OriginIndia, ~3,000 years ago
Major linesHead, Heart & Life
MountsSeven planetary mounts
Hand typesSeven classic shapes
What Is Palmistry?
Palmistry is the practice of reading a person’s character and tendencies from the shape, marks, patterns and lines of the hands, especially the palms. It began in India almost three thousand years ago as part of Samudrik Shastra – a broad body of knowledge, literally “oceanic knowledge”, that studies the features of the body. Palmistry, or Hast Rekha Shastra, is the branch of it that deals with the hand.
From India the art travelled to China, Egypt, Greece and Europe, where it became known as chiromancy, from the Greek cheir, “hand”. Modern palmistry owes much to William John Warner, the famous 19th-century palmist known as Cheiro, whose system forms the basis of the readings on this site.
How to Read Your Palm in Five Steps
- Choose the hand. The non-dominant hand shows inborn tendencies; the dominant hand shows how you have developed them. Always compare both.
- Study the shape. Look at the overall hand type, the fingers, the thumb and the nails to understand the basic temperament.
- Feel the mounts. Note which of the seven mounts are full and which are flat – they show where your energy and strengths lie.
- Trace the lines. Read the three major lines – Head, Heart and Life – and then the Fate, Sun and minor lines.
- Check the signs and timing. Look for stars, crosses, squares and islands, and use the timing method to estimate when events occur.
Hand Shape & Features
The first impression of a hand – its shape, fingers, thumb and nails – reveals the basic nature of a person.
The Mounts
The raised pads of the palm are named after the planets. Their development shows the strengths that shape your character.
The Lines
From the three major lines to the rare Ring of Saturn – every line tells part of your story.
Reading & Timing
Bring it all together: learn how palmists estimate the age at which events occur.
Your Hand Changes With You
Throughout life, the body records change. Just as the lines of the face reflect experience and age, the marks and lines of the palm develop as we grow, reflecting the way we think and live. Indian scholars recognised this centuries ago and read hands to understand the self and its relationships with others.
Palmistry teaches that our happiness depends greatly on our own thoughts and feelings. When a person lets go of negative thinking and fills the mind with positive purpose, palmists believe this change of consciousness gradually shows in the lines of the hand. As Shakespeare wrote, “The fault … is not in our stars, but in ourselves” – we can shape our own fate through will and effort.
A Brief History
Palmistry was practised in many ancient cultures, including India, China and Egypt, and the first printed books on the subject appeared in Europe in the 15th century. In the Middle Ages it was viewed with suspicion and was at times associated with witchcraft; it was later taught at some German universities, and was banned for a time in 18th-century Britain. In the 19th century, Cheiro made it famous again, reading the hands of celebrities and world leaders.
Palmistry is a traditional, interpretive art rather than a science, and there is no scientific evidence that the lines of the hand can predict love or wealth. Its lasting appeal lies elsewhere: like a thoughtful counsellor, a good palm reading encourages reflection, helps people weigh difficult decisions and offers comfort and a sense of direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which hand should be read – left or right?
Both. In traditional palmistry the non-dominant hand (the left for most people) shows inborn tendencies, while the dominant hand shows how you have developed them. Differences between the two hands are often the most revealing part of a reading.
Does a short Life Line mean a short life?
No. The Life Line shows vitality and the major changes of life, not its length. A short line is often supported by a sister line or by a strong Fate Line, and must always be read with the rest of the hand.
Can the lines on my palm change?
Yes. The major lines usually stay the same, but the minor lines and signs can change over the years, which palmists see as a reflection of changes in thinking and circumstances.
How is palmistry related to astrology?
The mounts and several lines are named after the planets, and in Vedic tradition palmistry and astrology are often used together. A birth chart gives the timing of planetary periods, while the hand shows how those influences are expressed.
See what your stars say tooCombine your palm with your birth chart – generate your free Vedic horoscope in seconds.
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