Copied by Abdallah ibn Sulayman al-Rayhani al-Mawsili: Kitab Aflimun fi l firasa: (Book of Polemon about physiognomy); (1356) Damascus

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A detail of a drawing of 1670 showing gloominess (a funeral)

 

Taken from: Greek Science of the Hellenistic Era: A Sourcebook By Georgia Lynette Irby-Massie

       Scriptores physiognomonici graeci et latini, rencensuit Richardus Foerster.

 

The color of the whole body

 

The color black indicates cowardice, long-lived anxiety, and gloominess; of this kind are southerners like Ethiopians, the Zanj, the Egyptians, and those close to them. A fair white color turning towards ruddiness designates boldness and violent irascibility. Complete whiteness denotes feebleness. Ruddiness of the face and body indicates deceit and much cogitation. The color in which there is some yellow mixed in indicates evil, enthusiasm, fright, and cowardice, unless the yellow arises from disease. If you see yellow veering towards black without disease, it designates timidity, voracity, a lot of talk, irritability, and a long tongue. The color in which there is a little ruddiness indicates much intelligence.