Many Wuxia novels mention the “Eight Extraordinary Meridians“, as opening these meridians allows for smooth flow of qi and rapid enhancement of martial arts skills. So, what exactly are the Eight Extraordinary Meridians? How do they circulate? What functions do they serve? Today, we will explore this topic in depth.What are the Eight Extraordinary Meridians?The Eight Extraordinary Meridians, with “qi” meaning unusual, refer to the eight meridians outside of the twelve primary meridians (zheng jing). They do not directly connect to the organs and do not have a paired relationship with the exterior and interior, hence they are called “extraordinary meridians”.They include the Ren Mai (Ren Meridian), Du Mai (Governing Meridian), Chong Mai (Penetrating Meridian), Dai Mai (Belt Meridian), Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Heel Meridian), Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Meridian), Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Meridian), and Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Meridian).Physiological Characteristics of the Eight Extraordinary MeridiansThe physiological characteristics of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians mainly include three points:1. The Eight Extraordinary Meridians have no direct connection to the organs;2. There is no paired relationship among the Eight Extraordinary Meridians;3. The distribution of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians is not as widespread as that of the twelve primary meridians; there are no distributions of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians in the upper limbs. Their pathways also differ from the twelve primary meridians, as all but the Dai Mai circulate from the lower body upwards.Common Physiological FunctionsWhat are the common physiological functions of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians?1. They further strengthen the connections between the twelve primary meridians.For example, the Du Mai governs all yang meridians; the Ren Mai governs all yin meridians; the Dai Mai restrains the vertical flow of all meridians. The Yin Qiao Mai governs the yin and yang of the left and right sides of the body; the Yang Wei Mai connects the yin and yang of the interior and exterior. Thus, the Eight Extraordinary Meridians enhance the connections among various parts of the body.2. They regulate the qi and blood of the twelve primary meridians.When the qi of the twelve primary meridians is excessive, it is stored in the Eight Extraordinary Meridians; when there is a deficiency, the Eight Extraordinary Meridians can “overflow” to provide timely supplementation.3. The Eight Extraordinary Meridians are closely related to the liver, kidneys, and other organs, as well as to the uterus, brain, and marrow, establishing physiological and pathological connections.
Circulation of the Eight Extraordinary MeridiansRen Mai
1. Circulation PathThe Ren Mai originates in the uterus, exits at the perineum, ascends along the midline of the abdomen, passes through the throat (Tian Tu point), reaches the inner lower lip, divides to circulate around the lips, intersects with the Du Mai at the Yin Jiao point, and then ascends to the lower eye socket (Cheng Qi point), connecting with the Foot Yangming Meridian.2. BranchesIt penetrates the spine from the uterus and ascends along the back.3. Physiological Functions(1) Regulates the qi and blood of the yin meridians, serving as the “sea of yin meridians”.The Ren Mai circulates along the midline of the abdomen, which is yin, indicating its role in overseeing and regulating the qi of all yin meridians. Additionally, the three yin meridians of the foot intersect with the Ren Mai in the lower abdomen, and the three yin meridians of the hand connect with the Ren Mai through the three yin meridians of the foot, thus the Ren Mai has a regulatory effect on the qi and blood of the yin meridians, hence the saying “governs all yin”.(2) Regulates menstruation and supports fetal development.The Ren Mai originates in the uterus, thus it plays a role in regulating menstruation and promoting female reproductive functions, hence the saying “Ren governs the uterus”.Du Mai
1. Circulation PathThe Du Mai originates in the lower abdomen, exits at the perineum, travels to the tailbone at the Chang Qiang point, ascends along the spine, passes through the neck to the Feng Fu point, enters the brain, belongs to the brain, ascends along the midline of the head to the Bai Hui point, descends through the forehead to the tip of the nose at the Su Liao point, passes through the philtrum, and reaches the central point of the upper teeth at the Yin Jiao point.2. BranchesThe first branch, along with the Chong and Ren meridians, originates in the uterus, exits at the perineum, and meets the qi of the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian at the tailbone, penetrating the spine and belonging to the kidneys.The second branch ascends directly from the lower abdomen through the navel, reaches the heart, and meets the Chong and Ren meridians at the throat, then descends to the jaw, circulates around the lips, and reaches the center below the eyes.The third branch, originating from the inner corner of the eye, ascends to the forehead, intersects at the top of the head, connects to the brain, and then branches down the back of the neck, along the inner scapula, beside the spine, reaching the waist, and enters the muscles on both sides of the spine, connecting with the kidneys.3. Physiological Functions(1) Regulates the qi and blood of the yang meridians, serving as the “sea of yang meridians”.The Du Mai runs along the back, which is yang, indicating its role in overseeing and regulating the qi of all yang meridians. Additionally, all six yang meridians intersect with the Du Mai at the Da Zhui point, thus the Du Mai has a regulatory effect on the yang meridians, hence the saying “governs all yang meridians”.(2) Reflects the functions of the brain, kidneys, and spinal cord.The Du Mai belongs to the brain and connects with the kidneys. The kidneys produce marrow, and the brain is the sea of marrow. The relationship between the Du Mai and the brain, kidneys, and spinal cord is very close.(3) Governs reproductive functions.The Du Mai connects with the kidneys, which govern reproduction, thus it is related to reproductive functions.Chong Mai
1. Circulation PathIt originates in the uterus, exits at the perineum, and divides into two branches.The ascending branch (the main part of the Chong Mai) travels along the anterior abdominal wall near the navel (five fen beside the navel), connects with the Foot Shaoyin Meridian, spreads in the chest, ascends through the throat, and circulates around the lips; the descending branch travels down from the perineum along the inner thigh to the space between the big toe.2. Physiological Functions(1) Regulates the qi and blood of the twelve primary meridians.The Chong Mai ascends to the head and descends to the feet, traversing the entire body, serving as a crucial point for overseeing the qi and blood of all meridians. When the qi and blood of the meridians and organs are excessive, the Chong Mai can store and reserve it; when there is a deficiency, it can provide infusion and supplementation to maintain the normal physiological activities of the body’s tissues and organs. Thus, it is known as the “sea of the twelve meridians”, “sea of the five organs and six bowels”, and “sea of blood”.(2) Governs reproductive functions.The Chong Mai originates in the uterus, also known as the “blood chamber” or “sea of blood”. It plays a role in regulating menstruation. The Chong Mai is closely related to reproductive functions; for women, “when the Chong Mai is abundant, menstruation occurs regularly, leading to fertility”. Conversely, if the Chong Mai is deficient, it can lead to reproductive dysfunction.(3) Regulates the ascending and descending of qi mechanisms.The Chong Mai connects with the Foot Shaoyin, belongs to the Yangming, and connects with the Jueyin and Taiyang. It has the function of regulating the ascending and descending of qi in certain organs (mainly the liver, kidneys, and stomach).Dai Mai
1. Circulation PathThe Dai Mai originates at the lateral costal region, descends obliquely, intersects with the Dai Mai point of the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, encircles the body, and then descends obliquely along the upper edge of the hip bone to the lower abdomen.2. Physiological FunctionsIt restrains the vertical flow of all meridians and governs women’s discharge.Yin Qiao Mai
1. Circulation PathThe Yin Qiao Mai originates at the inner side of the heel from the Zhaohai point of the Foot Shaoyin Meridian, ascends through the inner ankle, travels along the inner thigh to the front genital area, ascends along the abdominal surface to the chest, enters the Xue Pen (Xue Pen point), and ascends beside the Adam’s apple to the Ren Mai’s Tian Tu point, reaching the side of the nose, connecting with the inner corner of the eye, and ascending along with the Foot Taiyang and Yang Qiao Mai.2. Physiological FunctionsIt controls the opening and closing of the eyes and the movement of the muscles.Yang Qiao Mai
1. Circulation PathThe Yang Qiao Mai originates at the outer side of the heel from the Shen Mai point of the Foot Taiyang Meridian, ascends along the outer ankle, travels up the outer edge of the lower limb to the abdomen, ascends along the outer side of the chest, passes through the shoulder, the outer side of the neck, and reaches the corner of the mouth, arriving at the inner corner of the eye. It connects with the Foot Taiyang Meridian and the Yin Qiao Mai, then ascends along the Foot Taiyang Meridian to meet the Foot Shaoyang Meridian at the Feng Chi point behind the neck.2. Physiological FunctionsIt controls the opening and closing of the eyes and muscle movement.Yin Wei Mai
1. Circulation PathThe Yin Wei Mai originates five cun above the inner ankle from the Zhu Bin point of the Foot Shaoyin Meridian, ascends along the inner edge of the lower limb to the abdomen, travels alongside the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian to the lateral costal region, connects with the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, ascends to intersect with the Tian Tu point of the Ren Mai, and terminates at the Lian Quan point in the throat.2. Physiological FunctionsThe term “Wei” in Wei Mai means to connect and link. The Yin Wei Mai serves to connect the yin meridians.Yang Wei Mai
1. Circulation PathThe Yang Wei Mai originates from the Jin Men point of the Foot Taiyang Meridian, passes over the outer ankle, ascends along the outer edge of the lower limb, travels along the back outer side of the torso, from the back of the armpit to the shoulder, ascends through the neck, behind the ear, and moves forward to the forehead, distributing along the side of the head and the back of the neck, connecting with the Du Mai.2. Physiological Functions:It connects the yang meridians.Eight Representative Acupuncture PointsAmong the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, there are eight representative acupuncture points: Gong Sun, Nei Guan, Lin Qi, Wai Guan, Shen Mai, Hou Xi, Lie Que, and Zhao Hai.These eight points connect our twelve primary meridians with the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, strengthening the relationship and intersection between the twelve primary meridians and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, serving as switches to open the Eight Extraordinary Meridians and achieve the goals of health maintenance and disease prevention.In clinical practice, the eight meeting points are often used in pairs, allowing for holistic adjustments to the body and reducing inconveniences caused by an inability to differentiate syndromes.
Opening the Meridians is Not So Mysterious
According to thousands of years of experience passed down in China, all diseases arise from blocked meridians; as long as the meridians are open, one is free from illness. It is well known that Traditional Chinese Medicine is a treasure of our country, which includes meridian health maintenance. Meridians are the pathways of qi and blood in the body; when they are blocked, numerous diseases arise, and a large portion of people have this issue. Everyone can learn meridian exercises to open the meridians and get the whole body moving. This set of warm-up exercises will help you open your meridians from head to toe, ensuring sufficient qi and blood flow, preventing diseases, and is even more effective than supplementation. It is simple and practical, and friends, regardless of martial arts background, can practice! Especially beneficial when practiced before and after sitting, standing, or practicing martial arts!
Further Reading:
This Move in Ba Duan Jin | Quietly “Chasing Away” 8 Types of Illness
Secrets of Qi Mechanism Cultivation in Internal Martial Arts | The Four Parts of the Tailbone Exercise
Ancient Wisdom | Sleeping at Noon, Cultivating the Mao You Skill (Collection)
What Should Internal Martial Artists Do When Sexual Desire Arises?“Preventive Health” through Standing Posture | A Method of Health Maintenance Chosen by the Wise
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Martial arts are taught only to those with virtue; grateful for your companionship on the path of cultivation!!!
