Yuan Shushan was more than just an average man born in 1881. With a wealthy family background and a lineage of medical diviners, Yuan’s life journey was fascinating. His early years were spent in Zhenjiang, practicing medicine and physiognomy divination with his father. Despite failing the imperial examination for the scholar position, Yuan’s thirst for knowledge led him to study sociology at Peking University and further his studies in Japan.
Upon his return, Yuan had the opportunity to enter officialdom, yet he chose to reject the allure of fame and fortune. Instead, he returned to his roots, practicing medicine and divination in his hometown.
The extraordinary nobility of Sun Yat-sen
Yuan had the rare opportunity to meet and analyze the physiognomy of Sun Yat-sen, one of China’s greatest revolutionaries. Physiognomy is assessing a person’s character or personality from their outer appearance—especially the face. Yuan thought Sun was not just a “rich and powerful” person, but a man with an enduring “refined nobility.”
Yuan’s fight for divination
In the face of a 1928 Nationalist government’s proposed ban on divination and fortune-telling, Yuan took a stand. His book Exploration of Eastern and Western Physiognomy defended the profession of fortune-telling and fortune-tellers, citing classic literature. The book gained the admiration of then Premier of the Executive Yuan, Tan Yankai, and solidified Yuan’s position in the industry.
Yuan’s understanding of human nature was evident when he said: “There are only three types of people who come to consult a fortune-teller: those who have experienced major setbacks, those who are obsessed with fame and fortune, and those who have reached a dead end and have no other choice but to seek guidance through physiognomy.”
Rise to fame: The high-profile clients
In the 1930s, Yuan stopped practicing medicine and devoted himself to fortune-telling. His reputation soon attracted high-profile clients, including a high-ranking official of the Nationalist government, He Yingqin, and eventually, Chiang Kai-shek. Yuan’s frank and critical comments won him Chiang’s trust, and he became Chiang’s most trusted master of physiognomy.
The predictions that came true
In 1938, after the fall of Nanjing, a Nationalist officer named Sui and his companions sought guidance from Yuan, who analyzed their physiognomies. Yuan predicted that one of them, Guo, would be promoted to Major General by age 40, but would face danger during a desert battle. As expected, Guo met a life-threatening situation in the desert, but he was later saved and enjoyed a quiet life in Taiwan.
Yuan Shushan’s life is a testament to his skills in divination, his keen understanding of human nature, and his influence over some of the most influential figures in Chinese history. His story continues to fascinate and serves as a beacon for those interested in the mysteries of physiognomy.
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