William Atkinson - The Complete Works of William Walker Atkinson

Fig. 18

BROAD FACE

The above mentioned several types or classes of faces have, of course, innumerable variations and combinations, but a careful study of these several types will give one the general key to all faces. It is well to obtain a side view, as well as a full-face view, of the face one wishes to study.

Fig. 19

NARROW FACE

In studying faces, not only the general shape of the face must be observed, but also the various features thereof, as for instance: the chin; the mouth; the nose; the eyes; the ears; etc. These features form the subject of the following chapters.

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Physiognomists regard the chin as an important feature to be considered in the study of faces as the outer form of character. The following are the principal points of the "reading" of chins.

In Fig. 20 we see the first point to be observed in the study of chins. The rule is to draw an imaginary perpendicular line from the point at the root of the nose, between the two eyebrows. In the normal and average type, the line touches the upper lip and chin. But we find the normal condition in but comparatively few cases, the majority manifesting a variation backward or forward. When the chin is found to recede from the line, it is interpreted as an indication of weakness, lack of stability and firmness, and a general vacillating and unstable character. When the chin projects beyond the line, it is interpreted as indicating firmness, stubborness, and a generally selfish nature, which is considered "strong" by contrast with the "weak" receding chin. When the projecting chin is pointed , it indicates that the strength is manifested as grasping, miserliness, etc.; while if it is square , it indicates Combativeness and Destructiveness as well as Acquisitiveness; and if it is very broad and square , it indicates the domineering, "bossy," tyrannical, self-willed character.

Fig. 20

CHIN STUDY

The above points regarding the chin must always be taken into consideration. The following points are based on the shape of the chin when in normal position , that is when the perpendicular line descends in a straight line from the root of the nose to the chin:

The narrow-round chin indicates idealistic feeling not manifesting in decided action. These people have high desires, longings, and aspiration, but lack the will to act upon the same.

The narrow-square chin indicates the idealistic nature, accompanied by the will to act upon the same.

The broad-round chin indicates substantial feeling , without the will to manifest it in decided action. These people desire ordinary, plain, practical things, but lack the initiative, will and nerve to overcome obstacles to acquire them.

The broad-square chin indicates that the feelings are plain, practical and substantial, with the will to back them up .

From the above, it will be seen that roundness indicates feeling ; and that squareness denotes will ; that narrowness denotes ideality ; while broadness denotes practical, substantial, plain desires and tastes.

The dimpled or indented chin indicates the warm artistic temperament with its accompanying desire for love of the opposite sex, desire for affection, and alas! too often a fickleness and lack of loyalty and fidelity in love affairs.

A broad, firm jaw indicates strong Combativeness, Destructiveness and Firmness.

A narrow, loose jaw indicates the reverse of the qualities above noted.

A loose, drooping jaw and open mouth indicates timidity, weakness, shyness, or despondency.

The fighters in all walks of life manifest the strong, firm jaw. It is the survival of the primitive "bite" in the animal or cave-man.

The Orientals have a proverb which runs as follows: "By a man's eyes, know what he might have been, or may be; by his mouth, knew what he has been, and is." The study of the mouth is one of the greatest interest, and one which will richly repay one for his time and thought. It will be noticed that there is a great difference between the mouth and lips of an individual in childhood, in youth, and in middle-age, which fact shows the truth of the Oriental proverb just quoted. The mouth indeed shows what a man has been and is.

Small mouths generally denote undeveloped, childish, or babyish character, neither good nor bad.

Large mouths denote matured character, good or bad. When firm, they denote force and energy. When half-open, they denote dullness and heaviness. When showing full protruding lips, they denote sensuality and selfish passions and tastes. When very large and flexible, they denote the "windy" person who is fond of talking and hearing the sound of his own voice—when one says that another is "big-mouthed" he states a truth which physiognomy bears out.

An upward curve of the corners of the mouth, denotes a cheerful, optimistic disposition and mental attitude. Likewise, a downward curve denotes a despondent, pessimistic disposition and mental attitude. A graceful bow-like curve, shows a well-balanced and "all around" disposition.

Tightly closed lips indicate a firmness, and often a "closeness" of disposition. Loosely closed lips indicate a lack of firmness, and often a spendthrift tendency. Lips that touch lightly and protrude slightly in a "kiss-like" shape, indicate vanity, love of praise and flattery, and often a desire to be petted.

Puffed-out lips indicate sloth, dullness, lack of energy and ambition, general heaviness. Coarse lips indicate lack of refinement, and often grossness. Particularly full lips indicate Amativeness and sometimes Sensuality.

Slanting mouths indicate trickiness, "foxiness" and general unreliability. Crooked mouths , or mouths greatly out of symmetry, are held by many authorities to indicate lack of Conscientiousness, and often criminal tendencies.

Full, red, middle-lips indicate love of the opposite sex. Thin, pale middle-lips denote the opposite traits.

A long upper-lip indicates Self-Esteem. A short upper-lip denotes deficient Self-Esteem, but often also a strong Approbativeness. (John D. Rockefeller has an almost abnormally long upper lip.)

The affectionate faculties are believed to manifest in outer form in the center of the lips, because of certain nerve centers at that place. A fullness and enlargement there denotes strong affection, while deficiency in the affectionate qualities manifest in the opposite direction.

Will and self-control is shown by the relative firmness and "set" of the lips and mouth.

Besides the above mentioned characteristics, the student will soon perceive that there are certain "expressions" of the lips and mouth which, although impossible of expression in words, nevertheless may be almost instinctively recognized by the careful observer. Lips, like eyes, tell their story plainly to the careful and practiced observer. It is a safe rule to avoid those whose mouths arouse an instinctive distrust in your mind . Watch closely the mouths of people speaking to you, and you will receive many a plain signal of danger, and many an assurance of safety. The eyes, while full of information, often deceive those not fully versed in their secret code—but the mouth tells its tale in plain, simple, understandable terms, signs and symbols.