How do the Twelve Meridians correspond to the Twelve Hours?
Zi Time (23:00 to 1:00), the Gallbladder Meridian is most active. Bile needs to be metabolized, and when a person sleeps during Zi time, the gallbladder can complete this process. "If the gallbladder is clear, so is the brain." Those who go to sleep before Zi time will wake up with a clear mind and rosy complexion. On the contrary, those who do not sleep during Zi time for a long time will have pale blue skin and are prone to liver diseases, cholecystitis, or stones, and some may even become "fearful." This is the best time to nourish liver blood (yin).Chou Time (1:00 to 3:00), the Liver Meridian is most active. "The liver stores blood." Human thoughts and actions rely on the support of liver blood, and the old blood needs to be eliminated while new blood needs to be generated. This metabolism usually occurs during Chou time. If one does not sleep during Chou time, the liver still provides energy for thinking and action, thus failing to complete the metabolic process. According to the Huangdi Neijing, "When one lies down, blood returns to the liver." Therefore, people who do not sleep during Chou time will have a gray face, feel tired and irritable, and are prone to liver disease.
Yin Time (3:00 to 5:00), the Lung Meridian is most active. "The lung governs all meridians." After the liver has renewed the blood during Chou time, it sends fresh blood to the lungs, which then distributes it throughout the body. Therefore, a person will have a ruddy complexion and feel energetic in the morning. People with lung diseases will show particularly strong symptoms during Yin time, such as severe coughing, asthma, or fever.
Mao Time (5:00 to 7:00), the Large Intestine Meridian is most active. "The lung and large intestine are interior and exterior partners." After the lungs have fully distributed fresh blood throughout the body, they promote the large intestine meridian to become active, completing the absorption of water and nutrients from food and the elimination of waste. Therefore, people with irregular bowel movements should adjust their condition at this time.
Chen Time (7:00 to 9:00), the Stomach Meridian is most active. That is why people can digest food most easily at 7 o'clock. If there is excessive stomach fire, lips will be dry; in severe cases, lips may crack or develop sores. People with a cold stomach can nourish their stomach and spleen at 7 o'clock.
Si Time (9:00 to 11:00), the Spleen Meridian is most active. "The spleen governs transformation and transportation, and regulates blood." The spleen is the overall coordinator of digestion, absorption, and excretion, and also the leader of the blood in the body. "The spleen opens into the mouth, and its luster is reflected in the lips." A healthy spleen means good digestion and absorption, and good quality blood, resulting in red lips. Otherwise, lips may appear pale, dark, or purple. People with a weak spleen should strengthen their spleen at 9 o'clock; those with excessive dampness should eliminate dampness at 9 o'clock.
Wu Time (11:00 to 13:00), the Heart Meridian is most active. "The heart governs the spirit, opens into the tongue, and its luster is reflected in the face." The heart promotes blood circulation, nourishing the spirit, qi, and tendons. Taking a short nap during Wu time is very beneficial for the heart, making one feel energetic in the afternoon and evening. Those with slow heart rate should supplement heart yang at 11 o'clock; those with fast heart rate should nourish heart yin.
Wei Time (13:00 to 15:00), the Small Intestine Meridian is most active. The small intestine separates the clear from the turbid, sending water to the bladder, sending residue to the large intestine, and delivering essence to the spleen. During Wei time, the small intestine adjusts the nutrition of the day. Those who experience pain in both sides of the rib after meals should reduce liver fire and regulate liver qi during this time.
Shen Time (15:00 to 17:00), the Bladder Meridian is most active. The bladder stores water and body fluids, expelling water outside the body and circulating body fluids inside. If the bladder is hot, it can cause a bladder cough, which is a cough with involuntary urination. During Shen time, the body temperature is higher, especially for people with yin deficiency. At this time, nourishing kidney yin can help alleviate this condition.
You Time (17:00 to 19:00), the Kidney Meridian is most active. "The kidneys store reproductive essence and the essence of the five zang organs. The kidneys are the root of the body's constitution." After the body has detoxified during Shen time, the kidneys enter the time to store essence. Those with kidney yang deficiency can effectively supplement kidney yang during You time.
Xu Time (19:00 to 21:00), the Pericardium Meridian is most active. "The pericardium is the outer membrane of the heart, with vascular networks, and is the pathway for qi and blood. Pathogenic factors cannot invade; if they do, the heart will be harmed." The pericardium is the protective tissue of the heart and also the channel for qi and blood. When the pericardium is active during Xu time, it can remove external pathogens around the heart, keeping the heart in good condition. Those who feel cold in the heart should supplement kidney yang during Xu time; those who feel heat in the heart should nourish heart yin.
Hai Time (21:00 to 23:00), the Triple Burner Meridian is most active. The triple burner is the largest of the six腑 (viscera) and plays a role in regulating qi and facilitating water metabolism. During Hai time, the triple burner communicates with all meridians. If a person sleeps during Hai time, all meridians can rest and regenerate, which is very beneficial to the body. Unfortunately, few modern people can achieve this. Since all meridians are open during Hai time, any kind of regulation can be used at this time.
Detailed Explanation of the Twelve Hour Time Table
【Zi Time】Midnight, also known as Ziye or the middle night: the first of the twelve hours. (23:00 to 01:00).【Chou Time】Rooster crows, also known as the wild rooster: the second of the twelve hours. (01:00 to 03:00).
【Yin Time】Dawn, also known as黎明 (dawn), morning, or ri dan: the time when night and day alternate. (03:00 to 05:00).
【Mao Time】Sunrise, also known as ri shi, breaking dawn, or the rising sun: the time when the sun just appears and rises slowly. (05:00 to 07:00).
【Chen Time】Meal time, also known as early meal: the time for "morning meal" in ancient times, which is the time to eat breakfast. (07:00 to 09:00).
【Si Time】The corner of the sun, also known as ri yu: the time when it is approaching noon. (09:00 to 11:00).
【Wu Time】Midday, also known as ri zheng or noon: (11:00 to 13:00).
【Wei Time】Afternoon, also known as ri die or ri yang: when the sun is westward, it is called afternoon. (13:00 to 15:00).
【Shen Time】Pm, also known as ri pu or evening meal: (15:00 to 17:00).
【You Time】Sunset, also known as sun set, sun sink, or dusk: refers to the time when the sun is setting. (17:00 to 19:00).
【Xu Time】Twilight, also known as ri xi, ri mu, or ri wan: at this time, the sun has already set, and the sky is about to darken. The world is hazy, so it is called twilight. (19:00 to 21:00).
【Hai Time】People are quiet, also known as ding hun: at this time, the night is deep, and people have stopped moving, resting and sleeping. Hai time means people are calm. (21:00 to 23:00).
