What Are the "Five Mountains" and "Four Rivers" in Chinese Face Reading?
In physiognomy, there's a concept called the "Five Mountains and Four Rivers." What do these refer to in facial features? Let's take a look:
1. The Five Mountains in Physiognomy
The Five Mountains in physiognomy refers to dividing a person's face into five parts: the forehead represents the South Mountain (Hengshan), the chin represents the North Mountain (Hengshan), the nose represents the Central Mountain (Songshan), the left cheekbone represents the East Mountain (Taishan), and the right cheekbone represents the West Mountain (Huashan).
According to ancient physiognomy, among the Five Mountains, the Central Mountain (the nose) should be high and prominent, as the nose symbolizes the self and represents authority. The East Mountain (left cheekbone) should be elevated, symbolizing the "Azure Dragon," which represents supreme power and signifies the presence of noble people and real influence. The West Mountain (right cheekbone) should be neither too prominent nor overly refined, symbolizing the "White Tiger," which represents dignity and struggle, indicating the presence of common people and petty individuals. The South Mountain (forehead) symbolizes the "Vermilion Bird," representing auspiciousness; ideally it is full, broad, and bright, pointing to a peaceful and contented life. The North Mountain (chin) should be square yet rounded, symbolizing the "Black Tortoise," which represents fortune and longevity, indicating a life of abundance and long years. The Central Mountain governs the other four; if it is thin and lacks strength, the Four Mountains have no master, suggesting the person may not achieve great wealth or authority. Those with round faces may approach nobility in middle age.
Among the Five Mountains, the Central Mountain is the most important. If the Central Mountain (nose) is tall, full, and straight, the person's spine is said to be strong. If the Central Mountain is crooked or thin, the spine is likely to be distorted and weak, indicating poor health. If the Central Mountain is not especially attractive but is prominent, the individual may face health issues in old age. A thin, pointed Central Mountain may lead to difficulties later in life. An inclined South Mountain is unfavorable for holding family authority. A pointed, sunken North Mountain suggests a lifetime of limited achievement and lack of noble support. If the East and West Mountains tilt and lack force, it implies a cruel nature and little compassion. Only when the Five Mountains are harmonious do they indicate wealth and nobility.
2. The Four Rivers in Physiognomy
The Four Rivers in physiognomy refers to classifying facial features into four rivers: the ears represent the Yangtze River, the eyes represent the Huai River, the mouth represents the Yellow River, and the nose represents the Ji River.
According to ancient physiognomy, the ears represent the Yangtze River; they should be long, firm, thick, and bright, indicating intelligence and a thriving family business. The eyes represent the Huai River: deep-set eyes suggest longevity, small eyes indicate nobility, bright eyes indicate intelligence, shallow-set eyes hint at a short life, murky eyes suggest ignorance, large round eyes imply an early demise, and eyes that are neither too big nor too small indicate nobility. The mouth represents the Yellow River; it should be large—'big enough to hold a fist'—with a square, wide shape to enjoy wealth and honor. The upper lip should be thin, the lower lip thick, and the lips should close tightly and look robust, indicating a determined will, adaptability to new environments, and the ability to achieve a successful career. The nose represents the Ji River, the channel connecting the Four Rivers; if the Four Rivers are well-formed but the root of the nose and the philtrum are misaligned, it suggests the rivers are blocked, pointing to potential dangers or serious illness around the ages of twenty-eight and fifty-one.