Mian Xiang: The TCM Art of Face Reading

Like Rodney Dangerfield, Mian Xiang gets no respect. Mian Xiang isn’t a person but rather the ancient Daoist discipline of “face reading.” Viewed as pseudoscience in the West, Mian Xiang is still widely practiced in China. Used in the past to arrange marriages and select candidates for ancient imperial court positions, Mian Xiang facial reading provides a window into the psyche and personality of a stranger at first glance. 

Nowadays, Mian Xiang’s reputation in the West has improved thanks to its use in the corporate world. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the most knowledgeable and skilled acupuncturists employ Mian Xiang as a diagnostic tool. Here’s what we can learn about health from the perspective of Mian Xiang. 

What Are The Principles Of Mian Xiang?

Botox is the kryptonite of Mian Xiang. That’s because Mian Xiang is the art of reading the lines of the face. But even if somebody is injected with botulism to erase signs of aging, there are other ways that an expert in Mian Xiang can read the face.

The forehead, ears, nose, chin, eyebrows, lips, jaws, and yes, an un-botoxed face full of wrinkles and even moles can reveal personality traits. In TCM, Mian Xiang is like a diagnostic Sherlock Holmes, unveiling clues about facial lines that reveal the state of an individual’s health. 

Facial Feng Shui

As the Daoist master Serge Augier states, Mu Xiang is one of the 5 Daoist arts of the Da Xuan School, belonging to the Art of Observation of shapes, the same category as Feng Shui, the harmonizing of energetic forces in a home environment. Mu Xiang “broadens the uneducated feeling of the first impression, which is often tainted by our own filters. It is based on the understanding of the face lines as an expression of spiritual and energetic tendencies,” says Augier on his Da Xuan blog. 

Although Augier has spent over four decades mastering Daoist arts like Mu Xiang, he acknowledges that in the Western world, face reading is on par wit the same pseudoscientific realm as cranium-measuring (phrenology). In the West, Mu Xiang’s equivalent is morphopsychology, the early 20th-century study of human facial composition. 

Despite never gaining mainstream scientific acceptance, there’s a vital truth that Augier proposes about Mian Xiang: “Whether we like it or not, human interactions always begin with visual contact, and what follows is an instinctive reading of the face, the body, and the attitude. This first impression is part of the instinctive weapons of human nature.”

How Is Mian Xiang Used in TCM?

Nearly 2000 years ago, Mian Xiang developed as a means of understanding human behavior, character traits, and potential life paths by examining the face’s features and expressions. The practice of Face Reading has evolved to become an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Your local acupuncturist in the US probably doesn’t rely on Mian Xiang too much in their arsenal of diagnostic tools. However, many “old school” TCM doctors use it in the following ways: 

A TCM doctor can use foundational TCM concepts such as Yin-Yang and the Five Elements theory (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) to bring better balance to their patients. For example, a person with strong, angular features is of the Wood element. If a person with chiseled features has excess Yang, they can become angry or temperamental, while an excess of Yin in the Wood type will result in withdrawal. Meanwhile, a rounder, softer face reveals a Water type. And if a Water type has a Qi deficiency, they will experience tiredness, sadness, coldness, or joint discomfort. 

In addition, a TCM practitioner can examine the patient’s facial meridian lines and pressure points to detect any imbalances or blockages in the body’s energy flow (Qi). 

A highly adept acupuncturist will also use facial reading to assess a person’s emotions and inner state. Tension in facial muscles can reveal emotional patterns, stress levels, and potential emotional imbalances. The acupuncturist will correct this balance not only during the treatments but also by recommending appropriate herbal formulas. 

TCM practitioners can also take note of the patient’s skin coloration and complexion. Any changes in skin tone, blemishes, or discolorations can provide clues about underlying health issues.

Using Mian Xiang to Assess TCM Organ Function

It may seem strange to connect what your forehead looks like with problems in your GI system. According to Mian Xiang’s theory, the central part of the forehead relates to the Small Intestine organ system of TCM. Thus, if there’s a breakout on the forehead or other irregularity on the skin, it could indicate an imbalance in the digestive system. Likewise, lines or bumps on the cheeks symbolize dysfunction in the Lung channel, while those below the lips may signify gynecological problems.

A Case Study In Mian Xiang Face Reading

How can somebody benefit from the ancient discipline of Face Reading in today’s age of quick in-and-out medical visits? Let’s consider the case of “Sarah,” who has been experiencing digestive issues and chronic stress. Sarah scheduled an appointment with her acupuncturist, who incorporated Face Reading into her diagnosis. The acupuncturist noticed that Sarah’s forehead exhibited signs of tension, which correlated with her digestive problems. The practitioner also observed a furrowed brow, indicating stress. Sarah’s cheeks appeared slightly flushed, suggesting potential Lung meridian imbalances. Based on these observations, the acupuncturist worked on specific meridians to alleviate stress and recommended an herbal formula to support the digestive system and the Lung channel. The story has a happy ending because Sarah continued to receive acupuncture treatments and take the herbal formulas, which brought her back to balance. 

Now, if Sarah could just find someone skilled in the art of Mian Xiang to find her a suitable spouse…

What do you think about face reading as a diagnostic tool in TCM? Share your thoughts below.