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Unlike fortune-telling techniques, palmistry (or palm reading) has a potential connection with reality. Are there any studies that relate any personality traits to shapes of the hand, or lines?

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  • Whilst I am a skeptic about all established points of view. I am inclined to think that there is some relevance in palmistry. which includes observing the palm as a whole i.e. including dimensions of the hand as related to lengths of fingers etc. There are many relevant studies of people with similar hands, having similar characteristics. For instance: if a new born child has a short 'head line' or simian line, it is likely that,the child has "brain damage'. I learnt this at medical school.
    – user17545
    Feb 10, 2014 at 16:08
  • It's tempting to answer 'no' and leave it at that. Feb 12, 2014 at 12:36

2 Answers 2

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In men the ratio between the length of the second and forth finger are thought to be an indication for the amount of prenatal testosterone. It allows for some inferences on personality traits that are associated with masculinity such as aggression.

There are a few reports of doctors identifying some specific brain tumors via handshakes.

White spots on fingernails can be a sign of a possible Zinc Deficiency.

Hand grip strength seems to be a predictor for lifespan.

Most of what's commonly done under the label of palmistry however doesn't seem to be backed by research.

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There is no relation between palmistry and reality. Palmistry is generally a form of cold reading. Much like phrenology, palmistry is a discredited practice.

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