Health and Fortune Insights from Facial Features and Complexion
In physiognomy, there's a saying that a person's fortune can be read from their complexion. Here, "complexion" refers to the look and color of the face, which reflect a person's spirit. This kind of "vital energy" isn't unique to individuals; even objects, families, and groups have their own. For example, the feeling you get when you enter a long-abandoned house versus one that is lived in is completely different. Below is a look at how different complexions were thought to reflect health and fortune in 2011:
The "qi" mentioned in physiognomy refers to the energy, vitality, and overall presence a person projects. When someone is enjoying good fortune, you can see it in their eyes, expressions, complexion, and skin. Conversely, when luck is lacking, they may appear gloomy and lifeless—a state that even those unfamiliar with physiognomy can notice. "Color" refers to a person's facial tone and blood vitality—the hue and look visible on the skin.
When observing a person's complexion, it's crucial to understand their emotional state. During a stagnant period in fortune, expressions may become stiff and the brows furrow; during a period of great fortune, the brows relax, and the face and skin look noticeably different, often with a rosy glow on the forehead.
The saying "fortune shapes the face, and the face shapes fortune" illustrates the interdependent relationship between fortune and appearance. Past fortunes are reflected in current expressions and complexion, while present appearance can influence—or even change—future fortunes. Therefore, physiognomy is not merely a method of predicting the past or future; it draws on the accumulated observations of predecessors to infer a person's past and future based on changes in the face. Thus, complexion is one of the most nuanced and challenging subjects in physiognomy.
Complexion is the manifestation of a person's spirit through facial expression and changes in the skin. The "qi" within the body not only shows on the face but also affects the voice, movements, and overall demeanor. Those with abundant "qi" naturally exhibit lively spirits and strong physical health, leading to smoother endeavors and relatively better fortunes. People with good luck reveal their vitality through their skin, complexion, expressions, and especially their eyes.
Conversely, a poor complexion often signals recent misfortune, unstable emotions, and feelings of anxiety or depression, which will inevitably affect physical health. During such times, people are more likely to encounter troubles or health issues. As the saying goes, "to diagnose an illness, one must look at the face," and that applies here—the complexion rarely hides a person's health status.
In addition, changes in the face are closely related to the internal organs. Red corresponds to the heart, green to the liver, yellow to the spleen, white to the lungs, and black to the kidneys. In other words, heart issues may show as a red or flushed face, liver problems may lend a greenish cast, and lung diseases may leave the complexion paler than usual.
Therefore, one can observe a person's health through their facial complexion, especially changes in the face's vibrancy. If the skin's luster and the areas between the features differ from usual, and the colors turn purplish, dark, grayish-white, or dull black—tones considered inauspicious—it suggests the person may be experiencing or about to experience misfortune, illness among them. Conversely, if the complexion looks especially good—clearer and more radiant than usual—and the person exudes energy and vitality, it indicates they are currently experiencing or will soon experience good fortune, and their health is likely to be very good.