qing Leng Yuan Xiao Shuo, Nao Hui Jian Liao Tianjiao Tang, Tianyou Yifeng Zhi Mai Qing, Lu Xi Jiao Sun Er Men xiang, He Liao Qian Jie Sizhu Kong, Sanjiao Jing xue ci tui xiang.

32. 

33. (11) Zu Shaoyang Danjing (足少阳胆经, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian) has 44 points:

34. Zu Shaoyang xue Tongzi Liao, Si shi si xue xing Zhao Zhao. Ting shang Guanchuan Han Yan ji, Xuanlu Xuan Li Qu Bian Qiao, Shuaigu Tian Chong Fu Bai ci, Qiao Yin Wan Gu Ben Shen Yao, Yangbai Linqi Mu Chuang bi, Zhengying Chengling Nao Kong yao, Fengchi Jianjing Yuan Ye bu, Zhe Jin Riyue Jingmen biao, Dai Mai Wushu Weidao xu, Ju Liao Huan Tiao Fengshi Zhao, Zhongdu Yangguan Yang Lingquan, Yangjiao Wailiu Guangming xiao, Yangfu Xuan Zhong Qiu Xu, Zu Linqi Yu Di Wu Hui, Xiaxi Qiao Yin Si Zhi duan.

36. 

37. (12) Zu Jueyin Gan Jing (足厥阴肝经, Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian) has 14 points:

38. Yi shi si xue Zu Jueyin, Dadun Xingjian Tai Chong qin, Zhongfeng Li Gou Zhongdu jin, Xiguan Ququan Yinbao lin, Wuli Yinlian Ji Mai xue, Zhangmen Chang dui Qimen shen.

39.