The look of luck

By Li Lin Source:Global Times Published: 2014-1-6 19:53:01

According to traditional facial analysis, a sharp chin does not bode well for a future husband.Photo: IC

If a woman has a plump chin and cheeks, a round face and large earlobes, then she may very possibly make a good wife - so says the traditional Chinese art of face-reading. According to the analysis of physiognomy that is based on the I Ching, certain types of wangfuxiang ("flourishing husband traits") in women augur success for one's husband and general happiness in love and family life.

"In traditional face-reading, many traits can add up to a lucky face for a woman: clear eyes, an even nose, an ample forehead, cheeks and chin, and tidy eyebrows," said Gong Xiaolin, an experienced fortuneteller who specializes in feng shui and facial analysis.

Take the chin, for example. According to Gong, a round and plump chin reveals a woman to be bright, cheerful and virtuous. In fact, the V-line face that has become so popular among plastic surgery clients is not an auspicious look at all. "Traditionally, the chin represents the earth, so it's better when it is thick and round. If a woman makes it too pointed, it won't be able to hold both her and her husband's luck."

"I know I am not beautiful," said Liu Rui, 27, who has been studying makeup skills for the past two months. "My mother told me that my cheekbones are quite high, which is traditionally an unlucky trait." Consequently, she has been using makeup to remedy her natural "deficiencies."

"I apply a darker shade of foundation on my cheekbones, and highlighting powder around it," said Liu. "I got this advice from a fortuneteller on Sina Weibo who also specializes in makeup skills. I don't know whether it will affect my fate, especially my love life."

Gong believes that interventions such as cosmetics and plastic surgery are incidental to one's fate. "It may have a very limited influence. A person's fate is affected by numerous elements, and your physiognomy is just one of them," he said.

"Women do these things to make themselves more beautiful, not more honored and richer. Most of these chin-reshaping operations make the face 'worse' from a facial analysis perspective, but there's no need to worry about it," said Gong. "Just be happy with the prettier face, because the effects on one's fate are less than one may imagine."

There are also sayings that the birthmarks and moles on a woman's face can also affect her husband. While some take these sayings quite seriously, others think they are nonsense.

"I used to have a birthmark right between my two eyebrows, which I used to think was quite unique and cute," said Guan Ying, 32, a full-time housewife. Last year, however, during a visit to White Cloud Temple in Beijing, the Taoist priest told her that the mark was bad for her husband's luck and recommended that she have it removed.

"After I had the procedure at the hospital, my husband got angry, because he had gotten used to the birthmark. He also didn't think he was so vulnerable that he could be affected by a mere mark on his wife's face," laughed Guan.

According to Gong, traditional Chinese face-reading principles can also apply to foreigners. Indeed, Gong told Metropolitan that he had made a quick study of various First Ladies. "Michelle Obama's cheekbones are high and eyes are a little hollow. In my personal analysis, she may be not so satisfied with her marriage and family life. And Peng Liyuan's physiognomy is almost flawless, just like the full moon on Mid-Autumn Festival. One hundred percent perfect." 



Posted in: Metro Beijing

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