The Chaldæan Physiognomy (Face Reading): ancient to modern

Plutarch wrote that reading faces was an art of the Chaldæans.

Various adaptations of this practice survived to the modern western world over the ages. The art was based on observation of the way the basic elements as the ancients saw them (water element, earth element, etc.), lifestyle and even astrology (another Chaldæan art), affected the development of facial features.

Each element observed to produce a certain geometric shapes, morphological type and specific temperament. The system of observing the external facial form, allowed an opinion to be passed on the person's temperament, character, mental faculties, and their mental state (in general).

The Persian horoscope system was also applied to show the influence of the 12 zodiac signs on the facial features and to note harmonies and disharmonies on facial shape.

As with any art it was subject to over-analysis, however it addressed the basic need of people to understand other people.