Microcosmic Orbit (xiǎo zhōu tiān 小周天)
Microcosmic Orbit (xiǎo zhōu tiān 小周天) is a Daoist — Nèidān internal alchemy body system as transmitted through the lineage The 'small heavenly circuit' of nèidān practice: breath-led circulation of refined qì down the Ren and up the Du midlines, joining at the crown and pelvic floor, attributed to the Tang–Song internal-alchemy corpus and taught widely through modern qigong lineages.. This page lists every point in the system with sourced placements and links to cross-tradition correspondences curated for The Body Spiritual.
Open in interactive explorerPrimary sources
- Tàishàng huángtíng wàijǐng jīng and later nèidān corpus (Tang–Song) — Nèidān textual tradition describing the circulation of qì through the Ren–Du circuit (xiǎo zhōu tiān) and its extension through the whole body (dà zhōu tiān).
- Wang Zhe / transmitted Daoist internal-alchemy corpus; cf. Livia Kohn, The Taoist Experience (SUNY 1993) — Modern scholarly reference for the small and great heavenly circuit practices.
Known lineage variants
- Direction conventions vary by school: some reverse the circuit (up Ren, down Du); we follow the majority descending-Ren reading.
- The Du ascent is drawn on the front view with a documented 0.004 lateral offset so the two limbs remain visible where they coincide in frontal projection.
- Gate names (wèilü, jiājǐ, yùzhěn) mark textual checkpoints on the spinal ascent, not rendered waypoints.
Cross-tradition overlaps
- Microcosmic orbit — crown origin (bǎihuì) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — crown origin (bǎihuì) (coincident)
- Microcosmic orbit — third eye (yìntáng) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — third eye (yìntáng) (coincident)
- Microcosmic orbit — throat centre (tiāntū) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — throat centre (tiāntū) (coincident)
- Microcosmic orbit — chest midline (shànzhōng) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — chest midline (shànzhōng) (coincident)
- Microcosmic orbit — solar plexus (zhōngwǎn) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — solar plexus (zhōngwǎn) (coincident)
- Microcosmic orbit — umbilicus (qìhǎi) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — umbilicus (qìhǎi) (coincident)
- Microcosmic orbit — lower dantian field (guānyuán) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — lower dantian field (guānyuán) (coincident)
- Microcosmic orbit — perineum terminus (huìyīn) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — perineum terminus (huìyīn) (coincident)
- Microcosmic orbit — perineum origin of ascent (huìyīn) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — perineum origin of ascent (huìyīn) (coincident)
- Microcosmic orbit — sacral gate approach (textual) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — sacral gate approach (textual) (coincident)
- Microcosmic orbit — lumbar ascent (mìngmén line, textual) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — lumbar ascent (mìngmén line, textual) (coincident)
- Microcosmic orbit — spinal ascent (jiājǐ line, textual) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — spinal ascent (jiājǐ line, textual) (coincident)
- Microcosmic orbit — jade pillow approach (yùzhěn, textual) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — jade pillow approach (yùzhěn, textual) (coincident)
- Microcosmic orbit — crown return (níwán) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — crown return (níwán) (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — temple ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — temple (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — cheek-jaw ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — cheek-jaw (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — throat lateral ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — throat lateral (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — supraclavicular ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — supraclavicular (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — chest lateral ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — chest lateral (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — flank ribs ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — flank ribs (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — hip lateral ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — hip lateral (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral thigh ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral thigh (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral knee ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral knee (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral shin ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral shin (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral ankle ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral ankle (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — foot sole crossing (textual) ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — foot sole crossing (textual) (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial ankle ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial ankle (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial knee ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial knee (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial thigh ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial thigh (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — perineum crossing ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — perineum crossing (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — temple ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — temple (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — cheek-jaw ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — cheek-jaw (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — throat lateral ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — throat lateral (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — supraclavicular ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — supraclavicular (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — chest lateral ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — chest lateral (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — flank ribs ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — flank ribs (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — hip lateral ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — hip lateral (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral thigh ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral thigh (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral knee ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral knee (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral shin ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral shin (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral ankle ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral ankle (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — foot sole crossing (textual) ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — foot sole crossing (textual) (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial ankle ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial ankle (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial knee ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial knee (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial thigh ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial thigh (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — perineum crossing ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — perineum crossing (coincident)
- Microcosmic orbit — third eye (yìntáng) ↔ 48. third eye (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — hip lateral ↔ Right hip (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — hip lateral ↔ Left hip (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral thigh ↔ Gallbladder (left) — lateral thigh (fēngshì) (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral knee ↔ Gallbladder (left) — lateral knee (yánglíngquán) (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral shin ↔ Gallbladder (left) — lateral shin (xuánzhōng) (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial ankle ↔ Spleen (left) — medial ankle (sānyīnjiāo) (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial knee ↔ Liver (left) — medial knee (qūquán) (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial thigh ↔ Liver (left) — medial thigh (yīnbāo) (coincident)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral ankle ↔ 16. right ankle (distance 0.002)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial knee ↔ 14. right knee (distance 0.002)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral ankle ↔ 34. left ankle (distance 0.002)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial knee ↔ 32. left knee (distance 0.002)
- Microcosmic orbit — crown return (níwán) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — crown origin (bǎihuì) (distance 0.003)
- Microcosmic orbit — crown origin (bǎihuì) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — crown return (níwán) (distance 0.003)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial knee ↔ Spleen (left) — medial knee (yīnlíngquán) (distance 0.003)
- Microcosmic orbit — perineum origin of ascent (huìyīn) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — perineum terminus (huìyīn) (distance 0.004)
- Microcosmic orbit — perineum terminus (huìyīn) ↔ Microcosmic orbit — perineum origin of ascent (huìyīn) (distance 0.004)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial ankle ↔ 16. right ankle (distance 0.004)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial ankle ↔ 34. left ankle (distance 0.004)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial knee ↔ Kidney (left) — medial knee (yīngǔ) (distance 0.005)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial ankle ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral ankle (distance 0.006)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral ankle ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial ankle (distance 0.006)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial ankle ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral ankle (distance 0.006)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral ankle ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial ankle (distance 0.006)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — throat lateral ↔ Stomach (left) — throat lateral (rényíng) (distance 0.008)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral knee ↔ 14. right knee (distance 0.009)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral knee ↔ 32. left knee (distance 0.009)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral knee ↔ Stomach (left) — lateral knee (dúbí) (distance 0.009)
- Microcosmic orbit — throat centre (tiāntū) ↔ Tiāntū — throat release point (distance 0.010)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — cheek-jaw ↔ 44. right cheek (distance 0.010)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — cheek-jaw ↔ 45. left cheek (distance 0.010)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial thigh ↔ Spleen (left) — medial thigh (jímén) (distance 0.011)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial knee ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral knee (distance 0.011)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral knee ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial knee (distance 0.011)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial knee ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral knee (distance 0.011)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral knee ↔ Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial knee (distance 0.011)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial thigh ↔ Kidney (left) — medial thigh (huángǔ) (distance 0.013)
- Microcosmic orbit — chest midline (shànzhōng) ↔ Shānzhōng — chest-breath point (distance 0.015)
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial thigh ↔ 13. right thigh (distance 0.016)
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial thigh ↔ 31. left thigh (distance 0.016)
Related systems
- Macrocosmic Orbit (dà zhōu tiān 大周天) (46 points)
Points
- Microcosmic orbit — crown origin (bǎihuì) — Circuit anchor
- Microcosmic orbit — third eye (yìntáng) — Circuit anchor
- Microcosmic orbit — throat centre (tiāntū) — Circuit anchor
- Microcosmic orbit — chest midline (shànzhōng) — Circuit anchor
- Microcosmic orbit — solar plexus (zhōngwǎn) — Circuit anchor
- Microcosmic orbit — umbilicus (qìhǎi) — Circuit anchor
- Microcosmic orbit — lower dantian field (guānyuán) — Circuit anchor
- Microcosmic orbit — perineum terminus (huìyīn) — Circuit anchor
- Microcosmic orbit — perineum origin of ascent (huìyīn) — Circuit anchor
- Microcosmic orbit — sacral gate approach (textual) — Circuit anchor
- Microcosmic orbit — lumbar ascent (mìngmén line, textual) — Circuit anchor
- Microcosmic orbit — spinal ascent (jiājǐ line, textual) — Circuit anchor
- Microcosmic orbit — jade pillow approach (yùzhěn, textual) — Circuit anchor
- Microcosmic orbit — crown return (níwán) — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — temple — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — cheek-jaw — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — throat lateral — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — supraclavicular — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — chest lateral — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — flank ribs — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — hip lateral — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral thigh — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral knee — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral shin — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral ankle — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — foot sole crossing (textual) — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial ankle — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial knee — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial thigh — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (right) — perineum crossing — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — temple — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — cheek-jaw — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — throat lateral — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — supraclavicular — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — chest lateral — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — flank ribs — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — hip lateral — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral thigh — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral knee — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral shin — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral ankle — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — foot sole crossing (textual) — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial ankle — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial knee — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial thigh — Circuit anchor
- Macrocosmic orbit (left) — perineum crossing — Circuit anchor
Frequently asked
What is Microcosmic orbit — crown origin (bǎihuì)?
Microcosmic orbit — crown origin (bǎihuì) — anchor of the orbit circuit projection (nèidān textual course; Kohn as modern reference).
What is Microcosmic orbit — third eye (yìntáng)?
Microcosmic orbit — third eye (yìntáng) — anchor of the orbit circuit projection (nèidān textual course; Kohn as modern reference).
What is Microcosmic orbit — throat centre (tiāntū)?
Microcosmic orbit — throat centre (tiāntū) — anchor of the orbit circuit projection (nèidān textual course; Kohn as modern reference).
What is Microcosmic orbit — chest midline (shànzhōng)?
Microcosmic orbit — chest midline (shànzhōng) — anchor of the orbit circuit projection (nèidān textual course; Kohn as modern reference).
What is Microcosmic orbit — solar plexus (zhōngwǎn)?
Microcosmic orbit — solar plexus (zhōngwǎn) — anchor of the orbit circuit projection (nèidān textual course; Kohn as modern reference).
What is Microcosmic orbit — umbilicus (qìhǎi)?
Microcosmic orbit — umbilicus (qìhǎi) — anchor of the orbit circuit projection (nèidān textual course; Kohn as modern reference).
What is Microcosmic orbit — lower dantian field (guānyuán)?
Microcosmic orbit — lower dantian field (guānyuán) — anchor of the orbit circuit projection (nèidān textual course; Kohn as modern reference).
What is Microcosmic orbit — perineum terminus (huìyīn)?
Microcosmic orbit — perineum terminus (huìyīn) — anchor of the orbit circuit projection (nèidān textual course; Kohn as modern reference).
What is Microcosmic orbit — perineum origin of ascent (huìyīn)?
Microcosmic orbit — perineum origin of ascent (huìyīn) — anchor of the orbit circuit projection (nèidān textual course; Kohn as modern reference).
What is Microcosmic orbit — sacral gate approach (textual)?
Microcosmic orbit — sacral gate approach (textual) — anchor of the orbit circuit projection (nèidān textual course; Kohn as modern reference).
What is Microcosmic orbit — lumbar ascent (mìngmén line, textual)?
Microcosmic orbit — lumbar ascent (mìngmén line, textual) — anchor of the orbit circuit projection (nèidān textual course; Kohn as modern reference).
What is Microcosmic orbit — spinal ascent (jiājǐ line, textual)?
Microcosmic orbit — spinal ascent (jiājǐ line, textual) — anchor of the orbit circuit projection (nèidān textual course; Kohn as modern reference).
What is Microcosmic orbit — jade pillow approach (yùzhěn, textual)?
Microcosmic orbit — jade pillow approach (yùzhěn, textual) — anchor of the orbit circuit projection (nèidān textual course; Kohn as modern reference).
What is Microcosmic orbit — crown return (níwán)?
Microcosmic orbit — crown return (níwán) — anchor of the orbit circuit projection (nèidān textual course; Kohn as modern reference).
What is Macrocosmic orbit (right) — temple?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (right limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (right) — cheek-jaw?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (right limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (right) — throat lateral?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (right limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (right) — supraclavicular?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (right limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (right) — chest lateral?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (right limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (right) — flank ribs?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (right limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (right) — hip lateral?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (right limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral thigh?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (right limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral knee?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (right limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral shin?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (right limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (right) — lateral ankle?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (right limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (right) — foot sole crossing (textual)?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (right limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial ankle?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (right limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial knee?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (right limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (right) — medial thigh?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (right limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (right) — perineum crossing?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (right limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (left) — temple?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (left limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (left) — cheek-jaw?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (left limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (left) — throat lateral?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (left limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (left) — supraclavicular?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (left limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (left) — chest lateral?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (left limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (left) — flank ribs?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (left limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (left) — hip lateral?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (left limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral thigh?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (left limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral knee?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (left limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral shin?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (left limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (left) — lateral ankle?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (left limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (left) — foot sole crossing (textual)?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (left limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial ankle?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (left limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial knee?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (left limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (left) — medial thigh?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (left limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.
What is Macrocosmic orbit (left) — perineum crossing?
Anchor of the dà zhōu tiān full-body circuit (left limb): the great circuit extends the microcosmic loop down both legs and arms before returning via the spine.