The time of day correlates to the flow of qi through the twelve major meridians and their respective internal organs. The following is the cycle of qi through the channels:
- Lung Hand-Taiyin
- Large Intestine Hand-Yangming
- Stomach Foot Yangming
- Spleen Foot-Taiyin
- Heart Hand-Shaoyin
- Small Intestine Hand-Taiyang
- Bladder Foot-Taiyang
- Kidney Foot-Shaoyin
- Pericardium Hand-Jueyin
- Triple Burner Hand-Shaoyang
- Gallbladder Foot-Shaoyang
- Liver Foot-Jueyin
Once the cycle is complete, it repeats. The time of day correlations are as follows:
- 3–5 am: Lung Hand-Taiyin
- 5–7am: Large Intestine Hand-Yangming
- 7–9am: Stomach Foot Yangming
- 9–11am: Spleen Foot-Taiyin
- 11am–1pm: Heart Hand-Shaoyin
- 1–3pm: Small Intestine Hand-Taiyang
- 3–5pm: Bladder Foot-Taiyang
- 5–7pm: Kidney Foot-Shaoyin
- 7–9pm: Pericardium Hand-Jueyin
- 9–11pm: Triple Burner Hand-Shaoyang
- 11pm–1am: Gallbladder Foot-Shaoyang
- 1–3am: Liver Foot-Jueyin
In the organ clock (pictured above), the times are color coded by the Five Element designation for each organ/channel relationship. According to Five Element principles, the following colors correspond in the following manner:
- Red, Fire
- Yellow, Earth
- White, Metal
- Dark, Water
- Green, Wood
Along with the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) time correlations for channel qi, there is also a cultural designation for the times of day in the Chinese astrological system. There is a cycle of 12 animal signs both annually and hourly. Chinese astrology attributes qualities for the animal year and hour in which a person is born:
- 11am -1am: Rat
- 1am – 3 am: Ox
- 3am – 5 am: Tiger
- 5am – 7 am: Rabbit
- 7am – 9am: Dragon
- 9am – 11am: Snake
- 11am – 1pm: Horse
- 1pm – 3pm: Goat
- 3pm – 5pm: Monkey
- 5pm – 7pm: Rooster
- 7pm – 9pm: Dog
- 9pm – 11pm: Pig
To learn about the Chinese New Year animal signs, visit the following page:
