Jin Zizai on Face Reading: Answers to Questions About Facial Features (Part 1)

Question 1: Moles

Do certain moles harm children? Do certain moles harm a spouse? Can certain moles lead to financial loss? Do certain moles affect marriage? What does a red mole signify? Can moles be removed? And so on.

According to some traditional explanations, toxins produced by organ dysfunction are expelled primarily through sweat and urine. Toxins that are not expelled circulate through the blood and meridians and may eventually appear on the skin. Within this framework, large, raised moles are called nevi, small raised ones are called freckles, and flat ones are called spots. Some practitioners claim they can infer the type of internal dysfunction based on the location of black moles.

In ancient times, based on medical theories and observation, people developed interpretations of moles and categorized them as auspicious or inauspicious: bright red, deep black, and lustrous white moles located between the eyebrows and on the body were considered auspicious; brown, gray, and dull white moles on the face were considered inauspicious. Note that medical tumors are not included in this auspicious/inauspicious classification.

As a rule, having many facial moles is not considered favorable. A mole on the forehead is said to affect career prospects; on the nose, relationships; around the eyes, marriage; on the cheeks, disputes; and on the tip of the nose, financial loss. Moles on the ears are often considered favorable. If a mole is thought to be unfavorable, it may be better to adjust one’s mindset rather than remove it.

Question 2: Hair

What does sparse hair signify? What does thick hair signify? What does yellow hair signify? What does dry hair signify? What does premature gray hair signify? What does hair loss signify? What does curly hair signify? And so on.

In traditional physiognomy, hair is seen as a reflection of blood quality. Good circulation and quality are thought to lead to healthy hair. Ideally, hair is soft, fine, shiny, and pleasantly scented, suggesting the owner may be wealthy, achieve great success, or enjoy longevity. By contrast, coarse, greasy, dirty, or dry hair suggests family conflict and difficulties in one’s career.

Generally speaking: sparse hair indicates wealth; very thick hair suggests foolishness; coarse hair indicates stubbornness; yellow hair suggests conflict; a high hairline indicates wisdom; a low hairline may lead to impulsiveness; curly-haired individuals are considered clever and quick-witted; hair that reaches past the waist may indicate misfortune; premature gray hair suggests a lack of ancestral support; hair loss before thirty indicates difficulties; a bald head may signify career failure; and thick hair in old age suggests hard work and longevity.

Question 3: Facial Hair

What face shapes suit facial hair? What does red facial hair signify? What does a beard signify? What does a lack of hair on the philtrum signify? What does coarse facial hair signify? What does it mean if a woman has facial hair? And so on.

Hair on the upper lip is called a mustache, on the lower lip a beard, on the chin a goatee, on the cheeks sideburns, and hair near the ears is called temple hair. Mustaches, beards, goatees, sideburns, and temple hair are considered auspicious if they are black, shiny, white, lustrous, golden, purple, clear, sparse, and soft; they are considered inauspicious if they are dry, yellow, gray, red, thick, dirty, or coarse. Auspicious facial hair indicates great success in one’s career and support from benefactors; inauspicious facial hair suggests misfortune and family conflict.

Generally speaking: thick and coarse facial hair indicates strong vitality; soft hair indicates good character; shiny black hair suggests wealth and success; white hair indicates virtuous children and grandchildren; dry hair suggests misfortune; overly coarse hair indicates a lack of wisdom; mixed colors suggest disputes; and brown or reddish hair indicates impulsiveness. A lack of hair on the philtrum suggests a lack of drive in one’s endeavors; very thick sideburns may indicate midlife setbacks. It is traditionally advised to avoid pairing a pointed chin with a beard, to avoid reddish-brown or yellowish facial hair, and to avoid facial hair that covers the mouth or throat. Women with hair on the upper lip are said to be diligent in their work, but their marriages may be delayed or unsatisfactory.

Question 4: Women's Physiognomy

What kind of woman brings good fortune to her husband? What kind of woman harms her husband? What kind of woman harms her children? What kind of woman has the best physiognomy? What does a woman with a harmful physiognomy look like? And so on.

In ancient times, men and women had different social statuses and roles, and the study of physiognomy for men and women diverged. Men sought wealth, fortune, and longevity, while women were expected to bring prosperity to their husbands and children. In today’s society, which emphasizes gender equality, it can still be useful to understand some traditional ideas about women’s physiognomy. At the very least, it may help one better understand a partner’s character, improve marital relationships, and reduce conflicts—ideally avoiding problems from the start.

A woman with a “good” physiognomy is described as having a round head, a flat forehead, delicate bones, smooth skin, red lips, white teeth, fragrant and soft hair, long eyes, elegant eyebrows, a calm and upright demeanor, and a serene expression, resembling a full moon. Her body is fairer than her face, her teeth are large and even, her bones and flesh are proportionate, her back is rounded, her waist is flat, and she carries a pleasant fragrance.

A woman with a “bad” physiognomy is described as having prominent cheekbones, a protruding throat with visible teeth, messy hair, thick eyebrows that connect, knots on the nose, eyes that reveal the whites, a harsh voice, a lower lip that covers the upper, a flat philtrum, and dry flesh under the eyes. A woman with masculine features, a mouth like a fire blower, yellow hair without eyebrows, a dark face with a loud voice, prominent brow bones, deep-set eyes, and a protruding forehead with a hooked nose is also considered to have a bad physiognomy.

Note that “good” and “bad” physiognomy here refer to marriage and health, not career success. In fact, women described as having a “bad” physiognomy may sometimes have better career prospects.

Question 5: Desire

What kind of man is lustful? What kind of woman is lustful? Will my husband have an affair? Will my wife have an affair?

Appreciating beauty is a form of enjoyment, and there is no inherent right or wrong in that. Desire is part of human nature; everyone experiences it, whether man or woman. However, if someone violates morals and discipline because of desire and loses rationality in the face of temptation, that is what is commonly understood as “lust.” Lustful individuals generally have rich emotions, while those who are not lustful may tend to be harsh and ungrateful. Therefore, whether in marriage or in a relationship, it is essential to pay attention to a partner’s self-control. If they have strong self-control and remain unmoved by temptation, what is wrong with being “lustful”?

Individuals with strong self-control are said to have bright eyes, tightly pressed lips, a strong jawline, deep nasolabial folds, clear eyebrows, and a well-defined nose.

Individuals with poor self-control are said to have vacant eyes, thick, ill-defined lips, a pointed chin, drooping eyebrows, tearful eyes, and a curved nose.