The Secrets of Face Reading: The Mouth by Jin Zizai

The mouth is also known as Mercury. It sits above the philtrum, contains the teeth, and the chin lies below. Within the twelve houses, it represents the house of wealth. Considered together with the upper palace, it points to fortune in later years.

Section One: The Mouth

The mouth influences one’s prospects in old age, with a key point around age 60. A well-formed mouth signals good luck at 60; otherwise, it does not.

First, thickness. Full lips indicate warmth, while thin lips suggest reserve.

Second, size. A large mouth indicates boldness and courage, while a small mouth suggests conservatism; if too small, it may imply selfishness.

Third, color. A rosy tone is best, while black or purple should be avoided. A pale color suggests coldness, while fiery red points to dryness.

Fourth, black moles. People with moles on the mouth tend to have hearty appetites and enjoy fine food, often finding themselves around good cuisine.

Fifth, lines. Those with lines on their lips often help cover others’ mistakes, and their descendants are said to be virtuous and filial.

Sixth, wrinkles. Wrinkles around the lips coupled with a small mouth suggest a withered look, pointing to loneliness and poverty in old age.

Seventh, a pointed mouth. Resembling a fire-blowing shape, it may speak ill of others and harbor jealousy. It’s best to avoid arguing with people who have this mouth shape.

 Questions Answered by Jin Zizai

1. Is the mouth considered Mercury?

Mercury itself does not determine success or failure. If the upper lip forms a bead-like (pearl-like) shape, Mercury is pronounced; if not, Mercury is considered weak.

2. What does "dragon lips and phoenix mouth should not interact" mean?

Dragon lips are thick and even, while a phoenix mouth is pointed. People with either type tend to harbor jealousy and enjoy gossip.

Section Two: The Philtrum

The philtrum is important because it represents female reproduction. Its key age is 51: a deep philtrum is auspicious, while a shallow one is not.

First, depth. A deep, wide philtrum suggests the possibility of conceiving even at 51. A shallow philtrum indicates poor luck with children.

Second, shape. A wider upper section with a narrower lower section often points to more daughters; a narrower upper and wider lower often points to more sons.

Third, length. A deep, long philtrum indicates good health, while a shallow, short one suggests weaker health.

Fourth, width. A wide philtrum indicates ease and blessings, while a narrow one suggests stinginess.

Fifth, lines. Any horizontal or vertical lines on the philtrum are unfavorable for offspring.

Questions Answered by Jin Zizai

1. What does a mole on the philtrum represent?

Classical records say a black spot on the upper part indicates many children; on the lower part, many daughters; two black spots suggest twins. Based on experience, however, a mole on the philtrum warns women to be mindful of gynecological issues and suggests poor luck with children for men.

Section Three: The Chin

The area from the lower lip down to the chin is called the chin region. Its key age is 61.

First, shape. A slightly concave chin is auspicious, while a flat one is unfavorable. A concave chin also suggests good alcohol tolerance.

Second, black moles. A mole on the chin points to potential diet-related mishaps, such as food poisoning.

 Questions Answered by Jin Zizai

1. What does it mean if there are poisonous pimples on the chin?

In any of the areas discussed, “poisonous pimples” indicate fortunes or misfortunes similar to black moles. The difference is that pimples signal temporary troubles, whereas black moles suggest lifelong ones.

Section Four: The Teeth

First, size. Tooth size itself does not show fortune or misfortune. However, closely spaced teeth are preferable to widely spaced ones; close spacing suggests longevity, while sparse spacing suggests illness.

Second, shape. Women with prominent canines tend to attract the opposite sex. Those with sharp teeth tend to enjoy meat, while those with flatter teeth prefer vegetables.

Third, color. Jade-white teeth indicate blessings from heaven; teeth like dull silver suggest wealth; black and sparse teeth point to a hard life.

Questions Answered by Jin Zizai

1. Is there a difference in the number of teeth?

Records note distinctions, though they have not been widely verified. It’s said that 38 teeth denote nobility, 36 ministers, 34 the wealthy, 32 the affluent, 30 the moderately well-off, and 28 commoners.

Summary by Jin Zizai

In daily life, people often pay attention to the nose and eyes, overlooking the mouth. A well-shaped nose is linked to wealth, and clear eyes to intelligence. Yet the culmination of wealth and intelligence shows in old age, not midlife. For the elderly, children’s support and health are paramount.

The face is divided into three sections: the upper section emphasizes the ears and forehead, representing youth; the middle section focuses on the eyes, cheeks, and nose, representing middle age; and the lower section emphasizes the mouth, representing old age. A strong upper section can bring thirty years of fortune, and if all three sections are good, one may enjoy prosperity into old age.

Thus, for the mouth, which governs fortune in later years, the ideal features are well-shaped lips with healthy moisture and color, a pronounced Mercury, a deep and wide philtrum, and a rounded chin. Such people naturally enjoy a worry-free old age. Otherwise, they may face chronic illness, estranged children, or poverty and hardship.

Note that the mouth should be assessed together with the teeth; judging them separately can lead to misunderstandings.

Finally, consider a brief example to wrap up the analysis.

In life, many say: "A man with a big mouth can eat from all directions." Does this apply to women as well? This calls for analysis. A big mouth indicates boldness and a tendency to explore, but it doesn’t automatically mean one can “eat from all directions.” If a big mouth is loose and flabby, it suggests boastfulness. Boastful people often coax food and drink from others—but in the end, they lose trust.

Readers are encouraged to use the above method to explain why the following two types of people with big mouths suffer financial loss; insights will surely follow.

• A person with a big mouth, messy eyebrows, and exposed openings in the home will inevitably lose money.
• A person with a big mouth, dull eyes, and a crooked chin will also suffer financial loss.