Physiognomy: Zeng Guofan on how to read complexion

Physiognomy: Look at the complexion. Zeng Guofan talks about looking at the complexion.

(I) Zeng Guofan's discussion on the key points of reading complexion

Original text: Face reflects destiny, complexion reflects fortune. The destiny should be in order, and the minor fortune should also be prosperous. Therefore, when the light is not shining, pearls and jade are viewed as rubble; when the decoration is not popular, bright light and cloth are priced the same. The big one determines the fortune and misfortune in one’s life, while the small one also determines the good and bad luck in three months.

Colloquial language: The face symbolizes and reflects a person's destiny, while the complexion symbolizes and reflects a person's fortune. The major destiny is generated by the innate factors, but it should still be balanced with the acquired circumstances, and the minor fortune should also always be smooth. Therefore, if the light cannot shine, there is no difference between pearls and jade and broken bricks and tiles; if the color cannot be presented, there is no difference between silk and brocade and coarse cloth. The major destiny can determine the fortune and misfortune of a person's life, and the minor destiny can also determine the good and bad luck of a few months.

(II) Zeng Guofan on observing qi

Original text: Qi is the main thing for people. It is the spirit inside and the complexion outside. There is a lifelong complexion, which is pale when young, bright when old, strong and bright, and plain when old. There are four colors of the year: spring is green, summer is red, autumn is yellow and winter is white. There is a color of the moon, which is dense after the new moon and becomes dark after the full moon. There is a complexion of the day, which is green in the morning, full during the day, still in the evening and quiet at dusk.

Plain language: Qi is the main spirit for a person's survival and development. It manifests itself as the human spirit inside the human body and as the human complexion on the surface of the human body.

There is a complexion that runs through a person's life. This is what people often say: the complexion of youth is pale. The so-called pale means that the complexion is childish and thin; the complexion of youth is bright. The so-called bright means that the vigor is vigorous and the color is bright; the complexion of middle-aged people is bright. The so-called bright means that the vigor is vigorous and the color is bright; the complexion of old age is plain. The so-called plain means that the complexion is solid and the color is simple. This is the complexion.

There is a complexion throughout the year, which is what people often say is the green (wood color) of spring, the red (fire color) of summer, the yellow (earth color) of autumn, and the white (gold) of winter.

There is a complexion that runs through the entire month. This is what people often say: after the first day of each month, it is like branches and leaves growing vigorously, and after the fifteenth day, it becomes looming. This is the complexion.

There is a complexion that runs through the whole day. This is what people often say: reviving in the morning, full and plump during the day, gradually hiding in the evening, and peaceful and calm at night. This is the complexion.

(III) Zeng Guofan on Judging Color

Original text: For those who are successful in science, the main color is yellow, which is the primary color. If yellow clouds cover the top of the head, you will definitely win the first prize; if yellow wings enter the temples, you will not far away; if the forehead is yellow, you will be rich and powerful; if the forehead is plain and clean, you will pass the exam next year. If his eyes are bright, he will definitely pass the test; if his forehead is purple, he will get small benefits; if there is a blush in the middle, he will definitely give birth to a good child; if his cheekbones are rosy, he will have a prosperous life. From this we can infer a glimpse of the situation.

Plain language: Because yellow is a primary color, the facial complexion of a scholar pursuing imperial examinations should be mainly yellow. If there is a yellow cloud covering his head, then this scholar will surely win the imperial examination and become the top scorer; if there is a yellow patch on each cheekbone extending outward, like two wings inserted into his temples, then this scholar will not be far from passing the imperial examination and getting a promotion; if the brow palace is yellow, then this scholar will soon get the opportunity to become rich and become an official; if the nose is white, smooth and clean, then this scholar will surely pass the imperial examination.

Other facial complexions, such as if the corners of the eyes (i.e. the crow's feet) are filled with red and purple, and their shape is like gorgeous clouds, then it can be said with certainty that this boy will be able to pass the small examination successfully; if there is a purple color flowing from the brow palace and flowing upward between the roots of the nose, then this person will often gain some financial benefits; if there is a red blush under each eye, and they are separated by the bridge of the nose and are not connected to each other, then this person will definitely have a good son; if the cheekbones are rosy and shiny, then this person's relatives such as father and son, uncle and nephew, brothers, etc., will definitely be able to make achievements and become famous and rich. By analogy, we can see the relationship between facial complexion and human destiny.

(IV) Zeng Guofan on the good and bad luck of color

Original text: Avoid blue and white colors. Blue is often seen at the fundus of the eyes, while white is often seen at the ends of the eyebrows. But they are also different: worries and troubles are blue like condensed ink; unexpected disasters are blue like floating smoke; exhaustion from alcohol and sex is white like a sleeping sheep; and calamities and misfortunes are like applying powder. There are also blue with purple, gold in shape will fly when it meets it, white with shine, and earth and Geng will also bring wealth and honor, but it is not discussed here. The worst one: Taiyang is sandwiched between the sun and the moon, black birds gather in the sky, peach blossoms are scattered on the cheeks, and Yuwei is guarding the ground. If one of these happens, one’s future will be ruined and disasters will occur again and again.

Colloquial language: The facial complexion should not be blue or white. Blue often appears under the eyes, and white often appears at the ends of the eyebrows. There are differences in their situations. If the face turns blue due to worry, distress or suffering, then this blue color is mostly dark and thick, like condensed ink; if the face turns blue due to an unexpected misfortune, then this blue color must be uneven, like floating smoke; if the face turns white due to fatigue and tiredness caused by alcoholism and lust, then this white color must be like a lying sheep and will soon disappear; if the face turns white due to a major disaster, then this white color must be as miserable as dry bones and full of death.

If the color is green with purple, a person with a Metal body type will be able to rise rapidly if he encounters this complexion. If the color is white, smooth and lustrous, a person with a combination of Earth and Metal body type will also become rich and noble if he encounters this complexion. These are all exceptions and are not included in the above discussion.

The above is what the editor has brought to you: Zeng Guofan’s theory on how to read complexion. I hope it will be helpful to you! For more guides, please continue to pay attention to the special topic of Ma Yi’s physiognomy on the Dream Interpreter website!