Chen Xiyi's Heart Phase: Timeless Chinese Physiognomy Proverbs on Fate and Character

Between the Five Dynasties and the Northern Song period, there lived a renowned Daoist scholar named Chen Xiyi, known in legends as the "Chen Tuan Old Ancestor." He authored a timeless work titled Heart Phase, drawing from the idea that "phases arise from the heart." Unlike the superficial fortune-telling tricks passed down in Jianghu traditions, it surpasses Guo Si's Ice Mirror in depth and grandeur. With its power to curb evil and foster goodness, reading it offers profound food for thought. Here, we present the original text alongside an English translation, adapted for modern North American readers to appreciate its esoteric wisdom on physiognomy and fate.

1. The heart is the root of physiognomy; by examining the heart, one's goodness or evil reveals itself. Actions are the outward expression of the heart; observing actions reveals fortune or misfortune.

The foundation of facial features and destiny lies in the heart. Scrutinize a person's inner character, and you'll discern their moral nature. Behavior mirrors the soul's essence—watch how they act, and you'll foresee their blessings or woes.

2. Unfair dealings in trade make it hard to raise children to adulthood; repetitive, insincere words mean few true friends in heart or belly.

Those who cheat in business, skewing scales and prices, struggle to nurture their offspring long-term. People who speak without sincerity, repeating empty promises, end up with shallow alliances and no real confidants.

3. Squandering others' wealth and resources marks a petty, greedy soul; those who bare their hearts with bold loyalty are destined for heroic greatness.

Anyone who wastes or exploits others' money and assets is a small-minded opportunist driven by insatiable greed. But individuals with fiery passion, unyielding courage, and total devotion? They're the stuff of legends—noble and triumphant.

4. A calm heart and even temperament foretell prosperous, noble descendants; talent without discipline invites great misfortune or utter poverty.

When someone's mind is serene and spirit balanced, expect their children and grandchildren to thrive in wealth and honor. But raw talent unchecked by virtue? It leads to disaster or a life of destitution.

5. Cold, ruthless glances bring lifelong poverty and a shortened span; cherishing old ties promises enduring riches and longevity.

A heartless gaze that turns away without empathy dooms one to hardship and early death. Yet those who fondly remember past bonds, honoring old friends, enjoy lasting fortune, health, and vitality.

6. Rash words spoken lightly cut short one's lifespan; forgetting kindness while nursing grudges hinders scholarly success.

Impulsive speech, blurting out hurtful or foolish things, erodes your years like a blade. And those who erase favors received while clinging to petty slights? Academic or career breakthroughs elude them.

7. Small gains spark easy pride, limiting future paths; great wealth without vanity builds boundless fortune.

Modest successes that inflate the ego cap your potential—arrogance from minor wins stalls progress. But amassing riches humbly? That paves the way for deep, inexhaustible blessings.

8. Deceptive, shadowy deeds, even with glorious heirs, bring no lasting legacy; upright fairness, childless though it may leave you, earns divine immortality.

Sneaky, underhanded actions might yield temporary splendor, but your lineage won't inherit true prosperity. Live justly and transparently, even without offspring—death elevates you to godlike reverence.

9. Boasting lightly of sacrifice in words, one flees at crucial moments; praising friends reveals depth in ordinary bonds.

Folks who casually claim they'd "die for country or friend" bolt when real tests arise. True camaraderie shines in subtle acclaim—deep ties hide in everyday interactions.

10. Handling great tasks without complaint becomes the nation's pillar; dodging minor faults out of suspicion suits only the gutless.

Those who shoulder heavy burdens without whining form the backbone of society. But shirking tiny issues to avoid blame? That's for the spineless—unfit for real trust or responsibility.

11. Clinging to things parts you from life and harms your heirs; treating others with margin extends blessings and years.

Obsessing over possessions—even nature itself—invites untimely death and curses your descendants. But handling affairs with generosity and leeway? It brings unexpected fortune and a longer life.

12. Flower-chasing and wine-loving stir family discord among women; self-serving harm leaves twisted, unfortunate offspring.

A life of chasing pleasures and drowning in drink sows chaos in the home, especially among wives and daughters. Profiting at others' expense guarantees progeny plagued by misfortune.

13. Ruthless land-grabs birth bankrupt heirs; revering teachers yields noble sons.

Forcibly seizing fields and estates dooms your children to ruin. But households that honor mentors and learning? They produce upright, accomplished descendants.

14. Fools' sharp, biting words bring poverty and early death; the wise speak sparingly, their measured grace ensuring safety and seals of honor.

Idiots who lash out with cruel barbs court destitution and a brief life. Intelligent folks, choosing words like sturdy timber, live securely in wealth and respect.

15. Steadfast in hardship, like reading amid turmoil, you become a pillar of the realm; at ease, if forgetful of peril, even talent leaves you a fleeting cloud-guest.

In tough times, holding firm—like studying through chaos—makes you indispensable to the state. But in comfort, ignoring lurking dangers? Talent alone won't save you from obscurity.

16. Frugal toil varies between great wealth and minor ease—gauge the heart's capacity. Glamorous facades hide geniuses or wastrels—judge by true ability.

Hard work with thrift can lead to vast riches or simple comfort; it depends on inner resolve. Flashy exteriors conceal either brilliance or vice—assess by genuine talent.

17. Mistaking thrift for mere guarding invites ruin and family downfall; confusing frugality with stinginess blocks light gains and heavy virtues.

Don't confuse hoarding small things with true security—it breeds disaster and breaks homes. Nor think sparing wealth equals honor; the generous often reap the deepest rewards.

18. Acting deliberately without haste achieves great vessels late; seizing opportunities while hiding depths marks high talent early bloomed.

Steady, unhurried decisions forge lasting success over time. Those who grasp chances subtly, concealing their full measure, reveal prodigious gifts young.

19. Hoarding talent without teaching leaves self and heirs unfulfilled; learning from others' hidden rules entrusts body and home to fortune.

Gifted but selfish, refusing to share knowledge? You and your family achieve nothing. Spotting lessons in others' veiled mistakes? It secures your life and legacy.

20. Contentment differs from complacency—one averts disaster humbly, the other invites it through pride. Great vs. ordinary talent: one boasts and fails, the other acts and succeeds.

Knowing when enough is enough brings quiet blessings; smug self-satisfaction courts calamity. True genius delivers results without fanfare; braggarts crumble under pressure.

21. Ruthless pursuit of victory and fame ultimately harms others; a hidden benevolent heart finds rescue mid-crisis.

Blindly chasing wins and glory at all costs turns you into a scourge. But nurturing quiet compassion? Even in dire straits, aid arrives unexpectedly.

22. Ignoring virtue for grudges shortens life; nitpicking faults rarely brings great fortune.

Focusing only on harms without repaying kindnesss? Expect a curtailed existence. Obsessing over every flaw? Deep blessings pass you by.

23. The overzealous seek quick wins, courting injury over safety; the too-weak struggle in tasks, yet accept even fortune peacefully.

Aggressive types grab easy victories but risk self-harm and short lives. Gentle souls may falter in efforts, but their modest joys endure without turmoil.

24. Extreme joy births sorrow, a lifetime of bitterness; anger met with smiles leads to sly cunning in old age.

Unbridled delight sows seeds of grief, chaining you to endless toil. But masking fury with grins? It hones a deceptive edge that sharpens with years.

25. Self-deceiving goodness stalls fame; delighting in others' flaws most injures one's fate.

Falsely claiming virtue blocks true renown. Habitually picking at faults? It erodes your own destiny faster than anything.

26. Blaming others heavily while excusing self prevents shared pursuits; crediting others' wins and owning faults aids in crises and disasters.

Heavy on others' faults, light on your own? Collaboration crumbles. Attribute successes to allies, errors to yourself—that mindset turns peril into salvation.

27. Filial piety without excess blesses generations; sharing worldly woes with others ensures bloodline's thousand-year honor.

Balanced devotion to family yields endless prosperity. Enduring hardships alongside humanity? Your descendants earn eternal respect.

28. Selfish fullness invites retribution; impulsive passion guarantees tragic ends.

Gluttonous indulgence and bending truth for gain? Retribution follows. Fiery tempers unchecked lead to untimely demise.

29. Fickle faces signal shallow fortune—why tally scores with them? Enduring friends, tolerant knights, deserve loyalty.

Shifty expressions betray thin blessings—spare them your grudges. Steadfast companions, broad-minded and forgiving, merit unwavering trust.

30. Loving strife yields fleeting triumphs, bounded paths; self-reflection accumulates virtue, expanding endeavors.

Quarrelsome victory chasers shine briefly but go nowhere far. Those seeking inner truth, building moral depth? Their careers flourish boundlessly. Business success follows such character.

31. Youthful recklessness caps life at thirty-something; middle-age daring past forty invites inevitable woes.

Wild, aimless youth often ends before forty. Bold risks in one's forties? Disaster looms unavoidable.

32. Indiscriminate joy and anger achieve nothing; mocking without discernment severs ties.

Unfiltered emotions block all progress; jesting at others without wisdom alienates even close friends.

33. Rescuing from peril may bring poverty, yet heaven grants fortune; easing worries risks entanglement, but gods protect.

Heroes saving lives might face hardship, but divine aid restores prosperity. Worrying for others could snare you, yet celestial forces shield the benevolent.

34. Starved to death from facial lines? It's forsaking blessings, trampling the five valleys. Sudden illness? Blame fate or curse heaven and earth.

Famine etched on the face? Physiognomy shows ignored gifts and squandered opportunities. Plagues from bad luck? No—it's self-sabotage and railing against the world.

35. Enduring deceit brings prosperous heirs; constant yielding ensures lifelong peace.

Patiently bearing others' tricks? Your lineage will soar. Always stepping back thoughtfully? A tranquil life awaits.

36. Unfazed by gain or loss beyond the norm promises either nobility or vast wealth, with lifespan clear; emotions unshown on the face achieve fame, great deeds, and even nobility.

Impassive amid honors or setbacks? You're headed for elite status or immense riches—longevity assured. Composed feelings yield renown, accomplishments, and titled legacy.

37. Needless hoarding flashes like lightning, brief and thin; calm amid troubles stands firm as Mount Tai.

Pointless accumulation brings fleeting, shallow luck—like a thunderbolt. Unshaken by adversity? Blessings weigh heavy as eternal mountains.

38. Accumulated merits and kindness repay in a century; aiding greatly with little return blesses generations.

Piling up good deeds and compassion guarantees rewards, even after a hundred years. Generous help with scant gain? Your family prospers across eras.

39. Human affairs can be borrowed; heaven's way remains unswayed.

We can leverage people's actions, but cosmic principles—and karmic returns—hold firm unchanging.

40. Why swallow blades or poison? Gentlemen err in prideful isolation; petty folk risk for false luck.

What drives suicide by sword or toxin? Noble souls falter from arrogant solitude; commoners chase hazardous gambles, both courting doom.

 

41. Why early death? Light words, trivial acts, frail heart—all thinly sown.

Shortened life from folly? It's careless talk, insignificant deeds, and a weak spirit—everything diluted and sparse.

42. Why violent, evil ends? Much hidden poison, accumulated secrets, shadowy deeds—all veiled.

Sudden calamity and foul death? From brewing toxins in secrecy, hoarding dark plots, and covert harms—life shrouded in shadows.

43. Why sudden illness and death? Repressed emotions exhaust the spirit.

Abrupt sickness unto death? Bottled feelings drain vital energy completely.

44. Why poisoned end? Overrich, cloying indulgence.

Fatal poisoning? From greasy, excessive feasts that overwhelm.

45. Why childless in old age? Stubborn, unyielding temperament.

Barren later years? Rigid passions block family growth.

46. Why orphaned in prosperity? A sly, dormant heart.

Losing kin amid wealth? Cunning schemes and festering harms done in shadows.

47. Why frequent floods and fires? Plundering the people's assets.

Recurring disasters like water or flame? From exploiting others for personal gain.

48. Why constant legal troubles? Bullying with power and position.

Endless offenses and imprisonments? Relying on authority to intimidate boldly.

49. Who becomes prime minister? One ever mindful of peril in peace.

Destined for high office? The vigilant soul, wary of threats even in calm.

50. Who attains generalship? Solitary talent covering the era's spirit.

Marked for command? Unique gifts that shield and inspire a generation.

51. Who pens classics for glory? Pure, elegant demeanor.

Authored enduring works of fame? Clear, refined grace in form and spirit.

52. Who guards borders with trust? Lofty aspirations, refined vigor.

Entrusted with vital defenses? Ambitious vision paired with poised energy.

53. Why stuck in lowly roles? Mediocre capacity, timid courage.

Forever minor clerk? Average talent meets faint-hearted resolve.

54. Why teaching classics through cleverness? Shallow ambitions, corrupt ways.

Twisting scriptures for livelihood? Lacking grand purpose, actions twisted.

55. Why promising sprouts fail to bloom? Inherent stupidity worsens with folly; why fame without substance? Concealed flaws outpace brief virtues.

Good potential withers from innate dullness and poor choices. Empty renown? Hidden vices eclipse fleeting merits.

56. On women: First, composure; lively charm without wealth stems from talent alone.

Discussing feminine virtue and features: Stability comes first. Vibrant allure without riches? It arises from innate gifts.

57. Stern dignity seals a first-rank fate; minimal adornment manages vast gold.

Commanding presence destines elite status; simple elegance stewards immense fortunes.

58. Loquacious wins, even with heirs, harm the body; utmost filial plus charitable aids husband and ensures progeny.

Chatterbox triumphs injure self despite children. Devoted and giving? She bolsters her man and secures the line.

59. No complaints in poverty earn double lands' rewards; in wealth, frugal care fills halls with honors.

Graceless want yields dual realms' blessings. Prosperity with diligent thrift? Celebrations abound.

60. Harmonious servants signal generous oversight; abundant assets demand diligent stewardship.

Unified household staff reflects broad-minded rule. Plentiful resources require steadfast management.

61. Talented beauties often fall to lust, alone in old age; lowly wives are passionate, wandering young.

Gifted seductresses succumb to desire, ending isolated. Humble mates, driven by fervor, stray early.

62. Bone structure aligns with position, mutually supportive; blood and qi refine each other visibly.

Skeletal frame matches situational fit, in harmony; vitality and energy interweave, plain to see.

63. Knowing good, preserve it—like brocade with flowers; knowing evil, avoid it—turns woe to weal!

Recognize virtue and nurture it, adorning like fine silk. Spot vice and shun it—misfortune flips to fortune!

64. Loving strife yields fleeting triumphs, bounded paths; self-reflection accumulates virtue, expanding endeavors.

Quarrelsome victory chasers shine briefly but go nowhere far. Those seeking inner truth, building moral depth? Their careers flourish boundlessly.