相术
Physiognomy reads from observed form, and divides into face reading, palm reading, bone reading and several other branches. What separates it from destiny calculation and from divination is that it needs no birth time, only what can be seen now.
In form, these books are usually organised part by part, listing readings under each feature and illustrated with diagrams. Different books can assign different meanings to the same feature; period and region are the main variables.
How to read this branch
Reading by feature is more efficient than reading straight through. Note that the social assumptions in these books are strongly marked by the age that produced them.
- Bing Jian (冰鑑)OriginalTranslationQing (清) · Zeng Guofan (attributed) (曾國藩（舊題）)Zeng Guofan’s Formula of Physiognomy
- Gong Du Xiang Fa (公篤相法)OriginalTranslationRepublican era (民國) · Chen Gongdu (陳公篤)Gongdu's Methods of Physiognomy, Upper Volume, Chapter One
- Gui Gu Zi Shen Qi Xiang Fa Quan Shu (鬼谷子神奇相法全書)OriginalTranslation(under the name of Guiguzi) (（託名鬼谷子）) · attributed to Guiguzi and others (Tuo Ming Hui Ji) (舊題鬼谷子等（託名彙輯）)The Complete Book of Guiguzi's Marvelous Physiognomy, Volume One
- Liu Zhuang Xiang Fa (柳莊相法)OriginalTranslationMing (明) · Yuan Gong (袁珙)One, knowing the status of a person's future before they are born, whe…
- Ren Lun Da Tong Fu (人倫大統賦)OriginalTranslationJin (Jurchen) (金) · Zhang Xingjian (Yuan · Xue Yan Nian Yin Zhu Ji Jie) (張行簡（元·薛延年音注集解）)The preface to the "Great Unity of Human Relationships Assignment" (Yu…
- Shen Xiang Quan Bian (神相全編)OriginalTranslationSong (宋) · Chen Tuan (陳摶)
- Shen Xiang Tie Guan Dao (神相鐵關刀)OriginalTranslationQing (清) · the Mountain Recluse of Yungu (Po Na Yun Gu Shan Ren ； Tuo Xi Yi Xian Sheng Mi Ben) (雲谷山人（破納雲谷山人；托希夷先生秘本）)
- Tai Qing Shen Jian (太清神鑑)OriginalTranslationFive Dynasties (五代) · Wang Pu (王樸)The Imperially Approved Four Treasuries Collection, Volume 7, Section …
- Xin Xiang Pian (心相篇)OriginalTranslationSong (宋) · Chen Xiyi (Chen Tuan) (陳希夷（陳摶）)General Outline: the Heart Is the Root of Appearance; Conduct Is the I…
- Xu Fu Xiang Fa Shi Liu Pian (許負相法十六篇)OriginalTranslationHan (漢) · Xu Fu (Jiu Ti ； Ming · Huang Sheng Ceng Ji Lu Zuo Xu) (許負（舊題；明·黃省曾輯錄作序）)
- Yong Le Bai Wen (永樂百問)OriginalTranslationMing (明) · Yuan Gong (袁珙)What is the appearance of a virtuous ruler?
- Yue Bo Dong Zhong Ji (月波洞中記)OriginalTranslationSong (宋) · attributed to Zheng Qiao (Yi Shuo Lao Jun Ti 、 Tang Ren Xiao Yao De ； Jin Ben Chu 《 Yong Le Da Dian 》) (舊題鄭樵（一說老君題、唐任逍遙得；今本出《永樂大典》）)Records from the Moon Wave Grotto: Preface and Introduction