Five Stars and Six Days in Face Reading
Many believe that a favorable BaZi chart brings wealth and prosperity; the same idea applies to facial features. In physiognomy, the Five Stars and Six Luminaries refer to whether certain facial areas are auspicious. Let’s look at which parts of the face they correspond to and what they signify.
I. The Five Stars in Physiognomy
In physiognomy, the Five Stars correspond to the elements Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. The left ear represents Metal; the right ear represents Wood; the mouth represents Water; the forehead represents Fire; and the nose represents Earth.
1. Metal and Wood Stars
The ears correspond to the Metal (left) and Wood (right) Stars. People with well-defined ears are said to enjoy a smooth early life, with parents who have good careers; from ages 1 to 16, they typically have ample pocket money. If the ears are considered unfavorable, the parents may face career setbacks, leading to difficulties in schooling, a higher chance of dropping out, and less spending money.
The ear is divided into six parts: the celestial rim, human rim, terrestrial rim, auricle, wind gate, and wind block. These areas should be clearly defined. Generally, larger, fair-toned, firm ears are considered auspicious; the celestial rim should be rounded, the terrestrial rim thick, the auricle not overly protruding, the wind gate (ear canal) wide, and the wind block moderately fleshy and in proportion to the ear.
2. Water Star
The mouth represents the Water Star. Favorable mouth features suggest talent, eloquence, trustworthiness, and a comfortable lifestyle, often with public-facing work. Unfavorable features point to poverty and shaky integrity. An auspicious mouth is wide, shows teeth when speaking, has rosy lips and white teeth, a straight shape, and upturned corners.
3. Fire Star
The forehead represents the Fire Star. Favorable forehead traits indicate wealth, wisdom, and talent, parents of standing, good career prospects, and support from elders. Unfavorable traits suggest hardship, limited achievement, and little family backing. An auspicious forehead is high, broad, and full, with a bright look and no horizontal lines or blemishes.
4. Earth Star
The nose represents the Earth Star. Favorable nose features are associated with good fortune, longevity, kindness, and a supportive spouse. Unfavorable traits suggest poverty, hard work, a modest family background, and questionable character. An auspicious nose has a straight bridge—neither too high nor too low—with a fleshy tip and well-formed nostrils. For people with long faces, a longer nose is preferable; those with short faces should avoid an overly long nose, as wealth alone does not guarantee status or a high standard of living. The nose should also be free of blemishes.
II. The Six Luminaries in Physiognomy
The Six Luminaries assign the left eye to the Sun, the right eye to the Moon, the root of the nose to the Moon’s crescent, the center of the forehead to Purple Qi, the left eyebrow to Luo Hou, and the right eyebrow to Ji Dou.
1. Purple Qi Star
The Purple Qi Star corresponds to the center of the forehead. Favorable features here indicate sufficient resources, wisdom, and generosity, making it easier to realize life goals. Unfavorable traits suggest limited blessings, frequent encounters with petty people, and little leisure. An auspicious center of the forehead is broad, flat, and smooth, like a mirror, without blemishes.
2. Sun and Moon Stars
The Sun and Moon correspond to the left and right eyes. The eyes comprise the inner corner, dragon palace, tear hall, sclera, iris, pupil, under-eye bags, crow’s feet, and the canthus. Known as the windows to the soul, the eyes reflect one’s inner state and are therefore crucial in physiognomy. Favorable eye features are linked to authority and success; unfavorable ones may point to marital problems, career setbacks, and a turbulent life. Auspicious eyes have a clear distinction between the white and colored parts, with bright irises and sclera that reflect light like a mirror.
3. Moon's Crescent Star
The Moon’s crescent corresponds to the root of the nose. Favorable traits here suggest honesty, kindness, and a happy youth. Unfavorable traits may indicate wayward descendants, academic struggles, an unhappy youth, limited support from one’s spouse, and poorer health. An auspicious nose root is smooth, full, and prominent, without blemishes.
4. Luo Hou Star and Ji Dou Star
Luo Hou and Ji Dou correspond to the left and right eyebrows. Favorable eyebrow features suggest kindness, support from distinguished relatives, virtuous spouses, and no worries about basic needs. Unfavorable features may indicate poor character, weak family ties, more misfortune than good fortune, and little support from siblings. Eyebrows are divided into five parts: the head, middle, tail, heart, and end. Auspicious eyebrows are longer than the eyes, have a lustrous color, grow evenly, are not set too low, do not grow straight upward, and do not encroach upon the center of the forehead.