Liu Heng's Analysis of Liu Zhuang's Appearance: What Kind of Person Raises a Prodigal Son?
The relationship between the Yongle Emperor and Master Liu Zhuang delves deeply into the principles of physiognomy and fate, presented in a question-and-answer format. This serves as a classic case study in physiognomy, clarifying various doubts and complexities within the field. Teacher Liu Heng provides contemporary commentary on physiognomy, adding insights to the original text.
"Yongle's Hundred Questions" is one of the ancient texts on physiognomy. This book originated from a dialogue between the Ming Dynasty's Yongle Emperor, who showed a keen interest in physiognomy, and the esteemed physiognomist Master Yuan Liu Zhuang. It covers a wide array of topics, ranging from nobility to common folk. This book is an invaluable resource in the study of physiognomy and is a must-have for enthusiasts of the subject.
Can a son ruin a family that a father has built?
The answer is as follows: To understand a downfall in old age, observe the forehead and the top of the head. To determine if a child will achieve wealth and honor, examine the nipples and abdomen. These features can reveal fate. If the forehead is sunken and the top of the head is dry, expecting filial piety from children in old age is difficult. If the nipples point downward, the abdomen is thin, and the navel is shallow, a downfall in old age is likely. Even if the facial features are favorable, if these aspects are lacking, one's fortunes will eventually decline. After death, the children are likely to fail, indicating that the father's physiognomy in old age is not auspicious.
Liu Heng's Supplementary Commentary: How can a father prosper while the children fail?
To assess if one will rise in youth but fall in old age, examine the forehead, the top of the head, and the nose. A straight and prominent nose with a broad bridge signals prosperity in youth and success in middle age. Conversely, a narrow and sunken forehead, along with a face shaped like an inverted triangle (without prominent cheekbones), suggests concerns in old age and difficulty accumulating wealth. Sunken, non-prominent cheekbones may lead to estrangement from relatives in later years, making it hard to sustain oneself. This reflects the physiognomy of those who find it easy to initiate enterprises but challenging to sustain them.
The essence of fate is that individuals with sunken foreheads tend toward greed, sowing the seeds of poverty. Those with sharp cheekbones often prioritize self-interest over family ties, resulting in loneliness and lack of support from relatives, thus leading to poverty and isolation.
How does physiognomy interpret unfilial children? To assess one's own filial piety, observe the nose. A nose that is sharp and knife-like indicates a lack of filial piety. The filial nature of children can be judged by the cheeks; those with full and rounded cheekbones will have virtuous and filial children. However, if the cheekbones extend outward and are visible behind the ears (often termed "rebellious bones"), the children may cause harm instead of benefit. Sharply defined cheekbones can lead to bleak later years, with either a lack of wealth or estrangement from relatives.
What signifies a common person receiving a title through their children?
The answer is: If the nipples are round and firm and the ears appear frosty, it is likely that one will receive a title due to their children. A thick neck and high eyelids imply that children will hold powerful positions. To give birth to noble children, a well-defined skull is necessary. To produce talented offspring, a deep navel and a hanging abdomen are favorable. In old age, a thick back and robust waist confer honors. Children’s blessings are closely tied to the nourishment of the skin and blood. Observing the children's titles is not confined to one aspect; these features collectively contribute to personal honor.
Liu Heng's Supplementary Commentary: How does physiognomy interpret gaining honor and support through children?
For children to achieve high positions, the mother should have a full forehead, while the father should have a straight nose and prominent cheekbones. A mother with a round and broad forehead indicates exceptional intelligence, which is passed on to the children, resulting in clever offspring. Intelligence forms the foundation of adulthood. A father with a robust and straight nose (noting that a well-defined nose is beneficial, unlike a flat or hooked one) imparts determination and decisiveness to his children.
A father with full but not overly prominent cheekbones will have children destined to hold significant power, conducting themselves with dignity and integrity. Those with these facial features will likely have children who excel and achieve prominence.
Women with excessively rigid and self-centered personalities are unlikely to have children, and even if they do, those children will not thrive. Women with overly strong personalities are hard to manage and often act independently, complicating conception. Regardless of gender, those lacking filial piety will struggle to have children; even if they do, the children may be unruly and unfilial.
Women with kind and gentle natures will definitely bear good children who can uphold the family lineage and support their parents. Self-centered individuals will have children with bleak futures and lower status. Those lacking integrity will have children who are impoverished and alienated from family. Disloyal and self-serving individuals will have children who engage in criminal behavior. Those who do not adhere to the righteous path will struggle academically and find success elusive.