Body & beauty

Here’s how facial recognition can spark up your love life

Want to know if your new date is a keeper? Learn the art of facial recognition and you could find your perfect love match, says master trainer Joey Yap

Looking at love

Forget about personality profiling or online-matching algorithms – nothing beats face reading when it comes to really figuring out if someone is what they claim they are. Facial recognition is the core of our interaction with others. We identify someone by their face first. It’s so instinctive that most of us don’t even think about it.

Chinese face reading, or mian xiang, is an ancient form of physiognomy that reveals not only a person’s true character, but also his or her fortune, luck and talents. Based on thousands of years of observation by sages, it is a systematic method of determining someone’s personality through studying a combination of facial features and the qi colour (skin colour) of the face.

Good or poor relationship faces

Chinese face reading offers an objective standard for what is a good or a poor relationship face, of course, but this tends to be rather conservative, favouring a stable personality and an uncomplicated character, as it is largely premised on the Confucian values of family and marriage. It was developed during a very different age, when women didn’t go out to work, and bigamy was not only acceptable but was regarded as an indication of a man’s prosperity.The good or poor relationship face is quite a subjective issue. What someone finds attractive varies from person to person. For example, some people regard clinginess or possessiveness as appealing, while others prefer someone who is independent-minded, even combative. Some like a relationship to be competitive, but others could do without the drama.

For some people this obviously might be the perfect formula for the world’s most boring relationship, so look at the definitions of good and poor relationship faces with a pinch of salt. This is not necessarily what meets everyone’s expectations. However, what it does mean is that the next time you’re out on a date, or assessing online photographs, you’ll know what facial features you should be scrutinising closely.

Facial recognition is the core of our interaction with others

Romance by facial features

When it comes to relationships involving the emotions, we primarily look at features that relate to the spouse, to the marriage palace, and to characteristics and attitudes associated with romantic relationships and marriage. Facial features relate to these matters in the following ways:

The forehead governs intellect and thinking and determines a person’s feistiness, since high foreheads also denote demanding individuals.
The temples are the primary marriage palace for males. They are the secondary marriage palace for females, although it is not often read.
The mountain root (point 41) relates to a person’s self-confidence and sense of self.
The nose is the primary marriage palace for females and the secondary marriage palace for males.
The chin denotes the extent to which family and home life are a priority for the person and also indicates whether a person will have an old age that is prosperous, meaningful, and filled with happiness, children, and grandchildren
The eyebrows relate to the person’s inherent nature. The ability to remain monogamous and to remain in a long-term relationship is often determined by the eyebrows.
The eyes reveal a great deal about a person’s emotional state, and it is through them that human beings draw the attention of those around them.
The eye bags relate to children and so give an insight into the quality of a person’s sex life.
The seat of husband and wife – the space between the corner of the eyes and the side of the nose.
The chin denotes the extent to which family and home life are a priority for the person and also indicates whether a person will have an old age that is prosperous, meaningful, and filled with happiness, children, and grandchildren.

Browbeating

Eyebrows are an important feature with regard to relationships, as they represent inherent character and indicate a person’s degree of self-control, determination, focus, willpower, and backbone. Good eyebrows denote a person in full control of their actions at all times. Poor eyebrows belong to someone who will always claim that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

Straight eyebrows mean determination and an iron will.
Curved eyebrows indicate fickleness and a weak will. Traditionally, a curved eyebrow was acceptable on a woman and considered less favorable on a man, and vice versa.
Flat eyebrows show a steady, solid character with a clear mind and focused thoughts.
Fluffy eyebrows denote someone who is unstable, flighty, frivolous, and easily bored

The seat of husband and wife

The seat of husband and wife is the space between each eye corner and the side of the nose. When it is fleshy, it denotes an optimistic outlook and romantic perspective on relationships and marriage. When it is sunken, the person does not have a particularly optimistic view of relationships and is cynical about marriage.

Two or more of the following features are required in order to qualify for a good relationship face

The female face

A large, fleshy nose or a tall, straight nose, indicating a classy lady who will attract a confident men with a good sense of self.
A broad nose bridge, which indicates a good sense of self, independence, and confidence.
Clear, elegant and slightly curved eyebrows, denoting a sentimental and gentle personality.
Phoenix Eyes suggesting a woman who is elegant, classy, smart, witty, ladylike and a ‘man magnet’ who will attract men of calibre and capability.
Upper and lower lips that are balanced and in proportion, which indicates a woman who values both romantic love as well as physical affection.
A rounded forehead of average height (no more than four fingers high), which denotes a woman of reasonable intelligence.
A high nose bridge at point 41, the mountain root, which represents a person’s self-confidence, denoting a woman who will see herself as the equal of her husband.
A fleshy seat of husband and wife, indicating a woman capable of having a fulfilling relationship or marriage and who has an optimistic attitude to relationships.

The male face

A hairline set back from the temples by at least two fingers’ width, indicating mutual respect in the relationship, and a man who is neither cowed nor controlled excessively by his wife but is very satisfied with his relationship.
A broad, high nose bridge with no bumps or ridges, which denotes confidence and a sense of self.
Moderately thick eyebrows that are clear (grow clearly in one direction), suggesting a man who regards relationships as important but does not put his friends above all.
Upper and lower lips that are balanced and in proportion, which indicates a man who values both romantic love as well as physical affection.
A wide, fleshy chin, suggesting a man who values time at home with his partner.
A fleshy seat of husband and wife denoting a man capable of having a fulfilling relationship or marriage and who has an optimistic attitude to relationships.

The poor relationship face

Like the criteria listed for the good relationship face you need at least two to qualify

The female face

A knot on the bridge of the nose, which indicates a woman who has a temper and is shrewish; characteristics regarded in classical face reading as being unfavourable to marriage.
Absent eyebrows, known as white tiger brows and indicative of a woman who is very aggressive and fierce in her manner.
Spear-headed eyebrows indicating a strong character, an opinionated and demanding nature and a feisty, argumentative personality.
Big, glassy eyes, which denote a very emotional personality.
Sunken or very dark eyes, or panda eyes, in which the eye sinks slightly into the socket and the area around the entire eye is dark, with weak eye spirit, indicating a needy, clingy woman who worries a lot.

The male face

Thick eyebrows with limpid eyes, which indicates a man who puts his friends above all and is emotionally unstable.
Fluffy, thick eyebrows, denoting a frivolous personality, a dreamer and a man who is easily bored and places his friends over his partner.
Sunken temples or a tight marriage palace (see illustration on previous page) which indicates a man who is cowed by his wife or who is married to a feisty, very strong-willed woman and is in a relationship that is not one of mutual respect, trust, emotional connection or understanding.
Bulging temples, which belong to a man who has lots of complaints.
Fish tails (crow’s feet) that extend up and pierce into the temples, indicating a man who is a flirt and has a tendency to stray.
Unbalanced lips, especially if the lower lip is very thick, which denotes a man who places sex above emotional connection.