Physiognomy

Physiognomy is the art of judging a person's character, personality, or temperament from their outer appearance, particularly the face. It posits a connection between external physical traits and internal psychological or moral attributes. The practice, though ancient, lacks strong scientific backing, and the extent to which appearance accurately reflects inner qualities is debated. While once widely practiced, it is now often regarded with skepticism, yet continues to influence perceptions, especially in areas like art, literature, and interpersonal interactions.

Physiognomy meaning with examples

• Her strong jawline and piercing eyes were considered classic features of leadership by those who were well-versed in the accepted views on physiognomy, suggesting a determined and decisive nature. She was given authority over her peers based solely on her appearance. Her superiors also based promotion on her face.
• The artist carefully studied the sitter's physiognomy, seeking to capture not just their likeness but also their inner character, the subtle expressions and the small lines that revealed the story of a long life. The goal was to paint the spirit of the person. He was skilled in observing face shapes.
• In the novel, the villain's dark physiognomy, characterized by a furrowed brow and thin lips, was consistently used to foreshadow his wicked intentions, warning the reader of danger and highlighting the impact the physiognomy has on the character's actions.
• The detective relied on a quick assessment of the suspect's physiognomy to gain a preliminary understanding of their demeanor, noting a nervous twitch and shifty eyes that raised immediate suspicion, this led to a full-blown investigation that included questioning.
• Though criticized for its lack of empirical support, some continue to believe that there are hints of a person's nature within their physiognomy, using facial features as a superficial measure of reliability, although this can lead to erroneous assumptions.