The head lowered, that is, inclined forward, denotes the reflective state.

If the head inclines toward the interlocutor, it is veneration, an act of faith in the object we love.

If the head inclines away from the interlocutor, it is stratagem or suspicion.

All other attitudes of the head are modifications of these. These nine attitudes characterize states, that is, sentiments, but sentiments which are fugitive. Either of these attitudes may be affected until it becomes habitual. But there are movements which cannot be habitually affected, which can only modify types and attitudes of the inflections of the head. These are fugitive movements.

There are nine inflections or fugitive movements of the head:--

  1. If a forward movement, it ends in an upright one, with elevated chin, and indicates interrogation, hope, appellation, desire.
  2. The same movement with the chin lowered, indicates doubt, resignation.
  3. A nod of the head, a forward movement, means confirmation, yes, or well.
  4. If the movement is brusque forward, it is the menace of a resolute man.
  5. The head thrown back means exaltation.
  6. If the movement is brusque backward, it is the menace of a weak man.
  7. There are rotative inflections from one shoulder to the other; this is impatience, regret.
  8. The rotary movement of the head alone signifies negation, that is no.
  9. If the movement ends toward the interlocutor, it is simple negation.
  10. If the movement ends opposite to him, it is negation with distrust.
  11. The rotative and forward inflection would denote exaltation.

The sense of this response,--"I do not know," when tidings of a friend are asked, may be divined by an inflection of the head.

It is well to note how these movements are transmitted from agent to agent.

All movements which severally affect the head, the hand, the body and the leg, may affect the whole.

Thus the movement of negation is made by the hand. This movement is double. There is negation with direct resolution, and negation with inverse resolution, which is elliptical. The hand recoils as the head recoils, and when the head makes the movement of impatience, the hand rises with the head and says:--"Leave me alone, I do not wish to hear you."