Face reading is generally considered synonymous with the term psycho-physiognomics and has fascinated humanity for thousands of years. The origins of psycho-physiognomics can be found around 2000 years before Christ in ancient China and India, where the findings were already written down. (One of the oldest books on this subject is the "Puggala Pannatti" ("The Book of Characters") from 300 BC).
There is also evidence of early research into human body forms in Europe. In ancient Greece, philosophers and scholars were concerned with human physiognomy and made connections between facial features and behaviour.
Socrates (469-399 B.C.) and his student Plato (428-348 B.C.) already described physical expressions in their works and related these to character traits such as prudence, prudence, nobility etc.
The Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC) also saw a connection between the physique and the personality of a person, which he wrote down in his "Physiognomia", thus laying the foundation for psycho-physiognomics. He is also considered an early founder of patho-physiognomics, which draws conclusions about physical weaknesses and diseases from the observation of the face.
The masters of the fine arts have also incorporated the knowledge gained from psychophysiognomic research into their works for centuries. For in the paintings of old masters, the faces of the sitters always convey something about their character.
With the beginning of the modern age, scholars, stimulated by the generally increased interest in the ancient teachings, became more interested in the writings that had been handed down. The Swiss Paracelsus (1493-1541) summarised his knowledge of nature and human beings in a new medical science. He concluded that everything that happens inside the body can also be seen on the outside. Wilhelm Heinrich Schüßler (1821-1898) was also influenced by the knowledge of facial diagnostic signs.
The natural scientist Carl Huter (1861-1912) is considered the founder of today's psycho-physiognomics. From 1904-1906, he wrote his main work, which is still considered the basis of applied knowledge of human nature.
For him, the results of his research manifest themselves in the following sentence: "The spirit lives in the forms. This means that the outer appearance of a person is the mirror of his inner being.
The doctrine of psycho-physiognomics always views the human being in a value-neutral way beyond origin and descent.
The special potential of the insights gained lies in shaping everyday dealings with oneself and one's personal environment in a responsible, empathetic, self-critical, tolerant and far-sighted manner.
In our present time, research does not stand still, of course. Previous findings are constantly being updated, interpreted in a modern way and seen in the context of the zeitgeist.
