Physiognomy: The physiognomy classic "Ren Lun Da Tong Fu"

The physiognomy book "Ren Lun Da Tong Fu" was written by Zhang Xingjian of Jin Dynasty and annotated by Xue Yannian of Yuan Dynasty. Zhang Xingjian, according to the "History of Jin Dynasty", was a Jinshi who was promoted to the position of Minister of Rites and Grand Tutor of the eldest son. He was devoted to the study of astronomy and mathematics. The book was recorded in the Yongle Encyclopedia, and the title of the book was included in Huang Yuji's Qianqingtang Bibliography in the late Ming Dynasty. The commentary in "Summary of the Complete Library in Siku Quanshu" says that the book focuses on physiognomy, and the words and meanings are quite clear and concise. The preface to Yannian is a concise summary of the main points, no less than three or two thousand words, covering almost all the aspects of physiognomy. The items are fluent and well-organized, which is well deserved praise. However, he wanted to make his technique look great, and some of his words were exaggerated. This is also common among the five elements scholars, and it is not a big deal. As for Yannian's annotations, although they are elaborated in detail, the things that are clear without the annotations are also redundant and too lengthy, which inevitably makes them superficial. The opinions of the Sikuguan officials were reasonable. The number of words in Xue's notes is dozens of times that of the original book. It is more like Xue's work than Zhang Xingjian's.

"The Great Tong of Human Relations" is divided into two volumes. The text is very concise. The first volume says that nobility and inferiority are determined by the structure of the bones, sorrow and joy are shown in the expression, regret and misfortune arise from the beginning of the action, and success or failure lies in the decision. It also describes the good and bad of appearance respectively: a face like a crown of jade, a voice like a bell, the four rivers must be deep and wide, and the five mountains must be dome-shaped and high. There is not much new in this content. The second volume says that there is a difference between looking at men and looking at women. The nature of women is different from that of men. Those who are gentle and charming are valued, while those who are round and ugly are despised. Those with thin and red faces are less chaste, while those with clear and bright faces are more virtuous. The author does not explain why one's status and chastity can be determined from one's appearance.

The value of Xue's annotations lies in the fact that they cite many physiognomy documents, such as "The Jade Tube Illuminating the Gods", "The Record of Creating Gods", "The Record of Yuebo Cave", "The Secret Language of the Lingtai", "The Turtle Mirror", "The Book of Bole", "The New Book of Sanfu", "The Mirror of the Heart", "The Jade Mirror of Dongwei" and other books. These annotations can be used to collate physiognomy books. At the same time, these annotations also have certain academic value. For example, the annotation on distinguishing the four seasons' qi quotes "Dongwei Yujian" and says: Qi is just one. If we talk about it separately, there are three reasons. It is called natural energy, nurtured energy, and inherited energy. The energy of nature is the elegance of the five elements. I have inherited it, and its purity always exists. The energy that is cultivated is the great and righteous energy. I can keep myself at peace, and nothing can disturb me. The qi that attacks is evil qi. If it is not thick and not fully nourished, it will be attacked by evil qi. The ancient Chinese philosophers had a very rich theory on Qi, but modern philosophers rarely pay attention to the theory on Qi in the literature on numerology. Therefore, this is a new field worth exploring.

It is self-evident that the "Ren Lun Datong Fu" is full of superstitious elements. For example, at the end of the book there is a diagram of 24 types of qi, which believe that qi includes water ripples, date pits, round beads, grass roots pointing downwards, clouds, two fish, millet threads, grass roots pointing upwards, five scattered rice threads, scattered silk threads, pen tip shapes, bow shapes, messy hair shapes, dragon heads, plum blossom dots, dragon scales, phoenix tail shapes, jade seal shapes, flame shapes, beads, full moon shapes, half moon shapes, silkworm shapes, and sword shapes. Different seasons indicate different good and bad luck. This set of physiognomy methods has no scientific basis.

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