8 Extraordinary Channels

Penn Chiao, in the 27th difficulty, in the Nan Jing (Nan Ching) describes the primary channels (or meridians) in Chinese
Acupuncture include the twelve (12) primary channels and fifteen (15) network (or collateral) vessels. These twenty
seven (27) conduit channels and vessels enable and move Qi and Blood, and have uninterrupted flow between each
other.
The Eight Extra Channels are said not to be influenced by the primary channels, thus they are not a part of the mutual
sharing of contents with the other twenty seven (27) channels and collaterals. It is said that when the rain pours down
from Heaven, the ditches (Network Vessels) and reservoirs (Channels) become full, and that when they become full, the
surplus then flows in to the Extra Channels. This surplus then pours in to the deep lakes.

Extra Channel

Paired Channel

Master Point

Coupled Point

Luo Point

Xi-Cleft Point

Ren Mai Channel

Yin Qiao

LU-07

KI-06

REN-15

Yin Qiao Channel

Ren Mai

KI-06

LU-07

KI-08

Du Mai Channel

Yang Qiao

SI-03

BL-62

DU-01

Yang Qiao Channel

Du Mai

BL-62

SI-03

BL-59

Dai Mai Channel

Yang Wei

GB-41

SJ-05

Yang Wei Channel

Dai Mai

SJ-05

GB-41

GB-35

Chong Mai Channel

Yin Wei

SP-04

P-06

Yin Wei Channel

Chong Mai

P-06

SP-04

KI-09

Notes:

Some now include the Ren and Du Channels as a part of the Primary Channels.
This would make fourteen (14) primary channels and six (6) Extra Channels.

There are also now fourteen (14) network vessels, making the total number of Channels and Vessels
twenty four (24).

The Du (Governing) and Ren (Conception) Channels have their own points while the other 6 channels
only use points from the other Fourteen (14) Channels (the 12 primary channels, plus the Ren and Du
channels).

Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel)

Alternate Names: Sea of Arteries and Meridians, Sea of Blood
Crossing Points:

DU-04

REN-01

ST-30

KID-11 - KID-21

REN-07

SP-10

LIV-01

SP-01

Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)

Alternate Names: Sea of Yin Meridians, Directing Vessel, Controller Vessel
Crossing Points:

REN-01 - REN-24

DU-28

ST-01

Du Mai (Governing Vessel)

Alternate Names: Sea of Yang Meridians, Supervisor Channel
Crossing Points:

REN-01

DU-01 - DU-28

BL-12

Dai Mai (Belt Vessel)

Alternate Names: Girdling Vessel, Belt Channel
Crossing Points:

GB-26

GB-27

GB-28

BL-23 ?

DU-04 ?

Yang Qiao (Yang Heel Vessel)

Alternate Names: Yang Motility Vessel, Accelerator of Yang, Yang Walker Vessel
Crossing Points:

BL-62

BL-61

BL-59

GB-29

SI-10

LI-15

LI-16

ST-04

ST-03

ST-01

BL-01

GB-20

DU-16

Yang Wei (Linking Vessel)

Alternate Names: Preserver of Yang, Yang Keeper Vessel
Crossing Points:

BL-63

GB-35

SI-10

SJ-15

GB-21

ST-08

GB-13 - GB-20

DU-16

DU-15

Yin Qiao (Heel Vessel)

Alternate Names: Yin Motility Vessel, Accelerator of Yin, Yin Walker
Crossing Points:

KI-06

KI-08

ST-12

ST-09

BL-01

Yin Wei (Linking Vessel)

Alternate Names: Preserver of Yin
Crossing Points:

KI-09

SP-12

SP-13

SP-15

SP-16

LIV-14

REN-22

REN-23