Your complete interactive guide to the Jingluo (经络) system — the energy pathways that connect your organs, influence your health, and follow a daily rhythm.
Meridians (经络, jingluo) are the channels through which Qi (vital energy) and Blood flow throughout your body. In TCM, there are 12 standard meridians, each connected to a specific organ and active during a 2-hour window of the day. When a meridian is blocked or imbalanced, you may experience physical or emotional symptoms. Use this atlas to understand your body's energy map.
Each meridian has a 2-hour peak activity window. Symptoms that appear at specific times often point to the related meridian. Click any segment to jump to that meridian's details.
手太阴肺经 — Shǒu Tàiyīn Fèijīng
YinKey Points: LU7 Lieque (列缺), LU9 Taiyuan (太渊), LU1 Zhongfu (中府)
When blocked: Cough, asthma, chest tightness, sore throat, sadness, skin problems, waking 3-5 AM
Paired with: Large Intestine (LI)
Read full guide →手阳明大肠经 — Shǒu Yángmíng Dàchángjīng
YangKey Points: LI4 Hegu (合谷), LI11 Quchi (曲池), LI15 Jianyu (肩髃)
When blocked: Constipation, diarrhea, toothache, sore throat, skin rashes, sinus congestion
Paired with: Lung (LU)
Read full guide →足阳明胃经 — Zú Yángmíng Wèijīng
Earth YangKey Points: ST36 Zusanli (足三里), ST44 Neiting (内庭), ST45 Lidui (厉兑)
When blocked: Indigestion, bloating, nausea, stomach pain, toothache, fatigue, worry
Paired with: Spleen (SP)
Read full guide →足太阴脾经 — Zú Tàiyīn Píjīng
Earth YinKey Points: SP6 Sanyinjiao (三阴交), SP9 Yinlingquan (阴陵泉), SP3 Taibai (太白)
When blocked: Digestive weakness, bloating, fatigue, heavy limbs, edema, overthinking, menstrual issues
Paired with: Stomach (ST)
Read full guide →手少阴心经 — Shǒu Shàoyīn Xīnjīng
Fire YinKey Points: HT7 Shenmen (神门), HT3 Shaohai (少海), HT9 Shaochong (少冲)
When blocked: Insomnia, palpitations, anxiety, chest pain, poor memory, restlessness, excessive joy
Paired with: Small Intestine (SI)
Read full guide →手太阳小肠经 — Shǒu Tàiyáng Xiǎochángjīng
Fire YangKey Points: SI3 Houxi (后溪), SI6 Yanglao (养老), SI1 Shaoze (少泽)
When blocked: Digestive issues, neck pain, tinnitus, deafness, urinary problems, poor assimilation
Paired with: Heart (HT)
Read full guide →足太阳膀胱经 — Zú Tàiyáng Pángguāngjīng
Water YangKey Points: BL40 Weizhong (委中), BL60 Kunlun (昆仑), BL2 Zanzhu (攒竹)
When blocked: Back pain, headache, neck stiffness, eye problems, urinary issues, fear, chronic fatigue
Paired with: Kidney (KD)
Read full guide →足少阴肾经 — Zú Shàoyīn Shènjīng
Water YinKey Points: KD1 Yongquan (涌泉), KD3 Taixi (太溪), KD6 Zhaohai (照海)
When blocked: Low back pain, knee weakness, tinnitus, hair loss, frequent urination, fear, premature aging
Paired with: Bladder (BL)
Read full guide →手厥阴心包经 — Shǒu Juéyīn Xīnbāojīng
Fire YinKey Points: PC6 Neiguan (内关), PC8 Laogong (劳宫), PC3 Quze (曲泽)
When blocked: Chest tightness, palpitations, nausea, anxiety, irritability, carpal tunnel, motion sickness
Paired with: Triple Burner (TB)
Read full guide →手少阳三焦经 — Shǒu Shàoyáng Sānjiāojīng
Fire YangKey Points: TB5 Waiguan (外关), TB6 Zhigou (支沟), TB21 Ermen (耳门)
When blocked: Edema, tinnitus, ear problems, throat issues, fluid metabolism disorders, lateral costal pain
Paired with: Pericardium (PC)
Read full guide →足少阳胆经 — Zú Shàoyáng Dǎnjīng
Wood YangKey Points: GB20 Fengchi (风池), GB34 Yanglingquan (阳陵泉), GB30 Huantiao (环跳)
When blocked: Migraine, neck pain, hip pain, indecisiveness, bitter taste, blurred vision, waking 11 PM-1 AM
Paired with: Liver (LR)
Read full guide →足厥阴肝经 — Zú Juéyīn Gānjīng
Wood YinKey Points: LR3 Taichong (太冲), LR14 Qimen (期门), LR13 Zhangmen (章门)
When blocked: Anger, irritability, PMS, breast tenderness, eye problems, headaches, waking 1-3 AM, muscle spasms
Paired with: Gallbladder (GB)
Read full guide →Waking at specific times? Check which meridian is active during that window. For example, waking at 3 AM may indicate a Lung meridian issue (grief, sadness), while waking at 1 AM often points to Liver meridian stagnation (stress, anger).
Have specific symptoms? Try our Symptom Checker to get personalized recommendations, or take the Constitution Quiz to understand your body type. You can also discover your elemental personality with the Five Elements Profile tool, or learn 12 Meridian Stretches to keep your pathways open.
All content on The TCM Home is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Read full disclaimer →