According to Chinese tradition, energy circulates in the body along the meridians in a 24-hour rhythm. Each meridian in turn is “at its strongest” for two hours. This is called the organ clock – and it offers surprisingly practical guidance for everyday life.
Yang and yin over 24 hours
Yang is born at midnight and peaks at midday. Yin takes over from midday to midnight. That is why night-time sleep is considered the foundation of everything in the tradition – and why many people feel tired around 11 am–12 noon, as yang turns into yin.
The meridians run in pairs (lungs – large intestine, stomach – spleen and so on), and the cycle begins with the lungs in the early morning.
The organ clock hour by hour
| Time | Meridian | What tradition recommends |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 | Lungs | deep sleep, calm breathing |
| 5–7 | Large intestine | waking up, a glass of warm water, natural bowel movement |
| 7–9 | Stomach | the first meal of the day |
| 9–11 | Spleen / pancreas | a light snack around 10 am – according to tradition, the pancreas “can’t tolerate hunger” |
| 11–13 | Heart | midday – yang turns into yin; calming down and rest |
| 13–15 | Small intestine | lunch around 1 pm |
| 15–17 | Bladder | drinking enough, movement |
| 17–19 | Kidneys | dinner; tradition recommends calcium-rich foods |
| 19–21 | Pericardium | a calm evening, loved ones, no heavy food |
| 21–23 | Triple burner | in bed by 10.30–11 pm |
| 23–1 | Gallbladder | sleep |
| 1–3 | Liver | deep sleep in complete darkness – according to tradition, the liver “doesn’t like light” |
What is the triple burner?
In Chinese tradition, the body is divided into three “burners”: the upper (breathing and heart), the middle (digestion) and the lower (lower back and pelvic area). They describe how warmth and energy are distributed in the body.
A yangsheng day in practice
6.30 Wake up and have a glass of warm water.
7.30 A calm, warm breakfast.
10.00 A light snack or a nourishing drink.
12.00 A moment to calm down. According to tradition, 12 noon–2 pm is the time for rest, when heat and device treatments are not done.
13.00 Lunch.
17–19 Dinner – the last meal at least 3 hours before bed.
21.30 A warm foot bath, lights dimmed.
22.30 Bedtime – make the bedroom as dark as possible.
You don’t have to change everything at once. Start with one thing, for example going to bed earlier – the body gets used to a new rhythm surprisingly quickly.
Free assessment
Does your rhythm suit your body type?
Take the body type test and get tips for your own daily rhythm. Personal assessment: Hyvinvointikeskus Hoitava Hieronta, Retkeilijänkatu 13, 00980 Helsinki.
Take the body type test Book an appointmentAuthor: Svetlana Kokozina – owner of Hyvinvointikeskus Hoitava Hieronta, qualified massage therapist and FOHOW bioenergy massage therapist
The organ clock describes the Chinese wellbeing tradition. This article does not replace examination or treatment by a doctor.
