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