How to Perform a Face Reading & Interpret the Results

Master the art of Chinese and Vedic physiognomy

Co-authored by Jason Zuk and Eric McClure

Last Updated: August 15, 2024 Fact Checked

Does your face secretly reveal your creative flair or a talent for business? While not as popular in the West as palm reading, astrology, or tarot, face reading as a form of fortune telling and personality mapping is just as old. ^{[1]
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Research source} In this article, we’ll cover all of the elements involved in a face reading. Use the elements from each section to build a complex, dynamic understanding of where a person is from, where they’re going, and what they’re like. As a note, this article covers the modern version of Chinese face reading with some Indian elements. There are older, more traditional methods that are a little more esoteric and hard to do. ^{[2]
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Things You Should Know

Face reading was popularized in China and India during the pre-industrial period.
Face reading is similar to palmistry since it involves interpreting physical features to make judgments about a person’s nature, history, and future.
While there’s nothing scientific about face reading, it is a fun way to pass the time or test your ability to assess someone’s personality.

1

Face Shape

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Your face’s overall shape reflects the basis of your personality. Think about the face shape kind of like the canvas where all of the other details and images go. ^{[3]
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- Oval : People with oval faces are welcoming, diplomatic, and eloquent.
- Round : A round face indicates you’re imaginative, social, and giving.
- Rectangular : People with rectangular heads tend to be logical, deep-thinking, and methodical.
- Square : A square face indicates a strong will and the ability to commit yourself to anything you set your mind to.
- Triangular : If your face is triangular, you’re likely driven, ambitious, and competent as a leader.
- Diamond : Diamond faces tilt towards precision, control, and detail.

2

Eyes

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Your eyes reflect your true nature and personality. Your eyes are the windows to your soul. In other words, they say more about you and your natural, inner life than they do about whatever you’re looking at! ^{[5]
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- Deeper eyes : Deeply set eyes reflect a quiet nature. You may be prone to tolerating differences or weary of conflict.
- Protruding eyes : Protruding eyes indicate an expressive and outward personality that may indicate a more aggressive energy.
- Darting eyes : If you tend to look around frequently, you may be prone to telling half-truths, exploring, traveling, or general whimsy.
- Focused eyes : Focused eyes that move slowly and don’t waver reflect an honest personality. You may get in trouble for being too blunt, upfront, or serious.

3

Eyebrows

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Your eyebrows reflect your familial relationships. You are not born with eyebrows—your family cares for you and you develop the eyebrows in the first few months of life. As such, your brows are the extension of your ancestry. ^{[6]
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- Longer brows : Longer eyebrows reflect strong family bonds. You may have a stronger relationship with siblings, or have living at home in your future.
- Shorter brows : Shorter brows indicate a more individualist orientation in life. You may be a traveler, or less likely to stay in touch with cousins.
- Thinner brows : Thinner brows are a consequence of trauma and victimhood in your family. You may have a propensity for shying away from facing reality.
- Thicker brows : You have a history of violence in your ancestry and you may be prone to confrontation.
- Eyebrow shape : The rounder the brows, the more artistic you are. Your family may have raised you to prioritize self-expression. Flatter brows indicate an analytical background.
- Eyebrow continuity : Breaks or ruptures in your eyebrows indicate trouble with money. Perhaps your ancestors were blue collar and struggled to get ahead, or maybe you’re facing money issues yourself.

4

Eyelashes

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Your eyelashes show how you perceive the world. The eyes reveal your internal world, but the eyelashes reveal your perception. In other words, how you see things. ^{[7]
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- Short lashes : Shorter eyelashes correspond with a more literal way of looking at things. You’re also likely to be more sensual and sensory if you have shorter lashes.
- Long lashes : Longer lashes reflect a more imaginative way of observing the world. You’re also likely to linger over things you enjoy or become obsessed with things.
- Bushy lashes : Bushier eyelashes imply you tend to look at things optimistically, and you always look for the good where you can find it.
- Thin lashes : Thinner eyelashes suggest you’re more suspicious, analytical, and prone to analysis.

5

Ears

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The ears are symbolic of your lifespan and luck. Can you hear what the universe is trying to tell you? Are you all ears when danger is around the corner? The ears are your external variables—how long fate will entertain you, and how lucky you’ll be in life. ^{[8]
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- Taller ears : Longer, taller ears indicate that you’re going to live a long life regardless of what you do.
- Shorter ears : Shorter, tinier ears indicate a shorter lifespan if you aren’t careful and look after yourself.
- Thinner ears : If your ears rest flush against the side of your head, you’re going to have great financial luck.
- Thicker ears : Thicker ears that protrude from the side of your head indicate that you’ll be physically and medically lucky in life.

6

Forehead

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Your forehead depicts your academic skills and mental acuity. All those big brains need to go somewhere, right? On a more serious note, your forehead is the hidden part of your personality where all of those internal thoughts, quiet studies, and computations are stored. ^{[9]
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- Big forehead : A large forehead indicates a natural intelligence and a propensity for book learning.
- Short forehead : A short forehead reflects a desire for physical stimulation and a natural common sense.
- Ridged forehead : A thick brow or wrinkles in your forehead suggest a narrow learning style while you focus on things one at a time.
- Smooth forehead : A smooth forehead is a sign you never lose track of the big picture and you tend to prefer parsing tons of different info at the same time, on your own schedule.

7

Jaw/Chin

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The jaw and chin reflect a person’s will and resilience. Think about what it means if someone has a “glass jaw” or a “weak chin.” Remember we often talk about “taking it on the chin.” We subconsciously know that the jaw and chin reflect our determination, and it’s the same in face reading. The chin and jaw determine how strong, adept, sharp, and resolved you are. ^{[10]
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- Perfectly round and symmetrical chin : You’re a bastion of integrity, inner peace, confidence, and strength.
- Sharp jawline : Sharp, pointed chins indicate cunningness. You may engage in some insincerity or cruelty to avoid putting yourself in danger.
- Round chin : An extremely round chin reflects a strong character and a propensity for leadership, although you may not do well with giving up control.
- Square chin : A square chin belongs to the power-hungry, stone-willed, and physical strength.
- Asymmetrical jawline : An uneven chin reflects a shrewd character. You may make a great negotiator, but you may not be trustworthy with sensitive information.

8

Lips/Mouth

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Your mouth reflects your relationship with others through speech. Your mouth and lips are a reflection of your attitude and orientation towards language. As such, they say a lot about the way you communicate with others and express yourself. ^{[11]
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- Full lips : Thick, full lips are reflective of someone who speaks with confidence and courage. You’re likely very romantic and outgoing.
- Full lower lip : A thinner upper lip and full lower lip indicate that you’re expressive, wear your heart on your sleeve, and are sensual.
- Full upper lip : A thinner lower lip and full upper lip are a sign you love drama and gossip. You enjoy attention and know how to get your way.
- Thin lips : Thinner lips indicate a preference for silence and a reserved voice. You love being alone and don’t mind peace and quiet.
- Cupid’s bow : Cupid’s bow is the arch in the middle of your upper lip.
  - Defined Cupid’s bow : You speak beautifully, you’re seductive, and you’re quick-witted.
  - Undefined Cupid’s bow : You’re responsible and good at solving problems.

9

Nose

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Your nose represents your potential and relationship with freedom. Will you follow your nose and snuff out every opportunity you can, or are you more interested in quitting the rat race and smelling the roses? The nose is among the most complex facial features to analyze because there are a lot of variations and dimensions, but there are some general rules. ^{[12]
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- Big nose : A big nose indicates you’re a perfectionist who is prone to focus on work. You follow social norms, meaning you likely have good manners and come off as gracious.
- Small nose : A smaller nose means you’re an efficient worker. You work smart, not hard, and you know how to take it easy when the job is done.
- Flat nose : A flatter nose reflects a calm, even-keeled personality when it comes to work and taking breaks. You’re a balanced person.
- Long nose : Longer noses reflect a preference for keeping things laid back. You’re likely the first out of the office come quitting time, but you’re the most fun at parties.
- Wide nose : Your wide nose likely means you’re a big fan of pleasurable things. You’d rather kick your legs up and relax instead of worrying about work.
- Thin nose : You might have a little bit of trouble letting go of things or moving on. You’re likely a dedicated person but may struggle to overcome obstacles.

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Tips

Face reading, known as “mian xiang” in Chinese, goes back over 2,600 years. Ancient Chinese Emperors even used face readings to recruit advisors and choose who to promote. ^{[13]
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There’s no scientific foundation in face reading. However, people do actually use facial features to form first impressions of what people are like, so it’s not like the idea behind face reading is too out there. ^{[14]
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Warnings

Face reading is a type of physiognomy—the art of using someone’s head shape and face to determine what kind of person they’re like. Physiognomy has historically been used to justify some racist and problematic ideas, so don’t use face reading to make any assessments about groups of people. ^{[15]
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How to Perform a Face Reading & Interpret the Results

Things You Should Know

Steps

Face Shape

Eyes

Eyebrows

Eyelashes

Ears

Forehead

Jaw/Chin

Lips/Mouth

Nose

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

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References

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