Editor's note : The first part of Dr. Twicken's article appeared in the February 2005 issue.
The following tables present each of the four trinity or harmonic partners and their corresponding acupuncture pairs, which comprise the three channel pairings on the arms and legs.
Meridian Clock Theory for Explaining the Location of the Channels on the Hands and Feet
The Rabbit/Large Intestine is Wood and the Horse/Heart is Fire. Both are Yang elements; their three-channel patterns are located on the Yang part of the body, the arm. The trinity pairs of these animals/elements are located on the arm. The Cock/Kidney is Metal and the Rat/Gallbladder is Water. Both are Yin elements; their three-channel patterns are located on the Yin part of the body, the leg. The trinity pairs of these animals/elements are located on the leg. These two principles provide a model supporting the locations of the channels, not only their pairings.
Channel and Element Frames
A deep study of the meridian clock reveals theories supporting fundamental principles of Chinese medicine. Along with the Taoist He Tu, Luo Shu and Ba Gua energy formations, the meridian clock is an imaging system of the human body. It provides a significant method to evaluate the human body and select acupuncture point combinations. Acupuncture applications using the meridian clock will be presented in future articles.
Click here for previous articles by David Twicken, DOM, LAc.