Hello all, I just received an email asking about Fa Ling lines, so I thought I would bring back a write-up I had done a while ago.

Q: I loved the workshop you gave for our design team last week. I learned a lot about myself. During a break, though, I heard you talking to someone about lines on your face that can tell you if you’re on your life’s path. Could you tell me more? Thanks, J.S.

A: Hello, I loved giving the workshop, too. It’s fun to work with such a curious and eager group. The lines you heard me talking about are the Fa Ling lines. They are also called Purpose Lines, and they tell us if we know our creative and spiritual purpose in life; and, if so, are we living our lives accordingly.

Though some people begin to develop Fa Ling lines early in life, we hope to have them by the time we reach our early forties. Ideal Fa Ling lines begin alongside the top of our nostrils and flare gently downward, ending just before the corners of our mouth.

The exact length, depth, and shape vary with each person, and with each side of the face. Like with all facial markings, they can appear on just one side of the face, or on both.

If you have a Fa Ling only on the left side of your face (the side of your face that reflects your inner thoughts and life, as well as your father’s influence) it means that you are aware of your creative and spiritual purpose in life, but you are not yet living according to those purposes.

If you have a Fa Ling line only on your right side (reflecting your outer behavior and thoughts, and your mother’s influence) it most likely means that though you are on your Full Life’s Path (aka your Wu Xing Path), you, or someone close to you, do not value the choices you have made.

Often we live in a community, culture, or family that does not approve of who we are, and it may take enormous courage to live your life according to your true beliefs.

If that is true for you, or someone you know and care about, remember that we have only one life to live – it’s essential that we value and love who we are. Thanks for your question.