Physiognomy is the art of interpreting a person’s character and destiny through physical appearance, particularly facial features. Throughout Chinese history, many extraordinary individuals have excelled in this field. These masters of physiognomy could predict their own or others’ lifespans with remarkable accuracy using physiognomy. Accepting that Heaven predetermined their futures, they chose not to change their circumstances and faced life with a sense of serenity.
When physiognomy is mentioned, many immediately think of the famous work The Divine Physiognomy of Ma Yi, traditionally attributed to the Daoist Ma Yi of the Northern Song Dynasty.
This book on physiognomy states that the mouth of a financial officer should be proper, plump, and rosy. If the mouth appears large when open and small when closed, this is also considered an ideal shape. Additionally, fortune tellers examine the philtrum, the groove above the upper lip. This feature is the body’s “drainage system,” whose length indicates one’s lifespan, while its width suggests the potential number of offspring.
3 stories that illustrate the principles of physiognomy
Story one
Wang Huan’s wife, surnamed Zhong, was the great-granddaughter of the esteemed Grand Tutor Zhong Yao, coming from a distinguished family. Not only was she well-educated, but she was also brilliant.
Wang and Zhong had a virtuous and beautiful daughter, and their second son, Wang Ji, was eager to help his sister find a suitable match. One day, he informed his mother about the talented son of a military man who he believed would be a good fit for his sister. While Zhong was open to overlooking social status in her daughter’s marriage, she insisted on meeting the young man first.
After arrangements were made, Wang Ji had his mother observe the young man from behind a curtain. Although she recognized him as exceptionally talented, she carefully assessed his appearance and bone structure, concluding that he would not have a long life. Therefore, she advised her daughter against marrying him, and Wang Ji respected her judgment.
A few years later, the young military man passed away. Following this, people began to joke that Zhong was “the world’s best mother-in-law,” claiming she could determine a potential son-in-law’s family background and future lifespan with just a glance.
Story two
During the Cao Wei period, a remarkable figure, Guan Lu, gained fame as a practitioner of divination and astrology. He was passionate about stargazing from a young age, often staying up late to observe celestial changes, much to his parents’ dismay. Even while playing with other children, he would draw the sun, moon, and stars in the dirt.
Guan became proficient in the I Ching, divination, and physiognomy as he grew older, earning a reputation for accurate and astonishing predictions. In the second year of Zhengyuan (A.D. 255), while enjoying tea at his brother Guan Chen’s home, his brother asked if he desired wealth and status. Guan sighed and replied: “Heaven has only granted me intelligence, not longevity. “I fear I will not live to see my children marry, and will die before I reach forty-seven or forty-eight.”
When pressed further, he explained that he lacked the physical traits typically associated with longevity, such as a prominent forehead, vitality in his eyes, a strong nose, and sturdy legs. He emphasized that the laws of fate are unchangeable, though many remain unaware of this truth.
Tragically, Guan indeed passed away at the age of forty-eight and did not live to see his children marry.
Story three
In the Tang Dynasty, Minister Su Jian had his fortune read in his youth. The reader predicted he would rise to Minister of the Interior, attaining the second rank. Later, when Su achieved the rank of third minister (one rank below the second), he fell gravely ill and sought the help of a fortune teller.
The fortune teller bluntly informed him: ‘Your lifespan is up; there is no way to extend it. Su recounted what other fortune tellers had previously said about him. After listening, the fortune teller candidly replied: “That was true at the time, but while you were serving in Guizhou, you killed two people. They have accused you in the underworld, which has reduced your lifespan by two years, preventing you from attaining the second rank.”
Reflecting on the past, Su sighed deeply. During his time in Guizhou, two minor officials had accused the county magistrate, and in protecting the magistrate, Su had killed those two officials, thus altering his initially favorable fate.
Collectively, these stories illustrate how physiognomy can reflect our fate, rooted in how we live our lives — both in this life and in past ones. Your facial features and characteristics serve as outward expressions of your inner virtues and choices. This underscores the importance of living with integrity and kindness, as your actions shape your circumstances and dictate your future.
Translated by Joseph Wu and edited by Tatiana Denning
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