What Are Meridians?
Like a network of rivers nourishing a landscape, the meridians are the channels through which qi flows, to nourish and energize the human body. These channels exist within the subtle body – you won’t find them on the operating table! Collectively, they form the matrix within which the physical body functions. They also act as a network of communication between the physical and the more subtle energetic bodies.
Where and How Many?
There are twelve main meridians in the body, each associated with a particular element and organ system. The meridians are typically listed in Yin/Yang pairs:
- Lung (arm-yin) and Large Intestine (arm-yang) = Metal Element
- Stomach (leg-yang) and Spleen (leg-yin) = Earth Element
- Heart (arm-yin) and Small Intestine (arm-yang) = Fire Element
- Bladder (leg-yang) and Kidney (leg-yin) = Water Element
- Pericardium (arm-yin) and Triple-Warmer (arm-yang) = Fire Element (again!)
- Gallbladder (leg-yang) and Liver (leg-yin) = Wood Element
The arm-yin meridians flow from the torso along the inner edge of the arms to the fingers. The arm-yang meridians flow from the fingers along the outer edge of the arms to the head. The leg-yang meridians flow from the head down the torso and along the outer edge or back of the legs to the toes. The leg-yin meridians flow from the toes along the inner edge of the legs to the torso. The qi in a given meridian is strongest during a specific two-hour interval of the twenty-four hour day. The way qi travels in this cycle through the meridians is referred to as the “Meridian Clock.” When this flow is balanced and harmonious, we experience physical and emotional well-being. When the flow is blocked, erratic or deplete, we experience physical or emotional dis-ease. Qigong and acupuncture are practices which help us to maintain a healthy flow of qi through the meridian system.
Along with the twelve main meridians, there are what are called the Eight Extraordinary Meridians: the Du, the Ren, the Dai, the Chong, the Yin Chiao, the Yang Chiao, the Yin Wei, and the Yang Wei Meridians. The Eight Extraordinary Meridians are the first to form in utero. They represent a deeper level of energetic structuring, and play an important role within the practice of Inner Alchemy.
Acupuncture Points
Along the path of the meridians, there are certain places where the energy pools, making the qi of the meridian more accessible there than at other places. These pools of energy are called acupuncture points. Each acupuncture point has a specific function, in relation to the Element and Organ System being accessed. The most powerful points tend to be at the ends of the meridians: at the toes, ankles, and knees; or fingers, wrists and elbows. Very often, a symptom expressing in one part of the body will be alleviated by stimulating an acupuncture point that’s located in a completely different place on the body! This works because the point being stimulated lies on a meridian whose energy also passes through the injured or diseased part of the body – so the intelligence of a specific acupuncture point can be transmitted along the course of the meridian to the place within the body that is in need of healing.
How Do We Know All This?
Who discovered the meridian system? It’s generally agreed that the source of our knowledge of the meridian system is three-fold: (1) information received in the deep meditations of the ancient sages; (2) the direct experience of the yogis, i.e. what they felt/saw within their own bodies; and (3) the empirical explorations of many generations of qigong and Chinese medical practitioners.
Suggested Reading:
- The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine, by Ted Kaptchuk (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2000).
- Between Heaven & Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine, by Harriet Beinfield (New York: Ballantine, 1991).
