A discussion on the meridian trajectory, Chinese characters & essence of Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel) & Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Motility Vessel).
The Yin Qiao Mai or Yin Motility Vessel originates at Zhaohai KID 6 (Shining Sea) and ascends to meet Jiaoxin KID 8 (Exchange Belief) from here it travels up the inner-posterior aspect of the leg & thigh to the external genitals. From the genitals it ascends the abdomen and chest to reach the supraclavicular fossa or region of Quepen ST 12 (Broken Dish). It then ascends the throat region and travels anterior to Renying ST 9 (Welcome Human) to ascend laterally to the corner of the mouth and nose where it then meets Jingming BL 1 (Bright eyes). From Jingming BL 1 it ascends to enter the brain.
The Yang Qiao Mai begins at Shenmai BL 62 (Extending Vessel) and descends to Pucan BL 61 (Servant’s Respect). Then it ascends the lateral aspect of the lower leg to arrive at Fuyang BL 59 (Instep Yang) and continues up the leg to the thigh and lateral side of the hip to arrive at Juliao GB 29 (Stationary Crevice). From Juliao the meridian travels up the lateral aspect of the torso veering around the posterior aspect of the shoulder to meet Naoshu SI 10 (Upper Arm Shu), Jianyu LI 15 (Shoulder Bone) & Jugu LI 16 (Great Bone). From the shoulder region the meridian runs along the lateral aspect of the neck to meet at the face in the region of Dicang ST 4 (Earth Granary), Juliao ST 3 (Great Crevice), Chengqi ST 1 (Container of tears) & Jingming BL 1 (Bright Eyes) where it meets with the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel). From Jingming the meridian curves around the side of the head to meet Fengchi GB 20 (Wind Pool) & enter the brain.
From the above Yin & Yang Qiao Mai meridian trajectory descriptions we can see that the superficial meridian of Yin Qiao Mai travels up the medial aspect of the leg to the eye. The superficial aspect of the Yang Qiao Mai meridian travels up the lateral aspect of the leg to the shoulder & face, terminating at the back of the neck. The energetics of the Qiao Mai travel from the earth to the heavens in the same manner that natural ‘growth’ takes place. It resembles the ability to be firmly grounded at the feet, mixed with the perspective granted by clear vision, culminating to enable the ability to move in ‘all directions’ with fluidity & ease.
The classical acupuncturist’s of times past chose to depict the character ‘Qiao’ as the movement of walking as well as a pavilion of great height. Thus depicting ‘walking’ with grace & great vitality, as a dancer or a horse. Mai is drawn as flesh & streams that circulate Qi & thus depicts the acupuncture meridians and blood vessels that nourish and integrate the body as a whole. The Character ‘Yin’ is depicted as the shady side of the mountain & thus depicts internal, cool, dark, hidden… The character ‘Yang’ depicts the sunny side of the mountain & thus is associated with external, light and movement…
The Yin Qiao balances & harmonises the yin circulations and the Yang Qiao harmonises and balances the yang circulations. Together the Qiao Mai’s balance & harmonise each other & thus grant us the ability be balanced, flowing, graceful & powerful in both movement of body and mind.
As always please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
Warm Regards,
Giancarlo Nerini - Acupuncturist (Melbourne)
The Yin Qiao Mai or Yin Motility Vessel originates at Zhaohai KID 6 (Shining Sea) and ascends to meet Jiaoxin KID 8 (Exchange Belief) from here it travels up the inner-posterior aspect of the leg & thigh to the external genitals. From the genitals it ascends the abdomen and chest to reach the supraclavicular fossa or region of Quepen ST 12 (Broken Dish). It then ascends the throat region and travels anterior to Renying ST 9 (Welcome Human) to ascend laterally to the corner of the mouth and nose where it then meets Jingming BL 1 (Bright eyes). From Jingming BL 1 it ascends to enter the brain.
The Yang Qiao Mai begins at Shenmai BL 62 (Extending Vessel) and descends to Pucan BL 61 (Servant’s Respect). Then it ascends the lateral aspect of the lower leg to arrive at Fuyang BL 59 (Instep Yang) and continues up the leg to the thigh and lateral side of the hip to arrive at Juliao GB 29 (Stationary Crevice). From Juliao the meridian travels up the lateral aspect of the torso veering around the posterior aspect of the shoulder to meet Naoshu SI 10 (Upper Arm Shu), Jianyu LI 15 (Shoulder Bone) & Jugu LI 16 (Great Bone). From the shoulder region the meridian runs along the lateral aspect of the neck to meet at the face in the region of Dicang ST 4 (Earth Granary), Juliao ST 3 (Great Crevice), Chengqi ST 1 (Container of tears) & Jingming BL 1 (Bright Eyes) where it meets with the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel). From Jingming the meridian curves around the side of the head to meet Fengchi GB 20 (Wind Pool) & enter the brain.
From the above Yin & Yang Qiao Mai meridian trajectory descriptions we can see that the superficial meridian of Yin Qiao Mai travels up the medial aspect of the leg to the eye. The superficial aspect of the Yang Qiao Mai meridian travels up the lateral aspect of the leg to the shoulder & face, terminating at the back of the neck. The energetics of the Qiao Mai travel from the earth to the heavens in the same manner that natural ‘growth’ takes place. It resembles the ability to be firmly grounded at the feet, mixed with the perspective granted by clear vision, culminating to enable the ability to move in ‘all directions’ with fluidity & ease.
The classical acupuncturist’s of times past chose to depict the character ‘Qiao’ as the movement of walking as well as a pavilion of great height. Thus depicting ‘walking’ with grace & great vitality, as a dancer or a horse. Mai is drawn as flesh & streams that circulate Qi & thus depicts the acupuncture meridians and blood vessels that nourish and integrate the body as a whole. The Character ‘Yin’ is depicted as the shady side of the mountain & thus depicts internal, cool, dark, hidden… The character ‘Yang’ depicts the sunny side of the mountain & thus is associated with external, light and movement…
The Yin Qiao balances & harmonises the yin circulations and the Yang Qiao harmonises and balances the yang circulations. Together the Qiao Mai’s balance & harmonise each other & thus grant us the ability be balanced, flowing, graceful & powerful in both movement of body and mind.
As always please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
Warm Regards,
Giancarlo Nerini - Acupuncturist (Melbourne)
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