Palmistry

Curves around the base of the thumb, from between thumb and index finger down to the wrist.

Vitality, constitution and major life changes — not the length of your life, which is the most common misreading.

Long and deep

Strong constitution and steady energy through life.

Short

Energy managed in bursts. Says nothing about lifespan.

Broken

A significant disruption — illness, relocation or a decisive change of course.

Chained

Fluctuating health and sensitivity to stress.

Double (sister line)

Unusual resilience and protection; recovery from setbacks is fast.

Runs horizontally across the middle of the palm, below the fingers.

Thinking style, concentration and how you make decisions.

Straight

Practical, literal, decisive. Good with facts and structure.

Curved downward

Imaginative and creative; decisions run through feeling.

Long

Deep thinker who considers everything, sometimes past the point of usefulness.

Short

Quick, instinctive judgement. Acts before analysing.

Forked (writer's fork)

Ability to hold two viewpoints at once — common in writers and lawyers.

The uppermost horizontal line, running below the fingers.

Emotional life, attachment style and how you express affection.

Long, reaching index finger

Idealistic in love; high standards, deeply loyal.

Ending under middle finger

Practical about relationships, sometimes self-interested.

Straight and short

Emotionally contained. Feels deeply, shows little.

Chained

Emotionally sensitive, prone to being hurt in relationships.

Curving upward

Expressive and demonstrative in affection.

Runs vertically up the centre of the palm toward the middle finger. Absent in many hands.

Career direction, life path and the degree to which circumstances shape you.

Deep and unbroken

A clear, consistent career path, often decided early.

Absent

A self-directed life that resists a fixed path. Not a misfortune.

Starting at the life line

Success built by personal effort, family support early.

Starting at the wrist

Career direction clear from a young age.

Broken and restarting

A significant career change, usually voluntary and beneficial.

A short vertical line below the ring finger.

Recognition, creative success and public reputation.

Clear and long

Fame or public recognition in your field.

Absent

Success without the spotlight — common and unremarkable.

Multiple

Many talents, with a risk of scattering across them.

Short horizontal lines on the edge of the palm below the little finger.

Significant committed relationships. Count and depth, not exact dates.

One deep line

A single lasting partnership.

Several fine lines

Multiple significant attachments; the deepest is the marriage.

Forked at the end

Separation or a long period apart.

Curving downward

Outliving the partner, traditionally; or emotional distance.

Runs from the base of the little finger toward the wrist.

Digestive and nervous constitution. Its absence is a good sign.

Absent

Robust health — the most favourable reading.

Deep and clear

Sensitivity in digestion; attend to diet.

Wavy or broken

Stress expressing itself physically.

Below the index finger

Developed

Ambition, leadership, confidence and religious feeling.

Flat

Modesty bordering on lack of self-belief; ambition needs cultivating.

Below the middle finger

Developed

Seriousness, discipline, patience and a solitary streak.

Flat

Lightheartedness; difficulty with sustained routine.

Below the ring finger

Developed

Artistic talent, charm and a desire for recognition.

Flat

Little interest in the spotlight; content behind the scenes.

Below the little finger

Developed

Quick wit, business sense and persuasive speech.

Flat

Straightforward and literal; commerce is learned rather than instinctive.

Base of the thumb

Developed

Warmth, sensuality, love of beauty and family feeling.

Flat

Emotional reserve and low physical vitality.

Opposite the thumb, base of palm

Developed

Imagination, intuition, love of travel and water.

Flat

Practical and unromantic; imagination takes effort.

Both edges of the palm centre

Developed

Courage, resistance and the ability to hold ground under pressure.

Flat

Conflict avoidance; needs to build assertiveness deliberately.