Mai Yi Xiang Fa: Liu Heng's Commentary on 'Shen Yi Fu' - Understanding a Person's Wealth and Status
The saying "In books, there are beauties like jade; in books, there are houses of gold" is well-known, but many misinterpret it as suggesting that reading leads to wealth and the enjoyment of beautiful women. However, that's not the true meaning. Liu Heng believes that reading is humanity's primary duty! Books contain something far more significant than gold (money) and material pleasures (wealth and beauty): human wisdom and knowledge! The most devastating blow to traditional culture came in modern times. Teacher Liu Heng summarizes the ancient physiognomy verse "Shen Yi Fu" and provides accurate annotations.
Explore Mai Yi Physiognomy's "Shen Yi Fu," annotated by Liu Heng, and listen to Teacher Liu Heng discuss the study of Yi.
Original Text of "Shen Yi Fu"
Three lights bright and flourishing, wealth comes from heaven; six palaces strong, a life of abundance. A red glow on the face, wealth brings peace and health; a greasy complexion, children will achieve nothing. If the facial skin is too tight, even with long life, it will be diminished. Eyes lacking spirit, even with a high nose, life will be short. Eyes like water, both genders are promiscuous; eyebrows sharp like knives, soldiers will die in battle.
Liu Heng's Annotation: The two blessing halls (cheekbones) and the tip of the nose are referred to as the three lights. If these three areas are bright and clean, with a normal complexion, then a full nose indicates wealth or enjoyment, and prominent cheekbones suggest a successful and noble life. A normal yellow complexion indicates harmony of the five organs and good health, which naturally leads to prosperity. However, if the complexion is oily, like pig fat, it indicates a lack of vitality. A shiny complexion suggests a person who will face hardships and may have a short life.
If the facial skin is tight like a drum, and the complexion is yellow-green, it signals an impending failure of the liver and spleen, and even with clear facial features, life will not be long. Dull and lifeless eyes, even with a high nose, suggest a short lifespan. Watery eyes, as noted by Liu Heng, imply a tendency to be easily deceived throughout life. This is attributed to weak liver energy, which governs emotions; such a face is prone to excessive emotions and uncontrollable feelings, leading to promiscuity. Eyebrows that are straight and sharp like knives indicate a person who is extremely brave and aggressive, often resulting in violent death and difficulty achieving a peaceful end.
Original Text of "Shen Yi Fu"
Eyebrows with two peaks bring endless joy; eyes shaped like crowns, one will encounter nobility in middle age. A yellowish complexion indicates longevity; within ten days, one will surely receive a promotion. A dark color across the three yangs indicates a need to guard against health issues within six months. A blue-black area at the temples signals trouble for the wife; a red glow in longevity suggests illness and blood issues. A white, powder-like complexion indicates parental troubles; a blue tint on the cheekbones suggests conflicts with siblings. A blue-black root of the nose indicates many disasters before and after forty-nine, with likely legal troubles.
Liu Heng's Annotation: Eyebrows that rise at the peaks and slightly curve upwards indicate a naturally fortunate life. If the eyebrows have peaks, one will enjoy life without effort; if not wealthy, they will live a peaceful life. Eyes that are long and crown-shaped, with clear black and white, indicate success in middle age. A yellowish complexion is best for longevity. A normal forehead (the palace of officialdom) with a bright complexion indicates forthcoming promotion or good fortune; even commoners with this aura will experience joy or have noble children. A dark color resembling smoke under the eyes suggests potential issues with children; if it appears under the left eye, it indicates trouble with sons, and under the right eye, trouble with daughters. If dark spots appear on the skin, it signals impending disasters and may affect children’s health.
A blue or dark spot at the temples indicates that the wife will face difficulties. A red hue on the nose (the side of the nose) indicates health issues and represents authority and control; if red, it suggests financial loss and illness. A face that appears white and lacks vibrancy, especially on the forehead, indicates worries for the elderly parents. If the cheekbones show a faint blue-black hue, it suggests disputes and legal issues. If the root of the nose (the area between the eyes) is blue-black or has faint horizontal lines, one should guard against disasters around the age of forty-nine, and there may be disharmony with the spouse. If the nasolabial folds are narrow and close to the mouth, or even invade the lips, it indicates a person who is unlikely to live long.