LU3 Celestial Palace

Reviewed by · Licensed Acupuncturist & TCM Physician · Last reviewed June 2026

LU3 (Tianfu, “Celestial Palace”) is the Window of the Sky point of the Lung Channel of Hand Taiyin Meridian. LU3 is on the medial aspect of the upper arm, 3 cun inferior to the anterior axillary fold, between the biceps brachii muscle and the humerus. It clears Lung heat, cools blood, calms the spirit.

Location

LU3 is on the medial aspect of the upper arm, 3 cun inferior to the anterior axillary fold, between the biceps brachii muscle and the humerus.

Needling

Perpendicular insertion 0.5-1 cun.

TCM functions

Clears Lung heat, cools blood, calms the spirit.

Indications

Cough, asthma, epistaxis, arm pain, somnolence.

Window of the Sky

Clinical notes

LU3, a Window of the Sky point, is unique for its ability to clear Lung heat and cool blood, making it valuable for conditions like epistaxis (nosebleed) and hemoptysis (coughing blood) due to Lung heat. Its 'Window of the Sky' designation also implies an effect on the head and sensory organs, and it is used to calm the spirit, particularly in cases of emotional distress associated with Lung imbalance. It is empirically used for sudden loss of voice.

On the Lung Channel of Hand Taiyin channel

LU3 is one of 11 points on the Lung Channel of Hand Taiyin Meridian. Nearby points:

Frequently asked questions

Where is LU3 located?

LU3 is on the medial aspect of the upper arm, 3 cun inferior to the anterior axillary fold, between the biceps brachii muscle and the humerus.

What is LU3 used for?

LU3 clears Lung heat, cools blood, calms the spirit. Common clinical indications include cough, asthma, epistaxis, arm pain, somnolence.

How is LU3 needled?

Perpendicular insertion 0.5-1 cun.

Which meridian is LU3 on?

LU3 is a point on the Lung Channel of Hand Taiyin Meridian (Shǒu Tàiyīn Fèijīng).

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⚠️ This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Acupuncture is a traditional practice; evidence varies by condition and study quality, and individual results differ. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a licensed professional. Always consult a qualified acupuncturist or physician.