Understanding Meridian System by Water Flow Analogy

pic_sys_07 Since qi (vital energy) and blood flowing in the meridians are mobile, it is easier to understand activities in the meridians by comparing it to water flow.

When water flows down a mountain or a slope, it flows from a high to low ground. It will also follow the geographical terrain and collect in the most stable area which is a river. Rivers maintain the natural laminar flow and kinetic energy of the water. By avoiding turbulent flow, it provides the most efficient way of transporting water downstream. As a result, the land surrounding the river is lush with vegetation and life because of the steady supply of fresh water.


Qi works in a similar way as the flow of water in nature. Qi flowing is from a high to a low density, it also follows the body's anatomical structures and gathers in meridians. Thus, meridians provide a natural pathway for the flow of qi and supply a constant energy distrubution to different parts of the body, just like the same way a river supplies water to its surrounding banks.

pic_sys_08 If a river is blocked, regions relying on the irrigating canals will be affected. Due to a lack of water supply, the ecosystem will become unbalanced and disturbed, plants and animals cannot survive. Similarly, if the flow in Meridian System is not smooth, qi and blood supply to different parts of the body will be interrupted, leading to organ disharmony or disease, even though the affected area is far away from the blocked point.

In order to restore balance and harmony, it is necessary to resume the optimal flow of the river or qi. In the case of a river, the debris causing the blockage is removed and the riverbed will be consolidated. The harmony of the meridian system is restored by stimulating particular acupoints. In this way, the flow of qi is regulated, and qi distribution throughout the body will become efficient again.

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Understanding Meridian System by Water Flow Analogy

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