The Beginner’s Guide to Palm Reading

Since forever, people have been fascinated by the markings on their hands and what the eff they mean. Over centuries, this has evolved into a belief that the size, shape, and lines on a person’s palm and fingers mirror their individuality and path in life—and who they might be compatible with (sPoOoOooky!). This is called palm reading, aka palmistry, and TBH, you can learn how to do it in five easy steps. All you need are hands and eyes.

 

So, grab someone whose life you want to know everything about and get started by zeroing in on their dominant hand, which reveals a person’s current and future character and pathway. Then try these techniques:

 

Identify their hand shape.

There are four basic ones and they reveal everything:

Earth Hands

Square palms and short fingers

Fire Hands

Short fingers and long palms

Air Hands

Air hands have square palms and long fingers.

Water Hands

 

Earth hands have square palms and short fingers. This signifies that the person is honest, traditional, conscientious, and down to earth. These people have a practical outlook on life and prefer material realities over intellectual pursuits or daydreams. Weirdly, though, many musicians have earth hands.

 

Fire hands have long palms and short fingers. They are energetic, restless, charismatic, and enthusiastic. Like the astrological fire signs, these people are natural-born leaders, risk takers, and adventurers. They love being the center of attention but can sometimes be dick-ish. (Don’t blame the messenger!)

 

Water hands have long palms and long, graceful, slender fingers. These people are imaginative, emotional, and sensitive. People with water hands are the dreamers in your crew. They are gentle and others often confide in them. Although they can be moody or sensitive (you’re def gonna fight a little), their creativity and charisma win people over.

 

Air hands have square palms and long fingers. This kind of hand means someone is clever, articulate, rational, and intellectual. Think of these people as being skilled at creating new ideas and pursuing their ambitions. They have a tendency to overthink, though, which can make them frazzled at times.

 

Fun fact: If you’re reading your latest Tinder swipe’s hands, compare their shape to your own to see if you guys will get along. Use this chart to determine your compatibility:

 

If their fingers are held stiffly together, this can indicate a closed-off personality and a natural suspicion toward others.

 

If they have wide-open gaps between their fingers, it means the opposite—that they have an open, trusting, and maybe even naive attitude toward others.

 

If the space is widest between the forefinger and second finger, this signals independent thinking. This person cannot be “tamed”—so don’t even try!

 

If the space is widest between the second and third finger, this represents that they lean toward being carefree. They don’t really have fears about the future. People with fingers like this are easy company and always down to have fun (aka ideal adventure buddies).

 

If the gap is widest between the third and fourth fingers, this person will be an original thinker—even a little eccentric. They do their own thing.

 

If the gap between the fourth finger and pinkie is the most pronounced, this person may be very shy and prefer their own company to big, wild groups or parties. Careful handling required.

 

You gotta analyze the thumb.

 

Thumbs are thought to be connected directly to the brain, so its shape reflects where a person’s head is at and their default mind-set. (BTW: When assessing a thumb’s length, note that a “normal” thumb tip would end at the base of the forefinger.)

 

Long thumbs: The longer the thumb, the more direct and self-assured a person is. These people tend to have leadership skills, determination, and good judgment. But when a thumb is extremely long, be on the lookout for self-absorbed and somewhat aggro behavior. Yikes!

 

Short thumbs: A short thumb can mean the person is impressionable and overly emotional. They might have a tendency to be indecisive and tactless.

 

Thick thumbs: Beware of stubbornness!

 

Thumbs with square tips: This person faces life with pragmatism.

 

Thumbs with pointy tips: They might be more impulsive and struggle to strategize or plan effectively. (Whoops!)

 

Thumbs with smooth, straight joints: This indicates that a person is full of vitality.

 

Thumbs with knotty joints: This signals a more erratic energy flow.

 

Find the head and heart lines.

 

The heart line runs horizontal on the upper part of your palm, starting from the outer edge. It influences emotions and sexuality (a long one means you’ll fall hard and fast).

 

You also have a head line that runs below and starts from the inner thumb at the edge of the palm. This one speaks to intelligence (a long one means you’re a smarty).

 

If these two lines are fused together, this is called a simian line or a crease. It’s rare, thank goddess, because it means that person exhibits ruthless single-mindedness, extreme focus, and sometimes obsession. Translation: all kinds of trouble.

 

Peep those love lines to reveal info about past relationships.

 

Look closely at the fleshy area directly underneath your pinkie. You might see one or more horizontal creases running from the edges of the palm (if you can’t see any, flex your hand to make them more pronounced). Most people have between one and five, which can represent any of your past serious relationships. Check these out when you’re trying to figure out if your current boo has a history.