Palmistry: A Not So Scientific Examination
Forensic Science Laboratory
SyracuseUniversity Chemistry 113
Introduction
Everything matters in Palmistry...the size of the hand, it's shape, color,texture, the nails, depth of lines, even the manner in which you hold your hands when your palm is read…
The hand you use to write with is your dominant hand. The lines on this hand change through the years due to the electromagnetic images from your brain, which know your lifepath. Lines can add on. Once added they do not go away. The other hand is your destiny hand. It generally remains the same throughout your lifetime
Objectives
Trace out your hand, and the lines on it, and read each others palm using the guides provided…
Background
Palmistry or chiromancy (also spelled cheiromancy, Greek cheir (χειρ), “hand”; manteia (μαντεία), “divination”), is the art of characterization and foretelling the future through the study of the palm, also known as palm reading, or chirology. The practice is found all over the world, with numerous cultural variations. Those who practice chiromancy are generally called palmists, palm readers, hand readers, hand analysts,or chirologists.
The practice of chiromancy is generally regarded as a pseudoscience. The information outlined below is briefly representative of modern palmistry; there are many ― often conflicting ― interpretations of various lines and palmar features across various "schools" of palmistry.
Techniques
Chiromancy consists of the practice of evaluating a person's character or futurelife by "reading" the palm of that person's hand. Various "lines" ("heart line", "life line", etc.) and "mounts" (or bumps) (chirognomy) , purportedly suggest interpretations by their relative sizes, qualities, and intersections. In some traditions, readers also examine characteristics of the fingers, fingernails, fingerprints and palmar skin patterns (dermatoglyphics), skin texture and color, shape of the palm, and flexibility of the hand.
A reader usually begins by reading the person's 'dominant hand' (the hand he or she writes with or uses the most)(sometimes considered to represent the conscious mind, whereas the other hand is subconscious). In some traditions of palmistry, the other hand is believed to carry hereditary or family traits, or, depending on the palmist's cosmological beliefs, to convey information about past-life or karmic conditions.
The basic framework for "Classical" palmistry (the most widely taught and practiced tradition) is rooted in Greek mythology. Each area of the palm and fingers is related to a god or goddess, and the features of that area indicate the nature of the corresponding aspect of the subject. For example, the ring finger is associated with the Greek god Apollo; characteristics of the ring finger are tied to the subject's dealings with art, music, aesthetics, fame, wealth, and harmony.
Significance of the Left and Right Hand
Though there are debates on which hand is better to read from, both have their own significance. It is custom to assume that the left hands shows potential in an individual, and the right showed realized personality. Some saying about the significance goes as followed. "The future is shown in the right, the past in the left." "The left hand is the one we are born with, and the right is what we have made of it." "The right hand is read for men, while the left is read for women." “The left is what the gods give you, the right is what you do with it."
With all these saying however, only instinct and experience will tell you which is better to read in the end.
- Left The left hand is controlled by the right brain (pattern recognition, relationship understanding), reflects the inner person, the natural self, the anima, and the lateral thinking. It could even be considered to be a part of a person spiritual and personal development. It is the the "yin" of personality (feminine and receptive).
- Right As opposites are, the right hand is controlled by the left brain (logic, reason, and language), reflects the outer person, objective self, influence of social environment, education, and experience. It represents linear thinking. It also corresponds to the "yang" aspect of personality (male and outgoing).
Hand shape
Depending on the type of palmistry practiced, and the type of reading being performed, palmists may look at various qualities of the hand, including the shapes and lines of the palm and fingers; the color and texture of the skin and fingernails; the relative sizes of the palm and fingers; the prominence of the knuckles; and numerous other attributes of the hands.
In most schools of palmistry, hand shapes are divided into four or 10 major types, sometimes corresponding to the Classical elements or temperaments. Hand shape is believed to indicate character traits corresponding to the type indicated (i.e., a "Fire hand" would exhibit high energy, creativity, short temper, ambition, etc. - all qualities believed to be related to the Classical element of Fire).
Although variations abound, the most common classifications used by modern palmists:
- Earth hands are generally identified by broad, square palms and fingers, thick or coarse skin, ruddy color, and . The length of the palm from wrist to the bottom of the fingers is usually equal to the length of the fingers.
- Air hands exhibit square or rectangular palms with long fingers and sometimes protruding knuckles, low-set thumbs, and often dry skin. The length of the palm from wrist to the bottom of the fingers is usually less than the length of the fingers.
- Water hands are seeable by the short, sometimes oval-shaped palm, with long, flexible, conical fingers. The length of the palm from wrist to the bottom of the fingers is usually less than the width across the widest part of the palm, and usually equal to the length of the fingers.
- Fire hands are characterized by a square or rectangular palm, flushed or pink skin, and shorter fingers. The length of the palm from wrist to the bottom of the fingers is usually greater than the length of the fingers.
It’s easy to determine the dominant element and temperament in your own hand (Dominant Planets In Hand And Horoscope) The number and quality of lines can also be included in the hand shape analysis; in some traditions of palmistry, Earth and Water hands tend to have fewer, deeper lines, while Air and Fire hands are more likely to show more lines with less clear definition.
The lines
Some of the lines of the hand in Palmistry
1: Life line
2: Head line
3: Heart line
4: Girdle of Venus
5: Sun line
6: Mercury line
7: Fate line
The three lines found on almost all hands, and generally given most weight by palmists:
- The heart line is the first of the major lines examined by a reader. It is found towards the top of the palm, under the fingers. In some traditions, the line is read as starting from the edge of the palm under the little finger and flowing across the palm towards the thumb; in others, it is seen as starting under the fingers and flowing toward the outside edge of the palm. Palmists interpret this line to represent matters of the heart, both physical and metaphorical, and believe it can indicate emotional stability, romantic perspectives, depression, and stoicism, in addition to various aspects of cardiac health.
- The next line identified by palmists is the head line. This line starts at the edge of the palm under the index finger and flows across the palm towards the outside edge. Often, the head line is joined with the life line (see below) at inception. Palmists generally interpret this line to represent the person's mind and the way it works, including learning style, communication style, intellectualism, and thirst for knowledge. It is also believed to indicate a preference for creative or analytical approaches to information (i.e., right brain or left brain).
- Finally, readers look at perhaps the most controversial line on the hand, the life line. This line extends from the edge of the palm above the thumb and travels in an arc towards the wrist. This line is believed to represent the person's vitality and vigor, physical health and general well being. The life line is also believed to reflect major life changes, including cataclysmic events, physical injuries, and relocations. Contrary to popular belief, modern palmists generally do not believe that the length of a person's life line is tied to the length of a person's life.
Palmistry: A Not So Scientific Examination
Forensic Science Laboratory
Syracuse University Chemistry 113
Name Laboratory Section
Instructor Lab Period
Experimental Data Sheet 1
Ovals on the heart denote line-divorce, separation. A long heart line: Overly romantic. A straight heart line: The mind rules the heart. The heart lines ends on the Jupiter mount: You want to control relationships
Above the heart line: A "V" denotes empathic qualities. A "U" from the Jupiter to the Apollo finger: Dramatic person
Horizontal lines under the Mercury finger: Karmic relationships: Long lines that run across the palm of the hand to the Mount of Venus (past lives) (thumb) denote marriages or 'living together'. (They are marked the same way).
Vertical lines: Full ones that cross horizontal lines: Your children should you decided to have any. Short lines: Miscarriages, abortions. (This will come up on the father's hand as well).
Head Line: Education: College--crosses the entire palm. Masters Program--has branches from the primary Head Line. Small branches: Other courses of study.
Life Line: Surround Venus Mount (thumb) Starts from above the thumb and goes to the wrist. If not connected to the Head Line: Caretaker, independent thinker, will give a lot in this lifetime, usually first or last child in the family-- or the only child (if the space is really wide). Double line: Depression, needs therapy at some point. A "V" closer to the wrist: a divorce A split in the line: Moving far, changing destiny
Lines that follow the Life Line of your Venus Mount (thumb area): Spirit Guides, Past Lives
Fate / Career / Destiny Line: Runs from the wrist straight up to the Saturn (middle finger). Career / careers: will often branch in many directions which will determine changes in career and goals in one's lifetime. Doubled line denotes: working at 2 careers at the same time.
Travel lines: Run along the outside palm from the heart line to the wrist. This needs to be viewed with a palm print to see where the person will travel next! Many lines: Traveling for business as well as pleasure. A few long lines: Major trips that change your destiny, often seen in the old years. Money lines: From outside of the Venus Mount to the heart line. Run upward from the wrist. May have stars, bars or various other markings to indicate money and how you will get it. A wide "V" in that area: cash settlement. Darker / deeper lines: Finances increase Scattered lines: Make lost of money but at various times in your life. Palm prints denote: white space in that area: you will lend money but never get it back: learning lessons with money. How many lessons depends on how many white areas are between the life line and the thumb on your palm print.
Other lines: Pentagrams [goddess energies], Stars, Circles, Triangles, The letter "M", the letter "V".
All markings depend on the area of the hand where they are found.
Many markings do not mean an old soul. Many men have few lines and are old souls. Blue collar workers have fewer lines--usually just the basic lines.
FINGERS
Divided into 3 sections each with a different reference on each finger. Length of each section, and images on your palm print tell much.
Jupiter finger: Leadership, Self Esteem, The Teacher, Organization, Punctuality, The Limelight. A strong determined person will always have a long Jupiter finger, as do teachers, and performers.
Saturn Finger: Destiny, The Corporate World, Karma Long finger: Lots of karma to work out. Section closest to palm: Your family Section in the middle: Business world Section near the tip of the finger, your spiritual path
Apollo Finger: Creative, Metaphysical, Health If it points to the Saturn finger: Your have karma in the metaphysical realms.
Mercury Finger: Communications: Writing, Computers, Media Much can be gleamed in this area with a palm print as so many people are in the communication fields now. A short finger: does not go up as high as the third section on your Apollo finger: Not great with writing, but will overcome this by working with others. It the Mercury finger bends in: You hold back what you need to say!
Venus finger: How stubborn / or giving you are. It can be straight (stubborn) ---or bent (subtle)--the giver. Please check both hands as they may be different.
The lengths of the Jupiter and Apollo fingers must be compared. If the Jupiter finger is shorter the person is often a late bloomer as he / she will follow the dictates of others and will not seek their own goals until their thirties.
Spaces between fingers: Wide between Saturn and Jupiter: Will overspend
Holding out the hands: When hands are placed down on the paper for the palm print: Wide open: Friendly, outgoing. Big space between the Mercury (pinky) and Apollo (ring) fingers: Will move, needs lots of freedom and space
Fingerprints: Collection and Interpretation
Post-lab Assignment
Name Laboratory Section
Instructor Lab Period
Experimental Methods
In this experiment, you will create drawing of your palm lines, marking what the ‘reading’ of such lines will indicate...
Left PalmRight Palm
- Write a detailed description of the physical attributes of your palms. These would include measurements and locations of features that could be recognized if pulled from a crime scene.
- According to the information found above, interpret both of your palms. Do you find this description accurate?
- To what extent would this information be useful / not useful in a crime scene investigation (CSI)?
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