A Complete Guide to the Ma Yi Method of Face Reading

The Book of Ma Yi Physiognomy is said to have been written by the Daoist Ma Yi during the Northern Song Dynasty. It is China's earliest surviving systematic treatise on reading the human face and body, and holds an important place in the field of physiognomy. Based on the theory of yin and yang and the Five Elements, the book constructs a complete and complex system of face reading. It holds that the facial features and different parts of the body correspond to different yin-yang and Five Element attributes, and that observing changes in their shape, complexion, and other qualities can reveal a person's good or ill fortune. Its core theories include the “Thirteen Facial Areas,” “Annual Fortune,” the “Twelve Palaces,” the “Five Stars and Six Luminaries,” and the “Five Peaks and Four Waterways.” For example, a person's fortunes can be inferred by examining the state of the Twelve Palaces, including the Palace of Destiny, located between the eyebrows at the Yintang point; the Palace of Wealth, corresponding to the nose; and the Palace of Marriage, encompassing the outer corners of the eyes and the Jianmen area beyond them. In its method of analysis, Ma Yi Physiognomy first examines the bone structure, then the Five Elements, and then measures the relative lengths of the three facial sections. It also takes into account many other factors, such as the fullness or hollowness of the face, the refinement of the brows and eyes, the vitality or decline of one's spirit, the thickness of the hands and feet, the density and texture of the facial and body hair, and the height and build. For example, the “Five Peaks” should face one another: the forehead, chin, left and right cheekbones, and nose should be in harmony. The “Six Mansions” should be full and well-proportioned, with the left and right sides balanced. Any deficiencies are considered unfavorable for wealth. The Book of Ma Yi Physiognomy is not only a classic of physiognomy, but also contains philosophical and traditional cultural value. It profoundly influenced the development of later physiognomy and provides an important foundation for exploring the culture of ancient Chinese face reading.