Physiognomy
Reading character from the face, as in Greek, Chinese and European traditions. People agree on first impressions from faces, but those impressions do not reliably match character.
- Samudrika Shastra
- हिंदी: फ़िज़ियोग्नॉमी
What is the rule behind Physiognomy?
Other cultures read the face too: the Greek Physiognomonica, Chinese face reading, Lavater's Essays on Physiognomy (1770s) and Lombroso's criminal types (1876). Research finds that people agree on first impressions from faces, but those impressions do not reliably match character.
Source: Pseudo-Aristotle
People judge traits such as trustworthiness from a face shown for a tenth of a second, almost as they do with no time limit, and they largely agree with each other. Studies that check these impressions against what people actually do find weak links or none.
Source: Willis and Todorov, First impressions (Psychological Science, 2006); Todorov, Face Value (2017)
Where can you learn about Physiognomy?
Physiognomy is taught in RishiSetu’s Samudrika Shastra course, inside the app, one idea at a time with practice after each.
Related terms
- Stri lakshanaThe marks of women listed in Brihat Samhita and the Garuda Purana, beside those of men. Taught as history; no one is chosen or rejected for marriage by their body.
- Purna phala (full reading)A full reading, from the whole to the parts: the first look, head and face, body, the hand for a palm reader, voice and gait, and a summary of three or four points.
- DrekkanaA third of a sign, 10°. Brihat Jataka divides the body into three by the rising drekkana; a reader never checks a chart against anyone's marks.
- ShashaThe great type tied to Saturn. In Jyotish, Shasha yoga is Saturn in its own or exaltation sign in a kendra from the Lagna.
- MalavyaThe great type tied to Venus. In Jyotish, Malavya yoga is Venus in its own or exaltation sign in a kendra from the Lagna.
- HamsaThe great type tied to Jupiter. In Jyotish, Hamsa yoga is Jupiter in its own or exaltation sign in a kendra from the Lagna.
Guruji, your guide
The short answer
Inside the app, you can ask Guruji about any lesson, in your own language.
What does Physiognomy mean in Samudrika Shastra?
Reading character from the face, as in Greek, Chinese and European traditions. People agree on first impressions from faces, but those impressions do not reliably match character. Other cultures read the face too: the Greek Physiognomonica, Chinese face reading, Lavater's Essays on Physiognomy (1770s) and Lombroso's criminal types (1876). Research finds that people agree on first impressions from faces, but those impressions do not reliably match character.
Your first lesson takes about five minutes
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