Do You Know Your Nose?

The eyes are a very important part of the face. However, if you want to be more literal when talking about the "center of your face," there is no denying that the conversation becomes alllll about the nose! Nose shapes and sizes vary not only from person to person, but also from culture to culture. Do you know how much your nose reveals about you? Listed below are a few examples of how the nose has developed in both history and folklore.

What does your nose know—and show!—about you? Read below to see how accurate these common perceptions are!
1. Concave/upturned noses are indicative of a very optimistic person. Concave noses -- described as noses that have a depression in the middle and perky, protruding trip -- were made famous by actresses like Marilyn Monroe and Christina Applegate. People with these nose shapes are described as kind, fun-loving, and social. They tend to love new experiences and taking on challenges.

2. Straight noses are called "Greek" noses for a reason! Not only is this type of nose often associated with the ancient Greeks, but those with noses that are narrow with a pointed tip are considered very intelligent. True straight noses have no depression in the middle and are very desirable in many parts of the world. These people are thought to be skilled in multiple realms, quick-thinkers, functional, and logical thinkers. Sean Penn is an actor with a straight nose -- but so was the very important Admiral Lord Nelson!

3. On the opposite end of the spectrum, people with convex or "Roman" noses are considered to be strong leaders but (sometimes!) a little too confident. Characterized by a pronounced bridge and outward curve that protrudes from the base of the nose, the amount of convexity can range from a lot to a little. Although these people are leaders often entrusted with important decisions, they do not rush their actions. Abraham Lincoln -- one of the most influential leaders in America's past -- had a very convex nose!

4. "Small" noses are disproportionally found in one place: on the sports field! Although this might seem strange, it seems less so if you consider the traits usually associated with those who have "small" noses. Of course, "small" is only relative; you might think your nose is small, but your friend may not share your opinion! However, noses that are petite with (usually) upturned tips are found on the faces of those who are fast-witted. Being quick of the mind translates over physically as well: Many soccer, rugby, and other sports stars have these types of noses (see Muhammad Ali).

5. "Wavy" or crooked noses tell their own story! Noses that are bumpy/crooked when viewed from different angles are usually a result of an injury or deformity. When a nose is broken or fractured, it might not heal as straight as it should. However, this can be due to genetics as well, and these types of noses may or may not cause breathing problems. Those born with crooked noses are fun-loving, carefree, and prone to indecision -- but I guess you wouldn't know if this is the case until you met them! Owen Wilson is a star who embraces his unique nose.

How accurately do these describe you? If you don't love what they said -- or your actual nose -- you could always consider a rhinoplasty. As long as people have been described as having different noses, they have wanted to change them! The ancient Egyptians are said to have been the first to practice facial reconstructive surgery as early as 3,000 B.C. By the late sixteenth century, an Italian surgeon named Gasparo Tagliacozzi described a procedure in which he attached part of the bicep muscle to the patient’s face, left his arm attached to his nose for 5 weeks, staged a second surgery to separate the two, and then shaped the grafted skin into a nose. Thus, the art of rhinoplasty began to take shape! Who knew: Shaping the nose has almost as long a history as medicine itself!—Michelle R. Yagoda, M.D., P.C.