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Chapter 100 of 110
柳庄神相
The verse says: In spring, the green color should be observed from the three yang regions; in summer, one should seek the complexion from within the hall of printing; in autumn, only look at the Annual Longevity area; in winter, observe whether a white light appears at the lower jaw.
This is a method left by the ancients. In spring, all things come to life 🌱, and green color should appropriately appear above the three yang regions; in summer, fire is dominant 🔥, so a red-purple color should appropriately appear at the root of the nose and the hall of printing; in autumn, metal is dominant, so a yellow-white color should appropriately emanate from the Saturn star (nose tip); in winter, water is dominant 🌊, therefore one observes the complexion at the lower jaw.
The Jupiter star (nose) should be bright and lustrous—this is merely a general principle.
Sometimes these methods do not prove accurate, and one must also rely on the twelve months, the four repositories, the four deviations, and the four cardinal points for comprehensive judgment (Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei are the four repositories; Zi, Wu, Mao, You are the four cardinal points; Yin, Shen, Si, Hai are the four deviations). Furthermore, if one wishes to inquire about a specific matter, one observes the complexion at the corresponding palace position, and then follows the refined methods for deep and thorough discernment.
Complexion is the outward manifestation of the five viscera and six bowels, and is divided into green, yellow, black, purple, red, and white colors.
Green color originates from the liver meridian and frequently appears at the three yang regions, the silkworm pads, the fishtail, and other such places—these constitute the palace positions of green. If the green color manifests in spring, it is instead harmonious and brings minor profit; if it manifests at the heavenly court or hall of printing, death is indicated within seven days; at the nose tip, death comes within a year; at the Annual Longevity area, it indicates hidden illnesses; at both ears, it indicates hardship and family ruin; at the corners of the mouth or lower jaw, the end of life comes within a month; at the frontier regions, it indicates entanglement in litigation and imprisonment.
When green appears at its own palace (the three yang regions and elsewhere), one may expect much worry within three days. Regardless of where this green color appears, it should only be bright, never dull or sluggish—if dull and sluggish, it is an inauspicious omen.
Yellow color is the natural color of the Saturn star (nose tip) and the hall of printing.
Whenever yellow appears, it signifies robust spleen earth; its energy frequently manifests at the hall of printing and the Saturn star.
The classic states: When red and yellow suffuse the face, family wealth will naturally be secure; when green-yellow color issues from the nose, unexpected wealth will surely be obtained.
The subtlety lies in the complexion not delaying great affairs—the red-yellow color is uniquely favored at the Saturn star position; at all other locations it is unfavorable. The hall of printing being yellow is also favorable, but it must be complemented by red to be truly excellent; if red does not corroborate, it is not advantageous either.
For those around the age of thirty, and those of the metal-wood physiognomic type, a red-yellow hall of printing enables wealth; for those beyond forty-nine, and those of the water-earth physiognomic type, obtaining this color instead signals great defeat.
When yellow issues at the frontier city (forehead corners), long life is difficult to promise. Yellow issuing at the corners of the mouth means death without recovery. Should this color manifest at positions other than its natural palace, even one's life span suffers loss—how could one speak of success in endeavors? Only when yellow appears during the third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth months and manifests at its proper palace (Saturn star, hall of printing) can financial gain be permitted. Thus Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei constitute Earth's palace positions, analyzed separately: Chen month favors green-yellow; Xu month favors white-yellow; Wei month favors red-yellow; Chou month favors white and dull yellow.
This text reveals the systematic correspondence between facial complexion and season, the five elements, and the viscera. The core concepts can be summarized as:
From a modern perspective, the content of this chapter can be understood as follows:
| Application Area | Specific Reference |
|---|---|
| Health Self-Monitoring | Long-term observation of one's own facial complexion changes; upon discovering abnormal dull colors, one may reference TCM viscera theory for regulation: observe the liver meridian and emotional stress for green, the spleen and stomach digestion for yellow, and the cardiovascular and inflammatory responses for red |
| Workplace Decision-Making | Before important negotiations, interviews, or signing contracts, one can check whether one's hall of printing (between the eyebrows) appears bright. Bright and moist means good condition, strong confidence, suitable for action; dull and sluggish suggests adjusting one's state and postponing vital decisions |
| Interpersonal Judgment | When meeting someone for the first time, observing the brightness/color distribution of their facial features can serve as auxiliary reference in judging their recent state and stress levels (not as the sole basis) |
| Seasonal Health Cultivation | Spring favors nourishing the liver (green governs liver), summer favors nourishing the heart (red governs fire), autumn favors nourishing the lungs (yellow-white governs metal), winter favors nourishing the kidneys (white governs water). Facial complexion can serve as feedback for seasonal health practices |
| Review Methodology | Hypothesis–action–review: e.g., "When the hall of printing appeared dull and I nonetheless pushed forward with an important project, was resistance stronger?" It is recommended to record one's state (including complexion observation) before each significant decision and afterward review correlation with outcomes, gradually building personal reference frameworks |
Holistic worldview of Heaven–Human correspondence: Facial complexion is not an isolated phenomenon but a convergence point of three dimensions: the qi of the four seasons and heaven-earth, the external manifestation of the body's viscera, and the omens of life fortune. This mode of thinking embodies the Chinese philosophical view of "unity of all things"—the human body is a microcosm resonating at the same frequency with the macrocosmic universe.
Temporal philosophy of "auspicious in season, inauspicious out of season": Green in spring is favorable, but green in summer is contrary. The same phenomenon transforms in fortune because of the "time." This shares the same lineage as the I Ching's idea of "moving in step with the times." Fortune and misfortune are not fixed but dynamic and situational.
The cosmology of "natural palace and proper position": Each color possesses its rightful position, and transgressing it spells disaster. This subtly implies a universal order—when all things occupy their proper place, harmony prevails; when positions are misplaced, calamity follows. For modern individuals, is this not also a metaphor—"excel in your own position"?
The life dialectics of light and dark: Brightness suggests vitality ☀️, while dullness signals decline ☁️. Zhuangzi said, "When the empty chamber gives birth to white light, auspiciousness comes to rest." A bright inner state naturally summons good fortune. The brightness or dimness of facial complexion is ultimately an external display of internal vitality. Nurture the radiance within, and the outer will naturally shine.