The art of face reading

While looks have changed throughout the ages, one thing has remained constant within the area of beauty and that is face reading. In Chinese tradition, a woman's face can tell a lot about her future.

"In traditional Chinese physiognomy, a woman with a high and full forehead is considered auspicious. It's a sign of good luck and prosperity," says Liu Yidong, an expert in Chinese classical physiognomy

"If a lady has a forehead that looks like a half moon with a clear hairline, she is considered particularly lucky."

Bright eyes the shape of apricot seeds are also an indication of good luck, he adds.

If a woman's face is round, fleshy and soft, she is considered fortunate and can also bring good luck to her husband. But if she has high and thin cheekbones with a pointed chin, this denotes bad luck, secrecy and that she may face troubles or bring adversity to her husband.

"A straight nose of normal length makes a lady beautiful, wise and witty. If the nose is plump, it is an omen of good fortune for her husband," he says.

"If a woman's upper lip is soft and convex in the center, this is a sign of luck and passion. And if her lower lip is round and red, she will lead a happy and wealthy life. A long thin dark-colored mouth is a sign of bad luck though."

(China Daily 05/24/2013 page20)