Yin, Yang and Meridians

Each meridian is connected to an organ and a coupled meridian, with which it has a relationship (cause and effect). These couples consist of a yin and a yang aspect (each being linked to 1 of the 5 elements).

Meridians are classified yin or yang based on the direction of their flow on the surface of the body.

YIN: Heart, Spleen, Lungs, Liver and Kidneys (these act as reservoirs, and also hold emotions)

The function expected of Yin organs is to produce, transform, regulate and store the fundamentals such as ch’i, blood, essence (source of organic change), spirit and body fluids.

YANG: Gall bladder, stomach, large intestines, small intestine, bladder and the triple burner (not an actual organ). These are compared with various officials of an empire, who must work together for the maintenance of the whole.

The function expected of Yang organs is of elimination.

When I was little I had a little battery operated toy in a box. It was a print out of the human body, underneath the print was an electrical circuit which connected a series of lights to areas of the body’s anatomy. It was a toy, because we found it fun to learn about the anatomy and electrical currents at the same time – we delighted at the lights coming on when we matched the correct organs using some sort of metal pen or stick that was wired to the circuit.

That toy turns out to be based on an interesting machine which was developed in Russia in the 1960s called a Tobiscope. The Tobiscope flashes when it passes over an acupuncture point, based on the strength of the electrical current. A strong meridian line makes the light shine brightly, indicating a strong presence of healthy Ch’i, a dim light indicates a potential for dis-ease along the associated meridians.The Russians were able to use this machine to locate the minor and major chakra points (with an accuracy of less than one-tenth of a millimetre).

The Chinese refer to Ch’i (Qi) as the vital life energy. Ch’i lives in the body, flowing along the meridian circuits. The Nei Ching state: “The meridians move ch’i and blood, regulate yin and yang, moisten the tendons and bones, benefit the joints.” Studies around acupuncture points revealed that meridians hold extraordinary electrical properties.

Dr Nagahama (a Japanese doctor) found that the speed of transmission along meridians is about 10 times slower than that of of nerves. While we talk of the 14 meridians (or of the 12 main meridians), it is a closed circuit, thus there is only one meridian. We find that ch’i makes one rotation through the entire body in a period of 1 day (24 hours). While we work with the 12 MAIN meridians, it should be noted, that these are bilateral, thus resulting in 24 pathways on and through the body. Each organ has at least 2 hours a day of peak activity and flow.

The 12 main meridians are also divided into 2 categories (yin or yang) based on the directional flow of energy. This makes it a little easier to determine weakness in organs as yin and yang have a broad set of opposing characteristics which can be expected. I mentioned that the meridians are actually one meridian, so the theory follows through into the flow of yin and yang energy, there is no beginning or end. 

The flow of ch’i through the body is best represented on a wheel: