What is Meridian (Chinese Medicine)

The meridian system (simplified Chinese: 经络; traditional Chinese: 經絡; pinyin: jīngluò, also called channel network) is a concept in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) about a path through which the life-energy known as "qi" flows.

Despite ongoing research into the existence of meridians, no convincing scientific evidence has been put forward for their existence. Major proponents of their existence have also not come to any consensus as to how they might work or be tested in a scientific context.

12 standard meridians

The 12 standard meridians, also called Principal Meridians, are divided into Yin and Yang groups. The Yin meridians of the arm are Lung, Heart, and Pericardium. The Yang meridians of the arm are Large Intestine, Small Intestine, and Triple Burner. The Yin Meridians of the leg are Spleen, Kidney, and Liver. The Yang meridians of the leg are Stomach, Bladder, and Gall Bladder.

Eight extraordinary meridians

The eight extraordinary vessels are (奇經八脈; qí jīng bā mài):

1. Conception Vessel (Ren Mai) - 任脈; rèn mài
2. Governing Vessel (Du Mai) - 督脈; dū mài
3. Penetrating Vessel (Chong Mai) - 衝脈; chōng mài
4. Girdle Vessel (Dai Mai) - 帶脈; dài mài
5. Yin linking vessel (Yin Wei Mai) - 陰維脈; yīn wéi mài
6. Yang linking vessel (Yang Wei Mai) - 陽維脈; yáng wéi mài
7. Yin Heel Vessel (Yin Qiao Mai) - 陰蹻脈; yīn qiāo mài
8. Yang Heel Vessel (Yang Qiao Mai) - 陽蹻脈; yáng qiāo mài

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