The Art of Face Reading
Is it possible to know a person by looking at their face? Can the shape of their nose reveal something about them? Ready for a journey from ancient beliefs to today? Let's get started! 👀
The art of face reading first emerged in China around 600 BC. According to this belief system called “Mien Shiang”, the balance of the organs in our face was considered a sign of happiness. It was believed that the more organs in balance, the higher the level of happiness. Later, this belief system was named "physiognomy," and it aimed to interpret people's personalities, character traits, and even destinies by looking at their facial features.
Hippocrates, Aristotle and Plato are just a few thinkers who included physiognomy in their works. Aristotle used this system to interpret people's moods, while Hippocrates benefited from it in diagnosing patients. Aristotle believed that even if a person's face resembles an animal's, it means they share common characteristics. I can almost hear you saying, "No way!" and you're right... 😌
The Swiss poet, writer, and thinker Johann Kaspar Lavater is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in this field. Lavater made a big splash in Europe with his work on face reading. For instance, Balzac frequently referred to Lavater in his character descriptions. It is also known that Goethe was greatly influenced by Lavater.
So, face reading quickly became a popular topic in literature. One great example is "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Readers will remember: as the evil Mr. Hyde gains power, Dr. Jekyll's appearance begins to disgust those around him. Another example is Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray."
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It's clear that physiognomy has no scientific basis these days. Modern science and psychology have pretty much debunked Lavater's ideas about physiognomy. On the other hand, facial recognition tech and AI are doing lots of research into how to identify and analyze human faces. Of course, these studies also raise questions about personal data and privacy.
But regardless, Lavater's work left its mark on his era and shaped the world of literature. If you ever find yourself in Zurich, don't forget to visit the house where Lavater lived from 1778 to 1784! Tourists usually just walk by this house without noticing it. Don't be like everyone else and miss out! At least give it a nod 😉
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Not only in Lavater's house, but in every corner of Zurich, a different story is hidden. World-class museums, art scenes, lush parks, lakes, and Michelin-starred elegant restaurants... It's got everything. But most importantly, we need to look beyond what we see with our eyes and listen to the stories. You can get to know Zurich better with the audio tour on Piri Guide!