(GV) Governing Vessel Meridian - Graphic

You may click on a specific acupuncture point for more detailed information including the location, functions, precautions and the chinese and english names.

In most browsers you may also hold the mouse over a point and a box will popup which shows the location and precaution information for that point.

Midway between the tip of the coccyx bone and the anus In hiatus of sacrum between the sacrum and the coccyx (you will feel a superior ridge where S4 & S5 bones were as a child) Below the spinous process of L4 Below the spinous process of L2 ** No Moxa in males under 20 ** Below the spinous process of L1 Below the spinous process of T11 ** No Moxa ** Below the spinous process of T10 Below the spinous process of T9 Below the spinous process of T7 Below the spinous process of T6 Below the spinous process of T5 Below the spinous process of T3 Below the spinous process of T1 Below the spinous process of C7 .5 cun above the midpoint of the posterior hairline in a depression below the spinous process of C1 ** NDN & No Moxa ** 1 cun directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline directly below the occipital protruberance ** No Moxa & NDN ** midway between GV 16 & GV 18, 1.5 cun above GV 16 Midway between GV 16 and GV 20, 1.5 cun above GV 17 midway between GV 18 & GV 20, 1.5 cun anterior to GV 18 midway between GV 18 & GV 20, 1.5 cun anterior to GV 18 7 cun above midpoint of posterior hairline, 5 cun above midpoint of anterior hairline, miway on a line connecting the apex of both ears in a depression slightly anterior to a larger depression 7 cun above midpoint of posterior hairline, 5 cun above midpoint of anterior hairline, miway on a line connecting the apex of both ears in a depression slightly anterior to a larger depression Midway between GV 20 & GV 22, 1.5 cun anterior to GV 20 1 cun posterior to GV 23 ** No Needling & No Moxa in infants with metopism 1 cun posterior to GV 23 ** No Needling & No Moxa in infants with metopism 1 cun posterior to the anterior hairline, .5 cun posterior to GV 24 ** No Moxa & No Needling in infants with metopism ** 1 cun posterior to the anterior hairline, .5 cun posterior to GV 24 ** No Moxa & No Needling in infants with metopism ** midway between anterior hairline and GV 23, .5 cun above the midpoint of the anterior hairline midway between anterior hairline and GV 23, .5 cun above the midpoint of the anterior hairline On tip of nose ** No Moxa ** At junction of the upper and middle third of philtrum ** No Moxa ** At junction of upper lip and philtrum ** No Moxa ** At junction of gum and frenulum of upper lip ** No Moxa ** Terms of Use

Sources and More Information

The information on our site is drawn from our own lecture notes and clinical experience. The following lecture notes were used within this section:

  • Ferro, Barbara: New England School of Acupuncture, Point Location Lecture Notes
  • Hartstein, Rachel: New England School of Acupuncture, Actions & Effects Lecture Notes

For a complete list of valuable resources, see our Acupuncture Theory Resources section. The most recommended texts are below:


(GV) Governing Vessel Meridian Links

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