Physiognomy or Face reading body language physiognomy and how to read different faces. Love Meter FACE READING OR PHYSIOGNOMY Interpretation of character and fate from the study of a person's face is called 'Physiognomy' or 'Face reading'. It is obvious that when we meet an unknown person, we try to understand his feelings by looking at his face. So the origin of Physiognomy traces back to the date of origin of human beings. Indications of a person's progress in yogic path are described with respect to Physiognomy in Hindu text 'Svetasvatara Upanishad', composed earlier than 500 B.C. According to Hindus, Samudra (deity of oceans) have first given 'Anga Samudrika' (Body language). King Prahlada has contributed a lot to this subject. Chinese texts dating back 300 B.C., mention Physiognomy. Socrates(470-399 B.C.) was a great physiognomist.

The first book on Physiognomy 'Displaying the Secrets of Nature Relating to Physiognomy' was written by Aristotle(384-322 B.C.). As it was mentioned by Marco Polo, the Arabs also practised physiognomy. Physician and philosopher Avicenna(980-1037 A.D.) has written about Physiognomy in his book 'De animalibus'. Michael Scot(1175-1232 A.D.), court astrologer to Emperor FrederickII, also composed a book 'De hominis phisiognomun', which was printed in 1477 and became best seller for years together. Italian doctor d'Abano(1250-1316) also wrote many books on both Astrology and Physiognomy. During sixteenth century many authors have written books on this subject. Gerolamo Cardano, born in Italy in 1501, wrote many books on Medicine, Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics, Astrology, Dream Analysis, and Physiognomy. Cardano believed that a person's character and fate are symbolized by the shape, lines, and markings of his or her forehead.

He wrote a total of 13 books on the subject of forehead reading. In 1586, Porta published 'De humana physiognoma' in which he compares the likenesses of human beings to certain animals. He says if some one resembles a particular animal, he will also have the same tendencies and temperament of that animal. Kaspar Lavater(1741-1801) was regarded as the founder of the modern Physiognomy for his tremendous work in this subject. Later on Cesare Lombroso has made this subject more popular. The face as a whole By observing the face of a person as a whole, we can get a keen idea of how his life would be in general, starting from childhood till his old age. 1. Parents region: The position where the hair starts at the top of forehead represents parents and the person's relationship with them. If this area is smooth and shining, the person's parents are fortunate in matters of health and career and the person's childhood is filled with happiness. If this area is indented or with dull skin color then the person's parents face troubles during his childhood. 2.

Career and Success region: We have this area below the Parents region and above the eyebrows. If this position is good, gently rounded and bright, it represents good career prospects and early settlement in the career. If this area is indented or hollow and dark in color, it shows the person's intelligence will not help him in his career and misfortune from his 21st to 25th years. 3. Life region: This area lies between the eyebrows. If it is firm, bright, gently rounded, then it symbolizes a successful career after 27th year of age. It represents a friendly person with positive attitude towards life. If the space between eyebrows is wide and eyebrows are thick the person earn good money and his longevity is also good. If the eyebrows are closer and there is a hair line connecting the two eyebrows, it is a sign of negative mind who is obstinate and unforgiving. If this Life region is dull or any colors found there, it represents unhappiness in career and poor health. 4. Middle age region: This region starts at center of the eyes and covers till the end of the nose tip.

Any cross lines, patches and black spots in this region represent ill health and problems with the spouse in the middle age. 5. Love and Emotional region: This is the area below the two eyes. If this area is bright, bulgy and rounded, the person will have deep emotional involvement. He or she will fall in love easily and whole heartedly. If this area has wrinkles or low and not smooth, then the person faces failures in love affairs due to selfishness or over indulgence. 6. Fertility and children region: This area represents the groove which connects the nose with the center of the upper lip. This is also called philtrum. A long, broad and deep philtrum indicates good fertility and ability to have children. It also represents long life. When the philtrum is low or flat, it represents less energy and childlessness. A short philtrum represents early death. 7. Old age region: This is the region below the lower lip which is also called the chin. If this area is strong, rounded and spacious, it represents happiness in old age after 60th year. If this area is low with a weak jaw and dark hue, it indicates unhappy and friendless old age.

It also represents dangers of drowning, poisoning, and food or water born diseases. Shapes of faces Round shaped faces are also called Moon faces. They represent laziness, lack of energy, imaginative and jovial persons. They love good food and highly domestic. Square shaped faces are called Earth faces. They represent a tough and aggressive person, offensive and sociable. They are suitable for works where more muscular energy is required. Rectangular faces represent a honest, diplomatic and leadership qualities. They are suitable for professions as top level executives and officials. We can also have triangular faces. An upright triangle which starts with narrow area at the forehead and comes down widening, represents Fire face. This is a symbol for anger, low talent but boastful, and rough person. An inverted triangle which becomes narrowed at the chin, is also called Air face. This signifies a cheerful, bright temperament, hyperactive and sensitive person. This type of face indicates disturbed married life. Side Profile of face If the eyebrows are set apart, it represents broad mindedness. Eyebrows close to each other represent critical minded person who expects exactness in every work. If the eyebrows are high set, then it denotes an irresponsible attitude and superior tastes.

If the eyebrows are low set and nearer to the eyelids, then they represent a prudent and calculative nature and an insecure mind. If the eyebrows are like a straight line, the person will become practical and unimaginative. Eyes The colored circular portion of the eye is called 'iris'. If these irisis float too high, we will have an unstable and disturbed person. He is not trust worthy. Sometimes it denotes premature death. If the irisis sink too low in the eye, a cruel and perverse nature is indicated. If the iris is large, thus occupying much of the space in the eye , the person cannot hide affections and emotions. If the iris is small, and hence the white portion of the eye is much seen, then the person is secretive. If the gap between the two eyes is large, the person is expansive and communicative. If the eyes are closely set, then the person will be criticising others, and will not demonstrate his feelings. Color of Eyes A dark eye denotes a forceful nature than a light colored one. Light blue colored eyes represent flirtation. Deep blue is a sign of gentle love. Brown eyed people are devoted in love and friendship. Hazel eyes represent a highly impressionable and affectionate type.

Grey represents good intellect and imagination. Green eyes denote an inventive and adaptable nature. Black eyes provide passion and tenderness. Nose If the nose is long, the person will be proud of his accomplishments. If short nose is found, we will have a free person escaping from responsibility. Broad nose gives stability of mind. Nose tilted up with nostrils visible represents a spendthrift and emotional person. Lips The size of the upper lip represents the ability to love and the size of lower lip represents need for love. If the lip corners are turned up, cheerful and friendly disposition is seen. If the lip corners are turned down, irresolute person with depression can be seen. Full and broad lips show sensuous tendency. Thin lips show brevity and concise behaviour of the person. He will also be a learned person. Mouth A large mouth is a sign of outgoing and extroverted person. A small mouth represents introverted, careful and cautious people. Chin A narrow, pointed or weak chin represents less energy and drive. They face problems in old age. A broad, round chin is symbolic of generosity and good humour. A broad and square shaped chin makes the person work hard. It is a mark of steadiness.

Jaw A strong and deep jaw line just below the ear lobe represents the person has good will power and energy. Weak jaw indicates flexibility. When the soul creates its body in the mother's womb, and slowly limb by limb is formed, the interactions of previous birth's instincts with the soul lead to alterations in the outer body. So by observing the outer body, we can estimate the inner self of the person. This is the root idea of Physiognomy. Physiognomy-WikiOmni Physiognomy For the pseudo-Aristotelian treatise, see Physiognomonics . For the 2013 Korean film, see Physiognomy (film) . Illustration in a 19th-century book about physiognomy Physiognomy (from the Gk. physis meaning "nature" and gnomon meaning "judge" or "interpreter") is the assessment of a person's character or personality from his or her outer appearance, especially the face .

The term can also refer to the general appearance of a person, object, or terrain, without reference to its implied characteristics, as in the physiognomy of an individual plant (see plant life-form ) or of a plant community (see vegetation ). Credence of such study has varied from time to time. The practice was well accepted by the ancient Greek philosophers , but fell into disrepute in the Middle Ages when practised by vagabonds and mountebanks . It was then revived and popularised by Johann Kaspar Lavater before falling from favour again in the late 19th century. [1] Physiognomy as understood in the past meets the contemporary definition of a pseudoscience . [2] No clear evidence indicates physiognomy works, though recent studies have suggested that facial appearances do "contain a kernel of truth" about a person's personality. [1] Physiognomy is also sometimes referred to as anthroposcopy, though the expression was more common in the 19th century when the word originated. [3] Ancient physiognomy For more details on this topic, see Physiognomonics § Ancient physiognomy before the Physiognomonics .

Notions of the relationship between an individual's outward appearance and inner character are historically ancient, and occasionally appear in early Greek poetry. Siddhars from ancient India are also known to have defined samudrika lakshanam that identifies personal characteristics with body features. Chinese physiognomy or face reading (mianxiang) reaches back at least to the Northern Song period . [4] The first indications of a developed physiognomic theory appear in fifth century BC Athens , with the works of Zopyrus (who was featured in a dialogue by Phaedo of Elis ), who was said to be an expert in the art. By the fourth century BC, the philosopher Aristotle made frequent reference to theory and literature concerning the relationship of appearance to character. Aristotle was apparently receptive to such an idea, as evidenced by a passage in his Prior Analytics: It is possible to infer character from features, if it is granted that the body and the soul are changed together by the natural affections: I say "natural", for though perhaps by learning music a man has made some change in his soul, this is not one of those affections natural to us; rather I refer to passions and desires when I speak of natural emotions.

If then this were granted and also that for each change there is a corresponding sign, and we could state the affection and sign proper to each kind of animal , we shall be able to infer character from features. — Prior Analytics 2.27 (Trans. A. J. Jenkinson) The first systematic physiognomic treatise to survive to the present day is a slim volume, Physiognomonica (English: Physiognomonics), ascribed to Aristotle (but probably of his "school" rather than created by the philosopher himself). The volume is divided into two parts, conjectured to have been originally two separate works. The first section discusses arguments drawn from nature or other races, and concentrates on the concept of human behavior. The second section focuses on animal behavior, dividing the animal kingdom into male and female types. From these are deduced correspondences between human form and character.

After Aristotle, the major extant works in physiognomy are: Adamantius the Sophist , Physiognomonica (fourth century), in Greek An anonymous Latin author de Phsiognomonia (about fourth century) Ancient Greek mathematician, astronomer, and scientist Pythagoras —who some believe originated physiognomics—once rejected a prospective follower named Cylon because, to Pythagoras, his appearance indicated bad character. [5] [ full citation needed ][ page needed ] After inspecting Socrates, a physiognomist announced that he was given to intemperance, sensuality, and violent bursts of passion—which was so contrary to Socrates's image that his students accused the physiognomist of lying. Socrates put the issue to rest by saying that originally he was given to all these vices, but had particularly strong self-discipline.

[6] Middle Ages and Renaissance Giambattista Della Porta , De humana physiognomonia (Vico Equense [Naples]: Apud Iosephum Cacchium, 1586 The term was common in Middle English , often written as 'fisnamy' or 'visnomy', as in the The Tale of Beryn , a spurious addition to The Canterbury Tales : "I knowe wele by thy fisnamy, thy kynd it were to stele". Physiognomy's validity was once widely accepted. Michael Scot , a court scholar for Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor , wrote Liber physiognomiae in the early 13th century concerning the subject. English universities taught it until Henry VIII of England outlawed "beggars and vagabonds playing 'subtile, crafty and unlawful games such as physnomye or ' palmestrye '" in 1530 or 1531. [7] [8] Around this time, scholastic leaders settled on the more erudite Greek form 'physiognomy' and began to discourage the whole concept of 'fisnamy'.

Leonardo da Vinci dismissed physiognomy in the early 16th century as "false", a chimera with "no scientific foundation". [9] Nevertheless, Leonardo believed that lines caused by facial expressions could indicate personality traits. For example, he wrote that "those who have deep and noticeable lines between the eyebrows are irascible". [9] Modern physiognomy The principal promoter of physiognomy in modern times was the Swiss pastor Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) who was briefly a friend of Goethe . Lavater's essays on physiognomy were first published in German in 1772 and gained great popularity. These influential essays were translated into French and English . Browne and Physiognomy Sir Thomas Browne Lavater found 'confirmation' of his ideas primarily from the English physician-philosopher Sir Thomas Browne (1605–1682), and the Italian Giambattista Della Porta (1535–1615).

Browne in his Religio Medici (1643) discusses the possibility of the discernment of inner qualities from the outer appearance of the face, thus: there is surely a Physiognomy, which those experienced and Master Mendicants observe....For there are mystically in our faces certain Characters that carry in them the motto of our Souls, wherein he that cannot read A.B.C. may read our natures. R.M. part 2:2 Late in his life, Browne re-affirmed his physiognomical beliefs, stating in Christian Morals (circa 1675): Since the Brow speaks often true, since Eyes and Noses have Tongues, and the countenance proclaims the heart and inclinations; let observation so far instruct thee in Physiognomical lines....we often observe that Men do most act those Creatures, whose constitution, parts, and complexion do most predominate in their mixtures. This is a corner-stone in Physiognomy… there are therefore Provincial Faces, National Lips and Noses, which testify not only the Natures of those Countries, but of those which have them elsewhere. — C.M.

Part 2 section 9 Sir Thomas Browne is also credited with introducing the word caricature into the English language, whence much of physiognomical belief attempted to entrench itself by illustrative means, in particular through the medium of political satire. Della Porta's works are well represented in the Library of Sir Thomas Browne including Of Celestial Physiognomy, in which Porta argued that it was not the stars but a person's temperament that influences their facial appearance and character. In De humana physiognomia (1586), Porta used woodcuts of animals to illustrate human characteristics. Both Della Porta and Browne adhered to the ' doctrine of signatures '—that is, the belief that the physical structures of nature such as a plant's roots, stem, and flower, were indicative keys (or 'signatures') to their medicinal potentials. Lavater's critics Johann Kaspar Lavater Lavater received mixed reactions from scientists, with some accepting his research and others criticizing it. [2] For example, the harshest critic was scientist Georg Christoph Lichtenberg , who said pathognomy , discovering the character by observing the behaviour, was more effective.

Writer Hannah More complained to Horace Walpole , "In vain do we boast (...) that philosophy had broken down all the strongholds of prejudice, ignorance, and superstition; and yet, at this very time (...) Lavater's physiognomy books sell at fifteen guineas a set." [2] [10] Period of popularity The popularity of physiognomy grew throughout the 18th century and into the 19th century, and it was discussed seriously by academics, who saw a lot of potential in it. [2] Many European novelists used physiognomy in the descriptions of their characters. [2] notably Balzac , Chaucer [11] and portrait artists, such as Joseph Ducreux . A host of 19th-century English authors were influenced by the idea, notably evident in the detailed physiognomic descriptions of characters in the novels of Charles Dickens , Thomas Hardy , and Charlotte Brontë . In addition to Thomas Browne, other literary authors associated with Norwich who made physiognomical observations in their writings include the romantic novelist Amelia Opie , and the travelogue author George Borrow .

Physiognomy is a central, implicit assumption underlying the plot of Oscar Wilde 's The Picture of Dorian Gray . In 19th-century American literature, physiognomy figures prominently in the short stories of Edgar Allan Poe . [12] Phrenology , also considered a form of physiognomy, was created around 1800 by German physician Franz Joseph Gall and Johann Spurzheim , and was widely popular in the 19th century in Europe and the United States . In the U.S., physician James W. Redfield published his Comparative Physiognomy in 1852, illustrating with 330 engravings the "Resemblances between Men and Animals". He finds these in appearance and (often metaphorically) character, e.g. Germans to Lions, Negroes to Elephants and Fishes, Chinamen to Hogs, Yankees to Bears, Jews to Goats. [13] During the late 19th century, English psychometrician Sir Francis Galton attempted to define physiognomic characteristics of health, disease, beauty, and criminality, via a method of composite photography .

[14] [15] Galton's process involved the photographic superimposition of two or more faces by multiple exposures. After averaging together photographs of violent criminals, he found that the composite appeared "more respectable" than any of the faces comprising it; this was likely due to the irregularities of the skin across the constituent images being averaged out in the final blend. With the advent of computer technology during the early 1990s, Galton's composite technique has been adopted and greatly improved using computer graphics software. [16] In the late 19th century, it became associated with phrenology and consequently discredited and rejected. [1] Nevertheless, the German physiognomist Carl Huter (1861–1912) became popular in Germany with his concept of physiognomy, called "psycho-physiognomy". [17] Modern scientists now consider physiognomy a form of pseudoscience.

[2] Modern usage In France, the concept developed in the 20th century under the name morphopsychology, developed by Louis Corman (1901–1995), a French psychiatrist who argued that the workings of vital forces within the human body resulted in different facial shapes and forms. [18] For example, full and round body shapes are considered the expression of the instinct of expansion while the hollow or flat shapes are an expression of self-preservation. The term "morphopsychology" is a translation of the French word morphopsychologie, which Louis Corman coined in 1937 when he wrote his first book on the subject, Quinze leçons de morphopsychologie (Fifteen Lessons of Morphopsychology). Corman was influenced by the French doctor Claude Sigaud (1862–1921), incorporating his idea of "dilation and retraction" into morphopsychology.[ clarification needed ] A bizarre physiognomical caricature with a figure pointing to another's sore eye. Oil painting by a follower of Louis-Léopold Boilly .

Experimental evidence has shown that people regularly judge personality characteristics from facial features, and that these judgements are shared by others; it appears, moreover, that the same judgements occur cross-culturally. Research into the validity of these judgements has not been generally supportive, however. Nevertheless, later research in the 1990s indicated that three elements of personality in particular - power, warmth and honesty - can be reliably inferred. [19] Some evidence indicates people can detect male homosexuality by looking at facial characteristics [20] or at the pattern of whorls in the scalp, [21] though subsequent research has largely refuted the findings on hair whorl patterns. [22] Physical attractiveness (both facial and in terms of body shape) can have a significant impact on an individual's employment prospects. Obesity is detrimental, often even before a job interview. [19] A February 2009 article in NewScientist magazine reported that physiognomy is living a small revival, with research papers trying to find links between personality traits and facial traits.

[1] A study of 90 ice-hockey players found that a wider face in which the cheekbone-to-cheekbone distance was unusually large relative to the distance between brow and upper lip was linked in a statistically significant way with the number of penalty minutes a player was given for violent acts including slashing, elbowing, checking from behind and fighting. [23] Alternative theories have also been proposed. [1] For example, the human brain tends to extrapolate emotions from facial expressions (e.g., blushing ) and physiognomy, with its assumption of permanent characteristics, would only be an over-generalization of this skill. [1] Also, if one classifies a person as untrustworthy due to facial features, and treats them as such, that person eventually behaves in an untrustworthy way toward the person holding this belief (see self-fulfilling prophecy ).

[1] A physiognomist named Yoshito Mizuno was employed from 1936 to 1945 by the Imperial Japanese Naval Aeronautics Department, examining candidates for the Naval Air Corps, after—to their surprise— Admiral Yamamoto 's staff discovered that he could predict with over 80% accuracy the qualifications of candidates to become successful pilots. [24] In 2011, the South Korean news agency Yonhap published a physiognomical analysis of the current leader of North Korea , Kim Jong-Un . [25] Related disciplines Learn face reading (Physiognomy or personology) | 2KnowMySelf The Ultimate guide to Getting over depression, mood swings & bad moods Based on psychology Learn face reading (Physiognomy or personology) By M.Farouk Radwan, MSc. Face reading(personology) How to learn face reading (physiognomy or personology) The best way to learn face reading is to first learn how to recognize the different facial features and then learn how to relate them to their corresponding personality traits.

The reason I am asking you to train yourself to recognize facial features is that most people don’t even know how to draw their own faces. What if I asked you questions like, how many lines do you have on your forehead? Is the distance between your eyes large or small compared to your friends? What’s the size of the distance between your eyes and your eye brows? Surprisingly, many people may not know the answer to many of these questions, that’s why it's very important to learn how to recognize these facial features in order to master the science of face reading. People usually become very enthusiastic about learning face reading and thus skip this step, however, it's a strongly recommended step if you want to become a good face reader. Below are links to articles covering every facial feature. Each link will take you to a page that illustrates the facial feature, how to notice it and the related personality traits. Face reading is not as simple as body language, it needs a little more effort but when you learn how to use it will give you double the power that body language gives you.

Face Reading & Facial Features 1000+ images about Face reading&body language on Pinterest | Chinese face reading, Face reading and Body language Pinterest • The world’s catalog of ideas Face reading&body language For years I devoted myself to the art of facereading (both Chines and Western). I also studied the bodylanguage of mainly humans but also of dogs. Our bodies tell so much more about ourselves than we realise. And I do not mean only literally the way you walk and stand/sit etc. but also the tone of your voice, the way you keep your hands and feet and so many more things you involuntary show the world. 48 Pins112 Followers How to Understand Body Language and Facial Expressions Understanding Body Language John Evans Body language refers to the nonverbal signals that we use to communicate. According to experts, these nonverbal signals make up a huge part of daily communication. From our facial expressions to our body movements, the things we don't say can still convey volumes of information. According to various researchers, body language is thought to account for between 50 to 70 percent of all communication. Understanding body language is important, but it is also essential to pay attention to other cues such as context.

In many cases, you should look at signals as a group rather than focusing on a single action. Learn more about some of the things to look for when you are trying to interpret body language. 2 Facial Expressions Facial expressions can convey a great deal of nonverbal information. Photo by ZoneCreative - iStockPhoto Think for a moment about how much a person is able to convey with just a facial expression. A smile can indicate approval or happiness while a frown can signal disapproval or unhappiness. In some cases, our facial expressions may reveal our true feelings about a particular situation. While you may say that you are feeling fine, the look on your face may tell people otherwise. Emotions Expressed Through Facial Expressions Just a few examples of emotions that can be expressed via facial expressions include: Happiness Contempt Universal Facial Expressions Facial expressions are also among the most universal forms of body language. The expressions used to convey fear, anger, sadness, and happiness are similar throughout the world. Researcher Paul Ekman has found support for the universality of a variety of facial expressions tied to particular emotions including joy, anger, fear, surprise, and sadness.

3 The Eyes The eyes are sometimes called the "windows to the soul" because they can reveal so much about what a person is thinking or feeling. Photo by Helmut Gevert The eyes are frequently referred to as the "windows to the soul" since they are capable of revealing a great deal about what a person if feeling or thinking. As you engage in conversation with another person, taking note of eye movements is a natural and important part of the communication process. Some common things you may note is whether people are making direct eye contact or averting their gaze, how much they are blinking, or if their pupils are dilated. When evaluating body language, pay attention to the follow eye signals: Eye gaze When a person looks directly into your eyes when having a conversion, it indicates that they are interested and paying attention. However, prolonged eye contact can feel threatening. On the other hand, breaking eye contact and frequently looking away may indicate that the person is distracted, uncomfortable, or trying to conceal his or her real feelings. Blinking Blinking is natural, but you should also pay attention to whether a person is blinking too much or too little. People often blink more rapidly when they are feeling distressed or uncomfortable.

Infrequent blinking may indicate that a person is intentionally trying to control his or her eye movements. For example, a poker player might blink less frequently because he is purposely trying to appear unexcited about the hand he was dealt. Pupil size One of the most subtle cues that eyes provide is the size of the pupils. While light levels in the environment control pupil dilation, sometimes emotions can also cause small changes in pupil size. For example, you may have heard the phrase "bedroom eyes" used to describe the look someone gives when they are attracted to another person. 4 The Mouth The mouth and lips can convey a great deal of nonverbal information. Photo by Matteo Canessa Mouth expressions and movements can also be essential in reading body language. For example, chewing on the bottom lip may indicate that the individual is experiencing worry, fear, or insecurity. Covering the mouth may be an effort to be polite if the person is yawning or coughing, but it may also be an attempt to cover up a frown of disapproval. Smiling is perhaps one of the greatest body language signals, but smiles can also be interpreted in many ways.

A smile may be genuine, or it may be used to express false happiness, sarcasm, or even cynicism. When evaluating body language, pay attention to the following mouth and lip signals: Pursed lips People sometimes bite their lips when they are worried, anxious, or stressed. Covering the mouth When people want to hide an emotional reaction, they might cover their mouths in order to avoid displaying a smile or smirk. Turned up or down Slight changes in the mouth can also be subtle indicators of what a person is feeling. When the mouth is slightly turned up, it might mean that the person is feeling happy or optimistic. On the other hand, a slightly downturned mouth can be an indicator of sadness, disapproval, or even an outright grimace. 5 Gestures Gestures are often easily understood, but the their meaning can differ based on the culture. Photo by Henning Buchholz Gestures can be some of the most direct and obvious body language signals. Waving, pointing, and using the fingers to indicate numerical amounts are all very common and easy to understand gestures. Some gestures may be cultural, however, so giving a thumbs-up or a peace sign might have a completely different meaning than it might in the United States.

The following examples are just a few common gestures and their possible meanings: A clenched fist can indicate anger or solidarity. A thumbs up and thumbs down are often used as gestures of approval and disapproval. The "Okay" gesture, made by touching together the thumb and index finger in a circle while extending the other three fingers can be used to mean okay. In some parts of Europe, however, the same signal is used to imply you are nothing. In some South American countries, the symbol is actually a vulgar gesture. The V sign, created by lifting the index and middle finger and separating them to create a V-shape, means peace or victory in some countries. In the United Kingdom and Australia, the symbol takes on an offensive meaning when the back of the hand is facing outward. 6 The Arms and Legs The movements and positions of the arms and legs can also convey a great deal of body language information. Photo by Malias - The arms and legs can also be useful in conveying nonverbal information. Crossing the arms can indicate defensiveness. Crossing legs away from another person may indicate dislike or discomfort with that individual.

Other subtle signals such as expanding the arms widely may be an attempt to seem larger or more commanding while keeping the arms close to the body may be an effort to minimize oneself or withdraw from attention. When you are evaluating body language, pay attention to some of the following signals that the arms and legs may convey: Crossed arms might indicate that a person feels defensive, self-protective, or closed-off. Standing with hands placed on the hips can be an indication that a person is ready and in control, or it can also possibly be a sign of aggressiveness. Clasping the hands behind the back might indicate that a person is feeling bored, anxious, or even angry. Rapidly tapping fingers or fidgeting can be a sign that a person is bored, impatient, or frustrated. Crossed legs can indicate that a person is feeling closed off or in need of privacy. 7 Posture Posture can tell a lot about how a person might be feeling. Photo by David Simmonds How we hold our bodies can also serve as an important part of body language. The term posture refers to how we hold our bodies as well as the overall physical form of an individual.

Posture can convey a wealth of information about how a person is feeling as well as hints about personality characteristics, such as whether a person is confident, open, or submissive. Sitting up straight, for example, may indicate that a person is focused and paying attention to what's going on. Sitting with the body hunched forward, on the other hand, can imply that the person is bored or indifferent. When you are trying to read body language, try to notice some of the signals that a person's posture can send. Open posture involves keeping the trunk of the body open and exposed. This type of posture indicates friendliness, openness, and willingness. Closed posture involves keeping the obscured or hidden often by hunching forward and keeping the arms and legs crossed. This type of posture can be an indicator of hostility, unfriendliness, and anxiety. 8 Personal Space The image above illustrates Edward T. Hall's personal reaction bubbles, revealing how much space people typically need in various social situations. Photo from the Wikimedia Commons Have you ever heard someone refer to their need for "personal space"? Have you ever started to feel uncomfortable when someone stands just a little too close to you? The term proxemics refers to the distance between people as they interact.

Just as body movements and facial expressions can communicate a great deal of nonverbal information, so can this physical space between individuals. Anthropologist Edward T. Hall described four levels of social distance that occur in different situations: Intimate distance - 6 to 18 inches This level of physical distance often indicates a closer relationship or greater comfort between individuals. It often occurs during intimate contact such as hugging, whispering, or touching. Personal distance - 1.5 to 4 feet Physical distance at this level usually occurs between people who are family members or close friends. The closer the people can comfortably stand while interacting can be an indicator of the intimacy of the relationship. Social distance - 4 to 12 feet This level of physical distance is often used with individuals who are acquaintances. With someone you know fairly well, such as a co-worker you see several times a week, you might feel more comfortable interacting at a closer distance. In cases where you do not know the other person well, such as a postal delivery driver you only see once a month, a distance of 10 to 12 feet may feel more comfortable.

Public distance - 12 to 25 feet Physical distance at this level is often used in public speaking situations. Talking in front of a class full of students or giving a presentation at work are good examples of such situations. It is also important to note that the level of personal distance that individuals need to feel comfortable can vary from culture to culture. One oft-cited example is the difference between people from Latin cultures and those from North America. People from Latin countries tend to feel more comfortable standing closer to one another as they interact while those from North America need more personal distance. Learn more about nonverbal communication: How to Read Faces: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow Reading the Face 1 Stare into their eyes. When reading a face, you'll want to start with the eyes, the most suggestive of all facial features. [1] You'll learn a great deal about a person's mood by paying close attention to their eyes. The pupils dilate during moments of stimulation, or in low lighting. If you are in a location with constant light, notice shifts in pupil size. A large pupil suggests some sort of arousal or interest. Our pupils shrink when we see something offensive or negative.

This constriction blocks off any unwanted images. A person may squint if they do not like you or what you're saying. They also may be suspicious of your words and actions. If you notice this occurring, address the issue and clarify what you're saying. A darting eye suggests insecurity or discomfort. You can also detect these feelings through sideways glances. Any break in eye contact proves that a person isn't fully present. 2 Notice the lips. Lip muscles are extremely delicate and shift to reflect various moods and reactions. When a person begins to speak, their lips will part slightly. [2] Pay attention to this, as you always want to be open and available when someone wants to speak with you. A lip that points inward is called a pursed lip. The pursed lip indicates tension, frustration, or disapproval. A person with a pursed lip is restraining whatever emotion they are experiencing, effectively holding the words back by tightening their lips. Puckering the lips into a kiss shape indicates desire. A puckered lip may also suggest uncertainty, as can a sucked in lip. This is often referred to as "swallowing the lips." Pay close attention to grimaces or twitching in the lips.

While very slight, these tiny changes indicate cynicism or disbelief in circumstances. A liar will also give themselves away with a slightly twitching lip. 3 Assess the motion of the nose. While the nose changes less than the eyes or lips, its central location on the face makes it easy to read. [3] The flared nostril is a common shift. When it widens, it allows more air to pass in and out, preparing a person for combat. Flared nostrils indicate that a person is experiencing anger or displeasure. The nose may wrinkle as a result of a bad smell. Beyond the literal interpretation, a metaphorical "bad smell," such as an unpleasant sight or thought, causes the nose to wrinkle. If a person is thinking, they may wrinkle their nose when they have a thought that they don't approve of. Sometimes, blood vessels in the nose will dilate, making the nose appear red and swollen. This will occur when a person is lying. They may also scratch their nose, irritating it further. 4 Study the eyebrows. Often connected to the eyes, the eyebrows fit into a wide variety of body language communications.

[4] Despite the limited number of muscles attached to them, the eyebrows are highly visible and suggestive of different emotional states. The wrinkling of the forehead works in tandem with the eyebrows. If the forehead wrinkles and the eyebrows raise, the other person is likely questioning your behavior or surprised by their surroundings. When the eyebrows lower, the eyes will be slightly concealed. When paired with a lowered head, this suggests a desire to hide the motion of the eyes. Eyebrows that slope inward while being pulled down suggest anger or frustration. They also may suggest intense concentration. Look out for a horseshoe-shaped fold between the brow. Known as "Darwin's grief muscle," this peculiar symbol displays grief or sadness. Part 2 Understanding Different Emotions 1 Perceive happiness. A large smile is the most obvious way to characterize happiness. Different from a grin, a smile will expose only the upper teeth. The lower lids of the eyes should form crescent shapes. [5] There’s a large spectrum of happiness. Ranging from contentment to bliss, this wide variety of emotion can all be detected by similar facial expressions. 2 Identify sadness. Pay close attention to the eyebrows. They will be slanting upward.

[6] A sad person will also be frowning. You can generally assume sadness for any person that you notice frowning. Look for loose eyelids that droop over the eyes slightly. [7] The opposite of happiness, sadness is a dangerous and potent emotion. In addition to the facial changes, you may notice a drop in energy in a sad person. Individuals experiencing sadness may also become more reserved and withdrawn. 3 Recognize surprise. An often exciting emotion, surprise can be characterized by wide open eyes and an open gaping mouth. [8] In more mild cases of surprise, there might be a slight smirk to the mouth. The eyebrows will be pulled up very high. A person may frown when experiencing surprise, but this frown might edge the emotion toward shock instead. A slightly more extreme emotion, shock can have a certain element of fear or disgust attached to it. Any sudden blast of wonder of astonishment might lead someone to feel surprised. 4 See fear. Look to the eyebrows and eyes first. The eyebrows will be slanted upward, and the eyes will be wide open. [9] The mouth might also be stretched open widely. [10] Fear is our natural response to danger.

If you see someone experiencing fear, look for a source of this response. This emotion is often related to the behaviors of escape and avoidance. Remember that fear is different than anxiety. Fear always comes from an external threat, while anxiety is generated from within. 5 Notice disgust. The wrinkled nose is one of the primary attributes of the expression of disgust. The eyebrows will also lower, and the mouth will hang open. [11] Think of the mouth as silently mouthing a “blegh” sound, as if the person has just seen something revolting. The lips will hang loose, and the upper lip will pull up. While disgust might come as a response to eating or smelling something disgusting, the emotion can also be vividly imagined. Both experiences will provoke the same facial expression. 6 Detect anger. When looking for anger, notice the eyebrows. They will be lowered and slanted inward, creasing together into a wrinkle. The eyelids will be tight and straight, as the brow will be lowered. [12] The mouth may be tight, or it may be open wide into a large scream. Their head might be lowered a bit, and the jaw may be thrust forward. 7 Find contempt.

Used primarily to express disapproval, contempt will be marked by a raised chin. This makes it easier for a person to stare down their nose at whoever has insulted them. [13] The lip corner will tighten up and raise on one side of the face. This is often referred to as a sneer. There may be a slight smile attached to contempt, as if the person is enjoying their disapproval of your actions. Part 3 Evaluating Situations 1 Read Macro expressions. When attempting to read a face, you'll want to start by looking for macroexpressions. A Macro expression typically lasts between 0.5 and 4 seconds. [14] These expressions will take over the entire face, giving you the full experience of this emotion. Even a basic understanding of the seven basic emotions will help you read macroexpressions. These universal expressions include joy, surprise, contempt, sadness, anger, disgust, and fear. You've no doubt experienced these seven expressions, so you'll have an easy time reading them in a macroexpression. If a person is expressing these feelings through a macroexpression, they are most likely attempting to get you to respond to their emotion. In the case of sadness, they may be asking you to comfort them.

If you're faced with a macroexpression of contempt, however, they might be trying to intimidate you. Know that it's easiest to manipulate a false emotion through macroexpression. Because it lasts longer, it's easier to settle into the performance of this emotion. Don't allow yourself to be deceived by false macroexpressions. 2 Catch microexpressions. Microexpressions typically last between 1/15 and 1/25 of a second, making them much harder to detect in another person. [15] While a macroexpression may reveal how someone is feeling, it's more likely that truth will be revealed in the microexpression. When someone attempts to conceal an emotion, there may be some "leakage" of their actual emotion. This slip typically occurs in the microexpression. If you aren't paying close attention to the face, you may miss the real emotion this person is feeling. If you're hoping to get a deeper understanding of a person, you must be sensitive to microexpressions. An intimate knowledge of how someone is feeling is crucial to developing sensitive personal relationships. While a macroexpression may tell the truth, there's a chance that a person may be trying to elicit a response by "putting on" this emotion.

When paying close attention to microexpressions, you're less likely to miss the actual emotion. 3 Understand subtlety. Subtle expressions are even smaller than microexpressions, so detecting them requires a great deal of attention. These expressions arise before an emotion is even completely felt, coming as natural responses to ones' surroundings. [16] Subtle expressions also may not be a full expression of one emotion. In a microexpression, a full emotion flashes for a short period of time. A subtle expression, however, may only contain pieces of a full emotion. These tiny expressions may be key to discovering deception, as the slightness of their occurrence can be concealed more easily than a microexpression. 4 Pair emotions with body language. After mastering facial recognition, you can start to study body language. Body language, like facial expression, is a key part of nonverbal communication. Recognizing shifts in physicality will help you more easily understand others. [17] When trying to analyze someone's confidence, you can look at their posture. If they're standing tall with their shoulders back, this person feels comfortable in their body. Any slouching suggests a lack of confidence.

If a person is being honest with their emotions, they'll be able to hold solid eye contact with you. Any shifting in their eyes may suggest that they are lying. A person's manner of speaking can be wrapped up into body language. An even tone of voice will prove that the perceived facial emotion aligns with their internal emotion. Remember that certain psychological or cultural differences may factor into both body language and facial expression. You want to confirm your initial opinions about this person by continuing to get to know them. Initial readings are very useful, but may not always be completely accurate. Community Q&A How can I tell when someone is lying? wikiHow Contributor Their pupils tend to dilate, and they tend to touch some part of their body, their nose or hands. Another way is body language. Slower speech, avoiding eye contact, and defensiveness are also signs. How can I tell if someone loves me? wikiHow Contributor To begin with, they will often make prolonged eye contact and may blush when looking at you. How can I tell if someone hates me? wikiHow Contributor If a person hates you, he will make an eye contact with you and look away from you instantly. Can I tell if someone loves me just by their face?

wikiHow Contributor People who are in love often make prolonged eye contact and may blush when looking at the object of their affection. How can I tell if a person is honest? wikiHow Contributor If I am in relationship and my b.f is not doing eye contact when talking to me, what is reason behind it? wikiHow Contributor That shows shame for what they have done or what's someone has done to them. That or he is nervous.

Question: Physiognomy, related historically to body language, interprets human characteristics from a person's?
Answer: Face