Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/597

 573 RKCReATIONS PALMISTRY ConHniltii from f^ngt ifn, Vurl y The Historical SlRnificance ol the Thumb— No Two Thumbs are Alike in their Markings- What the Thumb Tells— Character as Portrayed by the Fingers THUMB AND FINGERS No. IM all ages and all countries, the thumb generally. During the Roman gladiatorial combats, if the audience wished for the death of the fallen combatant, they held out their hands with the thumb turned out and downwards ; if, on the contrary, they desired mercy to be shown, they held out their hands with the thumb hidden by the fingers. A clumsy thumb, thick-set and short, indicates a person with coarse nature and animal instincts. With very few ex- ceptions, it will be found that idiots have weak, small thumbs, some not even properly formed. One that is well-shaped and long shows intellect and refinement. One writer has very truly said : " The thumb individualises Thumbwith stiff the man," and, indeed, it often '°'"' helps to give a very clear insight mto character. The thumb should be long, well-shaped, and set neither too close to the hand, nor standing out too sharply from it. The latter indicates a nature liable to go to extremes, to be aggres- sive and almost impossible to control; the former a nervous, weak nature, cautious and utterly lacking in independence. If a weak thumb is long, the person is likely to use his intellect in a crafty manner to outwit his foe. If it is short and thick, he would use violence secretly. The divisions of the thumb are three in number — love, logic, and will. The nail phalange denotes will, the second logic, and the third love. When normally deve- loped, all three phalanges are about equal, but if any one of the three is unduly deve- loped, that particular one rules the character. For instance, if the first phalange is longest. Thumb with flexible ^heu we find the person de- '°'"' pends on will alone to carry him through obstacles. If the thumb is small, and the Mount of Venus (the base of the thumb inside the palm) high, then passion or sensuality rules the nature. Another point to notice is whether the thumb is stiff or flexible. If stiff, the thumb cannot be bent back at all, but if flexible, the first phalange will easily benil backwards. The stiff thumb, as a rule, belongs to Northern races, while the flexible is di**- tinctive of all Latin races. The latter gives an extravagant, improvident nature, not only of money, but of all things in life generally. Those who possess them are very adaptable, have a deep affec- tion for race and country, but can easily fit themselves to any environ- ment, and are impulsive. The stiff- jointed thumb gives a nature strong, self-contained, inclining to obstinacy, practical, averse to change, and cautious, and fond of home life. The next thing to notice is the form of thumb, and to see whether the ^cond phalange is thick, or Deyeloped has what may be termed a waist. '*""" The owner of one such as the latter will possess much tact, but, if thick, the intellect will not be nearly so refined. If the nail phalange is thick and heavy, with a short nail, giving a formation somewhat like a club, then the subject will be governed by brute force, particularly if the thumb is stiff- jointed. Such a person, in a fit of passion, would be likely to commit any crime or violence. The next thing of importance is to notice whether the fingers are smooth or have developed joints. If the former, the subject as a rule is quick in thought and jumps to con- clusions, often correctly, without flngerr much reasoning. Those with developed smooth joints take great care, and exercise '°'"" their reasoning powers in working out everything. It must not be forgotten, however, that the type of hand must be taken fully into consideration, as each different type either modifies or more fully confirms these characteristics of thumb and fingers. Short fingers imply a quick, im- pulsive nature, and if, in addition, they should be thick and fleshy, particularly at the third phalange, selfishness' and self-indulgence are shown. Long fingers give great love of detail in every respect. Fingers standing widely apart in- dicate independence in thought and Sqcaire action ; a long first finger, pride and finger, a masterful disposition ; a long aiid «"«<>«*' heavy second finger, a solemn, melan- choly disposition ; a long third finger, am- bition and a love of honour. The little finger, very long, indicates elo- (j uence, ability to write, and to infl uence others. To he continued. Pointed '-.-^
 * - has played an imi)ortant part in life