Qingya Jushi: Revealing How Your Complexion Can Reflect Your Fortune and Luck
"Dear guest, observing the darkening of your forehead suggests that you might have been experiencing some challenges lately..." Many people are familiar with such phrases and often dismiss them as mere superstitions not worth entertaining. But is there truly no basis for these beliefs? Once the fundamental concepts are understood, it becomes evident that there isn’t much knowledge to dispute them.
In the study of physiognomy, the analysis of blood color and facial complexion is quite intricate. Texts on physiognomy explain that a person’s complexion can be divided into seven colors: blue, yellow, red, white, black, red, and purple. Why do faces display different colors, and how might these colors impact a person’s destiny? It’s crucial to understand that it’s not the complexion that influences fate; rather, fate creates the complexion. In essence, fate precedes complexion. The same is true for birthmarks; they emerge due to fate. Therefore, it is naive to believe that one can change their destiny by simply altering their facial appearance.
How do different facial complexions develop? This is closely linked to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. The complexion serves as a reflection of the internal organs, which manifest five colors: blue from the liver, yellow from the spleen, red from the heart, white from the lungs, and black from the kidneys, with additional colors forming through combinations. It’s important to note that the concept of the five organs in traditional culture differs from the Western interpretation; it refers to the energy associated with different regions of the body.
These energies are influenced by two primary factors: external and internal, objective and subjective.
1. External Energy refers to the natural fluctuations and movements of energy, often called destiny or the cycle of cosmic principles. This energy stems from the universe's operations and can affect an individual’s internal energies, subsequently influencing emotions. Western scientists have discovered that changes in magnetic fields significantly impact human emotions, which is essentially a shift in energy; magnetic fields exist due to alterations in energy.
When subjected to this natural energy flow, a person’s internal energies can easily become imbalanced, potentially leading to health issues. Consequently, when internal energies are disrupted, the face may display corresponding complexions. This factor is largely uncontrollable, referred to as fortune, indicating that its influence is inevitable, and the best one can do is strive to improve the situation.
2. Internal Energy, or the energy of the five organs, is also shaped by lifestyle choices and emotions. Generally, the most profound impact on internal energy comes from intense emotions, such as extreme joy or deep sadness. Observing popular Western culture, with its emphasis on hangovers and wild parties, one could view these activities as forms of release, but they are actually indicative of a progressive decline in fortune. In traditional Chinese culture, Confucius taught his students that maintaining composure before emotions become outwardly visible is known as the "middle way." This involves maintaining equilibrium in emotions to sustain stable fortune. Moreover, playing an instrument is encouraged to cultivate inner harmony; through this practice, one can achieve calmness, avoiding impulsive errors.
When habitual behaviors harm the internal organs, they can intensify and prolong adverse complexions. If the influence is natural, the complexion might fade over time. However, if negative habits persist, the undesirable complexion may remain, even after external influences have waned, signaling damage to internal energies. In this state, individuals often struggle to handle situations effectively, leading to confusion and the tendency to turn positive opportunities into negative outcomes, thereby causing unnecessary trouble.
From the standpoint of external influences, fortune leads to fate. From the viewpoint of internal influences, various self-indulgences (fate) spur decline. Thus, fate is intricately linked. The complexion resulting from internal energy functions like a barometer; a darkening forehead indicates a significant decline. Is this truly just superstition?