The text discusses the aesthetics and symbolism of chins and their implications for character judgments in men and women. It notes that a small chin is often seen as attractive in women but comes with a warning due to a perceived 'serpentine nature.' Different forms of chin shapes are linked to characteristics such as masculinity or bad morals, with cultural references to philosophers like Aristoteles.
Human Limbs.
The chin rarely seems inappropriate for men, who often have a full and brave face. Women, on the other hand, were adorned with a small chin. This happens when their distinct expression determines the roundness of the lower features and when a doubtful double chin is concealed from behind. Beauty would then be more increased than decreased. Albertus said: beware of a small chin, for it has a serpentine nature. Porta observes that such men are bad by nature and are likely to become informers and spies. People with a long chin are not very objectionable, though they sometimes tend to be a bit teasing in nature; they speak more than is necessary; and they are not the most zealous in advancing, yet rather good-natured. They may sometimes engage in women’s talk. A bald chin or scanty hair on it appears more feminine than masculine. Many face readers have considered a square chin as a sign of masculinity. A deeply cleft chin indicates a person of bad morals, somewhat good-natured but slightly mischievous. Those with a moderately or shallowly cleft chin would like to question, as the ancients have said that a sharp chin indicates courage and strength. However, this is more appropriately applied to the beard than to the chin. As Aristotle compared this type of chin to lions and some dogs, which have no sharp chin; thus, there is no doubt that they looked at the beard, despite what linguists tell us about their lessons as per Aristotle and others.
Translation Notes:
- Tronie: Could refer to facial expression or the entire face.
- Verfraayd: Means adorned or beautified.