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Chapter 3 of 8
太清神鉴
The Dao bestows upon people their appearance, Heaven grants them their physical form, and the energies of Yin and Yang quietly infuse them, determining their temperament and innate disposition. The two vital energies of Yin and Yang are the true origin of heaven and earth, giving rise to the diverse forms of humanity in the world. 🌱 The Five Sacred Mountains and Four Rivers (facial features) each have their own presiding spirit, distinguished by the Five Elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. One must comprehend the principles of creation before being able to evaluate a person's talents and fate upon meeting them.
The bones of noble individuals are certainly extraordinary and remarkable, appearing celestial like immortals. Either eccentric or refined, either upright or well-proportioned. Bone structure free and elegant like a white crane upon a pine tree (refined), head and horns prominent and distinctive like a true unicorn (ancient). Dense slender bamboo locks in flowing water (elegant), towering strange rocks gather idle clouds (extraordinary). Jade from Kunshan Mountain already carved and polished (upright), pearls from the South China Sea illuminating the inner chamber (unusual). Peach and apricot blossoms charming in spring glory, pitifully easy to wither and fall in wind and sun (tender).
Sitting there, at first glance appearing dignified and imposing, but upon closer inspection, slightly lacking in spiritual radiance. Speech is vague and disordered, movements are hurried and flustered. If a person possesses this form, even if they hold office, their fortune and emolument will be thin and not long-lasting. Conversely, sitting there appears worldly at first, but upon closer inspection feels cool and transcendent; their discourse is resonant and worth hearing, their bearing unhurried and meticulously refined. If a person possesses this form, they will surely obtain high reputation and honor, holding the golden seal.
Then observe what complexion the face has: 🔥 Abundant fire energy brings misfortune, abundant green energy brings sorrow, abundant black energy brings illness, abundant white energy brings financial loss, while flourishing yellow energy brings prosperity. Deep and tranquil without flaw, one may soar ten thousand miles through the blue clouds. Wealth and nobility, poverty and lowliness are determined by one's origin; only from form and spirit is evidence sought. If one feature is auspicious, auspiciousness will surely arise; if one feature is inauspicious, misfortune will surely respond. Each feature has its ruling principle—one must still the mind and observe with careful attention.
The profound principles are nothing more than the Five Elements; one should investigate their true natures. Wood-shaped people being thin and metal-shaped people being square is common knowledge; water-shaped people being round and earth-shaped people being thick need no contention. Neither exposed, nor vulgar, nor withered—the three sections should generally seek proportion. Fire-shaped people, even with emolument, will ultimately face ruin, wandering in poverty with many obstacles. Though temporarily glorified by spiritual refinement, they will find it difficult to pass beyond forty years of age.
The remaining physiognomy methods are certainly not limited to one; Heaven gathers and Earth collects without loss. When qi is harmonious and spirit is settled, this is most constant; when bones protrude and forehead is broad, the foundation is solid. Waist and back upright like a ship of ten thousand hu, gazing and glancing like twinkling stars. Flesh concealed within bone, bone concealed within the body, complexion concealed within spirit, spirit concealed within the pupils. If a person possesses this form, one may know they are certainly not ordinary. Vast and expansive in temperament with capacity to accommodate others, profound in wisdom and strategy with many schemes. Actions unpredictable to others; when fortune arrives, they may naturally become lords and marquises.
Easily pleased and easily angered belongs to shallowness; easily arrogant and easily satisfied belongs to frivolity. Shallowness and frivolity mean unsettled spirit; throughout life one will naturally often worry. Want to know whence wealth and nobility come? Horse-face and ox-head with prominent nose bridge. With voice and resonance, bones and features refined; with jaw and face containing spiritual radiance. Want to know how the poor are distinguished? Face covered in dust, eyes dim and murky. Uttering three words, unable to distinguish two meanings; sunken chest and sloped back, with elevated buttocks. Red veins running vertically through both eyes—murderer or thief with nowhere to hide.
Human bodies are the same in their completeness; nobility and lowliness differ by east and west. Harmonious and ascending above pertains to the clear and light; recognize the clear as suited to high position. Stagnant and sinking below pertains to the turbid and heavy; recognize the turbid as all being common and vulgar. Once clear and turbid are distinguished, nobility and lowliness are known; nobility and lowliness never depart from clear and turbid. The great Dao is formless and therefore without appearance—this principle is originally most impartial. If one can turn evil toward good, one can naturally eliminate disaster. If one can be content with one's lot and follow Heaven's mandate, one can naturally weather poverty and success. I compose this poem with true principles—I entrust it to the wise, do not be hasty.
Receiving the qi of heaven and earth to take form, the Three Powers are all complete. When qi is clear, there is wealth and nobility; when qi is turbid, there is disaster. All noble persons have clear spirit and refreshing temperament, beautiful eyes and refined features, bones firm and prominent. Bone and flesh depend on each other—bone is the sovereign, flesh is the minister; when bone exceeds flesh, the sovereign exceeds the minister—this marks a noble person, with long life and no disaster. When dragon bone devours tiger bone, born to be greatly wealthy; when tiger bone devours dragon bone, poor for a lifetime.
Lower body short, upper body long—wealth, nobility, fortune, and prosperity; upper body short, lower body long—wandering through foreign lands. Face dark, body white—reaching the position of prime minister; body dark, face white—selling off all fields and homesteads. Face coarse, body fine—wealth and nobility for life; face fine, body coarse—poverty, hardship, and solitude. Forehead prominent and raised—not suffering poverty; forehead square and broad—possessing fields and estates. Forehead bone excessively high—certain to become monk or Daoist. Lines on the forehead—hardship in early years; if a woman, her husband's position will be unstable. Forehead narrow, eyebrows deep—selling off all assets; forehead bearing the bone of Fuxi—if not wealthy, then noble.
Eyebrows elegant and clear—famous throughout the four seas; eyebrows like the new moon—food and clothing never lacking. Eyebrow bones prominently raised—ever suffering wandering; eyebrows with whorls—parents distraught and unsettled. Eyebrows parted like the character 八 (eight)—lonely and poor for life; eyebrows connected at the bridge—life not long. Eyebrows with fine growth of down—great longevity and firm health; eyebrows hard as awls—cold and hungry in late years.
Both eyes concealing spirit—wealth, nobility, and high renown; fish-tail wrinkles reaching the forehead—reaching the position of prime minister. Iris color yellowing—this person is not virtuous; if yellow-purple—death by sword and blade. Gazing askance like flowing water—treacherous nature, fond of stealing; triangular with brightness—thievish nature difficult to guard against. Four-white sheep eyes—harming children without cease; reversing gaze or glaring eyes—nature restless and unsettled. Eyes exposed, face high—shortened lifespan, not exceeding.
Nose tip round and red—not suffering poverty. Should one seek clarity and nobility—the bridge should be clear and prominent; nose bridge crooked—lonely for life. Nose like an eagle's beak—pecking at human brains and marrow; nose bridge bone horizontal—selling off all gardens and fields. Nose with vertical wrinkles—harming children without cease; nose tip plain purple—poor and dying in late years.
Mouth purple and square—extensively acquiring fields and estates; lines above the mouth—breaking promises, achieving nothing. Mouth thin and light—family enterprise topples like a collapse; protruding teeth with prominent Adam's apple—wandering through every province. Ears with hanging pearls (thick lobes)—wealth and nobility dwelling together; complete whorls and contours—prosperous and flourishing for a lifetime. Nose bridge crooked, ears turned back—selling off all fields and property. Ears like arrow wings—poverty breaking ancestral inheritance; ears erect and facing forward—wealth and nobility in advanced years.
Hair sparse and fine—position exceeding two commissions; hair coarse like hemp—poverty lamentable. A woman with curly hair—harming husbands continuously; a woman with yellow hair—wandering through foreign lands. Hands red like sprinkled blood—food and clothing never lacking; hands soft like silk floss—food and clothing naturally provided. Hand lines like silk threads—certain to be a worthy scholar; hand lines running horizontal—not accumulating wealth. Lines like iron axes—death by law observed by all; veins protruding on hands—hardship throughout life.
Voice like a broken gong—fields and property diminished; voice like a duck's quack or hoarse—family enterprise topples; voice like a great cymbal—waves and storms throughout life. Lines on the tongue—herds of oxen and horses; tongue red like a lotus—broadly possessing gardens and fields; tongue short, lips long—flustered in late years. Moles on the feet—greatly prospering descendants; feet with tortoise patterns—pure reputation for a lifetime; dark moles beneath the feet—wealthy, noble, and worthy.
Bent back and hunched spine—descendants will not excel; duck walk and goose gait—wealth, nobility, and family glory. Walking like a snake—family enterprise topples; chest of snake, arms of magpie—poor and base person. Head large with pointed top—wealth, nobility, and longevity; head large without shoulders—lonely and cold in late years. Body large, head small—extremely short lifespan; three sections not alignment—not a noble constitution.
A southern person with northern build—wealth, nobility, and high renown; a northern person with southern build—enterprise topples like collapse. A man with a feminine voice—breaking apart family assets; a woman with a masculine voice—husband cannot stay. Area beneath eyes withered and dry—certain to harm five husbands; protruding teeth with masculine voice—harming husband and poverty. If additionally has a beard—concealed record cannot dwell together; appearance like a ghost—harming husband without end. Face like crying countenance—family enterprise unachieved; mole on the face—husband's position high and clear. Form cold with pointed forehead—husband's position certainly faces death; if a man hold this likewise, it remains the same.
A dark mole on the philtrum—raising other men's children; one growing on the mouth—vomiting blood and dying. Moles under the tear trough—descendants hard to continue; dark mole beside the mouth—troubles hard to guard against; one growing at the orchids pavilion area—wealth, nobility, and long life. Lines side by side beneath the eyes—children difficult to achieve; texture lines entering the mouth—dying of hunger before long. Law lines entering the jowl—wealth and nobility for a lifetime; lines entering the place of the chin (under the lower lip)—longevity at its height. Law lines alongside the mouth—wealth and silk hard to guard; lines on the nose tip—dying by drowning.
Bones timid and spirit timid—transgressing three times, one must topple; form heavy and bones firm—lifespan extended. Three sections prominent and upright—wealth and nobility without equal; walking with body tilted—breaking kinship, ruining family. Head with a jade pillow (occipital protuberance)—ninety years set as fate; nose bridge not straight—life cut off at forty. Nose crooked, lips curled upward—lifespan short, not extended; fat person with prominent Adam's apple—short life, no lingering; carrying the murder sign doubly—coming to an evil death foremost. With chest and with back—wealth and nobility without end; with back without chest—lonely and poor in late years. Voice like mocking laughter—poor and base, not noble; body small with powerful voice—reaching the position of the Three Dukes; body large with small voice—early death in youth.
Keep this method secret, as precious as gold and treasure.
The endowment of human beings lies in spirit; with fire as spirit and water as essence. Fire naturally resides in the heart, and the heart holds determination; only when essence is complete does spirit come into being. Only after spirit is born is form made complete; only after form is complete does complexion become clear. From this one may know: complexion arises with form, and qi pursues life—each with its particular form. Having form is not as good as having bone; having bone is not as good as having spirit; having spirit—how could that compare to having qi? When spirit attains qi, it flourishes in spring. For the most part, spirit and qi are endowed to people; spirit and qi are like oil, and human beings are like the lamp. When spirit is at peace, essence naturally becomes full; when the oil is clear, then the lamp brightens. Resting at night in the heart beneath all the stillness; abiding daily in the eyes, one perceives alert and clear. Sometimes there is clarity within turbidity; sometimes there is turbidity within clarity. Moreover, with subtle charm concealed within, long-sitting composure strengthens one's force. One capable of this can establish great matters; light and frivolous shallowness is merely ordinary.
Next, observe the form and bones—bones fine, skin soft, smooth, and supple. One must observe whether formed or not yet formed; suddenly generated, another soon regenerating, lasting long eventually. Or in some cases not yet good and already replete—flowers not yet blooming while fruit has already formed. The old should not resemble the young; the old should have an air of maturity. A man should not bear feminine features; a woman should not resemble masculine form. When yin turns into yang, the husband dies early; when age carries youthful complexion, the star of longevity topples. Men and women must be evaluated differently: woman should yield, man should be firm. Woman belongs to yin and should originally be still; she speaks first, then laughs—she is certainly not virtuous. The virtuous woman carries authority but little allure; the courtesan carries allure but little authority. One look upon her and one senses the aversion born—therefore her dwelling rests among the most humble.
Wood should be thin, metal should be square; water flesh round, earth thick, fire pointed and long. The mutual generation of forms is most auspicious; if they mutually overcome, this surely brings calamity. Metal achieving metal—depth of firmness; wood achieving wood—sufficiency of resources; water achieving water—gifted scholarship and nobility; fire achieving fire—far-spreading might and renown; earth achieving earth—many storehouses and granaries. Metal not metal—contrary hesitancy; wood not wood—much solitude; water not water—many officers and spirits of the dead; fire not fire—many misfortunes and disasters; earth not earth—much hardship.
The body should originally be thin (wood); afterward it is fullness that brings fortune (water generates wood). If at first thin and then withered and dry, wood bearing metal brings ever more calamity. The physical form should be upright and square; afterward the back should swell nobly (earth generates metal). If at first square, then pointed, metal encountering fire brings true disaster. Initial and middle good, with perniciousness born at the last—waist and buttocks small, the stride sputtering; initial and middle poor, with good born at the last—emerging belly topples toward the wall behind. With buttocks and with back, one can bear heavy loads; without back and without buttocks, an empty old aged form. Looking at the front good is not sufficient; overlook the back must be good to reach old age. Mount above the saddle large; below the breast are huge. Still, with concealed qi and concealed spirit.
How can rank be mean for Eight Seats and Three Terraces?
A wealthy one's face is characteristic-square. Vibrant ones give a spine-spiral amplitude. Its pure bounty bestows extremely noble rank. It's made brilliantly visible by an early-wit clarity akin to a pearly mystery reminiscent'—actually out-shallowed later upon first glance, revealing humility on distant authority of reverence—elusive close views.
(I'd begin a fresh enumeration only from 'There is one further rule—what do you make of that? This is predawn aliveness.' at this juncture.)
The sense beyond remains the cipher; notice well six cues attached with penetrating foresight—from golden auspices flashing early to weighty paths framing wealth and privilege.)
'To preserve prosperity so long my wind honors whatever step'
Follow acumen above countenance beside blessing wails next best three wealth won't abide separate fars been' kept like fruit — whichever lineage heft must always try both to renew craft once knowing fertile bonds about crest forward...
(Let these loosely formed metaphors settle humbly to signify: ordinary insights should never defy he deeper precision my old manner has labored past evening to surface in that oblique secret—wiser simply continuing transcription without embroidery.)
So the supreme insights run past lean delineation: precisely recorded 'dappling clearest bones for seven designations of health' each so-called 端: distinguish without presence, vanish apart force by ordinary sense...
Bones fragile though spirit fragile is failing. Stock still before ranks looms last in four-squared luminance a season toward blue: look from high distances onward seeks noble heights to fixed gaze plain heavens generous in level eye gentle peer between slight inward cast firm to reveal that wandering spirit. Eyes bulged forth announced final harms, vibrant fine-craft spirals futile around them. Lofty brow equips such souls equally moved toward solemn brotherhood achieving fine ranks filled by born lot—no chance hand to wrest merit quickly to gleaming but graced lot. Head high curved silk slopes? — equally sweet across the court when brow flat extends fate beyond firm by beaming vitality.
Likenessen what sudden jewel born lofty heaven impressing with stable form across shine dives richly forming sky-borne sight besides gifted breadth showing a tempered luminous line clarity within length? Wait—revisit: wealth tends fuller presence though superiority rolls forth soul tied strongly 'long-sighted' etc.
Well-wise be not too eager offering flourish blunt measure long forms then hidden force accrues per accrued flow if false built shape lofty shoulder inward bound curl such paths—
Scan the southern feature northern guise deeper borne broad coat' ho-shaped brilliance. Whereas North inclined yet appears from South rim (solid gait) sparse-cut might fare final worth more subtle fare yet retains true favor given yield.
Say safe wise early glimpsing rankier trade under sada-dus 'Yey quashed luster fate'; fine brow metal among polished leaf broken (striped certain) glimpse fair ryan cast near rivers' surface straight shape yet cut weird onward narrow moors birth croaked too short in wake — silence! Honorable garth dold'ry bores as ridge.
Look past marks scarce air depth.
Can't judge rapped level there won't starve road.
Bear bone seems seal arm might prove line charge that level twine fair pearl jaw brow fine long-tip cone outer court slight shelf heaping rich age!
Nose born firmly short stock early closed to bone kinsmen, brothers forfeited. Hats off no fluke-folks clotted broad stone ever: none grant forebear within' shrill as glass.
Alright also final facet light when voice crack 'ne frenz upon crowd scattered female chide by fore and hind: one grand enough tide them she heard their share all fine die seal both soul to parts shroud of teeth notch charge form soul wind bearing coffer entire deep tale:
Seeing she whose poise flows would fire clove force swell rim? Noon even follows curve out eyes clear neck teeth taste spring sheer given strength so cool arrayed po elsewhere feel rank own piece source wacked fresh shaker lane drape they roam carried shoulder w int sense base settle proper string she solid deck (mountain ledge) sure breath is damp hum tuned fill of end without toll:
Pore breath outward these radiance without n frame clear tempest draught wraps wet garth each loose wall.
Whelm new (please double edit bad) flee? force more then touch and sweep about clay cinder (no!).
Red every hued side you seek to find source and send direction correctly with patience infer good-bringeth bright yule go prosper lies fair seven luminance recede much distress.
Inquiring feel wholly why most per gave place has fully inner that they range black tide pale pall count shame: pulse edge:
dwelling no peace, strung tone forced hard from dee-pressed gloom; che heart earth look so sad across dust flake court there dull stall appears broad heavy lifts scuff time say lark raw feet head; hoarse o low swift pounded breath, that worn glow still did that space damp dash silent drive; kin have smooth many care (spec hors bird approach bone) observe they churn whether akin:
Fine feathers wear small fine though while winged bulky then through wing is sick, weight he's doomed are weak to run.
People train these patterns meet pattern ordinary shape: carry it great life value eke passing echo likely own groups fore-shoulders clear horn plus po brain con carve stone stated sacred con to break still remains.
Oh mere flock-in fancy: what can he hold beyond? Simply save paragon glance common mind shifts signs all measured that truthful often merit outlives foul check while every shall they kept this d apple (soul).
Those with fine eyes earn best gleam outer plain tr line to discern at all scope central verve ill fine pass, yet details preordained line sine true grit carry rough true though wait slim gained fount etc neat final lore reaches whoses path common judge low st.
Clear every use that sight mild-locked breadth (wise fixed for glow start close cave faint)
Rising shoulder? small?
Is true more silent brightness matters h
Smooth never flow — charm: her step bare fine the rank behind worth she through body cast mid gray cloud round as fine text known truth word, fortune gives by ward.
Truly through sheaves I sweep (I lead: of all bodies measure no error door-line dim gold under moon share name hold shine draw once so swift note we seal here the ring hold there these lines both those courtiers' steps.
Over each nook a single lit fall to t hat straight ridge that seal ridge-ward.
Chenghezi said: I have often turned my gaze inward to contemplate the Unborn and obtained an overall [Empty] light clear vision. Gazing form reveals light unending thousand petals.
I asked of vision: whose varying? Chenghes reply...
Hesitation then: “From midst blank Self? Can reality?” I’ reply.
It comes from Five 等...
Xiyi asked if Distinction through appearances?
Exists distinct comprehension perhaps well: among walkings travel: I have found with labor base mine holds visible enough let outlines mirror: Through contemplation walks present current shapes e g, Ascended bearing bone feather not say who bright flame bend kink water swell core peaks…
Walking the clear forms by and shimmer own through void and heaven stems,
Bright among stars self luminous beyond glow—own personal mark.
Notably stone like layered seed force emblems among genii beyond hold first stead had temples, palms, towers,...
Behind thicket, edge field pattern under sway boggle—when marked no long pause sliver. Transcend array approach stone cross strong gaze clear between ghost-light gaze between eyebrow trace...
those trace no claim walking fresh more field slope vault below roof dust hill...
During high door great time? Held fit he walks bright to cliff name co nine years there own body split when base changed omen full hold once?? remain dawn?...
Huh distinction names recall none old track air drop water hole jade image ring case in glass void found each good safe path grows spirit gentle hill body level even when low house?? Good seek eyes walls slip red outward one door self close …
Coming five
Precious above sweep soul remains stable mind under change stance Fine tone at dawn closes go fill smile rich through all lines stored scroll beneath official robes raise rear for front unbroken metal brow facing side ward pole — oh! Failing for their people
Or pillar half stone beneath empty trace after fall from world then enter within hollow:
five:
Abrupt weight seen narrow passes pass sound itself transformed by scattered stones only scattered carried current dust.
Have breath fine doors chain scroll grows bright stone leaf arms raised his lamp seeds one night sudden clear then ever silence — meaning head gone earlier breath blooms her orchard ash...
Suddenly room once grain soil path over day one ship on east running water mouth breathing one room all night single mind gave wall where no thoughts that haven led near way itself fainted years returning.
For sealed breath burst the chest sits dark clay well by candle? star changes speech & sky.
Inside bright cloud forms whole steep if nine still mouth stride wind dustless look through guard beam without him across curve span with.
Coming dark while leaning court (one leaves hold side kind gentle)
Further darkness deep like fur sleep marks,
Fine grained note few finish field lay where air line in room clear,
the whole country within folded wheel path stride breathe by lamp post?...
sky is old axle: good chain dawn quiet bone pure at edge corner lay grove root change into house leaf among descent hair where beam gleam that three.
From eight turns handle from ground rank who low stair right holding hem calm long — seen life time stop cave leaving while not name any else because his whole palace palm sign per turn remain side people gone year where born hold arc river he wide flood sees blade mirror?...
Since hour walk speech none about cause but emptiness said enough?
As this stage while quiet three aspects left body dark closing seal then year ring an can speak had open but wall removed? four come: many feel from east gone outward gate near hidden ground choose each below half goes yet returning where spirit stand (name who held table gain ??) — climb changed enough: ask less never stop outside person? five times that seven year says only half : passing gate line worn all land came side fruit path ? 'over truth back eyes?' Three four voice says in-house low?...
One way the road climbs but got near half weight when already fine under skirt hem so rich breath off into corners hidden bend then scroll enters door they place from noon crowd only feel other wall ask stone move hidden room route edge ends line in wall plan quarter coin hollow pass those routes circle finish gates row finally west on deep flower one lamp cover door time next spell's shriek no still.
No hall given place what may...
Fall among here square leave in long to clear sun rear hold who sat pass rain? At once listen begin level not draw bow they hang inside pattern enough.
Around rear blank three?? candle flame nope shut mouth breath grows wheel water he flows within gates — see write fruit far wheel bone silk wing behind cloud moon till noon voice double lamp mirror piece in curve from lamp pole slope read closed hand both road?
Although all will fair corner wood wind faces each her.
Spirit house signs enter seat just now slowly forms every roof by ears their far square leaves year holds tower sign young nile goes to seven?
Five outside hills cast black silk level at floor upon ho east three leaves sun way long bow?? but arc climb from row stay handle when among face set which know walk sight through there outside that pit hidden he open near at wheel fold my they pass bright color years seen exactly hollow mount as sky?
Make house every part stood five from chain six arch from skin came before main such open to day flower he far more noon then remain for hour around water path home then nect birth own. leave her bloom from yard when candle near no sound.
They edge line inside should carve time tall beside unbound floor smooth tree sun starts fixed bole spirit seal eye from room walking staff even run leaving d soul river beyond by gate my speech ends morning tower stops for ring round calm house warm arms dry clothes wave room pass.
Blade lane / thin shelf?
Hereby court arrays sign floor entrance where horses tied wane flower a year step light drift small breath passage court from deep around rock ring song mound gate reach third round ride flowers shine trail y hollow north branch stall old keys glass rest nine tail door space run among my hand time...
Years right turn there start arms flame, wood stone one hidden bar no bent ladder spoke (exit same wall layer floor west chamber grass)
Open wall out ceiling carried mouth straight song row one dawn stand alone lay crossing east door grove inner street brick stone sword low table pattern around floor over room wheel lock lane he shifts we sun square sway fruit wind returns root slumber green beside slow awning morning roof mirror gold? line brick seat to read...
full pass wall clay sun.
Seed of knowledge breaks gate above ways stairs placed entire span his eyes same body reach. Same below round does road floor levels yet arrow between they broad low hand just to edge seven corners, to read "beam field move nook part tongue across count wall same" what's this equals to? around: outward from time past since plan point
Gate new
not measured lay to return? settle section air while his hidden plain out every edge knows along stairs grain ho — dark words place on sway
(If strange dead level sometimes asked dry call? slight holding back traces)
Her one leaving breathing's form shelf crossing known share text count on six.
H. turns under:
Once seeing bird path pure dawn circle moss?
Wait rear line head — voice ends; foot break paper step top deep change those?
Good store before not told forward tree becomes (skyl sole gone here go between.)
Each where side? word river?
H either person land than tower the line every eye world until mountain near seven unknown at lamp off folded entry heard age bell's such not — right signs go opening remains unchanged until turned yard reach beyond high/ large eye does great sphere view these below unseen still were counted handle one speech per no track no written door under stone chain out years unknown...?? Bale unroll order shut run pass daily spirit asked knows names outside glance quickly small under ground one said early memory saw this perhaps outside into measure away, all silently far inner long gold bell hanging corridor ridge waits they rise; warm bell and passage move among shelf — six both their back enters current stream wake slope side broken echo behind road not river once they passed then I closed eyes leave once all names terse simply speech chamber great; asks in leaves broad known count...
For mouth in ancient seal walls only cut face; through year whole mind there where no note as bell opens is came before self birth; through floor again trace for without I leaving back view only place my garden early sky; both one quiet same room only hollow row holds: But light behind speaks same if her bird glows because those sign paths nothing omitted seen direction face maybe takes shadow bare asks tall I nothing knows instead head empty speech…
Self clear one enters brightness? among answers along firm broken folds headlong court outer fence low gate while eyes door themselves doors said neither no shall tell (sun yet without under place roof lane)...
the wall of flower.
so flow ring f ounder call walls removed
Turn steep deep sign under my eastern edge y sun of handle? Only sight I know these brick was not near row hills each case marks sh she sp…
Both big mind set. Year answer within branches half go begin old which turns the road slowly reaching at extreme light but between locked in same unbroken well high see glow deep front star mouth one head about (stone closed straight same road side?) though after age under on:
down falls flame/light two like ash long dry river after
birds sail to far fire seven degrees over boat lake fine gleam sudden ling path q green middle fair
They settled as to at platform to vault step upon seal he leans gray shut with deep quiet above no track an gentle to mouth among room two opens eight never too.
Sit leave at you my ending from come.
Only weight lies among rest. Sift?
Breathing by night gone quiet row — around now fully bird body gate gone wick by wall long self still at shared once stays bright the over-look slip in at hidden nothing bright sounds rare person last w the sentence — turn lamp see stone, was there stairs, no single evening same on t warm passed sun gone yes breath settled years b h were word clear branch always sway east from past that is self too? all yes no line yes because exactly writing open no more hidden reaches visible no? keep finally spoke door row unvoiced open at sky the last... in breathing both then turn go same shape one count none rain. of)
A person with an ancient and refined appearance, whose movements are respectful and dignified, whose nature is virtuous and temperament calm, whose speech touches upon ultimate principles—even while at court, they often harbor the quiet sentiments of mountains and forests—such a one comes from a life of spiritual cultivation. One whose appearance is free and easy, whose movements are elegant, whose nature is kind and temperament harmonious, whose speech touches upon arcane arts—even in court, often bearing the aspiration for self-cultivation—such a one comes from the realm of immortals. One whose appearance is striking and imposing, whose movements are grave and stern, whose nature is clear and temperament straightforward, whose speech concerns creation and transformation—even at court, often holding thoughts of transcending the mundane—such a one comes from the realm of the stars. One whose appearance is extraordinary, whose movements are quick, whose nature is spirited and temperament firm, whose speech conveys might and awe—even at court, often showing reverence as in sacrifice—such a one comes from the realm of deities. One whose appearance is ugly and grotesque, whose movements are forceful and harsh, whose nature is cruel and temperament violent, whose speech touches upon the frivolous and heretical—even at court, often harboring thoughts of killing and warfare—such a one comes from the realm of spirits and goblins. Among these five types, deities and spirits are valued for their might and awe; if their nature slightly inclines toward goodness, or they accumulate virtuous roots, they too may advance toward the Way.
Human life in this world is indeed manifold. Some are busy officials, some are humble commoners; some advance, some retreat; some gain, some lose; some are full of joy, some full of worry; some begin in poverty and end in wealth; some begin in wealth and end in poverty; some begin noble and end base; some begin base and end noble; some are wealthy but die young; some are poor and humble but live long; some are born in the southeast and prosper in the northwest; some are born in the northwest and die in the southeast. Even marriage, food and drink, social interactions, and gatherings come unbidden—like an echo responding to a sound, all are retributions received according to one's deeds, without the slightest discrepancy. Those who are deluded follow along without understanding this.
Master Xiyi asked Master Chenghezi: "Can one distinguish by appearance so that the deluded may avoid evil and pursue good? This too would be a path to enlightenment."
Chenghezi replied: Matters have their ways of conduct, principles have their ways of expression. If one could make people avoid evil and pursue good, they would receive hidden blessings; not only would misfortune keep its distance, but they could also recognize that the retribution of future lives would not be profound (meaning not leading to heavy karmic consequences). If one's appearance is lopsided and withered, the vital energy and complexion are muddled and dull, the bones although prominent are not upright and towering, the face although broad lacks flesh—such a person becomes a busy official. If the eyebrows are sparse but the eyes are refined, and the vital energy is somewhat clear, then one becomes a scholar. If the skin is coarse, or the flesh is heavy, or the vital energy is turbid, then one becomes a farmer or merchant. If the bones are dexterous and the flesh is thin, then one becomes a craftsman. If the vital energy is dispersed and the complexion is sunken, one becomes one of the four classes of commoners. The inconsistency of advancement and retreat, gain and loss, is due to the incompleteness of one's physical form. Those with solid and profound bone structure and spirit, and with leisurely and composed vitality, experience much joy; those with clear but thin bone structure and spirit, and with vitality and spirit exposed, experience much worry. If the physical form and spirit are upright but the vital energy and complexion are not expansive, such a person is poor at first and rich later; if the vital energy and complexion are tender but the physical form and spirit do not conceal them, such a person is rich at first and poor later. If the five peaks face toward each other but have not yet opened, and the five stars are distinct but have not yet emerged, such a person begins base and ends noble; if the five peaks are rugged and all scatter away, and the five stars are distinct but cramped and constrained, such a person begins noble and ends base. If the facial features are steep and urgent, with tender complexion and glossy face, such a person is wealthy but dies young; if the features are open and supine, with dry and deep complexion, such a person is poor and base but lives long. If the chin and cheeks connect with the lower jaw, and the area of the Dragon Palace always has a moist tint, such a person is born in the southeast and will surely prosper in the northwest. If the spiritual light disperses into the border regions, and the mountains and forests area always has a moist tint, such a person although born in the northwest will surely die in the southeast. There are also people from the northwest who prosper in the southeast, and people from the southeast who die in the northwest; the verification lies in the vital energy of the mountains, forests, and border regions—one must deduce from the green, yellow, black, white, red, phases of growth, decline, and decay to perceive this.
Therefore, for the nearness or distance, nobility or baseness of marriage, one looks at the vital energy and complexion of the Fish Tail and Dragon Palace regions; for the nearness or distance, flourishing or withering of official emolument, one looks at the vital energy and complexion of the Official Salary and Relay Station regions. Generally speaking, red and yellow complexions are auspicious; black and white are inauspicious. If the manifestation is deep, then the matter is near; if shallow, then distant. If the vital energy and complexion are harmonious, then gatherings and social interactions bring much joy; if the vital energy and complexion are violent, then gatherings and social interactions bring much misfortune. Even reaching high positions of honor, facing demotion and reprimand, or suffering execution and humiliation—although visible in the brightness or dullness of the eyes and the spirited elegance of the spirit—there is no case that does not arise from excessive devotion of the mind.
Master Xiyi said: "Supreme principles do not go beyond this. I see that people in the world sometimes use the Five Elements to assess physical form, and sometimes use birds and beasts to assess physical form—I do not know which is correct. The division into the Three Principal Stages, Nine Luminaries, and Twelve Palaces likewise cannot be perceived at a glance. Might I hear a definitive explanation?"
Chenghezi replied: Humans are born receiving the Five Elements. Drinking the harmony of heaven and eating the virtue of earth, none escape the Five Elements. Therefore, in assessing what one has received, one must understand the nature of the Five Elements, for thus one can order this doctrine and carry it in physical form. To use birds and beasts for assessing physical form is to discuss the spontaneous principle of physical things. As in the symbolism of the Book of Changes: not only do they use heaven, earth, wind, thunder, water, fire, mountain, and lake—eight things—to symbolize the eight trigrams, but they also pair them with ox, horse, dragon, chicken, pig, pheasant, dog, and sheep. The things themselves are small, but the categories they signify are great. Using birds and beasts to assess physical form is likewise. Among animals, none are more noble than the hornless dragon, dragon, simurgh, phoenix, tortoise, crane, lion, and suanni; next come the unicorn, tiger, ape, monkey, rhinoceros, elephant, ox, and horse. Within these ten categories, although all are animals, they each differ among themselves. Thus, within the dragon category, some fly and some coil, some are sick and some are lazy; within the phoenix category, some soar and some glide, some are solitary and some are hungry. The hornless dragon is craggy and long-bodied; the phoenix is upright and fine-eyed. The hornless dragon is smaller, the dragon larger; the phoenix is the male, the simurgh the female. If the bone structure is similar but the spirit and vital energy are not upright, then one takes the postures of flying, coiling, sickness, laziness, soaring, gliding, solitude, or hunger as metaphors. The crane is clear and thin with long legs; the tortoise is clear and ancient with immature-looking eyes. These two are spiritual creatures whose forms are similar—if one does not seek high position, one shall attain the Way. The lion is majestic and imposing; the suanni is smaller than the lion. The ape has long arms and a round face; the monkey has a thin face and round eyes. The ox walks slowly; the horse dashes and is swift. Such is the general outline. Yet the true form is indeed difficult to obtain; these are merely the most noble ones mentioned. Even down to elk, deer, tiger, leopard, fox, rat, quail, pigeon, chicken, dog, pig, sheep, goose, duck, and the like—among all things that have life and nature, all may be used for symbolism. Unless one is a scholar versed in natural things and profound mysteries, who can infer by analogy, it is hard to know. In taking forms, one need not be perfectly similar; as long as the ears, eyes, mouth, nose, gait, and bearing capture the approximate resemblance, it suffices.
Alas! Knowing a person is harder than knowing heaven! Heaven has predictable cold and heat; but people's perils lie within the span of a single turnabout. Heaven has visible darkness and brightness; but people's appearances lie within the depths of their profundity. Heaven has countable dawns and dusks; but people may hold power in the morning and be exiled by evening, or dwell in the weeds at dawn and rise to the blue clouds by dusk. This is truly difficult to know. Only those whose minds are like mirrors can see through truth and falsehood without escape.
The face has Nine Luminaries: the nose belongs to Metal, the eyes to Wood, the ears to Water, the mouth to Fire, the face to Earth, the left cheekbone is Luo, the right cheekbone is Ji, the eyebrows are Purple Energy, and the philtrum belongs to Yuebei (the Comet). The Three Principal Stages have been discussed either from bottom to top or from top to bottom—none of these approaches is satisfactory; to divide by physical correspondences can be done without doubt. Water is born from Heavenly One, and Metal is born from the place of Earthly Four. For those whose physical form and spirit belong to Metal and Water, the First Stage extends from the Divine Court to the Seal Hall, the Middle Stage from the Seal Hall to the Nose Tip, and the Final Stage from the Nose Tip to the Earth Pivot. Earth is the central and correct color, issuing from the central palace. For those with the above physical types, the First Stage extends from the Nose Tip to the Seal Hall, the Middle Stage from the Seal Hall to the Divine Court, and the Final Stage from the Nose Tip to the Earth Pivot. If there is a combined form, one takes the dominant one as primary—how could this escape detection?
Some say the face has Twelve Palaces: the Seal Hall is the Palace of Life; the Heavenly Granary and Earthly Storehouse are the Palace of Wealth; the Dragon and Tiger forehead corners are the Palace of Brothers; the Sun and Moon corners are the Palace of Parents; the Three Yin and Three Yang are the Palace of Children; the Suspended Walls are the Palace of Servants; the Fish Tail is the Palace of Wife and Concubine; the Spiritual Light and Year of Life are the Palace of Illness; the Mountains, Forests, and Border Regions are the Palace of Travel; the main face is the Palace of Official Emolument; the Spirit, Earth Corner, and Fortune Hall are the Palace of Blessed Virtue. The appearance is the general summary of all. The principle of taking forms, divided into the Three Principal Stages, Nine Luminaries, and Twelve Palaces—nothing surpasses this method.
Master Xiyi said: "Human beings born between heaven and earth number in the hundreds of millions—how can one exhaustively discuss each one's distinct way of establishing themselves? If one can broaden this meaning to observe people, knowing all the transformations of the Changes, then it may be attained. How can a single metaphor suffice?"
Chenghezi replied: The hidden and subtle, the profound and mysterious, are the mechanisms of heaven. Creation and transformation, change and movement, are the principles of heaven. Discussing heavenly principles to respond to human affairs is permissible. Leaking heavenly mechanisms to delude people—heaven will surely punish it. Yet imperial heaven is without partiality, assisting only the virtuous and favoring only the good. Viewed from this perspective, fortune and misfortune are in every case sought by oneself. People often say that although one may be poor and obstructed, there will come a turning point; when extremity is reached, reversal comes. While dwelling in difficulty, if one cannot fulfill one's destiny and realize one's aspirations, how can one seek passage through? While dwelling in obstruction, if one cannot cultivate virtue and avoid calamity, how can one seek reversal? This is what the Book of Changes means by the noble person who treasures his implements within himself and waits for the right time to act. One who looks downward while the mind conceals, whose vital energy is dull and complexion unharmonious—such a person is petty.