PALMISTRY
What is Palmistry?
Palmistry is a divination practice that reads a person’s character and life tendencies from the lines etched into the palm—such as the life, head, and heart lines—and from the shape of its raised areas (mounts). It originated in India and spread to China, Tibet, Europe, and many other parts of the world.
Overview
- System
- Form Reading (read from the shape of the palm)
- Origin
- India (Samudrika Shastra) → spread to China, Tibet, and Europe
- What You Need
- A photo of the palm (or direct observation)
- Best For
- Love, career, money, life direction, and compatibility
- Time Frame
- Life as a whole
Origins & History
Palmistry is believed to have originated in India, developing as part of "Samudrika Shastra," an ancient Sanskrit text that read character from bodily features. From there it is thought to have traveled through China and Tibet and, via the Silk Road, on to Europe.
In Europe, an interest in palmistry also arose independently in ancient Greece, with records showing the philosopher Aristotle referenced it. In the 16th century the Catholic Church regarded it as a heretical practice and suppressed it for a time, but in the 19th century it was revived as a modern system through the writings of the French researcher Casimir d’Arpentigny and others, taking the form in which it is enjoyed around the world today.
How It Works
- 01Decide which hand to read (dominant hand or both hands).
- 02Take a photo showing the entire palm, or observe the palm directly.
- 03Check the shape, length, and depth of the major lines, such as the life, head, and heart lines.
- 04Combine the characteristics of the lines with the development of the mounts (raised areas) to read tendencies in character and fortune.
What It Reveals
Palmistry is well suited to reading relatively long-term traits, such as innate personality tendencies and aptitudes in love, career, and money. However, the lines of the palm are said to change slightly with age and lifestyle, and the names and interpretations of the lines vary between schools, so readings are treated as an indication of tendencies rather than a definitive pronouncement of fate.
Related Methods
References
- Wikipedia: Palmistry (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmistry)