Chiyang Daoren, Eastern Taoism
The method of “the Three Sections” (santing) is one of the core frameworks of traditional face-reading theory. “The Three Sections” simply divide a person's face into three areas and then, combined with the shape and features of each area, infer the person's character, the direction of their fortune, and good or ill fortune in each stage of life.
1. The Division of the “Three Sections” and the Stages of Life They Represent
1. The Division of the “Three Sections”
The concept of “the Three Sections” was introduced earlier, but let us review it. “The Three Sections” divide the face vertically, from top to bottom, into three areas—upper, middle, and lower. The area from the hairline to just above the eyebrows is the Upper Section (some schools set the boundary as “from the forehead to the Yintang,” the spot between the eyebrows). The area from just above the eyebrows to the tip of the nose is the Middle Section (some schools set the boundary as “from the Yintang to the Zhuntou,” the nose tip). The area from the tip of the nose (or the philtrum) to the chin (the Dige, or “Earthly Pavilion”) is the Lower Section.
2. The Stages of Life Represented by the “Three Sections”
The core logic of the Three Sections method is that the upper, middle, and lower “Three Sections” correspond to different stages of life and to core dimensions of fortune.
1. The Upper Section corresponds to fortune in early life, from one to forty years of age. It governs one's inborn endowment, family circumstances, basic character, and how smoothly one's youth goes.
2. The Middle Section corresponds to fortune in middle age, from forty-one to sixty. It governs career achievement, the accumulation of wealth, social status, and the opportunities and challenges of middle age.
3. The Lower Section corresponds to fortune in old age, after sixty-one. It governs health, family harmony, the bond with descendants, and the quality of life in old age.
2. How the “Three Sections” Reflect Good and Ill Fortune in Each Stage of Life
To read a person's “Three Sections,” first look at the features that indicate good or ill fortune, as follows:
1. The Upper Section
The auspicious signs of the Upper Section are a broad, full forehead, an even hairline, and brow bones that do not jut out. They foretell a well-off family in early life, smooth growth and study, a cheerful and optimistic character, an open mind, and easy support from benefactors. For someone with these auspicious signs, if the forehead also has the “Hidden Rhinoceros Bone” (fuxi gu), it is the most auspicious of auspicious signs. The Hidden Rhinoceros Bone extends upward from the center of the forehead to the hairline, wraps around on both sides to the temples, and connects downward to the “Hall of Blessings” at the ends of the eyebrows, forming as a whole a square or rounded raised bone structure. Such a “Hidden Rhinoceros Bone” foretells flourishing fortune and a gift for leadership, the ability to achieve one's goals through ambition.
The inauspicious signs of the Upper Section are a narrow, low, flat forehead, a messy hairline, and jutting brow bones. They foretell a poor family and a hard time with study in early life, an introverted and sensitive character, and vulnerability to even the slightest changes in the family, with many setbacks in youth. If the forehead has scars or acne pits, one must take every care to guard against damage to health or disputes with others in early life.
2. The Middle Section
The auspicious signs of the Middle Section are a straight nose bridge—that is, a Shangen (the root of the nose between the eyes) that does not collapse—a round, full nose tip, and full, fleshy cheekbones, that is, cheekbones that are high but not jutting. They foretell a smooth career and flourishing finances in middle age, a firm and decisive character, strong execution, and a readiness to make breakthroughs in career or wealth. If the “Zhuntou” (the nose tip) is also full, it foretells abundant regular wealth—that is, rich income earned through a proper profession, stable work, and lawful business. If the “nostril wings” are symmetrical and full, it foretells a strong ability to hold on to wealth.
The inauspicious signs of the Middle Section are a collapsed nose bridge, a small, pointed nose tip, and thin nostril wings. They foretell large ups and downs in finances in middle age, a tendency to lose money through bad decisions or health problems, and a suspicious, impatient character that keeps one's career from developing steadily. If, in addition, the cheekbones are high and fleshless, it foretells heavy pressure in middle age, a tendency to be framed by petty, scheming people, and strained relationships.
3. The Lower Section
The auspicious signs of the Lower Section are a round, thick chin—what is often called “a square, round Earthly Pavilion”—a deep, long, clear philtrum, and upturned mouth corners. They foretell a settled life and good health in old age, filial descendants, a harmonious family, and the enjoyment of family happiness. For someone with these auspicious signs, if the chin also has a “Hidden Rhinoceros Bone”—a raised center of the chin—it foretells flourishing finances in old age: a face of “late blessings.”
The inauspicious signs of the Lower Section are a pointed, thin chin, a shallow, short, indistinct philtrum, and drooping mouth corners. They foretell worrying health in old age, a weak bond with children, a tendency to fall into loneliness with no one to depend on, and many setbacks in old age. If the Lower Section is narrow overall—what is often called “a narrow, small Earthly Pavilion”—it foretells declining finances in old age, and one must guard especially against exhausting one's savings or family conflict.
That completes the auspicious and inauspicious signs of “the Three Sections.” But the signs of the Three Sections alone can only give a rough idea of fortune in the three stages of life; they cannot judge fortune accurately and comprehensively.
3. The Relationship Between the “Three Sections” and the “Five Peaks”
To understand the Three Sections method more fully, let me first explain to you, dear readers, the relationship between “the Three Sections” and “the Five Peaks” (wuyue) of the face. The Upper Section (hairline to eyebrows) corresponds to the Southern Peak, Mount Heng in Hunan (the forehead). The Middle Section (eyebrows to nose tip) corresponds to the Central Peak, Mount Song (the nose); the Eastern Peak, Mount Tai (the left cheekbone); and the Western Peak, Mount Hua (the right cheekbone). The Lower Section (nose tip to chin) corresponds to the Northern Peak, Mount Heng in Shanxi (the Earthly Pavilion). With this relationship understood, let us turn to why traditional face reading regards “the Three Sections” as so important.
A face with balanced “Three Sections” involves both the Three Sections and the Five Peaks. First, the proportions of the “Three Sections” are roughly equal: the Upper Section is not too long—its vertical length does not exceed one-third of the total length of the face; the Middle Section is not too wide—that is, when the two sides of the face's central axis are clearly “spread out,” so that visually the Middle Section is wider than the upper and lower sections, it is too wide; and the Lower Section is not too narrow—its vertical length is not less than one-third of the total length of the face.
Second, the “Five Peaks” are full in form:
The forehead, which corresponds to the Southern Peak, should be square, broad, and full, flat like “a square, spacious chessboard,” without hollows, slant, or stray lines.
The nose, which corresponds to the Central Peak, should have a high, straight bridge and a full Shangen (the root of the nose), shaped like “towering Mount Song,” without being low and collapsed, crooked, or knotted.
The left and right cheekbones, which correspond to the Eastern Peak and the Western Peak, should be symmetrical in height and width, with rounded, fleshy contours that neither jut sharply nor sink, shaped like “Mount Tai and Mount Hua facing each other symmetrically,” echoing one another.
The chin, which corresponds to the Northern Peak, should be round and full with a complete contour, shaped like “round, solid Mount Heng,” without being hollow, flat, or pointed, and should on the whole resemble “an upside-down carrying basket” (wide at the bottom and narrowing at the top).
A face with balanced “Three Sections” foretells steady fortune in every stage of life, without marked ups and downs, a steady character, and deep blessings.
The main types of face with unbalanced “Three Sections” are as follows. When the Upper Section is too strong (its bones full, its flesh plump, its complexion rosy) and the middle and lower sections are weak (their bones flat, their flesh slack, their complexion dull), it foretells a smooth early life, but in middle age one is prone to setbacks from setting one's goals too high, and in old age one must guard against loneliness. When the Middle Section is too strong (its bones prominent, with a high nose bridge, marked brow bones, a rosy complexion, and a length or fullness clearly greater than the upper and lower sections, giving a clear sense that the face's center of gravity is in the middle) and the upper and lower sections are weak (in the Upper Section, a hairline set forward and a flat or even low forehead; in the Lower Section, a short, small, or sunken chin, thin lips, or drooping mouth corners), it foretells strong career ambition in middle age, but a fiery temper easily causes conflict, and in old age one must work to harmonize family relationships. When the Lower Section is too strong (a broad, full chin, a clear, strong jawline, thick, fleshy lips, and a length or fullness clearly greater than the upper and middle sections, giving a clear sense that the face's center of gravity is low) and the middle and upper sections are weak (in the Middle Section, a low nose bridge and inconspicuous brow bones; in the Upper Section, a hairline set forward, a forehead without a full curve, and flat brow bones), it foretells flourishing fortune in old age, but in middle age one may rush about because of overly strong desires and must learn to be content.
For the Three Sections method of face reading, knowing only what has been said above is not enough; it must also be linked to the following two aspects:
4. Pairing the “Three Sections” with the “Five Peaks”
First, fortune must be judged by linking the pairing of “the Three Sections” and “the Five Peaks.” The key points are as follows:
Auspicious signs of the Upper Section paired with the Southern Peak: when the Upper Section is full and broad—that is, when the Southern Peak is like “a full moon”—it generally indicates a rich inborn endowment, success in youth, and the likelihood of inheriting the family estate or receiving the support of benefactors. A square, bright forehead governs an open mind, strong ability to learn, and an optimistic, positive character. If the Upper Section and the Southern Peak have “an even complexion”—note that complexion here means no scars, acne pits, or dullness—it also foretells a smooth early life and a good start in study and career.
Inauspicious signs of the Upper Section paired with the Southern Peak: when the Upper Section is narrow, low, and flat—that is, when the Southern Peak is sunken—it generally foretells a poor family and a hard time with study in early life, an introverted, sensitive character, and vulnerability to changes in the family. If the forehead has a “beauty's peak” (a widow's peak)—a small point formed where the hairline in the center of the forehead extends downward—that runs too deep, it has a certain potential effect on fortune. The traditional remedy is for men to shave off the widow's peak and for women to cover it with bangs, reducing its potential effect on “fortune” and making life smoother.
Auspicious signs of the Middle Section paired with the Central Peak and the Eastern and Western Peaks: when the Middle Section is upright and prominent—that is, when the Central Peak rises high and strong—with a round, fleshy nose tip and symmetrical, full left and right cheekbones, the so-called face in which the Eastern Peak and the Western Peak “pay court” to the center, it generally foretells a smooth career and flourishing finances in middle age, with power and wealth developing in balance. If the nose and cheekbones are well matched—the cheekbones not higher than the nose, and the nose not overpowering the cheekbones—it foretells strong execution, a readiness to make breakthroughs in career or wealth, and harmonious relationships.
Inauspicious signs of the Middle Section paired with the Central Peak and the Eastern and Western Peaks: when the Middle Section is collapsed—that is, when the Central Peak is low and sunken—with thin nostril wings and high, fleshless cheekbones, it foretells large ups and downs in finances in middle age and the possibility of losing money. If the cheekbones and nose are out of balance—that is, when the Eastern and Western Peaks lack the look of “paying court,” as when the cheekbones are high and the nose low—it foretells a fiery temper and a tendency to be framed by petty, scheming people, making it hard for one's career to develop steadily.
Auspicious signs of the Lower Section paired with the Northern Peak: when the Lower Section is round and solid—meaning a round, full chin with a complete contour, so that the Northern Peak takes the shape of “an upside-down carrying basket,” wide at the bottom and narrowing at the top—with a deep, long, clear philtrum and upturned mouth corners, it generally foretells a settled life and good health in old age, filial descendants, and a harmonious family. If the Lower Section and the Northern Peak form an auspicious pairing and the complexion is also rosy, finances will flourish in old age: a face of “late blessings.”
Inauspicious signs of the Lower Section paired with the Northern Peak: when the Lower Section is pointed and thin—that is, when the Northern Peak is sunken—with a shallow, short, indistinct philtrum and drooping mouth corners, it generally foretells worrying health in old age, a tendency to be lonely with no one to depend on, a weak bond with children, and many setbacks in old age. If the Earthly Pavilion—the chin—is narrow and small, finances may decline in old age, and one should take precautions early.
5. Pairing the “Three Sections” with Face Shape
Second, fortune must be judged by linking “the Three Sections” with face shape. The balance of the Three Sections' proportions and the overall form of the face echo each other and together determine the “rhythm of fortune” and the “basic character” of a life. The core logic linking the Three Sections and face shape is as follows:
Unbalanced proportions of the “Three Sections” combined with the features of the face shape can basically foretell where the emphasis of fortune lies among the stages of life.
A long Upper Section with a long face: generally foretells excellent intellectual development and a well-off family in childhood and youth, but in middle age one may miss opportunities through overthinking, and in old age one must guard against loneliness.
A long Middle Section with a square face: generally foretells extremely strong career ambition and a fierce drive to strive from youth to middle age, but one may have lacked family support in childhood, and in old age one must work to harmonize family relationships.
A long Lower Section with a short face: generally foretells stronger fortune in old age than in early life; in middle age one easily misses opportunities through impulsiveness, and in old age one must take care not to become too stubborn.
Finally, face shape determines one's “basic character,” and the Three Sections determine the “rhythm of fortune.” The key points are as follows:
A round face with balanced Three Sections: generally foretells a gentle character and steadiness in every stage of life—a life pattern of the “smooth-sailing type.”
A square face with a prominent Middle Section: generally foretells a firm, resolute character and an explosive career in middle age—a life pattern of the “striving type.”
A diamond-shaped face with a narrow Upper Section: round and square faces are easy to understand and need no special explanation. What needs explaining is the diamond-shaped face: prominent cheekbones, a narrow forehead and chin, and a sharp outline make a diamond-shaped face. This face shape combined with a narrow Upper Section generally foretells a sensitive character and few opportunities in early life; one must rely on a breakthrough of talent in middle age—a life pattern of the “comeback type.”
Note that these three so-called life patterns are not fixed at birth; later circumstances and each person's own efforts are among the important factors that determine the pattern of a life.
The Three Sections method of face reading holds that the “overall harmony” of the Three Sections and the face shape is the core of a noble face. That is, when the Three Sections are balanced, each taking up one-third of the face, and the face is also rounded and full, like a round or square face, this is the foundation of a “noble face.” This is because balanced Three Sections represent smooth transitions of fortune between the stages of life, without major breaks, while a rounded, full face shape represents a tolerant character and strong resilience under pressure, able to bear the opportunities and challenges of each stage.
Still, the link between the Three Sections and face shape is merely “a summary of experience” from traditional face reading, not a scientific conclusion. Using it to judge fortune in life is, more than anything, a combination of cultural symbolism and psychological suggestion.