Liu Heng's Supplement to the Yongle Classic of Physiognomy: How to Interpret a Person's Complexion

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The relationship between the Yongle Emperor and Master Liu Zhuang offers a profound exploration of the principles of physiognomy and destiny through a question-and-answer format. This presentation serves as a classic example of physiognomy, addressing various complexities within the field. Teacher Liu Heng provides contemporary commentary on these concepts, supplementing the original text.

"Yongle's Hundred Questions" is one of the ancient texts of physiognomy, created through a dialogue between the Ming Dynasty's Yongle Emperor, who was passionate about the subject, and the esteemed physiognomist Master Yuan Liu Zhuang. Covering a wide range of topics from nobility to common folk, this book is a rare treasure for those studying physiognomy and an essential resource for enthusiasts of the art.

What does the complexion of an ordinary person signify?

Response: The text states: "When the bones are correct, the complexion is stable." The complexion reflects the vitality of the internal organs, leading to a detailed discussion of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Externally, it represents vitality; internally, it signifies color. Color is the sprout, while vitality is the root, and to understand the root, one must first observe the sprout. The internal aspect has yet to manifest, but the external aspect is evident. A vibrant complexion indicates robust vitality, whereas a pale complexion suggests decline. Observing the complexion in this palace offers insights into the unpredictable forces of nature and the potential talents one can harness. Among various mystical arts, complexion reading is the most effective, but be wary of false claims as they will yield no results.

Liu Heng's Supplementary Commentary: Physiognomy establishes social status through bone structure, while features and their combinations influence changes in destiny. The facial complexion reflects current fortune. An ancient saying suggests that when the bones are correct, the complexion remains stable; bone structure is fundamental, and complexion is the outward expression. Internally, the characteristics of the five elements are present, while externally, the five elemental personalities are reflected, with complexion serving as the subtle indicator. In physiognomy, bone structure is assessed first, followed by features, and then complexion. Bone structure determines lifelong honor or disgrace, while complexion indicates current circumstances. A deep color suggests disaster, while a pale color indicates troubles are passing.

To comprehend the significance of an issue, observing complexion changes in the relevant facial palace is crucial. Complexion is categorized into five colors: white symbolizes metal, black symbolizes water, blue-green symbolizes wood, red symbolizes fire, and yellow symbolizes the spleen. Blue-green corresponds to the liver and gallbladder, red to the heart and small intestine, yellow to the spleen and stomach, white to the lungs and large intestine, and black to the kidneys and bladder.

If unusual colors appear on the face, they indicate illness or disaster. A bluish complexion suggests liver and gallbladder issues and unfavorable outcomes in endeavors. A blackish complexion indicates kidney problems, often starting with darkening around the ears, and suggests that savings may soon be depleted. A waxy yellow complexion indicates spleen and stomach issues and potential bankruptcy. These three are primary indicators of complexion-related ailments, with white and red less frequently discussed.

Discussing the specific complexion of the twelve facial palaces, an unusual color on the forehead indicates future obstacles, in the wealth palace indicates investment losses, in the gender palace indicates concerns about children, in the servant palace indicates a loss of power, in the parental palace indicates health concerns for ancestors, and in the property palace indicates potential family and life loss, among others.

For women, what does the blood vitality indicate?

Response: For women, blood is the core essence, while skin is its outward manifestation. Observing the skin reveals the vitality of the blood. Clear skin signifies healthy blood, red skin indicates depleted blood, yellow skin suggests turbid blood, red skin indicates weakened blood, and pale skin suggests stagnation, which can lead to early demise. Therefore, for blood to be vibrant, a clear and moist appearance is valuable.

Liu Heng's Supplementary Commentary: Men are characterized by essence, while women by blood. The skin and blood are interconnected; observing the skin reveals the vitality of the blood. Normal skin color indicates healthy blood; dry and red skin indicates depleted blood, waxy yellow skin suggests turbid blood, red skin indicates weakened blood, and pale skin hints at stagnation, which can lead to early death. Clear and moist skin is ideal; any abnormal skin color can result in various ailments.

For men, what does the essence indicate?

Response: The essence of life is fundamentally spirit; scattered spirit hinders destiny. The eyes are the soul's windows, revealing much. The nurture of the spirit manifests in the eyes; bright eyes indicate a vibrant spirit, dull eyes lack vitality. Thus, focus on the eyes for spirit assessment. The eyes are the body's essence, needing brilliance. Eyes shining like stars indicate honor, while dull eyes often mean distress.

In physiognomy, beauty lies in eyes that neither reveal too much, appear sunken, shine excessively, nor look scattered. Any such traits are unfavorable. The text states: "The spirit resides in the eyes; bright, clear eyes signify honor; dull, murky eyes signify lowliness and poverty."

Liu Heng's Supplementary Commentary: Men are characterized by essence, women by blood. An infertile man cannot father children, while a barren woman cannot conceive. A person's spirit and blood vitality are life's essence; sufficient essence leads to a vibrant spirit, sufficient blood to vitality, and a scattered spirit to a lack of destiny. The eyes reflect internal organ vitality and life's brilliance, so observing them reveals spirit.

Spirit nurture is reflected in the eyes; bright eyes reflect a clear spirit, pure, clear eyes indicate vibrancy. Dull, murky eyes show a lack of vitality. Therefore, when assessing physiognomy, focus on the eyes to discern destiny, not just their shape, but the essence and spirit they convey.

The eyes are the body's essence and should not lack brilliance. They represent life's light; bright eyes foretell honor, dull eyes signify prolonged suffering. Eyes should be clear, upright, concealing rather than revealing the spirit. When the spirit is focused, dignity arises naturally.

Regardless of the features' proportion, if eyes lose focus or appear misaligned, it can lead to downfall. Liu Heng notes that a person's spirit resides entirely in the eyes; those with clear, distinct eyes and upright gazes are destined for honor, while dull, lifeless eyes lead to poverty and ruin.