Opening the chapter
Loading the text. Please wait.
Mayi Shenxiang · The Mayi Art of Physiognomy
Backs of Hands and Feet
Read in English. Switch to Original for word notes, or select text to ask a question.
On Lines on the Backs of the Hands
The verification of lines on the backs of hands is esteemed; hence the supplied saying about people knowing their principles. On all five fingers, lines near the upper two joints are called Dragon Lines, related to Heaven and the master's role in the following wording. At lower joints they mean dukes or marquises; at middle joints generals or chief ministers. At the ring finger they reach minister or director; at the little finger court officer; at the thumb great wealth.
Transverse patterns spiraling around all five fingers on the backs of the hands mean investiture as marquis or king. Continuous patterns mean appointment as chief minister. The base of the index finger on the hand's back is also called Bright Hall. Unusual patterns and dark moles there mean talent, skill and high rank. Forms of flying birds or written characters mean pure distinction. Transverse patterns at the thumb's base mean morning-and-evening glory. Three or more lines mean rank in the Hanlin Academy, equally for men and women. Patterns must be close and complete. If broken or cut off, verification yields no result.
Text note: The upper-joint Heaven/master clause is irregular; no exact office or absent anatomical diagram is supplied. The source's status predictions are historical.
On the Feet
Feet carry the body above and transport it a hundred li below. Such is their importance: they image Earth. Though lowest, their use is greatest, so they may be separately studied to examine rank or low station. Square, upright, broad, long, smooth and soft feet are signs of wealth and rank. Narrow, thin, crosswise, short, coarse and hard feet are signs of poverty and low station.
No patterned lines beneath means low station; dark moles beneath stipend. Large but thin feet mean low station; thick but crosswise poverty and suffering. Eye forms beneath bring blessings to descendants; spread patterns beneath a reputation extending a thousand li. Soles flat as a board mean poverty and low station; space beneath able to contain a tortoise wealth and rank. Pointed, long toes mean a loyal, good person; upright, even toes a powerful worthy. Thick, square feet mean great wealth. Three moles arranged on the feet mean commanding servants in the Two Departments. Generally, a ranked person's feet are small and thick, a lowly person's large and thin: such are these categories.
Verse:
A ranked person's thick feet mean much leisure and joy;
A lowly person's thin feet mean rushing about.
Moles and patterns are truly favorable;
No patterns and no moles reduce the years of life.
Note: Traditional distances and the Two Departments designation remain unconverted or unexpanded. These bodily, status and lifespan associations belong to the historical source.
On Patterns Beneath the Feet
Soft, smooth soles with many patterns mean rank; coarse, hard soles without patterns low station. Tortoise patterns beneath mean stipend of two thousand shi; bird patterns an office described as eight positions. Slip patterns reaching upward on all five toes mean envoy-chief-minister posts in the Two Administrations. A cross and one slip pattern reaching upward mean vice minister in the Six Ministries. Three patterns like embroidered brocade mean stipend of a thousand measures. Flowering-tree patterns mean countless accumulated wealth; scissor patterns gold stored in immense sums; human-shaped patterns rank and office. One slip pattern means blessings and generalship; eight spiral-shell patterns wealth and rank.
Patterns on the backs of the two little toes are called Ten Spiral-Shell Patterns and mean a mean disposition. Only when all ten toes lack patterns is there ruin. Patterns beneath the feet greatly benefit descendants; tortoise patterns lifelong pure reputation; dark moles beneath wealth, rank and a worthy scholar.
Text note: Eight positions and Ten Spiral Shells follow the supplied designations. The latter's location is given only as the two little toes; missing patterns are not invented. The source's historical units and offices are not converted into modern equivalents.
Use ← / → or swipe left or right to change chapters