You need to have a nose for this news — there're 14 types of the vital organ on the human face, according to a researcher.

Prof. Abraham Tamir of Ben-Gurion University in Israel has completed what he claims is the first survey of its type to classify and record the different shapes of the human nose, the Daily Mail reported.

This revealed that there are 14 types of nose, with classifications ranging from “fleshy” to “celestial“.

The most common, particularly among men, was the fleshy nose, best illustrated by Prince Philip, which featured on almost a quarter of all the faces studied.

Roman nose

Writing in the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery , Prof Tamir says those with such a nose are likely to be generous, emotional, helpful and sensitive.

But it is not all good news. In the professor's opinion, both the “fleshy” and the “hawk” are among the least attractive. The Roman nose, seen on Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, was sported by 9 per cent, who were ambitious, courageous and clear-thinking.

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe joins the 9 per cent who sported an aquiline nose, said to symbolise a cool tactician with a business mind. Some 13 per cent had celestial noses, with celebrity examples including actor Carey Mulligan.

These, the professor believes, are most attractive along with the snub noses found on 5 per cent. But while the snub shape may be attractive, it is not necessary a blessing.

Prof Tamir said: “The snub nose is a small nose sloping upwards at the tip. People with this frequently lack spiritual and physical maturity.”

Kate Middleton, however, can also claim an attractive nose. Her shape was frequently found in paintings, suggesting artists saw it as a thing of beauty, says the researcher.

Simon Withey, of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, said the results would have been different had the survey been done in another part of the world.

“Women like a nose like Angelina Jolie's — a very delicate nose with not a lot of bulk. Men like straighter noses. In general, people don't like fleshy tips or excessive bumps,” he said.

Published on July 12, 2011