The Twelve Primary Meridians (十二正經)
The twelve primary meridians (十二正經, Shi Er Zheng Jing) are the main channels through which Qi and Blood circulate throughout the body. They form a continuous circuit that takes approximately 24 hours to complete one full revolution — corresponding to the Chinese organ clock (時辰) system.
The Circulation Pattern
Arm Yin meridians flow from chest to hand; Arm Yang meridians flow from hand to head; Leg Yang meridians flow from head to foot; Leg Yin meridians flow from foot to chest. This creates a continuous loop through the body.
The Six Yin Meridians (陰經)
Lung (手太陰): Metal/Autumn — grief emotion — chest to thumb. Heart (手少陰): Fire/Summer — joy emotion — chest to little finger. Pericardium (手厥陰): Fire/Summer — emotional regulation — chest to middle finger. Spleen (足太陰): Earth/Late Summer — pensiveness — big toe to chest. Kidney (足少陰): Water/Winter — fear — little toe to chest. Liver (足厥陰): Wood/Spring — anger — big toe to chest.
The Six Yang Meridians (陽經)
Large Intestine (手陽明): Metal — index finger to face. Small Intestine (手太陽): Fire — little finger to ear. Triple Burner (手少陽): Fire — ring finger to outer eye. Stomach (足陽明): Earth — face to 2nd toe. Bladder (足太陽): Water — inner eye to little toe (longest meridian, 67 points, carries back-shu points). Gallbladder (足少陽): Wood — outer eye to 4th toe.
Clinical Significance for the Five Arts
The twelve meridians are the physiological substrate connecting BaZi constitutional medicine (elemental imbalances manifest as specific meridian vulnerabilities), Feng Shui health effects (environmental Qi affecting the body through specific meridian pathways), and Liuren Fajiao healing work (Fu and Zhou targeting specific meridian-organ systems).