(111) Face and Fate

By Janet Shin

A Korean plastic surgeon recently released a report detailing the most appealing female faces for each ethnic group. Statistics on the optimal ratio and shape of one’s eyes, cheekbones, nose and chin were unveiled in composite pictures of various races.

How is this related with saju, which tells of one’s fate?

Historically, people have yearned to read their fates through a variety of channels. There are many historical academic references about their studies.

In summary, their efforts were made through three major philosophical concepts, Heaven, Earth and Man. We may apply these in various ways. In terms of understanding one’s destiny, they wanted to know the teachings of heaven through saju or Chinese astrology from one’s birth ― although sub-concepts of heaven, earth and man are also found within saju, too. The teachings of earth were read through feng shui. Lastly, the teachings of man were expressed in appearance. Ancient masters tried to read people’s faces along with saju to tell their destinies.

These ancient teachings were not based on superficial observations but through the understanding of energy flow.

While saju, the teaching of heaven, has been comprehended as something set from birth, feng shui and face readings are in the human realm that people can improve by making efforts, practicing virtue and studying. Many scholars studied only to realize that their saju did not lead them to noble positions. Frustrated, they would then try to create change in a positive manner through the face readings and feng shui.

Many people have asked me what the differences are between face reading and face impressions. Both share many things in common but not all. Thus, the above mentioned composite pictures of an attractive face is able to explain some desires aspects, but not other in terms of face readings. The same applies to other studies, such as composite picture of trustworthy or untrustworthy features as done by foreign scholars. For example, a wide, bulky nose tip denotes fortune in face readings, but nowadays people want small, sharp noses through plastic surgery, which people believe is an attractive feature. Likewise, it is appreciated that plastic surgery may give some people confidence about their appearance. But there always are pros and cons.

As one gets older, experiencing each life, one learns how to view others just by looking at others’ faces. An experienced merchant, for example, knows whether a customer will actually buy goods or not, just by looking at the customer’s face. There seems to be certain stereotypes about personalities as well, as we watch actors and actress casted as criminal roles, political leaders, etc.

Our ancestors understood human beings as small universes and they applied the oriental philosophy ― yin, yang and the five elements ― to understand man’s fate.

The natural curves in the human body and face ― protruding or parts are considered yang, while concave areas are yin. The earth element is read by flesh, the water element by blood, wood by the hairs, metal by teeth and bones etc.

Face reading is to study a person’s external features that reflect one’s spirit and mind. It is the analysis of a face as a potential indicator of character and personal qualities. So a face reading is to observe one’s fate.

On the one hand, it is based on the statistical factors from what we actually see (external features) but also about harmony and balance, and the overall energy (chi) flow in a face. There are certain criteria on how to read each part of the face, but we must be able to read the overall image to see whether they are agreeable or disagreeable.

It is indeed a surprising if you are able to read whether one is rich or poor, smart or stupid, impetuous or relaxed, careful or thoughtful just by looking at one’s face, on top of reading one’s destiny by saju.

Some “blind” plastic surgeries may need to be adjusted by an adequate understanding of face reading or face impression, whether in ancient or in modern times.

Info : Are you interested in learning more about the ancient Chinese teachings of the “Four Pillars of Destiny”? A special saju workshop is held Saturdays in Itaewon. For more information, contact Janet at 010-5414-7461 or email janetshin@hotmail.com.

The writer is the president of the Heavenly Garden, a saju research center in Korea, and the author of “Learning Four Pillars” For more, visit www.fourpillarskorea.com

thkim@koreatimes.co.kr