palmistry

Interpreting a person's character and potential destiny from the shape of their hands and, in particular, from the lines on the palms.

The chief lines are those of heart, head, and life, but all small markings and crosses must be taken into account. It is claimed that the lines are continually altering in accordance with the development of a person's interests and character.

Palmistry is mentioned by ancient Greek and Roman writers such as Aristotle and Pliny, and also has a long tradition in China. In Western palmistry, the hand's parts are associated with the planets, the thumb belonging to Venus, the first finger to Jupiter, the second to Saturn, the third to Apollo or the Sun, and the fourth to Mercury; there are also the mounts of the Moon (Luna) and Mars.

According to Chinese palmistry, a woman's left hand and a man's right hand represent the characteristics one is born with, and the other hand one's own hopes, aspirations, and actions.

As well as the lines on the hand, Chinese palmistry looks at the general shape and feel of the hand, and the mounds at the base of the fingers and thumb.