Interpreting a Pointed Chin in Face Reading

Some people skim a bit of physiognomy and read works like "Ma Yi's Physiognomy," then get fixated on ideas such as "a broad forehead and a square jaw." They come to believe a round, full chin equals beauty. So I often hear, "Is my pointed chin or oval face a good thing?" Even before asking, they’ve already decided their features aren’t good. After seeking opinions, many are told their features are "unfavorable," or that they won’t age well, which needlessly worries those with pointed chins. When people ask me, "Is a pointed chin bad?" I push back: Why would it be? Look at Zhou Xun, Yang Lan, and Maggie Cheung—don’t they all have pointed chins, and aren’t they living far better than most people? It’s simply mistaken to assume a pointed chin is undesirable.

Viewing a pointed chin as bad is a misreading of the idea about a square jaw and rounded forehead. In face reading, an ideal chin is firm and slightly set back—sometimes called "a chin facing the sky." A pointed chin can be strong too. When it projects and balances the forehead, the overall look can be very attractive—Jack Ma is a good example. If it doesn’t harmonize with the forehead, it may be less favorable.

In my experience, children from poorer families generally don’t have pointed chins. Those with pointed chins and oval faces are often more pampered at home and face fewer hardships. As a result, people from more privileged backgrounds tend to have oval faces, which many consider more attractive. By contrast, children from poorer families often have round, rosy faces—something that doesn’t necessarily signal a well-rounded character or good looks; often it suggests the opposite.