Facial Features Associated with Longevity
Since ancient times, the Chinese have pursued longevity. In every era, elders who live long lives inspire both admiration and envy among younger generations. When we see the renowned scholar and writer Yang Jiang on television—full of vitality, sharp in her speech, and still diligently writing at 102—it’s hard to believe she’s that old. To us, she seems almost legendary. For the past sixty years, from the moment we enter school, we’ve been learning Pinyin. The famous linguist and philologist Zhou Youguang, born on January 13, 1906, who helped draft the "Scheme for the Chinese Phonetic Alphabet," is now nearly 108 years old! Watching someone with such clear thinking and quick reactions truly inspires our admiration; he is indeed a national treasure.
In ancient times, because of poor medical conditions and other objective limitations, life expectancy was low. Looking back at history, during the Three Kingdoms and Jin dynasties, Cao Pi of Wei—ruthless even toward his own brothers—died at just 39, younger than his exceptionally talented brother Cao Zhi. After the Sima family seized the throne from Cao Wei, during the reign of the famously suspicious Sima Zhao, a moving work of literature was passed down through the ages: Li Mi’s "Memorial on the Request for Permission to Resign." In it, we learn that Li Mi’s great-grandmother was already 96 at the time, which is quite rare even by modern standards.
Numerous historical examples suggest that those known for their longevity were often virtuous, echoing the common saying about accumulating good deeds. Many emperors and high officials sought longevity but could not attain it, which serves as a telling example.
In fact, from a physiognomy perspective, we can also infer who might be a "longevity star." One notable feature is the length of the philtrum. As the saying goes, "Those with a deep and long philtrum will live long." If the philtrum is deep and long, upright and straight, that person is likely to be a longevity star. Many may recall that Ji Xiaolan once painted a portrait of He Kun for his birthday, deliberately making his philtrum appear particularly long.
It is commonly said that people with large ears are blessed, and ear shape can also indicate longevity. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, the kidneys are closely connected to the ears. The kidneys belong to the water element, and their health directly affects overall well-being, helping determine whether someone might be a longevity star. Ideally, the ear’s outline should be distinct, without deformities, and have a fresh, moist color. Large, thick, elastic earlobes, along with long, high ears without wrinkles, are all signs of longevity.
People often emphasize bright eyes and white teeth, which are also characteristics of longevity stars. The eyes are the windows to the soul, but with age, strain, and worldly pollution, they can become clouded. It’s well known that to judge the quality of someone’s eyes, you look for vitality; dull, lifeless eyes are like those of a dead fish. Some people may have average features but particularly captivating eyes. As the saying goes, "Those with bright eyes will live long." Lively eyes are one of the signs of longevity.
Modern people are more aware of dental health, and many children receive early care to prevent cavities. Well-aligned, white teeth indicate good health, while unhealthy teeth can lead to diseases in various organs and even serious conditions like heart disease. Traditional texts state, "Those with well-aligned and strong teeth will live long." Only with healthy, sturdy teeth can one hope for longevity; those with weak or missing teeth should take heed.
We often discuss the nose in physiognomy. A high, straight, full nose is what people mean by a good nose. Children generally have flatter noses because of their age, which is not a concern. Physiognomy suggests that "a prominent nose indicates longevity." Here, "prominent" refers to the bridge of the nose; those with a high, straight bridge are believed to live longer.
Warm Reminder from Dong Yilin: It is often said that a "full heavenly court" and a "square and round earth" are also signs of longevity. The "heavenly court" refers to the forehead, suggesting that a well-proportioned, prominent forehead is often associated with men; the "earth" refers to the jaw, which should be square, rounded, full, and substantial, and is often associated with women.