12 Principal Meridians & Yin Yang pairs of Elements

In the tapestry of ancient wisdom and modern understanding, the concept of meridians stands as a testament to the interconnectedness of all aspects of being. Rooted in the traditions of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these pathways of energy circulation have captivated the minds of sages and healers for centuries.

Imagine a complex web, an ethereal network of channels through which vital energy flows, nurturing every cell, every thought, every sensation. This intricate network not only links our physical organs but also resonates with the celestial dance of spiritual ascendance.

The 12 principal meridians, like threads of light, weave through our being, each one embedding the fundamental nature of a specific organ and its associated characteristics.
This dance of energy is far from arbitrary; it is a reflection of the holistic nature of existence. The rhythm of our heart echoes in the flow of the meridians, as does the cadence of our thoughts and emotions. In this symphony, each meridian plays its unique part, guiding the Qi to its designated destination and ensuring the harmonious functioning of our inner universe.

The circulating pathways of the 12 principal meridians flow from the face to the feet, from the feet to chest, from chest into the hands, and from hands back to the face.

The channels leading to or from the arms are called Hand Meridians,
and those that descend to or ascend from the legs are called Foot Meridian.

The Yin Meridians
pass along the inward side of the limbs and along the front of the body.

The 3 Yin Hand meridians : Lung, Heart, Pericardium
Flow from the chest to the fingertips, upward along the forward portion of the arm.

• lung meridian (LU): anteromedial course (radial side).
• pericardial meridian (PC): centromedial course.
• heart meridian (HT): posteromedial course (ulnar side).

The 3 Yin Foot meridians : Liver, Kidney, Spleen
Flow from foot to the chest. This describes the circulation of energy over the entire body and delineates the paths that Qi flows.

• spleen meridian (SP): anteromedial course.
• liver meridian (LR): centromedial course.
• kidney meridian (KI): posteromedial course.

The Yang Meridians pass along the outward side of the limbs and along the back of the body.

The 3 Yang Hand Meridians : Large Intestine, Small Intestine, San Jiao
Flow from the fingertips, downward on the arm's back part, to end their flow in the face.

• large intestine meridian (LI): anterolateral course (radial side).
• san jiao meridian (SJ): lateromedial course.
• small intestine meridian (SI): posterolateral course (ulnar side).

The 3 Yang Foot Meridians : Gallbladder, Bladder, Stomach
Flow from the head to the foot.

• gallbladder meridian (GB): lateromedial course.
• bladder meridian (BL): posterolateral course.
• stomach meridian (ST): anterolateral course.

! Exceptions of Flows !

The Stomach channel, although a Yang meridian, it runs on the front of the body with the Yin meridians.

The Governor Vessel (Du Mai), a Yang meridian in the center of the back with an upward energy flow, as opposed to the rest of major Yang meridians in which energy flows downwards.

Overview of 12 principal meridians
- detailed routes -

Lung Meridian (LU) – Nadi : Pravaha

Yin meridian of Hand
• Controls the flow of Qi in the body.
• The lung meridian is responsible for breathing, circulation, and immunity.
Points : 11
Organs : lungs and large intestine.
Emotions : sadness & grief/depression.
Route : Originates in the middle Jiao at Ren-12 Zhongmen Central Venter, and flows downwards to connect with the Large Intestine.
Winding back, it goes along the upper orifice of the Stomach, through the cardiac orifice and the diaphragm, then penetrates the Lung. From the Lung, it communicates with the throat and emerges at Lu-1. Then it travels continuously downward along the antero-lateral aspect of the forearm, and enters the ‘cunkoa’ or radial artery at the wrist. Traversing the thenar eminence, the pathway ends at the radial side of the top of the thumbnail.
A branch proximal to the wrist emerges at Lu-7 and runs directly to the radial side of the tip of the index finger, where it links with the Large Intestine meridian.

Large Intestine (LI) – Nadi : Apana

Yang meridian of Hand.
• The large intestine meridian is responsible for digestion, absorption, and elimination.
• It is associated with the emotions of anger and frustration.
Points : 20
Organs : large intestine and colon.
Emotions : grief/depression & sadness.
Route : Originates from the tip of the index finger. It then travels upwards along the radial side of the index finger between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones to the wrist joint. From there, it ascends the forearm to the lateral aspect of the elbow. Then it travels up the lateral aspect of the upper arm to the highest point of the shoulder. It continues along the anterior border of the acromion to the 7th cervical vertebra and descends to the supraclavicular fossa, where it enters the body cavity and connects internally with the Lung. It then passes through the diaphragm and enters the Large Intestine.
A branch from the supraclavicular fossa runs upward to the neck, passes through the cheek and enters the gums of the lower teeth.
From there, the left meridian goes to the right, and the right meridian to the left, and to both sides of the nose where the Large Intestine Meridian links with the Stomach Meridian.

Stomach (ST) – Nadi : Samana

Yang meridian of Foot
• The stomach meridian is responsible for digestion, absorption, and assimilation.
• It is also associated with the emotions of worry and anxiety.
Points : 45
Organs : stomach and spleen.
Emotions : worry & overthinking/pensiveness
Route : Originates internally from the side of the nose at the end of the large intestine meridian runs through the inner canthus of the eye and emerges externally from a point 1 cun distal to the eye, and runs down the face, enters a point near the corner of the mouth and internally enters the gums, continues to emerge from a point on the lower jaw, then curves externally along the jaw upwards, passing in front of the ear, until it stops at the corner of the forehead. Here it splits into an internal and external branch.
The internal branch continues downward connects with the lower jaw and runs until it reaches the stomach.
The external branch runs down the center of the sternohyoid muscle, crosses laterally across the clavicle, continues down the center of the chest the neck, chest, abdomen and groin, continues downward along the front of the thigh and the lower leg, down the center of the foot until it ends at the lateral side of the tip of second toe.
Another branch from the top of the foot runs to the big toe to connect with the spleen meridian.

Spleen (SP) – Nadi : Anahata

Yin meridian of Foot
• The spleen meridian is responsible for the distribution of qi throughout the body.
• It is responsible for digestion, absorption, and transportation of nutrients.
• It is associated with the emotions of worry and overthinking.
Points : 21
Organs : spleen and stomach.
Emotions : thoughtfulness & worry. pertains to the intellect, clear thought, memorization, studying & concentration .
Route : Originates from the tip of the great toe. It travels along the medial aspect of the foot in front of the medial malleolus. It follows the posterior aspect border of the tibia up the medial leg, 8 cun above the medial malleolus, and travels in front of the Liver Meridian. Ascending the medial aspect of the knee and thigh to the abdomen, it meets Ren-3, Ren-4, and Ren-10, before entering the Spleen and connecting with the Stomach. It emerges from the Stomach area, and ascends lateral to the midline, 4 and 6 cun respectively, meeting GB-24, Liv-14, and Lu-1.
The external pathway descends to terminate at the side of the chest Sp-21.
A branch ascends and passes through the diaphragm, along the esophagus, and spreads over the the lower surface of the tongue.
Another branch from the Stomach passes through the diaphragm and flows into the Heart, and connects with the Heart meridian.

Heart (HT) – Nadi : Ida

Yin meridian of Hand
• The heart meridian is responsible for circulation of Qi, blood, and emotions.
Points : 9
Organs : heart and small intestine.
Emotions : emotional connection, pleasure, healthy relationships, joy.
Route : Originates in the Heart. Emerging, it spreads over the ‘Heart system,’ the pericardium, arteries, nerves and tissues around the heart, and descends through the diaphragm to connect with the Small Intestine.
The ascending branch separates from the ‘Heart system,’ and travels upward along the sides of the esophagus to the face and cheek, to connect with the ‘eye system,’ the tissues, nerves and vessels surrounding and behind the eyes.
Another branch travels from the Heart through the Lung, then emerges at the axillary fossa. From the axilla, the external pathway descends along the medial posterior part of the upper arm, elbow and forearm to the palm of the hand. It enters the palm and follows the medial aspect of the little finger to its tip, where it links with the Small Intestine meridian.

Small Intestine (HT) – Nadi : Pingala

Yang meridian of Hand
• Assists us with discernment, and differentiating pure and impure thoughts
• The small intestine meridian is responsible for digestion, absorption, and assimilation.
Points : 21
Organs : small intestine and heart.
Emotions : joy, agitation.
Route : Originates from the medial tip of the little finger and continues running upwards medially along the the posterior side of the forearm until it reaches the back of shoulder proximal to the scapula to the back of the neck then branches in 3 directions: Branch A runs internally through the heart, then through the stomach to the small intestine. Branch B runs externally across the neck, to a point on the cheek then reverses towards the outer corner of the eye and then enters the ear. Branch C is a short branch in the cheek which runs to the inner corner of the eye where it connects with the bladder meridian.

Bladder (BL) – Nadi : Sushumna

Yang meridian of Foot
• The bladder meridian is responsible for elimination, water metabolism, and the immune system.
• It is associated with the emotions of fear and terror.
Points : 67
Organs : bladder and kidneys.
Emotions : fright & fear. jealousy, suspicion and inability to let go of grudges.
Route : Originates from the inner canthus of the eye, ascends to the forehead and joins the Du Mai at the vertex.
From the vertex, a branch descends to the temples above the ear. Another branch from the vertex enters, and communicates with, the brain, emerges and descends to the nape of the neck, where the meridian split into two branches.
Branch A descends the neck posteriorly, and travels downward to the spine to the lumbar area. From the lower back, it enters the body cavity via the paravertebral muscles, connects with the Kidney and links to the Bladder. The lumbar branch continues to descend along the sacrum, through the gluteal region to the popliteal fossa of the knee. Branch B separates at the nape of the neck, descends along the medial aspect of the scapula parallel to the spine, down to the gluteal area. It passes through the buttocks, then descends along the lateral aspect of the thigh, where it meets the previous branch in the popliteal fossa. Both branches join and travel down the leg through the gastrocnemius muscle to end at the lateral side of the tip of the fifth toe, where it connects with the Kidney.

Kidney (KI) – Nadi : Vajra

Yin meridian of Foot
• Kidneys store both the fuel, called your Jing or Essence, and the pilot light, called your Ming-Men Fire, and since Jing relates to your constitution it has a direct resonance with your DNA.
• The kidney meridian is responsible for reproduction, growth, development, and the immune system.
• It is associated with the emotions of fear and anxiety.
Points : 27
Organs : kidneys and bladder.
Emotions : fear & fright. weak willpower, insecure, aloof, isolation.
Route : Originates from the inferior side of the little toe, diagonally crosses the middle of the sole of the foot and curves behind the medial side of the ankle then runs upward along the medial side of the leg, enters the body, connects with ren 1 near the coccyx, travels upward to connect with the kidney then divides into two main branches:
Branch A travels to a point externally on the pubic fundus and continues upward near the medial abdomen and ends at the inner side of clavicle.
Branch B runs internally. It emerges from the kidney, runs upward to pass through the liver, diaphragm, lungs, throat and ends at the root of the tongue.
Another small branch connects with the heart meridian.

Pericardium (PC) – Nadi : Huaiyin

Yin meridian of Hand
• The pericardium meridian is responsible for the protection of the heart, circulation of Qi, and emotions.
• It is associated with the emotions of sadness and grief.
Points : 9
Organs : pericardium and heart.
Emotions :protects the heart from emotional distress in the other organs including fear from the kidneys, frustration from the liver, and grief from the lungs.
Route : Originates from the pericardium sac and divides into two branches:
Branch A runs downwards through the diaphragm to connect with the San Jiao.
Branch B emerges from the chest to the axilla then from the medial aspect of the upper arm, runs to the anterior elbow crease, then continues down the forearm, enters the palm of the hand and ends at the tip of the middle finger.
A short branch from the palm of the hand, connects with san jiao at the end of the fourth finger.

San Jiao (SJ) – Nadi : Governor

Yang meridian of Hand
• The body's most powerful energy pathway for metabolism function
• Regulation of body temperature and the distribution of qi throughout the body.
• The meridian is responsible for digestion, absorption.
• Impacts the immune system and our ability to manage stress.
• The Upper Burner controls intake, the Middle Burner controls transformation, the Lower Burner controls elimination.
Points : 23
Organs : lungs and large intestine.
Emotions : sadness & grief/depression.

Route :

Originates from the tip of the fourth (ring) finger and runs up along the dorsum of the hand and lower arm, to the back side of the upper arm, over the shoulder, up the neck, wraps around the ear and ends at the outer corner of the eyebrow. Upper Jiao - the chest region that regulates circulatory and respiratory functions.
The Upper Burner runs from the base of the tongue to the entrance to the stomach and controls the intake of air, food and fluids. It harmonizes the functions of the heart and lungs, governs respiration and regulates the distribution of protective energy to the body’s external surfaces.
Middle Jiao - the upper abdominal region that affects digestive functions.
The Middle Burner runs from the entrance to the stomach down to its exit at the pyloric valve and controls digestion by harmonizing the functions of the stomach, spleen and pancreas. It is responsible for extracting nourishing energy from food and fluids and distributing it via the meridian system to the lungs and other parts of the body.
Lower Jiao - the lower abdominal region that affects sexual and excretory functions.
The Lower Burner runs from the pyloric valve down to the anus and urinary tract and is responsible for separating the pure from the impure products of digestion, absorbing nutrients and eliminating solid and liquid wastes. It harmonizes the functions of the liver, kidney, bladder and large and small intestines and also regulates sexual and reproductive functions.

GallBladder (GB) – Nadi : Gandhari

Yang meridian of Foot
• The gallbladder meridian is responsible for digestion, absorption, and elimination.
Points : 44
Organs : gallbladder and liver.
Emotions : anger. irritable uptightness, indecision or rash decisions, restraint of anger, and over-control of feelings.
Route : Originates from the outer corner of the eye and divides into two branches:
Branch A goes to the ear, then runs externally and laterally on the side of the head alternating back and forth from the front hairline to the back of the head until it curves behind the ear near the hairline, then it runs downward past the top of the shoulder, front of the body on the lateral side of rib cage and abdomen, until it ends up at the side of the
hip.
Branch B enters the cheek and runs downward internally downward, through the neck and connects with the gall bladder, then continues downward, emerges from the lower abdomen to connect at the hip with the other branch. The joined branch continues to run down the lateral side of the leg, goes over the foot and ends the tip of the fourth toe.
A small branch crosses over to the big toe to connect with the liver meridian.

Liver (LI) – Nadi : Yin Wei

Yin meridian of Foot
• The liver meridian is responsible for circulation, blood, and emotions.
Points : 14
Organs : liver and gallbladder.
Emotions : anger | rage, fury, aggravation, resentment, etc
Route : Originates from the medial corner of the big toe then runs externally through the web between the big toe and second toe, up the center of the foot and continues up towards the medial side of the lower leg and the upper thigh, encircles the external genitalia, enters the lower abdomen, connects with the liver and gall bladder, passes through the diaphragm to reach the lung to connect with the lung meridian and complete the twelve meridians cycle.
Another branch continues upwards from the liver to the neck and runs along the sternocleidomastoid muscle, connects with the eyes, continues upward to emerge from the forehead to the end at the vertex of the head.

5 Elements of Nature & Meridians
yin-yang pairs of Hand and Foot

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the theory of the Five Elements, also known as Wu Xing, is a fundamental concept that elucidates the interconnectedness of nature and the human body.
This philosophy posits that the elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water each hold distinct qualities and energies that influence both the external world and internal human physiology.

These elements are in a constant state of dynamic interaction, with each element generating and controlling another while also restraining and being restrained by another. This intricate balance is mirrored in the body through the meridian system and its corresponding yin-yang channels.

The following table holds the correspondences of the 5 Elements of Nature and their respective Yin or Yang meridians of Hand or Foot.

I've noted the Pericardium meridian as well, although it hasn't been corresponded to an element, as to complete the list of Hand & Foot meridians.

	Element	Yin Meridian	Yang Meridian	of Hand/Foot
	Wood	Liver	Gallbladder	F
	Fire	Heart	Small Intestine	H
	Earth	Spleen	Stomach	F
	Metal	Lung	Large Intestine	H
	Water	Kidneys	Bladder	F
	*	Pericardium	San Jiao	H