Eighty-eight, discussing ancient observations of people, those who encounter difficulties all have one color.

邊地起赤雲，唐太宗有金營，百曰縲洩。印堂生暗黔，關雲長有失馬之驚。準頭孟堂君夜津闊津。奸門忽暗，劉玄德有長坡之厄。雙顴如火，楊六郎失職困成川。赤邊三關，楊文廣困柳州三載。印堂暗、顴骨青，伍子胥貴劍走范陽。耳朦額暗，韓文公風雪走潮陽。赤起太陽，陳巡檢梅林尋申陽（失妻之說）。年壽暗如泥，齊孝仁遭失牛。

This section uses historical figures to illustrate how a particular complexion appears on the face when one is in trouble. On the sides of the forehead, "border land" shows red clouds, as Tang Taizong was trapped in the enemy's camp for a hundred days and was imprisoned. The "yintang" area becomes dark, as Guan Yunchang was startled by losing his horse. The "zhun tou" area shows a bad color, as Meng Changjun fled at night through Hangu Pass. The "jian men" (eye tail) suddenly darkens, as Liu Bei faced danger at Changbanpo. Both "quan gu" (cheekbones) turn red like fire, as Yang Liuang was demoted and confined to the border. The "border land" and the area around the three passes turn red, as Yang Wengang was trapped in Liuzhou for three years. The "yintang" becomes dark and the "quan gu" turn blue, as Wu Zisun fled with a sword to Fanyang. Both ears are dim and the forehead is dark, as Han Yu endured wind and snow while being exiled to Chaozhou. The "sun yang" (above the eye tail) shows a red color, as Chen Xunjian searched for his wife who had been captured by Shen Yanggong in Meiling—old notes say this is the sign of losing a wife. The "nian shang" and "shou shang" areas are dark like rotten mud, as Qi Xiaoren suffered the loss of a cow.

以上端不過氣色不好，故有此難，氣色一開安保榮，此乃相貌原好，因氣色不好，故暫守困，色若鮮明，氣若和潤，可保萬里飛高俱無阻滯。此書相周體諸事俱完，尚有行、坐、臥、食、語、笑乃係身外六法，另詳於後。

The people mentioned above were only temporarily suffering from poor complexion, which led to these misfortunes; once their complexion improves, they will naturally be safe and prosperous. They originally had good appearances, but were temporarily confined due to poor complexion. If their complexion is bright and their breath is smooth and moist, they can achieve great success without any obstacles. This book has now completed the explanation of the physiognomy of all parts of the body. There are still six other aspects of physiognomy, namely walking, sitting, lying down, eating, speaking, and laughing, which belong to the six external forms of physiognomy, which will be discussed in detail in the following sections.

凡行欲正直昂然，不可偏歪曲屈。步欲潤，頭欲直，腰欲挺、胸欲硬。凡偏體搖頭，蛇行雀步，腰折頂歪，俱不好之格。詩曰：行如流水步行來，體直頭品身項停，若是搖頭過步者，田園敗盡老來貧。

Walk with your posture upright and straight, dignified and noble, without leaning or curling. Your steps should be calm and measured, your head held straight, your waist lifted, and your chest firm. If while walking your body leans to one side, your head moves about randomly, like a snake winding its way or a sparrow leaping, with a bent back and a slanted head, these are not good postures. A poem says: walking smoothly like flowing water, the body straight, the head upright, and the body and neck in harmony. If one sways the head and takes overly large steps, it will lead to the ruin of the fields and poverty in old age.

凡坐欲端正、嚴肅。男女一同。不欲體捷身動足貌頭垂，凡此皆不足之相也。坐若丘山者，主大貴。坐若肩圓項正體平，起坐舒緩，此皆貴人之相。詩曰：坐若丘山穩且平，為人忠孝立功勳，皆是頭搖並足動，頑愚下賤不須論。

One should sit upright and solemnly, regardless of gender. One should not be light-hearted and restless, with legs moving constantly or head hanging down, as these are signs of inferiority. Sitting like a mountain, steady and solid, indicates great fortune. When sitting, shoulders should be rounded and full, neck straight, body balanced, and movements when rising or sitting should be calm and unhurried. These are the characteristics of a nobleman. The poem says: sitting like a mountain, steady and level, indicates a person who is loyal and filial, and capable of achieving great accomplishments; if one shakes his head and moves his legs restlessly, he is a foolish and lowly person, and there is no need to say more.

臥乃寐之安，不可不穩。凡臥如龍之盤，如犬之曲，乃貴人之相。凡睡將手抱頭者，善明詞訟。長腳長手，為停尸，大不好也。睡長夢自言自語者，乃狂詐之徒。書云：只因夢裡多狂語，每向人前狂語多。凡睡將背朝天者，主餓死。睡中搖足者，乃上等人之相。睡起者，主夭。不閉眼者，惡死。又云，睡夢狂言奸詐，詐言詐人，開眼張口必遭刑。

Sleeping for stability, one must not be unstable. Sleeping in a posture like a dragon coiled or a dog curled up indicates the appearance of a nobleman. Sleeping with both hands clasped around the head suggests a person skilled in discerning lawsuits. If the hands and feet are stretched straight like a corpse, it is very bad. If one often dreams and talks to oneself in dreams, it indicates a person who is reckless and deceitful. The physiognomy book says: "Because of frequent狂言 in dreams, when awake, they also often speak recklessly in front of others." Sleeping on one's back facing the sky or lying face down is a sign of dying of starvation. If one's legs gently shake while sleeping, it is the appearance of a superior person. If one gets up immediately after lying down and cannot sleep peacefully, it indicates a short life; if the eyes remain closed while sleeping, it indicates a violent death. It is also said: those who speak recklessly in dreams are deceitful and often use false words to deceive others; those who sleep with eyes open and mouth open will surely suffer punishment.

食乃一身之主，宜無相法。凡食慾開大合小，速進食者為妙。猴食鼠餐不足道也。食多哽咽必主流徒。嗒嘴如豬者，難免凶死。項生如馬者，一世辛勤。

Food is the main sustenance for the entire body. Although it seems to have no form, there are actually methods to judge it. When eating, the mouth should open and close properly, taking one bite at a time. Eating quickly and efficiently is best. Those who grab food like monkeys or gnaw it like rats are not worth mentioning. Those who often choke while eating are destined to face difficulties of migration or displacement. Those who make noises like pigs while chewing are likely to meet a violent death. Those whose necks stretch out like horses while eating will have a lifetime of hard labor.

凡語言與聲音不同，聲音出於丹田，語言出於唇吻。故不同類人，人之語、唇、舌，勻停各緩不露齒為妙。如急焦亂泛者，乃下賤之相，一世無成也。詩曰：語要勻停氣要和，貴人語少小人多，若是泛言唇亂動，不離貧賤病多魔。

Speech and voice are not the same thing. Voice comes from the lower abdomen, while speech comes from the lips and teeth, so they should be considered separately. When a person speaks, their lips and tongue should be calm and measured, each moving smoothly without showing teeth or making a grimace. This is considered good. If someone speaks hastily, anxiously, or in a confused and superficial manner, this is a sign of low character and will lead to no success in life. The poem says: speech should be measured and steady, and breath should be calm and smooth. A nobleman speaks little, while a petty person talks much. If speech is superficial and the lips move restlessly, one is sure to suffer from poverty, illness, and misfortune.

凡笑乃喜這發，不欲反常。冷笑者多謀足智。藏情者一世奸貧。笑欲開口大、響，不欲閉口無聲者，如馬嘶皆不為美。開口長聲笑者賢，聲音喉內定賢奸，若是馬嘶猿猴叫，又貧又苦又無錢。

Laughter is the expression of joy, and it should not be abnormal. Those who are accustomed to cold smiles are usually cunning and intelligent. Those who hide their emotions while laughing are likely to be deceitful and poor throughout their lives. Laughter should be open and loud, not silent and concealed; laughter that sounds like a horse's neigh is also not good. A poem says: those who laugh aloud and freely are virtuous, and the sound of their laughter can determine whether they are virtuous or wicked; if laughter sounds like a horse's neigh or a monkey's cry, then they will be poor, suffering, and without money.

金木水火土，一身之體不出五行之外。夫金形人:面方耳正眉清目秀，唇齒得配，手小腰圓，白色，方是金形。若是聲高高如金，主大貴。若雜格主小貴。不宜滯，不宜赤。滯為土埋金，主困苦。赤在準頭三陽，主有災難，輕則破敗，重則主死。金形人不宜帶火。書云：部位要周全，三停又帶方，金形人人格，富貴把名揚。

The Five Phases consist of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, and a person's physical form cannot escape these five elements. First, the "metal form" person: square face, properly positioned ears, clear eyebrows, and bright eyes, with lips and teeth in harmony, small hands and a round waist, and a pale complexion. This is considered the true form of metal. If the voice is high and clear, like the sound of metal or stone, it indicates great fortune; if the form is mixed and not pure, it only indicates minor fortune. The complexion of a metal form person should not be dull or red. A dull complexion indicates earth burying metal, leading to hardship; a red complexion on the bridge of the nose and under the eyes signifies disaster, light cases result in loss, and severe cases may lead to death. Metal form people should not have a fiery complexion. The book of physiognomy says: the facial features should be complete, and the three parts of the face should all display a square and upright appearance. If a metal form person meets this pattern, they will achieve wealth, honor, and fame.

凡木形人宜幹直秀長，睛清口潤神足，不偏削歪斜枯陷，腰圓體正，方可棟樑。偏削雲削，小人之相。浮筋露骨何須苦問？功名些須帶，大乃作水火通明，若是土赤金紅，不宜取用。有宜些金還求名之客。木削金重，一生成敗之人。書云：稜形瘦格凜凜更修藏秀氣。生眉眼方言作棟樑。

A person with the form of wood should have a straight, clear, and tall body, bright eyes, moist lips, and a full spirit, without being crooked, thin, slanted, or sunken. Their waist should be round and their body upright, only then can they be considered as a pillar. If their form is crooked, thin, or slanted, it is the appearance of a petty person. If their blue veins are prominent and their bones are exposed, there is no need to ask further about their future. Such people can only have a slight connection with fame and success. Those with the form of wood who receive the support of water and the illumination of fire are of the highest quality. However, if they have the red color of earth or the red color of metal (metal overcoming wood), they are not desirable. Those with a slight presence of metal can still strive for official rank. Those with a weak wood form and excessive metal energy will experience repeated success and failure. The book of physiognomy says: a person with a clear and sharp appearance, a dignified bearing, and hidden elegance, along with good eyebrows and eyes, can be considered as a pillar.

凡水形要骨正肉實色白，帶潤體發面回紋看如狀。面觀如仰，腹大殿大方是水形，不宜氣粗色黑，皮白如粉，面嫌肉浮，凡水形人骨少肉多浮，主夭，無鬚皮滑者無子。肉冷者亦無子。書云：眼大並眉粗，城郭要團王。上此相名真水，平生福自然。

Water type people should have straight bones, full muscles, fair and moist skin, a plump body, and a round face with a rounded and flowing appearance. Their face should look like an upside-down round plate, with a large abdomen and large buttocks. This is considered true water type. Water type people should avoid having heavy breathing and a dark complexion, and they should avoid having skin that is too white like powder, or a face with loose and floating muscles. If water type people have few bones and excessive, floating flesh, they are prone to early death. Those without beards and with smooth, slippery skin will not have sons, and those with cold skin will also not have sons. The book of physiognomy says: large eyes and thick eyebrows, and a round and complete face shape (the facial structure) are essential. Only when these features are present is it considered true water type, and prosperity will naturally come in their lives.

凡火形人上尖下闊形動燥鬚少面紅鼻嬌，不宜帶滯色。宜明潤。耳紅又鬚少，不宜腹大，不宜口大。凡火形貴　不過成職，富不過百金，非大富大貴之相也。凡火形形貌，三停又宜頭高方有子，不然子亦難招，書云：欲識火帶尖身體全淨腮邊少鬢。

The person with a fire form has a head that is narrow at the top and broad at the bottom, moves quickly and impetuously, has little beard, and a reddish face with a small nose. People with a fire form should avoid dull and dark colors, and instead prefer bright and lustrous ones. If the ears are red and the beard is sparse, they should not have a large abdomen or a large mouth. People with a fire form may achieve only limited positions in life and wealth not exceeding a hundred gold pieces; they are not destined for great wealth or high status. In terms of appearance, those with a fire form should have a well-proportioned face with the upper, middle, and lower parts balanced and a high forehead to have children; otherwise, it is difficult to have offspring. The classic says: to recognize a fire form, look for a body that is narrow at the top and broad at the bottom, a clean and bright appearance, and sparse hair on the cheeks and temples.

凡土形肥大敦厚，面重骨實皮高黑色，聲大如雷，項短頭圓，乃真土也。書云：端厚仍深重安詳，若泰山，心謀測度，信生人間。總論歌：木瘦金方水主肥，土形敦厚背如龜，上尖下潤明如火，五樣人形仔細推。木色青兮火色紅，土黃水黑是真容，只有金形宜帶白，五般顏色不相同。

The "earth shape" person is plump, solid, with a thick face, strong bones, thick and dark skin, and a voice as loud as thunder. Their neck is short and head round, which is the true earth shape. The physiognomy book says: such people are upright, solid, deep and calm, stable as a mountain, with their own plans in mind, and are trustworthy and honest in the world. The general summary song says: the wood shape is thin, the metal shape is square, the water shape is mainly fat, the earth shape is solid and thick with a hump on the back like a tortoise; those who are sharp at the top and broad at the bottom, bright like fire, are the fire shape. These five body shapes should be carefully examined. The color of the wood shape is green, the fire shape is red, the earth shape is yellow, the water shape is black, which are their true colors. Only the metal shape is suitable to have a white color. The five colors of the five elements are different.

夫人受精於水，稟氣於火，故坎離為方得成身，先精合肉，後神生，先神生而後形全，自知全於內外，不出乎五行生剋之中，富貴貧賤盡在衰強旺弱之配。故取為金木水火土之說。還有飛禽走獸之形。

Human beings receive their essence from water and their qi from fire, so they need the water trigram Kan and the fire trigram Li to interact and balance in order to form their physical bodies. First, the essence and qi condense into flesh, and then the spirit and qi arise; the spirit and qi come first, and only then does the body become complete. From this we can see that both the internal and external aspects of a person do not go beyond the scope of the Five Phases' generation and overcoming. Wealth, poverty, nobility, and humility all depend on the combination of the Five Phases' decline, strength, prosperity, and weakness. Therefore, physiognomy establishes the theory of the Five Elements' forms. In addition, there are also forms of flying creatures and running animals.

金不嫌方，木不嫌瘦，火不嫌尖，土不嫌重，水不嫌黑，似金得金才智深，似木得木資才足，似水得水文學高，似火得火見識深，似土得土財祿足。如得其生扶為妙，得其剝削為忌也。

The form of a person with the metal shape does not mind being square, the form of a person with the wood shape does not mind being thin, the form of a person with the fire shape does not mind being pointed at the top, the form of a person with the earth shape does not mind being heavy, and the form of a person with the water shape does not mind being dark in color. If the shape resembles metal and the color also matches metal, then wisdom is deep; if the shape resembles wood and the color also matches wood, then wealth and talent are abundant; if the shape resembles water and the color also matches water, then literary knowledge is high; if the shape resembles fire and the color also matches fire, then insight is deep; if the shape resembles earth and the color also matches earth, then wealth and official rank are plentiful. If one can obtain the Five Phases that generate or support me, it is best. If one encounters the Five Phases that overcome or cut down me, it is considered a taboo.

五行賦：大哉五行生物之理，萬象宗焉。故木須微火，高明秋開，高步澄清，金木春榜魁名，火克金豈能成用？金克木不得成名。木少金多，還須進氣，木多金少，一世榮。金人火局必成器用，水人土局愚頑之人。木弱金多，只好三旬之寄。金堅秀實方為柱。

The "Five Phases Treatise" says: How great is the principle of the Five Phases generating all things, the essence of all phenomena. Therefore, a person with a wood form should have a slight trace of fire energy to be prominent and distinguished, like the clear and open autumn atmosphere, with upright steps. A person with a metal form or a wood form, when their time comes, can achieve the top rank in the spring examination. Fire overcoming metal cannot produce useful objects; metal overcoming wood also finds it hard to achieve fame. For a person with a wood form who has excessive metal energy, they can only rely on life energy until thirty years old. A person with a metal form needs to be solid, refined, and moist to be worthy of being a pillar of the state. A person with a water form entering the earth element is considered foolish and unskilled.

同之人土制水，莊田之客。水生木出仕求名。樑棟材還須水潤。國家珍金木榮明得木方為有用，木運金一世辛勤，形體理還從生克。面上理要看相生，必須強衰旺勝弱五行配，方許得真本形。人還須木色犯生色，還須得利犯克色夭折，須明五行理化生千萬一概論大誤終身。

By the same principle, those whose constitution is earth can control water, and they live by farming; those whose constitution is water can generate wood, and they may attain official positions and fame. To become a great pillar of society, one must also have water to nourish them. The golden and wooden forms that the state values must show bright colors; the golden form benefits from wood (as it is controlled and shaped into an object), and the wooden form in the metal phase will be diligent all their life. The principles of form must be examined through the five phases and their mutual generation and control. The principles on the face must be examined through mutual generation: the strong, weak, flourishing, and declining must be in proper balance, neither excessive nor deficient, to truly reflect one's original form. If a person with a wooden constitution shows colors of mutual generation, they will benefit; if they show colors of mutual control, they face the danger of early death. In summary, one must understand the principles of the five phases and their transformations. If one treats them all the same, it will mislead a person for life.

對曰：王乃龍生鳳長，身長六尺，面大腰圓，能步開三尺。少年所困，未出鬚之數，今已鬚長一尺八寸，以合龍相，當年之壽。

Yuan Gong answered: The Emperor is born of a dragon, nurtured with the grace of a phoenix, with a height of six chi, a broad face, and a round body. With each step he takes, he covers three chi. In his early years, he was in hardship because his beard was not yet fully grown; now his beard has reached a length of one foot eight inches, which matches the measure of a dragon's form. This year is precisely the time when his fortune is due and his lifespan is to be enjoyed.

對曰：凡小孩生下瑞香滿室必主大貴。書云：生下身香，定主父爵，身後榮音，劉阿斗、宋太祖生身俱異香百曰。

Yuan Gong answered: A child born with a full house filled with auspicious fragrance must surely be destined for great wealth and honor. The book of physiognomy says: When an infant is born with an unusual fragrance on its body, it will surely bring the father a title of nobility and ensure the child's future fame. Liu Xian, the later Shu Han emperor, and Zhao Kangyin, the Song Taizu, were both born with an unusual fragrance that lasted for one hundred days.

對曰：天庭雖低，曰月角開輔，弼骨朝歸，頭平面圓，此乃五行相配，故不忌低，是以得為黨尚書。

Yuan Gong answered that although his forehead "Tian Ting" was low, his left and right "Ri Jiao" and "Yue Jiao" were open, his Fu Gu and Bi Gu were converging towards the center, and his head was flat and even, his face was round and full. This is a pattern where the Five Phases are in harmony, so the low Tian Ting is not a concern. Therefore, he was able to become the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

對曰：婦人貴在目肩背，子在肚腹乳臍。凡面方者為虎面，必犯殺星，豈能入宮為貴人？凡女形如鳳者方為大貴。鳳形面圓，長上下眉配已高目細秀項圓長眉背平，此乃真貴，縱不入宮，亦不失為夫人。

Yuan Gong answered: A woman's noble appearance is seen in her eyes, shoulders, and back. For children, look at the abdomen, breasts, and navel. Those with square faces are called "Hu face," which inevitably incurs the killing star, how could such a person enter the palace as a nobleman? A woman whose appearance resembles a phoenix is truly of great nobility. The phoenix appearance is: a round and plump face, with harmonious upper and lower features, high and arched eyebrows, long and clear eyes, a round and long neck, level eyebrows and a level back—this is the true noble appearance. Even if she does not enter the palace, she would still be a lady of great status.

對曰：非國母福薄，但聖上子星未現，故此不寵，後生成，國後命壽延長，若要出得太子，必定是她。永樂三年後果生太子。

Yuan Gong replied that it was not the case that the queen mother lacked good fortune, but rather that the imperial son's star had not yet appeared, so she was not favored at present; in the future, when the son's star emerged, the queen mother would live a long life. If she were to give birth to a crown prince, it would certainly be her. Indeed, after the third year of Yongle, she gave birth to the crown prince.

對曰：非令女走出汗來，乃知其體香，若何知女人體香，這樣方得大吉。

Yuan Gong answered: Let the woman wear thick cotton clothes and walk until she sweats, not in order to see her sweat, but to use the sweat to detect whether she has a body fragrance; otherwise, how could one know if a woman's body is fragrant? Only those with a body fragrance are considered very auspicious.

皆因項下有紅絲，耳輪多赤色。犯此者難逃刀斧身亡。

This is because there is a red thread winding around the neck and a reddish color appearing on the earlobe. Those who exhibit these two signs are doomed to die by cuts and slashes.

八、曰月交鋒，反得善終，為何？

Eighth question: The light from the left and right eyes (known in physiognomy as 'sun' and 'moon') shines intensely and confronts each other, which according to principles indicates misfortune. Why does this condition instead lead to a peaceful end? The original text here is missing some words, and Yuan Gong's answer is lost, leaving only this question in the original book.

對曰：面雖陋，眼若星，唇若朱，子乃臍腹所載，何在面目？必是臍深腹厚腰正體堅，人若見之俱有懼色。凡女人威嚴者多生貴子，非面之福，乃五臟六腑寬洪秀麗也。後被永樂封為錦陽夫人。又云：眼秀唇紅，常為二國之封。詩云：面陋唇紅眼若星，威嚴沉重世人驚，雖然未得為君后，二國褒封拜聖明。

Yuan Gong replied: Although her appearance was ugly, her eyes were bright like stars and her lips red like cinnabar. Offspring are governed by the navel and abdomen, not by the face. She must have had a deep navel, a thick abdomen, a straight waist, and a strong physique, which made others feel respectful. Women who display authority often have noble children. This is not the blessing brought by facial features, but rather due to the beauty and magnanimity of her internal organs. Later, she was bestowed the title of Jin Yang Lady by the Yongle Emperor. It is also said that women with bright eyes and red lips often receive titles from two countries. The poem says: Although her face is ugly, her lips are red and her eyes bright as stars; her authority is steady and impressive to the world. Though she did not become the queen of a king, she received honors and thanks from two countries.

對曰：凡武將不邊眼眉上生殺氣，正高有而觀，所以當得爭戰。眼不露光，項無紅絲，非豬食鼠餐，乃善人之相，能戰之人也。

Another passage states: All generals who are martial have their killing aura not appearing at the corners of their eyes and eyebrows, but rather rising upright and clearly visible, so they can shoulder the responsibilities of warfare. Their eyes do not show fierce light, their necks have no red threads, and their eating habits are not like a pig rooting or a rat gnawing. This is the appearance of a kind person who is also capable of warfare. Note: This passage in the original text has lost the corresponding question, which was probably due to a misplacement during copying.

古人言美女無肩，將軍無項。肩太垂而身太弱，腰太細而體太輕，犯此四者極多，乃非厚福之相，何故得子？

Ancient people said that beautiful women have no shoulders and generals have no necks—meaning beautiful women have narrow shoulders and generals have short necks. In the palace, women often had very weak bodies, very thin waists, and very light postures, and many had all four of these characteristics. These are not signs of deep blessings, so how could they have descendants?

官高雖看印堂，富貴還須手過膝。官高因印開眉秀耳正目清，因此大貴。食祿在口，若唇薄口盛食如少也。

The height of official rank is indeed determined by the "Yintang" area, but to achieve wealth and honor, one's hands should hang below the knees. A high official position is due to an open Yintang, clear eyebrows, properly shaped ears, and bright eyes, which indicate great fortune. As for the amount of俸禄 (official salary), it depends on the mouth; if the lips are thin and the mouth appears large and hollow, then one's consumption of food and drink will naturally be less.

書云：眉毫不如鼻毫，鼻毫不如耳毫，耳毫不如枕骨高。故此眉長能保壽。凡壽在頭皮、項皮、血色為主。

The book on physiognomy says: hair growing in the eyebrows is not as good as hair growing on the nose, hair on the nose is not as good as hair on the ears, and hair on the ears is not as good as a high枕骨 at the back of the head. This shows that long eyebrows can only preserve part of one's lifespan, but not determine it. When judging lifespan, it is ultimately determined by the skin and blood color of the scalp, neck, and face.

相有可忌與不可忌之說，豈可耳理面推？書云：睛雖黃而有神光，梁雖折而準頭豐，身雖瘦而不露骨，此俱不作破敗，還作貴相推之。

Facial physiognomy distinguishes between auspicious and inauspicious features. How can one judge the entire face solely by the ears? The physiognomy texts say: even if the eyes appear yellow but have a bright light, or the nose is broken but the tip is full, or the body is thin but the bones are not exposed — these are not considered ruined features and should still be considered noble. Similarly, if the ears are turned outward but one holds a high official position, it is the same principle.

舜目，細而長，乃鳳目也。項目，圓而露，眼邊起皮紋，如雞眼，乃凶相也。

Yu Shun had long and slender eyes, like those of a phoenix, hence the double pupils became a sign of virtue. Xiang Yu had round and protruding eyes with skin patterns around them, resembling a chicken's eyes, which was a凶相. The same double pupils can be auspicious or ominous depending on the shape of the eyes.

此二位前賢，雙耳俱有珠齊口角，為明珠出海。甘羅紅如朱，十二到此即遇。太公白如雪，故主老來相遇。

These two distinguished predecessors both had ear pearls, hanging down to the level of their mouth corners, called "Pearls Emerging from the Sea." Gan Luo's ear pearls were red like cinnabar; red belongs to the element of fire, appearing in youth, so at the age of twelve, when he reached his ear destiny, he was appointed as a minister. Jiang Taigong's ear pearls were white like hoarfrost; white belongs to the element of metal, indicating a later life, so he was recognized by a wise ruler in his old age.

人生在世，相合乾坤，驛馬高明邊地靜，印堂平正，六陽光潤，疾厄無暗滯，一生福壽永綿長。

A person's appearance conforms to the principles of heaven and earth: the area beside the forehead called 'Post Horse' is high and bright, the 'Border Land' has a calm and peaceful color, the 'Seal Hall' is level and upright, the six yang areas on the head are moist and lustrous, and the 'Disease and Misfortune Palace' (the area from the mountain root to the year and longevity) has no dark or stagnant color. Such a person will have a long and prosperous life, free from illness.

山根常暗準頭青，兩耳生塵目又昏，邊地如泥髮如草，一生何曰得安寧。

The mountain root is always dark, the tip of the nose appears bluish, both ears seem covered with dust, and the eyes are dim and turbid. The edges of the face are dirty and dark like mud, and the hair is dry and disheveled like grass. Such a person will never have a peaceful life; illness will naturally follow them constantly.

山根倉庫長青青，準赤腮黃氣不勻，縱此為君也愁悶，庶人得此百無成。必待此色一開，聖心自安矣。

The area around the nose (mountain root) along with the heavenly granary and the earthly storehouse showing a long-term bluish-green color, the nose tip red, and the cheeks yellow, with uneven complexion — if a person has such a complexion, even if they are a king, they cannot avoid worry; common people with such a complexion will achieve nothing. It is only when these colors improve that the king's mind will naturally be at ease.

血足神舒眼愈光，印堂平潤是榮昌，為士為官多獲福，庶人得此亦安康。

Your Majesty now has abundant vitality, a relaxed expression, and brighter eyes. The "Yingtang" area is smooth, moist, and lustrous, which is the aura of honor, prosperity, and flourishing. Scholars and officials with this aura gain much merit, and common people with it also enjoy health and well-being. This is precisely the sign of national stability and people's peace.

凡女相與男相不同，女豈無相？頭尖髮少，必是賤人之女，生圓目正配良人之妻，血足氣和可生貴子，土正顴平可惟家業，體正面正目秀唇紅，再得肩圓，可許大貴。凡富室之女頭平額潤，目若流星，唇薄身輕貌美倉削齒白肉光，乃賤婦也。

A woman's appearance differs from a man's, so how can it be said that women have no features to observe? A woman with a sharp, pointed head and little hair is certainly from a lowly family; a woman with a round face, clear eyes, and proper eye shape is suitable to be the wife of a good man; one with abundant blood and smooth breath can give birth to noble sons; a woman with a properly shaped nose (earth star), flat and full cheeks, can maintain her family's fortune; if her body is upright, her face is proper, her eyes are refined, her lips are red, and her shoulders are round, she may attain great wealth. Conversely, a wealthy woman who only has a flat head, smooth forehead, bright eyes like shooting stars, thin lips, light body, and beautiful appearance, but with a sunken Heavenly Granary, white teeth, and oily skin, is still a woman of low status—this is the principle that nobility can be born from lowliness and lowliness can give rise to nobility.

凡一露二露家無隔宿之糧，三露四露命常短促。五露俱全大貴之格。眼露睛不露光，鼻露竅不偏實，唇露齒不露掀，耳露廊不失珠，此乃金木水火土，五露俱犯，露梁、露光、露掀、露珠，此述是十分下賤之相。五反非善相也，乃兇惡之徒。書云：五反之奧妙多，術人何以得知之，若還一件俱無反，須在朝中掛紫友。

The exposed parts of the face, if only one or two are visible, indicate a family that lacks food for two nights. If three or four are exposed, it suggests a short lifespan. However, if all five are exposed but each is in accordance with the proper method, it is actually a great fortune. The proper "five exposures" are: the eyes may be visible but their gaze should not be outward, the nose may be exposed but the nose should be upright and not crooked, the lips may show teeth but should not lift up, and the ears may be visible but should not lack the earlobe. These correspond to the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. If all five exposures are in violation of the proper method, such as an exposed nasal bridge, an outward gaze, lifted lips, or missing earlobes, it indicates a very low status. The "five reversals" are also not auspicious, often indicating wicked people. The classic texts say: the "five reversals" have many subtle aspects, which ordinary fortune-tellers do not understand. If there is no reversal at all, the person is likely to hold a high position in the court, wearing purple robes and associating with the powerful.

凡五小者，一小頭，二小身，三小手，四小足，五小面。此乃五件一身，還要五官六府為主，此乃身體五小也，非五官五小也。若五官俱小，為五極，乃下賤之相也。

The so-called "five smalls" refer to a small head, a small body, small hands, small feet, and a small face. These five aspects pertain to the whole body and should be coordinated with the "five organs" and "six腑" as their foundation. These are the five smalls of the body, not the five smalls of the five organs. If all five organs are small, it is called "five extremes," which is considered a sign of lowly destiny.

凡五小聲大，五官三停六府為配為妙，如有一件不能配，即不好也。五極乃額耳鼻目口是也，即五星金木水火土。書云：五小身頭共四肢，其言耳鼻口目眉，莫是五官俱得小，一生下賤是痴愚。

The body is small in size but the voice is loud, and if the five organs, three parts, and six organs are all compatible with each other, it is good; if any one of them is not compatible, it is bad. The so-called 'five extremes' refer to the forehead, ears, nose, eyes, and mouth, which correspond to the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The book of physiognomy says: 'Five small' refers to the body, head, and limbs; 'five organs' refer to the ears, nose, mouth, eyes, and eyebrows. If all five organs are small, the person will be born into a lowly status and be foolish.