A New Toy, or Who Looks Like Whom
There are certain patterns, certain proportions that allow human faces to be compared and - consciously or unconsciously - lead us to search for common features, familiar ones, pleasing ones. There is now a website online, www.myheritage.com, where by registering and uploading your photo, you can search for your lookalikes among well-known public figures.
Everyone has at some point in their life looked at a beautiful model, actor or TV star and thought - "I wish I had hair like hers", "if I were in her place, then...", "with a smile like that I'd also be very popular," and so on. Some people start imitating a celebrity; others search for their own unique individuality. We are so different, and yet so similar (speaking here specifically about looks and appearance). Has it ever happened that you confused twins, called one by the other's name? Have you heard stories - and read fully historical, documented facts - about political doubles? And what about that other half, whom you are destined to meet and recognise instantly at first glance?
There are certain patterns, certain proportions that allow human faces to be compared and - consciously or unconsciously - lead us to search for common features, familiar ones, pleasing ones. There is now a website online, www.myheritage.com, where by registering and uploading your photo, you can search for your lookalikes among well-known public figures. How successfully the programme manages this, you can judge for yourselves. You may also be in for certain surprises when your Caucasian face is matched to an Asian beauty, or a woman's photo finds masculine features - and vice versa. Hmm, apparently I am 80% similar to Marcia Cross? And our own Latvian President is not so far removed either?
I recommend trying the comparison with several of your own photographs to achieve the highest percentage of similarity. It has to be said that results vary quite considerably. Undoubtedly the "readability" of a face is affected by the quality of the photograph, the direction of light, and so on.
Comparing the shape of faces, noses, eyes and the proportions of mouths is in fact nothing new - it is a long-established technique in practice across astrology, psychology, art, criminology and cosmetology alike. Which woman who has taken an interest in applying evening make-up correctly doesn't know that there are several types of face shape - both rounded and angular - and how to optically correct them with decorative cosmetics? Every field and the reading of visual information from faces is a rich subject for thought and research, as well as popular science reading.
For those interested in exploring the facial proportions of themselves and their partner, I can recommend Suzy Mallery's book "Love at First Sight: How to Find and Fall in Love with the Right Person." The author attempts to answer the question of why some people seem attractive and sexually appealing to us, while others - though decent souls - hold no appeal at all. She speaks of three categories of "visual love" - harmonism, echoism and primacoupulism. S. Mallery argues that people get along better when they share either the same face shape or proportions, or when they are reminded of their first emotional bond - their mother or father. The author also compares and analyses famous couples from around the world, their facial proportions and their compatibility with each other.
By searching for "физиогномика" [physiognomy], you will find no shortage of interesting articles on the so-called "reading of faces." For example, people with a curved nose and a notably protruding brow above it are described as brave, good speakers, proud, magnanimous and generous; people with a large, wide nose and large nostrils - as unrestrained in love, not particularly clever, and deceitful. People with a sharp nose tip - intolerant, firm, severe; while those with a small dimple in the nose tip and a slightly upturned nose - cheerful, cunning, proud and talkative.
Whatever the case, everything remains for your own evaluation and exploration. Who knows, perhaps this knowledge about face shapes and proportions will help you discover something new in yourself and others. What did you discover?
comments