Can your facial features reveal your true personality and character?

We all know first impressions count, but what if we could take it further and analyse someone’s facial features to understand their personality and character? Turns out, there is an ancient practice called physiognomy, or face reading, which has roots in both Eastern and Western cultures. 

“Physiognomy serves as a form of fate prediction or character analysis by interpreting an individual’s facial features to gain insights into their personality, emotions, and potential future experiences,” explains Linglin Chang, a Singapore face and palm reader who has been practising for nearly 16 years.

Here’s how it works: Physiognomy is often used to understand personalities, with the aim of identifying emotions or improving communication. The practice is based on the belief that certain facial features and shapes correspond to specific character traits.

By observing non-verbal cues, physiognomy can offer guidance on how to communicate more effectively with different individuals. It could also be applied diagnostically in traditional medicine – through the observation of the skin, eyes, tongue, and pulse – to assess internal health.

Linglin suggests that physiognomy can be a useful tool in practical settings such as the workplace or dating, as it provides a way to understand an individual’s core characteristics without the need for overly intrusive personal questions – particularly in the early stages of getting to know someone.

She cautions, however, that physiognomy should never be judged solely on the appearance of a single feature, nor should any one trait be seen as the defining indicator of a person’s entire destiny.

“Physiognomy requires multiple features to be analysed together as a whole, rather than separately. No single feature should ever be taken as a sole indicator or a full determinant of a person’s destiny.

“That’s why it is unwise to assume that so-called ‘less auspicious’ features will inevitably lead to a worse fate, or that ‘auspicious’ features will guarantee a good one.

“Ultimately, the greatest creator of luck is a positive mindset, strengthened by discipline and the right values,” she says.

Below, Linglin reveals how studying certain facial features can provide clues to a person’s character.

Are there particular features that reveal the most about a person’s personality?

I begin by reading a person’s eyes, tuning into my intuition as I analyse them to uncover aspects of their personality. Other facial features – such as the ears, cheekbones, face shape, and lips – serve as supporting factors that complement my initial intuitive readings from the eyes.

Because of this, a reading cannot be done if an individual’s eyes are covered, such as with sunglasses, or if they remain closed.

Can certain shapes or sizes hint at qualities like honesty, empathy, or confidence?

In physiognomy, the eyes are seen as windows to the soul, reflecting wisdom, vitality, health, and leadership potential. Ears, often called the “listening officers”, reveal how a person receives, processes, and applies information. Lips, meanwhile, represent one’s ability to manage emotions and express themselves through communication.

Here’s a general guide for key features like eyes, ears, and lips.

EYES

Big eyes
People with big eyes are often seen as cheerful, sociable, and easy to get along with. They usually don’t sweat the small stuff, but may sometimes be overly trusting – which can make them more prone to being deceived.

• In men: Big eyes suggest flexibility, boldness, versatility, quick thinking, kindness, and strong communication skills. They are often adept at understanding women’s psychology.
• In women: Big eyes are associated with charm, artistic taste, creativity, and a pleasing voice.

Small eyes
Those with smaller eyes tend to be calm, careful, and good at controlling their emotions. They are often meticulous planners who prefer to proceed step by step. 

While they may come across as conservative or inflexible, they are also steady and reliable. They may be introverted, and can sometimes feel nervous in opposite-sex interactions.

Bright, clear eyes
When there’s a sharp contrast between the black pupils and the whites of the eyes, it suggests decisiveness, intelligence, capability, good health, and vitality.

Shining, moist eyes
Eyes that appear luminous and slightly moist are considered highly auspicious, indicating great fortune – regardless of their shape, size, or colouring.

With arched, well-trimmed eyebrows
In ancient traditions, bright eyes paired with neat, arched eyebrows were thought to symbolise good health and prosperity.

Droopy or tired eyes
Features such as droopy eyelids, sleepy-looking eyes, eye bags, or dark circles are often interpreted as signs of low vitality, lack of energy, or diminished health.

Mono-lid (Single-fold eyelid)
People with mono-lids are often seen as rational and logical, with a strong sense of financial management. However, they may also come across as a little stubborn.

Double-fold eyelid
Double-fold eyelids are associated with boldness, uniqueness, and emotional sensitivity. Those with this feature can be impulsive or sentimental, sometimes indecisive, yet flexible.

They may enjoy a wide range of financial opportunities and strong spending power, but can have weaker financial management habits.

Hooded eyes
Individuals with hooded eyes are thought to embody traits of both mono-lid and double-fold types. They may be mild, indecisive, or stubborn, yet also emotional. They tend to approach tasks carefully and practically, though they are often more reserved in matters of romance.

EARS

Big, fleshy ears with full earlobes
Associated with confidence, dignity, and self-assurance. These individuals are often responsible, ambitious, and aim high in life.

They are believed to attract support from benefactors, leading to strong careers and steady backing. This ear type is also linked to kindness and a forgiving nature.

Small ears with thin earlobes
Thought to reflect lower vitality or physical weakness. People with this feature may be less sociable, with fewer friends, and appear less fortunate in terms of luck and support from others.

They often need to work harder to accumulate wealth, and may struggle with self-confidence or decisiveness.

High-positioned ears
When ears are set higher on the head (sometimes above eyebrow level), they are linked to quick reflexes, intelligence, strong physical abilities, and excellent execution skills. This feature is often associated with innovation, leadership, and financial success.

Thick, drooping earlobes paired with this placement further suggest good fortune.

Low positioned ears

Ears that sit lower on the head are often associated with weaker energy levels and vitality. Compared to high-positioned ears, they may be linked to slower reflexes, less favourable luck, and reduced physical stamina.

This feature is also thought to suggest modest wealth, fewer leadership qualities, and a tendency to trail behind peers in terms of opportunities or recognition.

LIPS

Full lips (both upper and lower)
Suggest empathy, confidence, and courage. People with full lips are often generous, expressive, passionate, and naturally sociable. However, they may also be impulsive, stubborn, or a little reckless at times.

Full lower lip
Indicates a fun-loving, energetic, and spontaneous personality. Such individuals value desires and pleasures, love exploring new experiences, and are often straightforward – sometimes overly independent.

They may attract support from benefactors and are commonly seen in creative or entertainment fields.

Full upper lip
Associated with self-assurance and charisma. These individuals place great importance on affection and relationships, and may enjoy attention or drama.

They often have a strong public persona, a good sense of humour, and prefer giving openly rather than receiving.

Thin lips
Reflect a reserved and cautious nature. People with thin lips may prefer solitude and select social settings, but they are also highly determined and motivated to exceed expectations.

Defined cupid’s bow
Signifies eloquence and excellent communication skills. Those with this feature are often quick-witted, with strong memory and productivity.

They tend to be confident self-expressers, strong manifestors, and sometimes reactive or impulsive.

Which features are often misunderstood?

Moles on the face are often misunderstood and judged, especially hairy moles. In ancient folklore, hairy moles were thought to symbolise wealth and good luck. Those who had them were considered “blessed,” wealthy, or prestigious.

Such moles were sometimes referred to as “landlord moles”, with the belief that plucking the hair would ruin one’s good fortune and prevent wealth accumulation.

Traditionally, men were advised not to cut the hair on moles, while women were expected to remove it for appearance’s sake. These, however, are purely assumptions rooted in superstition.

In modern face reading, the placement of a mole is considered more meaningful than whether or not it has hair. Rather than fortune-telling, a mole may reflect certain personality traits or tendencies:

• Mole on the ear (left or right): Indicates natural intelligence, quick wit, and unique talents. Such individuals are often efficient in achieving their goals. Without healthy self-awareness or emotional regulation, however, these strengths may veer into self-centredness or eccentricity.
• Mole around the lips: Suggests a sentimental and considerate nature, with a talent for social diplomacy that makes them attractive to others. These individuals often have a strong appreciation for food, with heightened sensitivity to taste and pleasure, and may be particular about what they eat.

What should we keep in mind so we don’t fall into stereotyping or snap judgments?

Firstly, we should never make assumptions about an individual’s life trajectory or character based solely on a single facial feature or a generic face reading. 

Secondly, it is important not to assume that every feature reflects a person’s natural appearance from birth – as cosmetic surgery or corrective procedures may alter the face in ways that make readings less accurate. Face reading should ideally be based on one’s original features. 

Thirdly, we should not believe that changing our facial features will automatically change our lives or destiny. True transformation comes from cultivating a positive mindset, working hard, and aligning ourselves with the right moral compass.

To book an appointment with Linglin, check out her Instagram (@ling.the.palmist)