Have you ever been afraid of or attracted to someone just because of the
way the person looks? When you fi rst meet someone, it is not unusual to react
to his or her appearance. But these are fi rst impressions, and most people
assume that it takes time to fi nd out what someone is really like. It is possible,
however, that a person’s appearance reveals more than we realize. According
to some experts, a person’s face, head, and body can reveal a great deal about
personality.
Since ancient times, people have practiced the art of physiognomy, or
reading character from physical features. The ancient Greeks compared the
human face to the faces of various animals and birds, such as the eagle and the
horse. They believed people shared certain character traits with the animals
they resembled. A person with an equine, or horse-like, face was thought to
be loyal, brave, and stern. A person with an aquiline, or eagle-like, nose was
believed to be bold and courageous, as well as arrogant and self-centered.