Physiognomy
Physiognomy is the interpretation
of outward bodily appearance, especially the features of
the face, to reveal a person's predominant temper and character.
Physiognomy is based upon the belief that a person's
physical appearance, primarily the face, reflects their
character or personality. Up until the time of King Henry
VIII, its validity was widely taught in universities and
was an everyday concept that had developed into a regular
Middle English word spelled fisnamy or visnomy. After that
time, scholastic leaders settled on the more erudite form
'physiognomy' and began to discourage the whole idea of
'fisnamy'.
The use of physiognomy is attributed to the Greek philosopher
Aristotle though earlier sources suggest that physiognomy
was known to Pythagoras, Socrates and Hippocrates. In the
sixteenth century physiognomists were tortured as heretics.
The principal promoter of physiognomy in modern times was
the Swiss pastor Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741-1801) who,
for a short while, was a friend of Goethe.
Phrenology was also considered a physiognomy. It was created
around 1800 by German physician Franz Joseph Gall and Johann
Spurzheim and was widely popular in the 19th century in
Europe and the United States. You can take a fun Phrenology
test on this website.
Physiognomy
The definition of Physiognomy and physiognomist is part of
our online psychic glossary. More about Physiognomy and other definitions.
Physiognomy - Psychic Readings Advice and Definitions
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