The Divisions of the Face

The ancient Chinese sages divided the face into a bewildering number of sections. There are no fewer than 130 individual physical features that can be interpreted. It's a good thing that we don't have to concern ourselves with each one of them; for a beginner, it is more than enough to start with the three basic regions dividing the face into horizontal sections.

The Three Primary Divisions of the Face

The Celestial Region or Upper Zone

The celestial or heavenly facial division occupies the area of the brow. It extends across the upper part of the face between the hairline and the eyebrows. A wide, well-proportioned forehead is considered to be generally fortunate. However, for a brow that is too wide-giving the whole face the impression of being a downward-pointed triangle — the outlook is not that good for the love life. If the brow is smooth, even, clear, and free of blemishes, it suggests a happy childhood, a fulfilling home life, and a supportive, loving family. On the other hand, the opposite is the case if the celestial region appears to be lumpy or scarred or possesses a dull, grayish skin tone.

The celestial region is further subdivided into three horizontal areas (see page 4). The area closest to the hairline relates to imagination, the brow region is associated with memory, and the area located just above the eyebrows is concerned with observation (see chapter 3, The Brow, on page 37).

The Region of Self-Will or Middle Zone

The region of self-will is otherwise referred to as the "human region" or the "region of humanity." It extends across the central portion of the face and is home to the eyes, nose, cheekbones, and ears. Ideally, each of these features should be well proportioned in relation to each of the others. The more regular the features in this area, the more settled the individual. Any feature that is disproportionately large will have an unfortunate effect, especially in affairs of the heart.

If this region is longer than the other two, then willpower and leadership potential are indicated. There is an ability to seize control of complex situations and turn them to personal advantage.

If the skin tone in the region of self-will is clear and smooth, this indicates financial good fortune in youth and middle age. If it is blotchy or scarred, or if the skin tone has a grayish tinge, then the outlook for material life is not so promising.

The Earthly Region or Lower Zone

Proportion and a good balance of features are important considerations when assessing the earthly region of the face. The bone structure must also be good in order to ensure a happy, healthy, and prosperous old age. The lips and mouth, as well as the configuration of the chin, are the most revealing factors here. Full lips combined with a strong chin are signs of a strong constitution, while thin lips and a receding chin denote frail health.

The Secondary Divisions of the Face

The Five Predominant Features

The five predominant features of the face are, predictably enough, the eyes, the eyebrows, the mouth, the nose, and the ears. If these features are regular and in proportion both to each other and to the general shape of the face, then this is a good indication of prosperity, health, and good fortune. However, should one or more of these features give a visual impression of being "out of line" or "misplaced," then fortunes will suffer. An inwardly turned eye, a bent, crooked, or broken nose, a scarred eyebrow, and a twisted lip are all features that detract from a harmonious life. This said, it may be that despite one (or more) features that fall far short of perfection, the others may be beautifully formed and provide a respite from a harsh fate.

The Five Animal Mountains and the Four Rivers

The five predominant features also have a relation to the "five mountains." The ancient Chinese regarded the face as a landscape with physical features that can be compared with the features on a map. It is not surprising that the terminology of the equally ancient traditional practice of feng shui is also used to describe areas of the face, bearing in mind the geographical connotations of feng shui.

In feng shui, each direction, East, South, West, North, and Center, is symbolized by both an element and a symbolic figure.

• East relates to the wood element, and its image is a green dragon.

• South concerns the fire element and is symbolized by the phoenix or a red bird.

• West is connected to the metal element and is represented by the white tiger.

• North is the water direction, and its image is a black tortoise.

• The central space of anything or anyplace is symbolically connected to the Earth. Its color is yellow.

Likewise, in face reading, each prominent bony feature or ridge shares this symbolism, so the brow is considered the Mountain of the Phoenix; its element, fire, is emblematic of thought.

The left cheekbone is the Mountain of the Green Dragon, symbolizing the wood element.

The right cheekbone is the Mountain of the White Tiger, symbolic of the metal element.

The chin is considered watery and is called the Mountain of the Black Tortoise.

The nose, the central feature of the face, is referred to either as the Central Mountain or the Mountain of the Yellow Emperor.

Although they are not strictly part of Chinese face reading, in addition to the five mountains, the face also possesses the four rivers:

• the River Kong — the ears

• the River Ho — the eyes

• the River Wai — the mouth

• the River Chai — the nostrils

The four rivers are relevant in Chinese diagnostic practices, and these ideas are connected with the life force or ITL?ITL energy. Chi, the universal breath of life, has two forms, positive and negative, sheng chi and sha chi, so each of the rivers has both positive and negative aspects. Chi arrives in the eyes in the form of light and is expelled as tears. Sound reaches the ears and is expelled as wax. Breath is the positive chi of the nostrils, while mucus is the negative chi, so only the mouth can both take in and expel chi as kind words or harsh ones, good food or bad.

The Age Positions of the Face

The ancient traditions of face reading provide specific age positions, which are dotted about the face, ears, and crown. These positions serve to highlight particular years in a person's lifetime from zero to ninety. The most important of these are known as the thirteen significant positions. These thirteen positions are found in a straight vertical line running down the middle of the face from the hairline to the tip of the chin. Each of the thirteen points has an individual traditional name and refers to the most important years of life, ranging from fifteen to seventy-one.

The Thirteen Significant Positions

1 T'ien Chung-Age 15

This position literally means...