Mai Yi's Physiognomy: The Divine Oddities - Liu Heng's Insights: How Wealth and Poverty Are Revealed Through Facial Features

The I Ching covers a wide range of predictive studies, each with its own strengths. There is no universal method; for forecasting specific events, methods like the Six Lines or Qimen Dunjia are often more effective. For quick group predictions, the Plum Blossom Divination is more accurate and efficient. If one is interested in understanding a person's life path and potential fortune changes, then Bazi prediction is a better fit. In Feng Shui, the "Chao Sha" method of Jin Suo Yu Guan stands out as the best, though its deeper theories are understood by few; most interpretations remain superficial. Physiognomy provides unmatched insights into a person's health, character, and destiny level. Teacher Liu Heng summarizes and annotates the "Shen Yi Fu" of the Ma Yi physiognomy method.

Original Text of "Shen Yi Fu" from Ma Yi Physiognomy

• A woman with thin ears may struggle with childbirth; a man with a pointed head may never achieve greatness.
• Observing the appearance of noble people involves more than one technique; evaluating officials' shapes requires an understanding of the four major features.
• A round waist and thick back are marks of a prosperous life; prominent bones and a clear spirit signify authority and loyalty.
• A straight nose is indicative of a high-ranking official; strong bones reaching the sky denote a brave general.

Liu Heng's Annotations

A woman's ability to conceive is related to her kidneys, which are connected to the ears. Women with thin, small ears easily affected by the wind may find it hard to nurture wise children and might encounter marital difficulties. A man's significance in life is reflected in his forehead, representing his future and moral character. Men with narrow, pointed, or sunken foreheads are usually greedy and shortsighted, ultimately failing to achieve greatness.

When evaluating a person's fortune and status, focusing on just one feature is insufficient; to recognize the appearance of a successful person, all five features must be defined (the four elements: metal, wood, water, fire, referring to the five elements of the face).

A round waist signifies strong kidney energy; a flexible and strong waist suggests wisdom and ambition. A thick back indicates abundant yang energy, showing a person who will take responsibility and have foresight. Those with these features are likely to be wealthy and noble; a straight nose combined with clear and gentle eyes denotes loyalty and authority.

"A straight nose reaching the top" refers to a prominent nose bridge and a full forehead, with enough space between the eyebrows to fit two fingers, and a face shaped like the character "四" (four), signifying a person destined for high office; slightly prominent cheekbones suggest a potential for leadership and strategic skills.

Original Text of "Shen Yi Fu" from Ma Yi Physiognomy

• A face resembling a pig indicates a violent death; eyes like a tiger's suggest a fierce nature that should not be provoked.
• A yellow beard and red eyes foretell a violent end; exposed teeth and lifted lips indicate a risk of dying in the wild.
• Wrinkled lips imply a lonely existence; numerous lines at the corners of the eyes predict a restless old age.
• Disordered eyebrows indicate instability; mismatched eyes suggest wealth but also deceit.
• Many spots on the face may signify a short lifespan; hair on the ears suggests longevity.
• Bony feet indicate loneliness and poverty; hair on the chest reveals a narrow character.
• Avoid the four reversals and five or six, as they predict misfortune; also be wary of the dimming spirit on the eighth or ninth day, as it leads to dissatisfaction.

Liu Heng's Annotations

(A pig's end foretells dismemberment, meaning that) a person who is obese with a short neck, is gluttonous, and possesses indistinct eyes resembles a pig and may face an untimely demise. A person with large, round, bright, clear eyes and a focused gaze is similar to a tiger; such a fierce nature should not be challenged, as it will surely result in repercussions.

Ancient texts state: "A person with sharp eyes is often impatient, greedy, and ruthless." A yellow beard signals a strong temper; these individuals tend to be ruthless and invite disaster upon themselves, often harming others without intent. Those with exposed teeth indicate kidney deficiency, while lifted lips show a lack of enjoyment in life, highlighting an imbalance between innate kidney energy and acquired spleen energy, possibly leading to death in a foreign land. If the lips are not fully closed and the teeth are exposed, it implies a risk of dying in the wilderness.

Wrinkles at the corners of the mouth suggest a lack of family support; even with children, one may face a lonely old age. (This implies having children but feeling lonely.) According to "Tong Xian Lu": "Wrinkles around the mouth mean the need to travel far from home, a sign of loneliness." Lines at the corners of the eyes, called "fish tails," appear in middle age and increase with age. The texts note: "Fish tail lines extending into the eyes suggest a long life, but they also indicate a life of hardship and struggle." Liu Heng states that numerous, chaotic fish tail lines may harm one's spouse, leading to multiple marriages and instability in old age.

Disordered or sparse eyebrows often indicate a lack of lasting marriage, as many emotional setbacks are likely. One must realize life's impermanence. (Disorder reflects instability and inconsistency.) Eyebrows symbolize siblings and wealth; well-groomed eyebrows suggest harmony with siblings and satisfaction in family life. Scattered, unclear eyebrows indicate separation and loss, leading to familial estrangement. If one eye is larger than the other, it reveals a dual nature; malicious eyes may be wealthy but are deceitful, leading to long-term emotional turmoil.

(Spots on the face are not birthmarks.) Dark spots on the face reveal a decline in vitality, suggesting a shortened lifespan. Yellow or white spots may indicate a shorter life. (Ear canal hair varies in length, indicating different lifespans.) Ancient texts say: "Hair on the eyebrows is less significant than hair on the ears, and hair on the ears is less than hair on the neck; the neck indicates longevity, while ear hair suggests a longer life." Liu Heng notes that multiple dark spots on the face imply stagnant liver energy affecting life processes, hinting at a shorter lifespan; however, large, fair ears with hair suggest longevity, as ears are linked to kidney health, which governs lifespan.

Liu Heng observes that bony feet suggest a lack of foundation; those with heels tend to be unstable and poor throughout life, constantly striving for more without satisfaction. In contrast, individuals from the East with hairy chests often exhibit contrasting personalities, resulting in difficulties. (Bony feet indicate a lack of flesh.) The "Da Tong Fu" states: "The feet are the body's branches; if thin with little flesh, it foreshadows a lonely, impoverished life." Chest hair indicates a hasty nature, resulting in impulsive actions. Ancient texts assert: "Chest hair indicates a narrow-minded and weak character, verifiable in the world."

(Jiao Zeng Ping states: "The high and fortunate") The four reversals are a face without angles, spiritless eyes, a nose with exposed nostrils, and undefined ears. Those with these four reversals are likely to face three types of misfortune. If all four are present and the spirit appears dull, such individuals become ineffective in old age. This is their meaning.