Six Eyebrow Shapes Believed to Bring Bad Luck

The Jin Suo Fu says: "The six harmful brows signify broken ties and a lack of righteousness; talent is like the autumn moon—full yet not complete. Those who harm spouse and children are never at ease, and clever actions often lead to foolish outcomes." This sounds alarming, and many of you may first worry whether you have these "six harmful brows" without knowing where to start. Don’t worry—we’ll explain how to identify them below. The "six harmful brows" refer to the six eyebrow shapes listed here:

1. Joined Eyebrows

The first type is "joined eyebrows." In traditional physiognomy, joined eyebrows are considered inauspicious. Many people have slightly connected brows, which is said to suggest a narrow brow and a petty disposition. However, when the brows aren’t just slightly connected but strongly fused at the inner ends, that becomes the "joined eyebrows" among the six harmful types. If the joined brows are thick, bushy, and messy, it is viewed as especially concerning, as it is said to push a person toward irrational, foolish decisions. In this lore, because such brows imply an unstable mind and chaotic thoughts, they are described as appearing among people with intellectual disabilities, severe brain injuries, or mental health issues.

2. Sparse and Light Eyebrows

Eyebrows that are too sparse and light are said to indicate a highly emotional nature. In women, this is described as heightened sensitivity and moodiness. If the brows aren’t dark but brownish or a faded yellow, they fall under "sparse and light eyebrows" among the six harmful types. People with this pattern are traditionally seen as placing less value on family, friendship, and romance, being calculating and overly focused on gains and losses. Lore further holds that fate often deals them a bleak, lonely life.

3. Forked Eyebrows

"Forked eyebrows" feature a strand branching out in the middle or at the tail, like a fork, or two brows intertwining. Those with this shape are said to endure separations and the loss of loved ones, leading to a fickle temperament. For women, this may show up as frequent ups and downs in love. If the eyes are also poorly formed, marital stability can be further undermined.

4. Messy Eyebrows

Generally, messy eyebrows are to be avoided. Once brows are messy, no matter how well they’re shaped or how well they match the eyes, even beautiful eyes will be affected to some degree. This often leads to clever plans ending in foolish outcomes. If the brows are very messy and the gaze is unfocused, the personality is said to be complicated and contradictory, with energy wasted on overthinking or inner conflict.

5. Heavy Eyebrows

Heavy eyebrows are particularly thick and low-set, pressing down over the eyes and covering the area between the brows and eyes (the "Tianzhai Palace" in traditional terms). This is the "heavy eyebrows" type among the six harmful brows. Both men and women are advised to avoid this shape; men’s brows tend to be thicker than women’s, but for women, brows that are noticeably thicker and lower than average also count as "heavy." Such people are said to be impatient yet lacking in self-confidence, acting impulsively without enough certainty and creating chaos as a result. When "heavy eyebrows" are combined with "messy eyebrows," the disposition can become rash and reckless, easily leading to serious, irreversible mistakes. Those with heavy brows should therefore be especially cautious and avoid acting on impulse.

6. Broom Eyebrows

"Broom eyebrows" resemble a broom, with a pointed head and a scattered tail—sharp and thin at the inner end, fragmented at the outer end. People with very pointed brow heads are said to have a major flaw: excessive suspicion, a tendency toward intrigue, and little tolerance for others. Timid and insecure, they are thought to attract petty people in daily life. In a climate of mutual suspicion, peace and happiness are hard to find. When a pointed brow head is paired with a scattered tail, the result is described as a severely flawed disposition—lack of focus, restlessness, overthinking, and greed. Thus they readily embody the old saying: "Harming spouse and children, never at ease."

The eyebrow shapes above are traditionally linked to poor luck in one’s thirties, with people and circumstances hemming one in—largely attributed to character flaws. By improving one’s character, some of this can improve. While brows matter in physiognomy, they’re not as critical as the eyes. If the eyes are poorly formed, no matter how impressive or delicate the brows are, little will come of it. But if the brows are somewhat lacking while the eyes are bright and clear, a person’s life can change significantly, with only mild emotional sensitivity remaining—and they can still achieve a great deal. So if you notice someone with poorly shaped eyebrows, don’t rush to judge; always assess them in the context of their overall facial features.