Introduction / 引言
The profound insights of Mian Xiang (面相) have been meticulously documented and transmitted through a rich lineage of classical texts spanning centuries. These foundational works, often attributed to legendary masters or compiled by diligent scholars, serve as the cornerstones of Chinese Face Reading theory and practice. They encapsulate the evolving understanding of facial features, their correlations with destiny, and the philosophical underpinnings of this ancient art.
面相學的深奧見解透過豐富的經典著作傳承了數個世紀。這些基礎性的著作，常歸於傳奇大師或由勤勉的學者編纂，構成了中國面相理論和實踐的基石。它們囊括了對面部特徵、其與命運的相關性以及這門古老藝術哲學基礎的演變理解。
Foundational Classical Texts / 奠基經典著作
1. Ma Yi Xiang Fa (麻衣相法)
Authorship: Traditionally attributed to the legendary Daoist master Ma Yi (麻衣道者) from the Song Dynasty. However, like many ancient classics, its current form is likely a compilation and refinement over time by various hands.
Significance: Considered one of the most fundamental and influential texts in Chinese physiognomy. It provides comprehensive guidelines for interpreting facial features, including detailed illustrations and poetic verses. Its systematic approach to dividing the face into specific regions and correlating them with life events made it a standard reference for generations of practitioners. It is still widely studied today.
Key Concepts: Emphasizes the importance of the Five Features (五官: eyes, eyebrows, ears, nose, mouth), the Four Parts (四瀆: eyes as rivers, mouth as ocean), and the Twelve Palaces (十二宮), forming the bedrock of face reading analysis.
作者： 傳統上歸於宋代傳奇道家大師 麻衣道者 。然而，如同許多古籍，其現存形式可能經過後世多位人士的編纂和修訂。
意義： 被認為是中國面相學中最基礎和最具影響力的文本之一。它提供了全面解讀面部特徵的指南，包括詳細的插圖和詩歌口訣。其系統地將面部劃分為特定區域並與人生事件相關聯的方法，使其成為歷代實踐者的標準參考書。至今仍被廣泛研究。
核心概念： 強調五官（眼、眉、耳、鼻、口）、四瀆（眼為河、口為海）和十二宮位的重要性，構成了面相分析的基石。
2. Shen Xiang Quan Bian (神相全編)
Authorship: Associated with the legendary Song Dynasty Daoist master Chen Tuan (陳摶) , also known as Chen Xiyi, who is also widely credited with the founding of Zi Wei Dou Shu.
Significance: This text offers a systematic framework for face reading, detailing various facial features, their meanings, and their prognostications. It is a comprehensive work that covers a broad range of Mian Xiang principles, from the basics of facial topography to more advanced interpretations of subtle signs.
Key Concepts: Provides detailed methods for interpreting the "Three Powers" (三才: Heaven, Earth, Man on the forehead, nose, chin), the "Four Divisions" (四部), and extensive discussions on the significance of moles, lines, and bone structure.
作者： 與傳奇的宋代道家大師 陳摶 （亦稱陳希夷）相關聯，他也被廣泛認為是紫微斗數的創始人。
意義： 這部文本提供了一個系統化的面相框架，詳細闡述了各種面部特徵、其含義和預兆。它是一部涵蓋面相學廣泛原則的綜合性著作，從面部地形的基本原理到對細微徵兆的更高級解釋。
核心概念： 提供了「三才」（額頭、鼻子、下巴代表天、人、地）、四部分析的詳細方法，以及對痣、紋路和骨骼結構重要性的廣泛討論。
3. Liu Zhuang Xiang Fa (柳庄相法)
Authorship: Attributed to Yuan Liuzhuang (袁柳庄) , a notable physiognomist from the Ming Dynasty.
Significance: This work is another cornerstone of classical Mian Xiang, known for its practical insights and detailed interpretations. It often includes practical methods for assessing character and fortune that were highly valued by officials and merchants alike.
Key Concepts: Focuses on the "Five Stars and Six Yamen" (五星六曜), emphasizing the significance of specific facial features (e.g., forehead as a star, eyes as planets) and their energetic qualities. It also contains practical techniques for assessing a person's temperament and potential for success in various life endeavors.
作者： 歸於明代著名面相家 袁柳庄 。
意義： 這部作品是古典面相學的另一塊基石，以其實用見解和詳細解釋而聞名。它常包含評估性格和運勢的實用方法，深受官員和商人推崇。
核心概念： 專注於「五星六曜」，強調特定面部特徵（如額頭為星，眼睛為行星）及其能量品質的重要性。它還包含評估一個人脾氣和在各種人生事業中成功潛力的實用技巧。
4. Bing Jian (冰鉴)
Authorship: While often popularly attributed to Zeng Guofan (曾國藩) , a highly influential Qing Dynasty official, it is more accurately considered to be a compilation of his profound insights and observations on character assessment through physiognomy and demeanor.
Significance: Bing Jian , or "Mirror of Ice," is a profound treatise on discerning character, talent, and potential by observing facial features, demeanor, and subtle bodily cues. It is highly valued for its practical applications in selecting capable individuals for leadership roles and understanding human nature. Its focus is less on predictive fortune-telling and more on practical character analysis.
Key Concepts: Systematically analyzes the "Eight Aspects" (八法: divine, spirit, clear, noble, pure, thick, long, short), the "Seven Skills" (七徵), and the "Three Parts of Sound" (三部之聲), offering a holistic approach to understanding a person's inner qualities from external manifestations.
作者： 雖然常被普遍歸於清代極具影響力的官員 曾國藩 ，但更準確地說，它被認為是他對通過面相和舉止來評估人物的深刻見解和觀察的匯編。
意義： 《冰鑑》是一部深奧的論著，通過觀察面部特徵、舉止和細微的身體暗示來辨識一個人的品格、才能和潛力。它因其在選拔有能力的人擔任領導職務和理解人性方面的實用應用而受到高度重視。其重點較少放在預測命運，而更多是在實用的人物分析上。
核心概念： 系統分析「八法」（神、氣、清、貴、純、厚、長、短）、「七徵」和「聲三部」，提供一種從外在表現理解一個人內在品質的整體方法。