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.
Physiognomists study such features as the shape of the head, the length
and thickness of the neck, the color and thickness of the hair, and the shape
of the nose, mouth, eyes, and chin. They believe that round-faced people
are self-confi dent. Prominent cheekbones show strength of character,
while a pointed nose reveals curiosity. Heavy, arched eyebrows belong to a
decisive individual, while thin, arched eyebrows signal a restless and active
personality. Almond-shaped eyes reveal an artistic nature. Round, soft eyes
belong to dreamers. Down-turned lips reveal a proud character, while a long,
pointed chin indicates someone who likes to give orders.
A related—though not as ancient—art is phrenology, the study of the
bumps on the head. Phrenologists have identifi ed 40 bumps of various shapes
and sizes on the human head. They “read” these bumps to identify a person’s
talents and character. For example, a bump between the nose and forehead
is said to be present in people who have natural elegance and a love of
beauty. A bump behind the curve of the ear is the sign of a courageous and
adventurous person.
Phrenologists are not so much interested in health as they are in
character and personality. They believe, for example, that a bulge in the
center of the forehead is typical of people who have a good memory and
a desire for knowledge. A small bump at the top of the head indicates a
person who has strong moral character, while a bump just below this one
is a sign of generosity and a kind, good nature. Phrenologists say a bump
just above the tip of the eyebrow is found in people who love order and
discipline, and a rise at the very back of the head is evident in people who
are very attached to their families.
Phrenology was developed in the early eighteenth century by Franz
Joseph Gall, a doctor in Vienna. His interest began at school when he
noticed that boys with prominent eyes seemed to have the best memories.
This led him to believe that a connection existed between appearance and
ability. Dr. Gall’s research interested many people, but he was ridiculed by
other doctors. When he died in 1828, he was a poor and bitter man. It was
only many years later that Dr. Gall’s theories found support among some
doctors and scientists, and today the art of phrenology has become more
accepted
Have you ever been afraid of or attracted to someone just because of theway the person looks? When you fi rst meet someone, it is not unusual to reactto his or her appearance. But these are fi rst impressions, and most peopleassume 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. Accordingto some experts, a person’s face, head, and body can reveal a great deal aboutpersonality. Since ancient times, people have practiced the art of physiognomy, orreading character from physical features. The ancient Greeks compared thehuman face to the faces of various animals and birds, such as the eagle and thehorse. They believed people shared certain character traits with the animalsthey resembled. A person with an equine, or horse-like, face was thought tobe loyal, brave, and stern. A person with an aquiline, or eagle-like, nose wasbelieved to be bold and courageous, as well as arrogant and self-centered.Physiognomists study such features as the shape of the head, the lengthand thickness of the neck, the color and thickness of the hair, and the shapeof the nose, mouth, eyes, and chin. They believe that round-faced peopleare self-confi dent. Prominent cheekbones show strength of character,while a pointed nose reveals curiosity. Heavy, arched eyebrows belong to adecisive individual, while thin, arched eyebrows signal a restless and activepersonality. Almond-shaped eyes reveal an artistic nature. Round, soft eyes
belong to dreamers. Down-turned lips reveal a proud character, while a long,
pointed chin indicates someone who likes to give orders.
A related—though not as ancient—art is phrenology, the study of the
bumps on the head. Phrenologists have identifi ed 40 bumps of various shapes
and sizes on the human head. They “read” these bumps to identify a person’s
talents and character. For example, a bump between the nose and forehead
is said to be present in people who have natural elegance and a love of
beauty. A bump behind the curve of the ear is the sign of a courageous and
adventurous person.
Phrenologists are not so much interested in health as they are in
character and personality. They believe, for example, that a bulge in the
center of the forehead is typical of people who have a good memory and
a desire for knowledge. A small bump at the top of the head indicates a
person who has strong moral character, while a bump just below this one
is a sign of generosity and a kind, good nature. Phrenologists say a bump
just above the tip of the eyebrow is found in people who love order and
discipline, and a rise at the very back of the head is evident in people who
are very attached to their families.
Phrenology was developed in the early eighteenth century by Franz
Joseph Gall, a doctor in Vienna. His interest began at school when he
noticed that boys with prominent eyes seemed to have the best memories.
This led him to believe that a connection existed between appearance and
ability. Dr. Gall’s research interested many people, but he was ridiculed by
other doctors. When he died in 1828, he was a poor and bitter man. It was
only many years later that Dr. Gall’s theories found support among some
doctors and scientists, and today the art of phrenology has become more
accepted
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