Yuan Gong, a remarkable figure from the Ming Dynasty, authored the extraordinary book on physiognomy, Liu Zhuang’s Methods of Physiognomy. His technique primarily involved observing a person’s complexion to predict their future.
Yuan Gong, also known by his courtesy name Tingyu, hailed from Yin County (now Ningbo). He was known as the Scholar of Liu Zhuang and was exceptionally intelligent, possessing a photographic memory and profound scholarly knowledge, including a mastery of the I Ching.
During his youth, Yuan Gong visited Mount Putuo, where he encountered an ethnic Hu named Biegu Ya, who generously taught him the arts of face reading and aura observation. Biegu Ya predicted that Yuan Gong would surpass him and eventually understand the mechanisms of immortality.
Historical accounts of Yuan Gong
The practice of observing auras aimed to inspire goodness in others. Historical records from the Yuan Dynasty mention Yuan Gong’s exceptional ability: “He interpreted the fates of hundreds of scholars and officials, predicting their fortunes, life spans, and the timing of key events with uncanny accuracy.”
One day, two official-looking men sought his services. To one, he said: “Sir, your dignified aura and brisk movements indicate great nobility. However, 140 days into your office, you will lose your official seal, but will be remembered for generations.” To the other, he predicted: “Within a thousand days, you will be promoted twice; however, I feel a sense of regret for you.”
Later, it was discovered that the first man was Puhua Timur of Fujian, a government minister who was assassinated by Zhang Shicheng less than four months after his appointment, but received posthumous honors for dying in service. The second was Cheng Xu of Jiangxi, who was appointed as a military minister by the Yuan, but later defected to the Ming and served dishonorably as a deputy minister.
Anecdotes of foresight and virtue
During the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, Yuan Gong met Monk Yao Guangxiao at Songshan Temple and predicted that Yao would eventually leave monastic life to achieve great deeds. Yao then introduced Yuan Gong to Zhu Di.
On their first meeting, Zhu Di, dressed as a military officer, was drinking with his men at a tavern. Upon seeing him, Yuan Gong immediately knelt and declared: “I am in the presence of the true Emperor.” Zhu Di was shocked and stopped him from speaking further.
The next day, dressed as a prince, Zhu Di formally met Yuan Gong, who congratulated him on his future ascent to the throne at age 40. Zhu Di later led a revolt known as the “Jingnan Campaign” to overthrow Emperor Jianwen and ascended the throne in Nanjing as Emperor Chengzu.
In another instance, Yuan Gong warned a friend about a servant who would bring harm. After being dismissed, the servant found a large sum of money in a dilapidated temple and decided to return it to its rightful owner instead of keeping it. The grateful owner recommended the servant as an adopted son to a high-ranking official, and he inherited the position. Yuan Gong’s friend lamented the unreliability of physiognomy, but after reevaluating the servant, Yuan Gong confirmed that his aura had completely changed due to his good deeds.
Yuan Gong always encouraged virtuous behavior to avoid misfortune, echoing the ancient wisdom that character, destiny, and feng shui are vital, with virtue being the most crucial.
Translated by Audrey Wang
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