Transcriber's Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
INDIAN PALMISTRY.
BY
MRS. J. B. DALE.
LONDON:
Theosophical Publishing Society, 7, Duke Street, Adelphi, W.C.
NEW YORK:
The Path, 144, Madison Avenue.
MADRAS:
Proprietors of the Theosophist, Adyar.
1895.
PLATE I.—THE REFERENCE HAND.
PREFACE.
Cheiromancy, the art of foretelling the events of life by the lineaments of the hand, derived its name from the Greek word cheiros, the palm, and manteia, to foretell, whence it has been vulgarly called Palmistry—as it is named in a recent Act of Parliament to forbid its practice for gain or reward. In Coleman's Mythology of the Hindoos, p. 202, it is written: "On the Buddha's foot is the mark called the 'chakravarti,' wheel or discus, which should have been on the palm of the hand, by which the sages at his birth divined that he would rise to considerable eminence." He says (p. 19): "Various data have been assigned to the period of Buddha's existence. The most correct seems to be about 550 B.C., whence, as the sages practised cheiromancy at Buddha's birth, its existence must have been much earlier known among the Indians." "In the year 1652," writes Zadkiel, "the celebrated astrologer, Geo. Wharton, Esq., published a translation of 'a matchless piece' as he terms it, on the subject, written in Latin by Dr. J. Rothman." Since that period the art of cheiromancy has gradually fallen into disuse, chiefly from the extensive nonsense published by recent writers. One of the writers makes a shallow attempt to disprove the connection which exists between astrology and palmistry, while another says it is based on the principles of the Kabalah, the latter being nothing more than a mnemonical system of astrology. From the writings of Dr. J. Rothman and Geo. Wharton, Esq., I propose now to give, together with some of the choicest of those of the East, the principal matter, and to explain in the ordinary language used by palmisters such points as may require elucidation. Mr. Wharton, a careful student in these subjects, clearly proves that palmistry can only act in accordance with astrology, and that the art of cheiromancy cannot be relied upon beyond the period of from one to two years at most, for he observes in his preface, "What more convincing than if, by inspection made into the hand of any man, I truly pronounce this or that planet essentially dignified or angular in his geniture, or in such or such a position with other planets or stars, another unfortunate, afflicted or defected? Or if, on the contrary, by looking first into the geniture and considering therein the several positions of the planets and their configurations one to another and with other stars, I tell him, and that distinctly and truly, the lines and signatures engraven upon his head or hand—what, I say, is or can be more satisfactory than this to rational men, as touching the power and influence of the planets and stars upon these inferiors, and consequently of the lawful use and truth of the science called astrology, cheiromancy and metoposcopia, between which three sciences there appear to be such a secret coherence and harmony?"
It is also written in the Book of Job, xxxvii. 7: "In the hand of all men he shall put a mark that everyone may know his own work"; but in our translation of the Bible it is written as follows: "In the hand of all men he putteth a mark that every man may know his own work." This alone proves that Job believed in this science.
The author does not claim that there is anything new in this work, although the method of translating and setting may be original.
REFERENCES TO HAND.
No. 1.
Name.—Mount of Jupiter.
Location.—Root of forefinger.
Interpretation.—When very fully shown denotes pride, tyranny; when deficient in size denotes idleness and vulgarity; when there are concentric circles shown by the pores of the skin, here they indicate sure success in religion, marriage and monetary matters, ambition; broken circles or elongated, slightly less powerful; entirely void, no success thereby.
No. 2.
Name.—Mount of Saturn.
Location.—Root of middle finger.
Interpretation.—When fully marked denotes wisdom, prudence; when very full, taciturnity, sadness; when concentric circles are placed here success in all Saturnian affairs; when absent or elongated the person will never make much headway with such things and persons.
No. 3.
Name.—Mount of the Sun, "Apollo."
Location.—Root of ring finger.
Interpretation.—When prominent it gives art, genius, intelligence; when very full, denotes a greedy and untruthful disposition; when flat or small, then it causes the person to be dull; when concentric circles appear here, the person will be very powerful, have riches and honour by the state, or marry a high-born person; elongated or none, shows the person will have mean preferment, or none, as the case may be.
No. 4.
Name.—Mount of Mercury.
Location.—Root of little finger.
Interpretation.—When prominent and full, and with concentric circles thereon, it denotes science, inventiveness, wit and success in all Mercurial matters, as writings, professions, especially church and law, and journeys; when very large and with elongated circles, it denotes theft, lying, cunning; when flat or none, it shows a negative life, and unfortunate in all above.
No. 5.
Name.—Girdle of Venus.
Location.—A curved line from root of forefinger to root of little finger.
Interpretation.—When this line is clear it shows a natural desire for the opposite sex; when double it denotes an intemperate and lustful life; when broken, it shows terrible loss and infamy through lusts, a filthy person.
No. 6.
Name.—Via Combusta.
Location.—Extends through hollow of hand to mount of middle finger.
Interpretation.—See Lines (8) page [36].
No. 7.
Name.—Via Solis.
Location.—A curved line running from root of ring finger to the mount of the Moon.
Interpretation.—When straight and uniformly composed and well coloured, it promises the favour of great men and great honours; if dissected or uneven judge the contrary, or the frowns or ill favour of great people, with impediments in life or envy.
No. 8.
Name.—Line of Fortune.
Location.—A line extending from the mount of Jupiter to the mount of Mercury.
Interpretation.—When long and with incisures, denotes that the principal members of the body are strong, constancy; if short or crooked, the contrary; if severed, the same; when it stops at the mount of Saturn, it shows a vain lying person; if it branches on mount of Jupiter it denotes honours; if single or without branches, it shows poverty and want.
No. 9.
Name.—Liver line.
Location.—A curved line running through the palm of the hand, between the line of Fortune and the Life line.
Interpretation.—When straight and not dissected by obscure little lines, denotes a healthy body; if extending only to the hollow of the hand, or short, it denotes a short life, or full of disease; the longer this line, the longer may the life be; if cut at end poverty in old age.
No. 10.
Name.—Line of Life.
Location.—A curved line running round the root of the thumb.
Interpretation.—When broad and uniform, denotes a long and healthy life, and but few diseases; if slender, short or cut, or with little obscure lines running through, it denotes feebleness of body, sickness, short life, except line be strong; if sloping nicely to Liver line, and beautified in the angle with parallels or little crosses, it shows a good wit and even temper.
No. 11.
Name.—Line of Saturn.
Location.—A line extending from the wrist lines up to middle finger.
Interpretation.—If it extend to the middle finger it indicates profound meditations, and if fortunate, events in counsels and actions; if short (without other testimony) misfortunes; if bent towards the mount of the Moon, in the hollow of the hand, imprisonment.
No. 12.
Name.—Line of the Head and Brain, called by some the line of Health.
Location.—A line running from the wrist, or line of Saturn, and extending up to the mount of Mercury.
Interpretation.—If this line be uniform and not intersected, it forms with the line of Life and Liver line (sometimes called the Head line) a triangle on the plane of Mars, if of good colour, it denotes prudence, manly wit and fair fortune; the more perfect this triangle, the better will be the person's wit and courage; if obtuse it shows an evil nature and a rude man; no triangle shows a fool or a knave.
No. 13.
Name.—Line of the Moon.
Location.—A line running from the line of Saturn and line of the Brain to the mount of the moon called sometimes the Via Lactea.
Interpretation.—This line being uniformly composed, proportionate and continued, denotes fortunate journeys both by land and sea; also a good brain, the favour of women (the mount of Venus being also unafflicted), a composed and graceful speech; if it be cut or distorted it argues infelicity and proneness to lies; if whole and ascending up to little finger it denotes great happiness.
No. 14.
Name.—Mount of the Moon.
Location.—The outside part of hand, opposite to root of thumb, between mount of Mercury and wrist.
Interpretation.—Imagination, refinement, poetry; if very large or full it denotes despair, caprice and almost lunacy; when flat and hollow, denotes dulness, want of speech, positiveness.
No. 15.
Name.—Plane and place of Mars. The mount of Mars.
Location.—The place of Mars is twice represented, one on the side of the palm by the mount of Mars, and the other in the palm between the line of Life and the Liver line, called the plane or place of Mars.
Interpretation.—The mount of Mars shows courage; when in excess, passion; when small, temerity.
(Vide marks, etc., specially numbered.)
No. 16.
Name.—Mount of Venus.
Location.—In the root of the thumb.
Interpretation.—Love of beauty and pleasure; where large, inconstancy, coquetry; when small, coldness.
No. 17.
Name.—Dragon lines or Bracelets.
Location.—Lines to be found on the wrist.
Interpretation.—If double or triple and forming a right and continuous tract, it shows good composure of body; thrice, indicates health, wealth and prosperity; a star or cross here shows tranquillity in old age; if a line extends to the mount of Moon or Mercury from Dragon lines, it shows esteem and life in a foreign country.
No. 18.
Name.—Plane of Mensa, or place of Fortune.
Location.—The space between the line of Fortune and the Liver line.
Interpretation.—Great and broad and forming a nice figure, it declares a liberal man, magnanimous and long-lived; if small and narrow, it argues slender fortune, niggardliness and fearfulness; a star or cross in this space, clear and well-proportioned, especially under the mount of the Sun, shows honours and dignities to follow.
No. 19.
Name.—Egyptian Staff.
Location.—Just below chain of Fortune.
Interpretation.—Great renown in antiquities—a great commander and ofttimes a great statesman, a lover of ancient research.
No. 20.
Name.—Chain of Fortune.
Location.—Small crosses or stars between the line of Life and the Liver line, under the mount of Jupiter.
Interpretation.—These denote wit and an even nature; riches and honours, or wealth by position of noted kind.
No. 21.
Name.—Sun place.
Location.—A small circle on the line of Life opposite to the mount of the Moon.
Interpretation.—The loss of eyesight; two circles, the loss of both eyes.
No. 22.
Name.—Envy line.
Location.—A line running from the root of the thumb, near the Dragon lines, to the line of Saturn.
Interpretation.—Denotes envy.
No. 23.
Name.—Perilous line.
Location.—A small line running from the Life line and passing through the point formed by the cutting of line of Saturn and Liver line.
Interpretation.—This indicates perils of all kinds, and disease, and sometimes sudden death or misfortune.
No. 24.
Name.—Line of Friendship.
Location.—A small line starting from the line of Life, about midway, and passing through the Saturn and Liver lines, forming a small triangle, and extending to the mount of the Sun.
Interpretation.—This shows honours and favours from great ladies of rank and fortune.
No. 25.
Name.—Cross of Indigence.
Location.—A star on the Liver line or natural mean, near or on mount of the Moon.
Interpretation.—Poverty in old age.
No. 26.
Name.—Path of Mars.
Location.—A small line running midway from line of Life to plane of Mars with a small star on or near the end.
Interpretation.—Hurts and wounds.
No. 27.
Name.—Dragon's Head.
Location.—A star on Dragon line or Bracelets.
Interpretation.—Tranquillity in life, in old age.
No. 28.
Name.—Dragon's Tail.
Location.—A line running from second Bracelet into the mount of Venus.
Interpretation.—Adversities from kindred or wife.
No. 29.
Name.—Line of Mars.
Location.—A line running parallel with the line of Life on mount of Venus.
Interpretation.—This augments and strengthens the things signified by the line of Life; it particularly promises good success in war and a robust constitution.
No. 30.
Name.—Mars Cross.
Location.—Cross or star on the mount of Mars.
Interpretation.—Fortunate journeys.
No. 31.
Name.—Oracle of Jove.
Location.—The sign Jupiter under the mount or on the mount of Apollo.
Interpretation.—Denotes honours and ecclesiastical dignities.
No. 32.
Name.—Line of Calamity.
Location.—A small line running from line of Life up through second joint of thumb.
Interpretation.—This signifies a violent death and danger from married women.
No. 33.
Name.—Cross bars.
Location.—Small lines on the second joint of thumb.
Interpretation.—This is an indication of contention and brawling; small hair lines running horizontally to thumb shows riches in second part of life.
No. 34.
Name.—Girdle of Pollux.
Location.—A ring round the thumb.
Interpretation.—This is an indication of hanging.
No. 35.
Name.—First phalanx of forefinger.
Location.—Small lines running parallel with joint.
Interpretation.—Indication of inheritance. This phalanx hollow or curved upwards indicates avarice; if turned backwards, extravagance.
No. 36.
Name.—Second phalanx of forefinger.
Location.—Small lines in the centre running vertical to joints.
Interpretation.—Indicates many children.
No. 37.
Name.—Third phalanx of forefinger.
Location.—Small lines running vertical to joints.
Interpretation.—Denotes a jovial disposition. This finger thick at the root denotes a greedy appetite.
No. 38.
Name.—Small star or cross.
Location.—On third phalanx of forefinger.
Interpretation.—Shows an unchaste and lascivious life.
No. 39.
Name.—Small star.
Location.—On second phalanx of middle finger.
Interpretation.—Denotes melancholy; a star near middle of third phalanx denotes unhappiness.
No. 40.
Name.—A line with star at bottom.
Location.—A small line running throughout middle finger, with a star on third phalanx.
Interpretation.—Denotes folly and madness.
No. 41.
Name.—Small lines running vertical to joint.
Location.—Second phalanx of ring finger.
Interpretation.—Indicates fame, especially if a straight and well-defined line passes up the middle of the finger.
No. 42.
Name.—Small cross bars.
Location.—Third phalanx of ring finger.
Interpretation.—Honours and riches.
No. 43.
Name.—Small cross or star.
Location.—On mount of Mercury close to joint.
Interpretation.—Eloquence.
No. 44.
Name.—Two small stars or indented line.
Location.—On mount of Mercury, one below the other, or a clear indented line on mount of Apollo.
Interpretation.—The first indicates a brilliant mind. The line on mount of Apollo also shows a noted and brilliant mind, but the loss of a dear male friend, sometimes death of wife.
No. 45.
Name.—Cross bars.
Location.—On second phalanx of little finger.
Interpretation.—Shows a thief or a very deceitful person.
No. 46.
Name.—Marriage lines.
Location.—Small lines on outside of hand on mount of Mercury.
Interpretation.—These, according to their number, denote the number of husbands or wives should the widow line also appear; without it they may mean lovers.
No. 47
Name.—Crest of Hermes.
Location.—Small crosses or star on third phalanx of little finger, especially in the centre.
Interpretation.—Shows ingenuity and eloquence.
No. 48.
Name.—Small concentric circles formed by pores of the skin.
Location.—On first phalanx of all fingers.
Interpretation.—Denotes that the person will be always earning or inheriting money all his life, and in fact it is one of the most successful signs in the hand for pecuniary success.
No. 49.
Location.—On Mounts.
Name.—Concentric.
Interpretation.—The same on the mounts indicate money by or through persons or things indicated by the mount of the fingers, on the forefinger, a wealthy partner; on the mount of Saturn, wealth by lands, house property, legacies; on the ring finger by successful business, or profession and fame; on the mount of Mercury by writings, by profession, by eloquence, etc. Should these assume an elongated form, as seen on middle finger, then, if unbroken, the person will succeed by labour and many difficulties; if none appear, then they will never succeed in pecuniary matters, unless the hand is otherwise very strong.
No. 50.
Name.—Lapis Lazuli.
Location.—Tip of middle finger.
Interpretation.—Same as above on mount of Saturn—but in foreign countries or from abroad.
No. 51.
Name.—Lapis Lazuli.
Location.—On mount of Saturn or middle finger.
Interpretation.—Same as No. 50.
No. 52.
Name.—Shell form shown by pores of skin.
Location.—On first phalanx of little finger.
Interpretation.—This is perhaps the best means of success, as shown above, in writing and speaking, etc., if other testimonies concur, but I prefer the complete circle.
No. 53.
Name.—Corn or diamond loops.
Location.—On joints of fingers.
Interpretation.—Should the lines on the joints, between the phalanges of the fingers, take the form of a barleycorn or diamond, the person may expect many and unexpected advantages, but much depends on the sum of these lines when counted.
No. 54.
Name.—Luna lines.
Location.—Near mount of Moon on outside of hand, below the Liver or Father line.
Interpretation.—Aptitude for travelling, a sailor, quietness, contentment, poetic imagination when regular; cross bars here give discontent, sometimes suicide, a morbid imagination.
No. 55.
Name.—Line of intuition.
Location.—A line running from the Liver line to the mount of the Moon.
Interpretation.—This shows poetic intelligence, seldom found except in highly imaginative and intellectual persons.
No. 56.
Name.—Line of Temper.
Location.—A line running vertically from mount of Mars to mount of Moon.
Interpretation.—This denotes determination and decision.
A Summary of Judgment.
(1) Observe the kind of hands from the front or inside.
Short hands denote an impulsive judgment without analysis.
Smooth hands denote impression, ability, inspiration, intuition.
Hard, firm hands denote great energy and perseverance.
Soft, loose hands denote a kind of debility or laziness, a disinclination to work.
Knotted hands denote reflection, order, success.
(2) Observe the fingers.
Pointed.—Forefinger (first), intuitive; middle finger (second), frivolous, light-hearted, gay; ring finger (third), artistic, testy, nice, refined; little finger (fourth), eloquent.
Square.—Forefinger (first), truthful, cautious; middle finger (second), grave, thoughtful; ring finger (third), reasonable, a thinker; little finger (fourth), judicious.
Spatulated.—Forefinger (first), mystic, delighting in occult studies; middle finger (second), morbid, fanciful; ring finger (third), dramatic, sympathetic; little finger (fourth), mechanical.
(3) Look at the nails on the hands.
1.—Narrow, indicate an irritable temper or aspiring spirit.
2.—Round and full, indicate learning and liberal views.
3.—Small, indicate pride, stubbornness, narrowness and bigotry.
4.—Broad and flat, indicate a mild and timorous disposition.
5.—Filbert-shaped, indicate refinement and courteous manners.
Note.—When the hand is allowed to open freely, the space between the first and second fingers, farthest apart, denotes independence of thought; third and fourth, independence of action, and if both are very wide apart, originality and self-reliance.
If the thumb inclines inward, avarice; outward, generosity.
(4) Observe the length and depth of the lines.
(5) The quality, whether they are crooked or straight.
(6) Observe whether they touch or cut other lines.
(7) Observe whether they are touched or cut by other lines.
(8) Their place and position.
Note.—The lines are sometimes lengthened until certain years of our life, while others are shortened. At one time they may become pale, at another they become notably clear and red. The minor marks, such as are found on the mounts, sometimes quite vanish, and at other times they will assume different shapes and colours. Therefore the most studious in palmistry cannot attain a complete knowledge of the events of a life at once, because they come and go as nature, or the circumstances of life, change and twist, but can only read for a year or so in advance. These changes are caused, as before stated, by the progressions and changing of the laws relating to nature, of which we are a part.
The Hand to Examine.
The general rule in the East is that the right palm of the male and the left palm of the female ought to be examined. In either case take the hand in which the signs and lines are clearly shown. If they concur in both hands and appear clear and nicely marked they declare a constancy of fortune and health, etc. In the male generally the right hand is the fate hand or the positive hand, that is, events about to happen; while the left denotes the negative or those events which have come to pass or been accomplished by the person, or those just passing away. Judge the converse in the female hands.
Signification of Animals, Flowers and Promiscuous Marks found on the Hand.
These are principally formed by the smaller lines running with the pores of the skin. Great care must therefore be taken in determining these forms, because very much depends on their position. The numbers herein referred to have reference to Plate II of the hand which I have set apart for the express purpose of showing these marks and signs.
The first space of the hand near to the mounts is that part which has principally to show the animal passions—lusts and intrigues.
PLATE II.
The second space, or the part of the hand between the girdle of Venus and the Table line, deals more specifically with love affairs or the spiritual side, while the former treats more on the physical plane.
These two, therefore, taken together, may be considered the moral region of the hand.
The next space between the Table line and the Liver line may be called the mental and social region.
The one following this may be called the commercial region or the wealth generally of the person.
That space enclosed by the line of Life is the artistic or dramatic region.
The right hand side of the hand separated by the line of Saturn denotes the positive nature, while the left hand portion is the negative or imaginative nature of the individual.
If a fish or a similar figure be found at the root of the hand (No. 1) it signifies great success in the world—riches and many children.
If a lotus flower or like-shaped figure be here, the person, if a female, will be sure to become a great lady, in fact almost a queen. If the same be on a male hand he will be sure to be renowned and great (No. 2).
A serpent found here or on the wrist just above the Bracelet and near to the line of Saturn, the man will become a great warrior or hero (Nos. 1 and 3).
An octagonal figure placed between the line of Life and the Liver line will cause the person to be burdened with the possession of landed estates (No. 4).
If conch, or marine shells, or any circular figure be found here (No. 5) they presage that the person will be a learned man, especially if they should be found on the first phalanx of the little finger (No. 6), on the mount of Mercury (No. 7), or on the mount of the Moon (No. 8).
Should the sign of a flag be found here, and particularly on the mount of Mercury (No. 7) or on the palm of the hand (No. 9), the person will be a philosopher and a great thinker.
A trident (No. 10), the three-pronged sceptre of Neptune or similar figure, the person rises to great fame, almost a prince or princess. If the trident be formed, but somewhat indistinct, he will not rise so high, but sure to have very important appointments and be attached to royalty. He will also be very kind, generous, and likely to acquire fame.
If in the male hand, or even on the female hand, there be anything like a spear or bow and arrow the person is sure to get a throne (No. 11); and if all three, bow, arrow and lance together be there, the person is sure to be a king or queen (No. 12).
Should the sign of a wheel and flag come together on the same hand the person will have riches and power, respect among his fellow-men, will be a great ruler or prime minister, and be noted or celebrated for his wisdom and goodness (No. 13).
If the sign of an elephant, which of itself is good (No. 14), or the sign of an earring (No. 15) and wheel (No. 16) appear on the same hand together, the person is likely to be an emperor or great personage.
A hill (No. 17) or wristlet (No. 18) like a bough or something like the head of a man (No. 19), or a pitcher (No. 20), the person is almost sure to rise to the exalted position of a minister of state.
If the sign of a barleycorn be found on the flat part of the thumb the person will spend life very happily and go through life easily (No. 21). Should the barley appear on the mount of Mars, in the centre of the hand, the person will be very intellectual, respectable and wise (No. 22). Should the form of the barley be found under any two fingers, especially on the mount of Saturn, the possessor will lead a happy life, honourable, have a good partner in marriage and have many children (No. 23).
If the line of the Heart (or the line of Fortune in India) (No. 25), extend only to the mount of Apollo (the Sun), the person will scarcely live ten years. And should this line be broken in many places the person will die by drowning. But if another smaller line appear running parallel with the Heart line and which extends only to the mount of Apollo (No. 26), the person will meet his death either by a fall from a house or a tree. Should, however, this line extend from the outside part of the hand to the mount of Jupiter, the life will be long and good, if not broken.
If a line rises from the mount of Venus to the first phalanx of the thumb he will be a commander of a large army (No. 27).
A vertical line on the mount of Jupiter, the possessor will be a great diplomatist, but an irreligious person (No. 28). If this line appear on the mount of Saturn, he will be a prosperous man with a beautiful wife and have many children (No. 29).
A line under the Sun denotes a trades person with a long life, but only rises to the middle class (No. 30).
If a vertical and well-defined line appear on the mount of Mercury (No. 31), the person is likely to lead a long life in a foreign country.
If the line of the Heart (Fortune line) goes to the mount of Saturn, he will live thirty years.