In my “Lone Wolf” post I noted that humankind’s expression of art reveals an aspect of what God considers beauty. Beauty in general is a fascinating topic, because it means so many things to many different people. Whether in nature, a song, a movie, or the human figure itself, each person uniquely expresses preferences of desire. Some men prefer a curve of the hip or the tip of a nose or a certain fleck of green or brown in someone’s eyes.
But overall, how do humans measure beauty? Why is one face generally agreed upon as beautiful and what are the differences in opinon on beauty in other cultures? Opposing sides of the argument pose these two questions: ”Is there some mathematical combination of angles, ratios and proportions that produce an equation for beauty , making one face more beautiful than another? Or is beauty like a work of art a matter of opinion, taste and culture? “
The mathematical argument is intriguing. The website Beauty Analysis reviews that a beautiful face is generally broken down into two components: Symmetry and Harmony. The more symmetric a face, the more beautiful it is generally considered. Harmony is described as a recurring theme. Mathematicians have suggested the recurring themes of geometric figures (such as circles or squares) or mathematical relationships such as the square root of 2. Audrey Hepburn’s concept of beauty was quite more simple:
“Sex appeal is something that you feel deep down inside. It’s suggested rather thanshown. I’m not as well-stacked as Sophia Loren or Gina Lollobrigida,but there is more to sex appeal than just measurements. I don’t need a bedroom to prove my womanliness. I can convey just as much sex appeal picking apples or standing in the rain.” (although it probably didn’t hurt that she was gorgeous)
One recent study found that beauty transcended culture: “the Japanese found the same European faces beautiful as the Europeans did, and vice versa.” Another study from my days in psychology class even suggest that babies prefer attractive faces to plainer ones. What is it that these babies are picking up on? Is it higher cheekbones, bigger eyes, straighter teeth? I wouldn’t pick up on the symmetry of a person’s face. It’s definitely not one of the characterisitcs I listed when considering my favorite attributes of my husband. “Oh darling, what a wonderfully, symetrical face you have!” But do I naturally react more favorably to more symmetrical faces without even realizing it?
(While writing this I had to examine my own facial symmetry in the office mirror. Sadly, I am highly asymmetrical. Thank goodness my husband hasn’t noticed yet because we’re about to hit our four year anniversary. You can check out what your face would look like if it was perfectly symmetrical or measure the exact symmetry of your face). The most symmetrical face in Hollywood? Supposedly, that belongs to Cate Blanchett.
Thankfully not all of us are as perfectly symmetrical as Miss Blanchett. Below are three separate images made from the same face. On the left is a symmetrical face using the left half of the original face. Middle: Original face. Right: Symmetrical face using the right half of the original face. Which one do you find more attractive?
Research has also revealed that the more child-like a face appears, the more attractive it is generally considered. These childlike features include:
- Large head
- Large curved forehead
- Facial elements (eyes, nose, mouth) located relatively low
- Large, round eyes
- Small, short nose
- Round cheeks
- Small chin
Below are also variations of the same face with varying degrees of childlikeness. Face one is 50% child, 50% Adult Woman; Face 2: 40% Child, 60% Adult Woman; Face 3: 30% Child, 70% Adult Woman; and so on until Face 6 which is 100% Adult Woman.
For another interesting read on beauty go here: http://www.ericspaulding.com/media/beauty.pdf
All I can is I feel bad for the friends that we’re hanging out with tonight. I have a feeling that I will be staring intently at their facial symmetry or lack thereof the whole night.
, 
