Mien Shiang
Mien shiang (Chinese: 面相; pinyin: miànxiàng meaning face (mien) reading (shiang)) is a physiognomic and fortune-telling practice in Chinese culture and traditional Chinese medicine which purports to determine aspects of person's character, personality, and (future) health by analyzing their face according to the five phases ("wu xing"). The five phases (namely wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) are metaphors devised by ancient Chinese philosophers to explain the relationship, interaction, and ongoing change of everything in the universe.[1] In recent times the art of face reading has become more popular and schools that teach mien shiang more wide spread.
Historical records[edit]
There are early written records of mien shiang. In Book of Rites, it writes, "Those who look up are arrogant; Those who look down are worried; Those who look sideways are sly". After Gou Jian (勾践) of Yue (c. 470 BCE) settled the State of Wu, Fan Li (范蠡) (536–488 BCE) knew that Gou Jian had a "long neck and sharp upper lips", which meant they could face hardship together but not enjoy peace together.[2] Fan Li later fled with Xi Shi (西施) to the State of Qi and changed their names to lead a new life. Another historical example in which Mien Shiang was used was Wang Anshi (王安石) of Song Dynasty. Wang's eyes resembled those of ox, and his head shaped like those of tigers.[3] It was said that if Wang could stare straight at the sun, he had a face with good fortune (贵相).