"Ma Yi Shen Xiang" is said to have been written by Taoist Mai Yi in the Northern Song Dynasty. It is the earliest extant physiognomy work in China that systematically describes the human body's appearance. It has a prominent position in the field of physiognomy.
This book builds a complete and complex physiognomy system based on the theory of Yin Yang and Five Elements. It believes that a person's facial features and various parts of the body correspond to different attributes of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. By observing changes in the shape, complexion and other aspects of these parts, one can predict a person's good or bad fate. Its core theories include "Thirteen Parts", "Fleeing Luck", "Twelve Palaces", "Five Stars and Six Lumins", "Five Mountains and Four Mountains", etc. For example, by observing the status of the twelve palaces such as the Life Palace (the Yintang area between the eyebrows), the Wealth Palace (the nose area), and the Husband and Wife Palace (the fish tail at the end of the eyes and the outer area of the fish tail), one can infer the trend of a person's destiny.
In terms of analysis method, Ma Yi Shen Xiang first looks at the bones, then the five elements, and then measures the length of the three stops. It also comprehensively considers many factors such as facial gain and loss, beauty of eyebrows, appearance, thickness of hands and feet, sparse beard and hair, length of body, etc. For example, if the "Five Sacred Mountains" are to be returned to the court, that is, the forehead, chin, left and right cheekbones, and nose must be coordinated with each other; the "Six Houses" must be substantial, symmetrical, and must not have defects, otherwise it will be detrimental to wealth.
"Ma Yi Shen Xiang" is not only a classic work of physiognomy, but also contains many values such as philosophy and traditional culture. It has a profound influence on the development of physiognomy in later generations and provides an important basis for people to explore the ancient physiognomy culture.
