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The Eight Extraordinary Vessels (Qi Jing Ba Mai) include the Du Meridian (Governor Vessel), Ren Meridian (Conception Vessel), Chong Meridian (Penetrating Vessel), Dai Meridian (Girdle Vessel), Yang Qiao Meridian (Yang Heel Vessel), Yin Qiao Meridian (Yin Heel Vessel), Yang Wei Meridian (Yang Linking Vessel), and Yin Wei Meridian (Yin Linking Vessel). The Du Meridian runs along the posterior aspect of the body, originating from the Shu point at the perineum (Xia Ji Zhi Shu), entering the spinal canal, ascending to the Fengfu point (GV16), and entering the brain; it serves as the commander of all Yang meridians. The Ren Meridian runs along the anterior aspect of the body, originating below the Zhongji point (CV3), following the interior of the abdomen, ascending through the Guanyuan point (CV4), entering the eyes, and connecting with the tongue; it serves as the leader of all Yin meridians. The Chong Meridian originates from the Qichong point (ST30), runs parallel to the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, flanks the umbilicus ascending to the chest where it disperses; it is the sea of all meridians. The Dai Meridian originates from the hypochondriac region, encircles the body once like a belt around the waist, and acts as the constraint for all meridians. The Yang Qiao Meridian originates in the middle of the heel, follows the lateral malleolus, ascends into the Fengchi point (GB20), and governs the Yang aspect of the left and right sides. The Yin Qiao Meridian originates in the middle of the heel, follows the medial malleolus ascending, intersects and penetrates the Chong Meridian, and governs the Yin aspect of the left and right sides. The Yang Wei Meridian originates from the convergence of all Yang meridians, links and connects the body, and governs the exterior of the whole body. The Yin Wei Meridian originates from the intersection of all Yin meridians, links and connects the body, and governs the interior of the whole body. The Yang Qiao and Yang Wei meridians are branch vessels of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. The Yin Qiao and Yin Wei meridians are branch vessels of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Generally speaking, these eight vessels are the collateral vessels (Luo Mai) of the regular meridians. When the qi and blood in the regular meridians become abundant, they enter the collateral vessels; when the collateral vessels are full and overflowing, they are no longer restricted by the regular meridians, irrigating the zang-fu organs internally and moistening the couli (skin and hair follicles) externally, running independently through alternative pathways; this is called the Extraordinary Vessels.

Food and drink enter the stomach and transform into qi and blood. The fierce and rapid qi that flows outside the vessels is called Wei Qi (Defensive Qi). The pure and concentrated blood that flows inside the vessels is called Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi). The circulation of Ying and Wei qi completes fifty cycles throughout the body in one day and night. With each exhalation, the pulse beats twice; with each inhalation, the pulse beats twice. At the pause between inhalation and exhalation (Ding Xi), the pulse beats once more, supplemented occasionally by a deep sigh (Tai Xi). Typically, six pulse beats constitute one breath cycle, which is the normal state for humans. Each pulse beat moves the qi and blood one cun; six beats move it six cun. According to the *Ling Shu: Mai Du* chapter: The six Yang meridities of the hand extend from the hand to the head, measuring five chi each, totaling three zhang (ten chi) for all six. The six Yin meridians of the hand extend from the hand to the chest, measuring three chi and five cun each, totaling two zhang and one chi for all six. The six Yang meridians of the foot extend from the foot to the head, measuring eight chi each, totaling four zhang and eight chi for all six. The six Yin meridians of the foot extend from the foot to the chest, measuring six chi and five cun each, totaling three zhang and nine chi for all six. The Qiao meridians extend from the foot to the eyes, measuring seven chi and five cun each, totaling one zhang and five chi for both. The Du and Ren meridians each measure four chi and five cun, totaling nine chi for both. In total, the length of all these meridians combined is sixteen zhang and two chi. A healthy person breathes thirteen thousand five hundred times in one day and night. With each breath, the pulse qi moves six cun; with ten breaths, it moves six chi. One day and night is divided into one hundred ke (water clock divisions); each ke consists of 135 breaths. When the vital qi has circulated half-way around the body, the pulse qi has moved eight zhang and one chi, corresponding to two ke and 270 breaths. When the vital qi completes one full cycle around the body, the pulse qi moves sixteen zhang and two chi, corresponding to one hundred ke and 13,500 breaths. After circulating fifty times around the body, the pulse qi has moved a total of eight hundred ten zhang. The movement of Ying Qi typically begins at the Cun Kou (Radial Pulse) of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian at dawn during the Yin hour. It then sequentially enters the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian, Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian, finally concluding at the Yin and Yang Qiao meridians, as well as the Du and Ren meridians. This constitutes one cycle. The twenty-eight meridians circulate continuously, with Yin and Yang interconnecting like a ring without beginning or end. After fifty cycles, at the Yin hour of the next day, they converge again at the Cun Kou. This is the rhythm of Ying Qi circulation.