Home / Health/ Study of character by facial features. What will your lips tell you? Physiognomy: shape of the tongue in men and women

Studying character by facial features. What will your lips tell you? Physiognomy: shape of the tongue in men and women

The science of physiognomy is as old as the world. We can say that it began to take shape intuitively. Have you ever wondered why, for no apparent reason, we like one person, we feel antipathy towards another, and the third does not evoke any emotions at all?

Now imagine that on a subconscious level, your brain analyzes information, imagines a person’s character in a few seconds and sends a signal of sympathy or antipathy. That is why we either strive to win someone’s favor, or intuitively avoid meeting them.

This and much more is discussed in this book. You will learn that the eyes are not just a mirror of the soul, and deep wrinkles on the forehead are not always a sign of intelligence, that there are eyebrows that are “off and on”, that lips can tell much more about a person than he imagines, and, unlike him, they will not minimize his shortcomings and will not increase his advantages.

I would like to warn you right away: this publication is of an educational and entertaining nature, so it will be of little interest to those who consider physiognomy a serious and important science. Of course, its postulates and theory have been formed and tested over centuries, but this book will become, first of all, a fascinating guide for beginning “physiognomists” who see the ability to read faces mainly as an opportunity to gain interesting information about people, close and unfamiliar.

Chapter 1
From the history of physiognomy

Physiognomy(from Greek ph y sis – “nature”, “natural inclinations” and gnomonik o s - “knowledgeable”, “insightful”) means the art of recognizing a person’s character, his destiny, a certain connection between appearance and character by facial features.

We can say that the origins of physiognomy as a science appeared in ancient times, passed on as medicine secrets from teacher to student, from father to son and preserved in traditions and legends. Later, physiognomic observations were recorded by healers of the Ancient East, and in ancient civilization they acquired a systematized form and classification, gaining the right to be called a doctrine. Moreover, physiognomic knowledge included knowledge not only about facial features, as in modern times, but also about a person’s appearance, his figure, gestures and facial expressions.

In the tomb of Hermes Trismegistus, discovered, as is commonly believed, by Alexander the Great, an emerald tablet was found - a board on which was written the doctrine of universal mysterious and fateful connections between phenomena in the Universe and man.

The famous Aristotle paid a lot of attention to the study of the features of the human face (this book contains excerpts from his works as epigraphs to chapters). He believed that facial features, its shape, and general expression are inherent in certain types of people, with specific character traits, aptitudes for various activities, abilities and intelligence. Pythagoras, another famous ancient Greek scientist, chose his students only from people whose faces he saw that they had a vocation and ability to study the exact sciences.

The famous ancient healer Avicenna (Ibn Sina) made diagnoses after carefully examining the patient’s face.

Note

By the way, in ancient times, sages who mastered the secrets of physiognomy and palmistry occupied places of honor at the courts of monarchs. However, they did not try to reveal the mechanism of connection between a person’s face, his character and fate, acting purely intuitively. Without trying to comprehend the scientific essence of physiognomy, they were sometimes content with their meager knowledge and the ignorance of the nobility, who believed everything that the “foretellers” said. Nevertheless, as it should be, such a “teaching” was transmitted along the chain of student succession and developed and supplemented over time, often acquiring unverified, absurd details, which contributed to the emergence of many charlatans in this science.

Nevertheless, the ancient tradition influenced the culture of Byzantium and the Western European Middle Ages, especially Arab sciences and Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah). The works of famous physiognomists, such as A. Debarrol, for example, helped to detail physiognomy and clear it of the distortions of various charlatans. Desbarrol tried to develop a unified theory that would explain the existence of an empirical connection between a person’s appearance and his character. In addition, some Western European scientists of the 16th–18th centuries returned to physiognomy, for example G. della Porta, author of the famous work “De humana Physiognomonia” (1586). However, the approval of new scientific criteria in the 17th–18th centuries. threw physiognomy into the realm of everyday experience, imagination and intuition. The attempt of I. Lavater, the author of the four-volume Physiognomic Fragments (1775–1778), to return physiognomy to the status of a science turned out to be untenable.

Later F. Gall developed phrenology– the science of the connection between the human psyche and the structure of the surface of his skull. Having settled in Paris, he, together with his friend I. K. Spurzheim, developed this teaching in a large work “Anatomie et physiologie du systeme nerveux en g e n e ral et du cerveau en particulier, etc.” (1810–1820). “Stinginess, giftedness, and talent - everything can be determined using my method,” wrote Gall.

Attempts to develop phrenology were made in the 70s. XIX century Italian forensic doctor C. Lombrazo. In his work "Criminal Man" he argued that according to appearance and the peculiarities of the constitution, criminals have deviations from the norm by which they can all be identified. Signs for classification Lombrazo identified by analyzing external features 3839 people who committed crimes and 383 skulls of executed criminals. Subsequent generations rejected his teaching about “innate” criminals. An international commission of lawyers and doctors did not identify any features in the structure of their faces.

Note

There are many of the most bizarre “occult”, “statistical”, “theoretical” interpretations of physiognomy. Astrologers believe that a person’s appearance is given to him by the dominant planet in his horoscope, which creates an “image” corresponding to its influence and specific character traits. Detailed Descriptions The typical external appearance characteristic of the chosen, “purebred” children of each planet makes it quite easy to distinguish them from the crowd of mortals. These people are characterized by character traits confirmed by centuries of experience. Unfortunately for physiognomy, such people are quite rare. The appearance of most mortals bears the fruits of the collective leadership of several planets. Each of them not only controls the life and destiny of a person, but also endows him with specific character traits and appearance. Palmistry, astrology and physiognomy in their own way determine the dominant planet and its dominant influence on a person.

In the 1920-1930s. The “physiognomic” approach in the philosophy of culture was developed by R. Kassner. Many doctors widely used physiognomy in their medical practice. Thus, the famous Russian therapist G. Zakharyin was able to almost accurately make a diagnosis based on observation of the patient’s appearance. At one time, N. Pirogov even compiled the atlas “The Face of the Patient.” He argued that almost every disease leaves its own characteristic mark on a person’s face. However, the facial diagnostic method has become especially widespread in Eastern countries (especially in China and Korea). No experienced doctor trained in Tibetan medicine will make a diagnosis without carefully examining the patient’s face.

There are several schools of “face reading”, each of which is based on its own system. Thus, the Japanese usually divide the face into three zones: the upper (frontal part) - it reflects the state of the body and spirit, the middle (from the eyebrows to the tip of the nose), which shows the person’s mental state, and the lower (from the upper lip to the chin), reflecting character. An experienced physiognomist can tell a lot about the condition of the facial skin, its color, moisture, the severity of the vascular pattern, the location of wrinkles and their depth, etc. In addition, the state of the five “vital features” is taken into account: eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Their proportionality (shape, color, purity, etc.) is a favorable sign. Their significance is the basis for the widespread introduction into traditional diagnostics of such research methods as iridodiagnosis, auriculodiagnosis, and diagnosis by the capillary pattern of the eyeball.

Analysis of the five “vital traits” and three areas of the face is considered the basis of the reading procedure. However, in order to form a general impression of a person’s character and state of his psyche, one must also take into account the features of the facial bones, the shape of the jaws and chin, and the general configuration of the face.

Note

When assessing the data obtained, it is necessary to compare them with the person’s age.

Physiognomy determines not so much the actual character and possible behavior, but how you, in most cases, subconsciously perceive a person you don’t know and involuntarily compare him with yourself. Thus, if someone is unpleasant to you, this does not mean at all that he will be unpleasant to others, even if his facial features betray this person maniac. Knowing this rule will help you better navigate your conclusions.

Chapter 2
Where does the face begin?

Those who have a small face are cowardly; this correlates with the cat and the monkey. Those who have a wide face are lazy; this relates to donkeys and oxen. Therefore, the face should be neither small nor large; decent when it's average. Too dark and timid; this correlates with the Egyptians, Ethiopians. Those who are too white-faced are also timid; this correlates with women. Therefore, the color that indicates courage should be medium.

Aristotle 1
Aristotle Stagirite (384–322 BC) is an ancient Greek philosopher and encyclopedist, founder of the Peripatetic school, creator of a psychological system that integrated the achievements of ancient thought. The principles and main concepts of this system are set out in the treatise “On the Soul”, as well as in the works “Ethics”, “Metaphysics”, “History of Animals”. Aristotle recognized the driving force of behavior as aspiration, expressing the internal activity of the organism and associated with a feeling of pleasure or displeasure. Aristotle distinguishes between two types of reason: theoretical and practical. Stimulated the development of philosophical thought in subsequent eras.

The first thing that catches your eye when you take a quick look at a person is the shape of the face and its color.

Face shape

Physiognomy distinguishes six main types of faces:

Oblong;

Triangular;

Trapezoidal;

Square;

Round;

Oval.

Let me make a reservation right away: “pure” facial types are rarely found in nature. Take a closer look at the faces of the people around you and highlight the most dominant features. For example, a wide forehead and narrow chin, together with prominent cheekbones, make up a more triangular face type than a square or trapezoidal one. When determining your type, you can always rely on your own intuition.

Oblong face

An oblong face resembles a rectangle - in it the width of the forehead practically coincides with the width of the lower part of the face (Fig. 2.1).

Rice. 2.1. Oblong face

Such a face is also called aristocratic, because it characterizes its owner as an intelligent, balanced and sensitive person. Very often such people are endowed with power, and this does not prevent them, given their prudence and foresight, from being fair and wise rulers. More often than other people, the talents of those with a rectangular face type are used in the political and military spheres. They set goals for themselves and consistently achieve them. In the absence of pronounced negative facial features, the goals of such people are justified only by worthy means; violence and falsehood in relationships are alien to them.

Rice. 2.2. Maria Mironova

Note

Maria Mironova (Fig. 2.2) is a famous Russian actress, daughter of actor Andrei Mironov. The actress's long face speaks of intelligence, determination and strong-willed character (which is confirmed by her reputation among fellow actors).

Triangular face

In its shape, it is as close as possible to a triangle and is characterized by a high, wide forehead, prominent cheekbones and a chin tapering towards the base (Fig. 2.3).

Such a face can speak of both genius and a tendency towards betrayal and falsity. Although one does not contradict the other. In any case, such a face, as a rule, appears in insensitive people, not prone to affection and devotion. They always stand a little apart from others - either because of their inability to be social active person, either because negative qualities character.

Rice. 2.3. Triangular face

Trapezoidal face

This face shape is also sometimes called semi-triangular - due to the wide forehead and clearly defined cheekbones and narrowed (but not pointed) chin (Fig. 2.4).

But more often such a face is compared with another geometric figure - a trapezoid. This more “smoothed out” face “removes” the negative qualities inherent in a triangular face. Thus, people with a trapezoidal face shape are more characterized by intelligence, sensuality, but at the same time a certain passivity. Unlike people with a rectangular face shape, they will not achieve their goal, and are unlikely to set a goal at all. If they nevertheless want to achieve something in their life, something will certainly hinder them: laziness, lack of professionalism, the desire to let things take their course - and they will abandon what they started halfway.

Rice. 2.4. Trapezoidal face

At the same time, the trapezoidal shape of the face characterizes its female owners only with positive side: They are optimistic, outgoing and generally content and happy in life.

Square face

The square face shape is characterized by a proportional ratio of the height and width of the face, which makes it look like a square (Fig. 2.5).

Very often such a face is found in courageous, but stern and sometimes heartless people. They strive to conquer heights, achieve their goals and achieve success in everything, but in terms of their qualities they are more likely to be good performers than natural leaders. Due to the lack of flexibility and logical thinking, such people can often destroy in an instant what they have created over the years. Very often, “destruction” in their lives is provoked by the desire to live “by the rules.” People with such faces are born lawyers.

Women with this face shape tend to dominate rather than submit, to dominate both in personal and public life.

Rice. 2.5. Square face

Round face

Circle - geometric figure, most clearly characterizing the round shape of the face (Fig. 2.6).

The absence of sharp, angular features reveals a good-natured, gentle and peaceful nature. But apparent humility can actually turn into amazing ambition, and if at the same time chubby people have a high bridge of the nose, protruding cheekbones, and sparkling eyes, then this means that this is a purposeful, strong-willed person. Such people can become enviable leaders and commanders.

Rice. 2.6. Round face

Chubby people are more likely than others to be able to adapt to their environment. They do this easily, as if playfully, however, in the same way they cope with all difficulties of both a financial and personal nature.

Oval face

The oval face shape (Fig. 2.7) combines oblong and round shapes.

The circle stretches out, but at the same time leaves its characteristic smoothness, that is, it “removes” the “corners” of an oblong face. Similar metamorphoses can be traced in the characters of people with oval face. So, from an oblong face they took intelligence and sensuality, and from a round face - good nature and optimism. At the same time, they have lost the logic and consistency of thinking characteristic of people with long faces, so it is unlikely that in this case it would be appropriate to talk about military or political career. On the other hand, the oval becomes a symbol of femininity, softness and wisdom, which are sometimes so lacking in the modern world.

Rice. 2.7. Oval face

Complexion

Complexion also plays an important role in physiognomy. Here it is necessary to understand that we are not talking about the main colors of the skin - signs of race. Unlike Aristotle, modern physiognomists know that the skin does not have a constant color. It can vary depending on the person's condition or the area where he lives. The complexion can range from snow-white to blue-black, which is due to the amount of coloring pigment - melanin. The more it is, the darker the skin.

Very often, when characterizing a person, you can hear that he has “an unhealthy complexion,” “skin like an alcoholic,” or, conversely, “a healthy color,” “the skin just glows.” This also gives a peculiar characteristic, but we will talk about it later. In the meantime, let’s look at the eastern interpretation of physiognomy based on human skin color.

Following Eastern traditions in the study of complexion and its influence on a person’s character, skin tones can be correlated with the main elements: fire, water, wood, metal and earth.

Fire color

The reddish tint of the skin indicates that a person belongs to the element of fire. A dynamic life, a lot of expression, a temper that makes the skin “burn” are the main characteristics of people of this type. As a rule, they not only know how to shout and get irritated over trifles, but they are also good workers who work not through perseverance, but through courage and assertiveness. The skin of such people is often dry and easily irritated. Therefore, it is important for them to remember patience and calmness, the ability to control themselves and save energy not for useless disputes and conflicts, but for solving important professional tasks.

Water color

Being the complete opposite of fire, water characterizes a person with pale skin, which from a certain angle can have a blue tint (not to be confused with a bluish tint). Just as water takes the form of a vessel, people with the skin tone of this element are fickle and sensitive. The ideal field of activity for such people is intellectual.

Increased sensitivity and close proximity of veins often cause bruising from the slightest contact. Projecting this onto a person’s character, we can talk about excessive vulnerability and touchiness. Such people take everything to heart, and the result of this can be destructive, like a tsunami, because from outwardly calm and sophisticated people you can expect extremely unexpected actions that are completely unrelated to their appearance.

Metal color

The skin color of such people, just like that of people of the water element, is pale, but not with a bluish tint, but rather with a silvery tint. Often facial features are sharpened, and such people are characterized by a strong, strong-willed character. They always achieve their goals, and at any cost, sometimes without thinking about the consequences. And the reason for this is not recklessness and eccentricity, but cold prudence and even heartlessness.

With this type of skin, the face often resembles a mask: the absence of any emotions, the ability to control oneself in any situation, but if necessary, then to play to the public with a great degree of success. The main problem of such people is that their mania for self-control sometimes reaches a certain extreme, when a person loses his personality, retaining only its shadow.

Earth color

One of the most common facial skin tones - earthy, or yellowish-brown - undoubtedly belongs to the element of earth and belongs to people who are reliable and self-confident. They appreciate the attention and help of others and are never ungrateful. At the same time, one cannot envy their enemies or those who have ever betrayed them. People with earth-toned skin tones remember not only the good, but also the bad. Often their rancor develops into vindictiveness. They will not take revenge on purpose, but if an opportunity presents itself, they will never miss this opportunity.

It is very difficult to anger such people, but their rage will be like a hurricane, sweeping away everything in its path. Keeping this character trait in mind, one should beware of falling out of favor with them, and the people themselves, whose skin belongs to the element of earth, should remember that hurricanes often destroy not only the bad, but also the good in their path.

Wood color

The skin tone belonging to the element of wood combines the bluish tint of water and the yellow of earth, which is extremely rare. The temperament of two elements – water and earth – mixes in the same way. From water he inherited slowness and methodical calm, from land - reliability and confidence.

True, very often such a mixture of qualities develops into a certain phlegmatism, a desire to observe and not interfere in the life process of others. On the one hand, this helps to avoid unnecessary conflicts, but on the other hand, such people cannot always come to the rescue in time.

Chapter 3
From forehead to jaw...

... Those who have a small forehead are stupid; this correlates with pigs. Those whose forehead is too large are flabby; this relates to oxen. Round-faced are stupid; this relates to donkeys. Those with a large forehead surface are sensitive, insightful, and understanding; this relates to dogs. Those who have a proportionate square in their forehead are great in soul; this correlates with lions. Those with a frowning forehead are proud; this correlates with the bull and the lion. Those with a smooth forehead are flatterers; it goes back to the corresponding state. And you can see in dogs: when dogs pet, they have a smooth forehead. Since a furrowed forehead denotes arrogance, and a smoothed forehead denotes flattery, the middle state would be appropriate.

Aristotle

Forehead

Remember the famous: “Once upon a time there was a priest with a thick forehead” 2
Thick forehead (disdainful) - about a stupid, stupid person, a fool. The expression comes from folk speech, “tolokonny” - from “tolokno” - “flour, most often oatmeal”. To obtain such flour, grain grains were not ground in a mill, but were pounded, crushed by blows of a wooden masher. Food prepared from such flour was also called oatmeal. Oatmeal forehead is a contemptuous nickname for a fool, a fool (lit. “forehead stuffed with oatmeal flour” - cf. “sawdust in the head”).

What is a stubborn person usually called? That's right, “stubborn forehead.” “Copper forehead” is a name for a person who is not surprised by anything, reckless, brave and never embarrassed. Pointing at a stupid or slow-witted person, we hit ourselves on the forehead. This is no coincidence. According to physiognomy, general view forehead gives an idea of the moral qualities of a person and his character. Based on the height, convexity and shape of the forehead, one can draw a conclusion about the fundamental qualities of a person, that is, those that are a direct reflection of his character.

From the author

I would like to warn you right away: this publication is of an educational and entertaining nature, so it will be of little interest to those who consider physiognomy a serious and important science. Of course, its postulates and theory have been formed and tested for centuries, but this book will primarily become a fascinating guide for beginning “physiognomists” who see the ability to read faces mainly as an opportunity to obtain interesting information about people, close and unfamiliar.

Chapter 1
From the history of physiognomy

We can say that the origins of physiognomy as a science appeared in ancient times, passed on as medicine secrets from teacher to student, from father to son, and preserved in traditions and legends. Later, physiognomic observations were recorded by healers of the Ancient East, and in ancient civilization they acquired a systematized form and classification, gaining the right to be called a doctrine. Moreover, physiognomic knowledge included knowledge not only about facial features, as in modern times, but also about a person’s appearance, his figure, gestures and facial expressions.

Note

By the way, in ancient times, sages who mastered the secrets of physiognomy and palmistry occupied places of honor at the courts of monarchs. However, they did not try to reveal the mechanism of connection between a person’s face, his character and fate, acting purely intuitively. Without trying to comprehend the scientific essence of physiognomy, they were sometimes content with their meager knowledge and the ignorance of the nobility, who believed everything that the “foretellers” said. Nevertheless, as it should be, such a “teaching” was transmitted along the chain of student succession and developed and supplemented over time, often acquiring unverified, absurd details, which contributed to the emergence of many charlatans in this science.

Attempts to develop phrenology were made in the 70s. XIX century Italian forensic doctor C. Lombrazo. In his work “Criminal Man,” he argued that in appearance and constitutional features, criminals have deviations from the norm, by which they can all be identified. Lombrazo identified the characteristics for classification by analyzing the external features of 3839 people who committed crimes and 383 skulls of executed criminals. Subsequent generations rejected his teaching about “innate” criminals. An international commission of lawyers and doctors did not identify any features in the structure of their faces.

Note

There are many of the most bizarre “occult”, “statistical”, “theoretical” interpretations of physiognomy. Astrologers believe that a person’s appearance is given to him by the dominant planet in his horoscope, which creates an “image” corresponding to its influence and specific character traits. Detailed descriptions of the typical appearance characteristic of the chosen, “pure-blooded” children of each planet make it quite easy to distinguish them from the crowd of mortals. These people are characterized by character traits confirmed by centuries of experience. Unfortunately for physiognomy, such people are quite rare. The appearance of most mortals bears the fruits of the collective leadership of several planets. Each of them not only controls the life and destiny of a person, but also endows him with specific character traits and appearance. Palmistry, astrology and physiognomy in their own way determine the dominant planet and its dominant influence on a person.

Note

When assessing the data obtained, it is necessary to compare them with the person’s age.

Physiognomy determines not so much the actual character and possible behavior, but how you, in most cases, subconsciously perceive a person you don’t know and involuntarily compare him with yourself. Thus, if someone is unpleasant to you, this does not mean at all that he will be unpleasant to others, even if his facial features reveal a maniac in this person. Knowing this rule will help you better navigate your conclusions.