Tattoo Placement Part II : Through the Lens of Chinese Medicine

In Chinese medicine, the body is a flowing map of qi (life force) moving through invisible rivers called meridians. These meridians connect to the organs — each one not only managing physical functions, but also storing emotions, spiritual lessons, and elemental energy. My teachers Rachel and Ashley also have included this part within their teaching. Recently my partner has started his training as a Zenthai Shiatsu therapist, the Chinese meridians is a chore part of this sacred body work modality. I have been exploring alongside him diving deeper into this ancient teachings in relation to tattooing.

When we mark the skin, especially with intention, we’re also making an impression on these deeper systems. A tattoo becomes more than a symbol — it can influence the way energy flows through the body, unlocking or sealing emotions, strengthening an element, or transforming the resonance of an organ system.

Here’s an intuitive exploration plus some research of how tattoo placement relates to the meridian pathways, Five Elements, and emotional patterns in the body:

◇ Lung Meridian (Metal Element)

Emotions: Grief, inspiration, connection
Pathway: Starts in the chest, runs down the inside of the arm, ends at the thumb
Tattoo zones: Chest, shoulder crease, inner arm, thumb, hand

→ Tattoo themes:

• Releasing grief and holding space for sacred breath

• Acknowledging connection to spirit and the unseen

• Markings on the chest or inner arm near the Lung meridian may offer support for reclaiming your inner light after loss

• Tattoos on the thumb or hands may be a devotion to healing, breathwork, or ancestral prayer
  

◇ Heart Meridian (Fire Element)

Emotions: Joy, heartache, authenticity
Pathway: Begins in the heart, travels along the inner arm to the pinky
Tattoo zones: Inner upper arm, inner elbow, forearm, pinky

→ Tattoo themes:

• Healing heartbreak and trauma

• Living joyfully and expressing your true essence

• Markings along this channel are powerful for heart-opening work, emotional release, and anchoring in self-love

• Tattoos at the pinky finger or hand may signify offerings of love or presence
  

◇ Pericardium Meridian (Fire Element)

Emotions: Emotional protection, vulnerability, intimacy
Pathway: Starts at the chest (just lateral to the nipple), runs down the middle of the inner arm to the middle finger
Tattoo zones: Inner biceps, forearm center, palm center

→ Tattoo themes:

• Strengthening emotional boundaries

• Inviting safe vulnerability

• Markings along this meridian may support the process of learning to trust love again or come out of emotional hiding

• Tattoos on the palm center (Lao Gong point) can be incredibly activating and ceremonial
  

◇ Small Intestine Meridian (Fire Element)

Emotions: Discernment, clarity, boundaries
Pathway: Starts at the pinky, travels up the back of the arm to the shoulder and neck, near the ear
Tattoo zones: Outer hand, triceps area, shoulder blade, neck/ear

→ Tattoo themes:

• Discernment between truth and illusion

• Releasing confusion or past projections

• Tattoos here may support clearing emotional entanglements and strengthening intuitive knowing
  

◇ Kidney Meridian (Water Element)

Emotions: Fear, willpower, ancestral memory
Pathway: Begins on the sole of the foot (Yong Quan), travels up the inner leg to the chest
Tattoo zones: Feet, ankles, inner calves, inner thighs, lower abdomen

→ Tattoo themes:

• Deep grounding and rooting into life

• Healing ancestral trauma or accessing deep inner wisdom

• Powerful area to mark if you're reclaiming vitality, fertility, or spiritual identity
  

◇ Bladder Meridian (Water Element)

Emotions: Stored fear, nervous system regulation
Pathway: Runs from the inner eye, over the head, down the back (parallel to the spine), and along the back of the legs to the pinky toe
Tattoo zones: Back of the neck, upper/mid/lower back, glutes, hamstrings, calves

→ Tattoo themes:

• Ancestral clearing and support

• Nervous system healing

• Tattoos along the spine and back may function as energetic shields, or to release stored trauma and reclaim power
  

◇ Liver Meridian (Wood Element)

Emotions: Anger, vision, suppressed vitality
Pathway: Starts at the big toe, runs along the inner leg to the groin, ending in the chest
Tattoo zones: Inner foot, ankle, inner thighs, lower abdomen

→ Tattoo themes:

• Releasing repressed anger or frustration

• Inviting movement, clarity, and vision for your life path

• Great for women reclaiming sensuality, creativity, or clearing energetic blockages in the womb space
  

◇ Gallbladder Meridian (Wood Element)

Emotions: Indecision, frustration, courage
Pathway: Runs from the side of the head down the neck, side of the body, hips, outer thighs, down to the fourth toe
Tattoo zones: Side of the neck, ribs, hips, IT bands, outer calves

→ Tattoo themes:

• Strengthening decisions and direction

• Breaking cycles of frustration

• Reclaiming assertiveness and confidence

• Side body tattoos often carry powerful movement energy, like stepping into sovereignty
  

◇ Stomach Meridian (Earth Element)

Emotions: Overthinking, worry, nourishment
Pathway: Begins at the eye, runs down the face, through the chest, abdomen, thighs, shins, ending at the second toe
Tattoo zones: Face, torso, thighs, shins, tops of feet

→ Tattoo themes:

• Integration of life lessons

• Healing body image or relationship with food

• Trust in being supported by the Earth
  

◇ Spleen Meridian (Earth Element)

Emotions: Compassion, insecurity, obsession
Pathway: Starts at the big toe, runs up the inner leg to the side of the chest
Tattoo zones: Inner foot, calves, thighs, side chest

→ Tattoo themes:

• Nourishment, body love, stability

• Calling in divine feminine grounding and safety
  

◇ Large Intestine Meridian (Metal Element)

Emotions: Letting go, grief, trust in the cycle of life
Pathway: Begins at the index finger, runs up the outer arm to the side of the nose
Tattoo zones: Hands, outer forearms, shoulders, jaw area

→ Tattoo themes:

• Releasing the old, trusting the new

• Honouring the sacred process of grief

• Embodying the spirit of simplicity and breath
  

◇ Triple Burner / San Jiao Meridian (Fire Element)

Emotions: Energetic balance, fluidity, joy
Pathway: Begins at the ring finger, travels up the back of the arm, around the shoulder to the side of the head
Tattoo zones: Hands, arms, neck, temples

→ Tattoo themes:

• Regulating fire (excitement/anxiety)

• Emotional flow, joy, harmony between body systems

• Acknowledging the interconnectedness of upper, middle, and lower energy centers

◇ Extraordinary Vessels (Chong, Ren, Du, Dai Mai)

These are deep, spiritual vessels that connect across the meridian system. Tattoos along these pathways can seal soul contracts, activate spiritual memory, or balance yin-yang.

• Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) – runs up the front body: tattoos for self-love, feminine flow, creativity

• Du Mai (Governing Vessel) – runs up the spine: tattoos for spiritual awakening, power, protection

• Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) – linked to womb energy and ancestral line: tattoos for deep creative life force, soul path clarity
  
  
  
  ✧ Journal Disclaimer ✧

  This writing shares sacred knowledge from my personal journey and teachings from my mentor, offered with reverence and intention. It is not meant to be copied, taught, or practiced without my awareness or permission. This ritual process is part of my ceremonial tattooing practice, and is shared here for those who are receiving, or are called to receive, a sacred tattoo in this way.

  Please honour the integrity of this work — if you feel deeply connected or inspired, I welcome you to reach out and connect directly.