Dictionary of INDIAN PALMISTRY Symbols What the Signs on Your Hand Mean Sulabh Jain
Copyright © 2017 by Sulabh Jain. Library of Congress Control Number: 2017902159 ISBN: Hardcover 978-1-5245-2249-0 Softcover 978-1-5245-2248-3 eBook 978-1-5245-2247-6 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only. Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock. Rev. date: 02/17/2017 Xlibris 1-800-455-039 www.Xlibris.com.au 749161
Contents Introduction How to Use This Book A-Z Descriptions Conclusion Appendix I: Deities and Their Symbols
To Bagwan Das Jain My grandfather and first palmistry teacher
Introduction Palmistry reveals symbolic truths as well as spiritual truths. Understanding these truths is a skill that requires more than just the study of the lines and the shape of a person’s hand. A few thousand years ago, Indian palmists discovered that the combination of a few lines could add more depth to a palm reading than simply reading each one line at a time. In other words, the sum of a few lines on a hand could give greater meaning than each line could all by itself. These combinations of lines were given names and entered mainstream palmistry in India through its Shastras (ancient texts). This style of palmistry was mostly practised by monks, hermits, and other holy people. Over the course of time, the people who could interpret these symbols became fewer and fewer until some of the symbols became lost over a period of time. This book attempts to save the remaining symbols that are still known, for future generations of palmists. The easiest way to understand the presence of palmistry symbols on a hand is to interpret them as a mirror that reflects a person’s way of thinking and their past actions. These thoughts and actions are called Yogas 1 by palmists and astrologers. In India, the term Yoga is used to describe a type of energy that will manifest itself at some point in the future. So the presence of a symbol on your hands will tell us that at some point in the past, you performed a particular action that will give the results described in this book, or that you are in the process of performing those actions. Each symbol will detail a major chapter in your life. As such, these symbols are not to be read in isolation of any other lines on your hand, but should be seen as a point of reference in your larger spiritual development.
If you are new to palmistry, I should offer a warning. Finding and locating symbols on a palm can be hard work for a beginner. A good deal of training and practise is needed before a student can claim to have found a rare sign on a stranger’s palm. Also, interpreting a symbol should not be done without looking at the other lines on the palm. It is wiser to think of these signs as actions from the past that will give their results in the future. Deciding when that future event will take place should be determined by the major and minor lines on the hand. For example, you may see a lotus symbol on a person’s hand and interpret that to mean that that person will lead a financially comfortable life (as described later in this book). However, that person may be in financial difficulty at the time that you read their hands. It is wiser to inspect the Saturn and Sun lines to determine when that comfort will be activated before making your comments. In other words, do not rush to conclusions and make rash predictions based on a single symbol or even on a combination of them. Instead, study the entire palm and use these symbols as signals for an activation of energy at a particular point in time in a person’s life. Another trap that I expect many beginners to fall into, and one that I myself was guilty of when I first started learning palmistry, is to look at their own hands to find symbols and then exaggerate their meaning hoping for great things in the future. A few good signs do not mean that you will have a trouble-free future. I therefore advise you not to get too carried away by the presence of rare signs on your palm. Many schools of palmistry in India teach that you should not read for someone that you are emotionally attached to, including yourself. This is
because you, the reader, become biased and easily miss other obvious signs. Therefore, by looking at your own hand, your interpretation of the lines on your hand will exaggerate the good or downplay the bad. In either case, you will not be in a position to correctly read and interpret these signs for yourself. If you find some rare symbols on your hand, acknowledge their existence but do not dwell on them. On the other hand, pardon the pun, do not be discouraged if you do not find any symbols on your own palm. Some of the signs described in this book are very rare, and in my many years of reading palms, there are several signs that I have seen only a handful of times. Not having ‘good’ symbols on your hand does not mean that you will not lead a good life. Do not lose heart if you do not have a particular symbol on your palms. Instead, put your focus, effort, and determination towards creating the life that you envisage for yourself; and once that is done, the appropriate symbol will grow on your palm in its own time. Remember, these symbols are a record of past actions. So you can perform some actions in the present time, such as harder work or more sustained study and practise, in order to create the symbols that you want to appear on your hand in the future. As you practise this system, you will notice that there are symbols that will appear to be poorly formed on some hands, whilst that same symbol will be strong and prominent on another person’s palm. If a sign is lightly formed with broken lines, or does not look like one of the pictures provided, then it will reduce the effect that the symbol will have. It will still give either a positive or negative result as defined for that sign in this book, but it will be of a lesser intensity. Other times, a sign will be so faint that it can only be seen with a bright light or under a magnifying glass. If this is the case, then that symbol is a sign which is ‘growing’ on the person’s hand. This sign may develop and become stronger over the next few years, gaining more importance as time goes by. It
will only have more impact on the person’s life if that sign grows stronger over time, but if it stays weak then this sign will give lesser results. It should not take too much practise to find the difference between a poorly formed sign (weak) and a correctly formed sign (strong). The symbols described in this book can loosely be broken down into four categories: Shapes, Animals, Objects, and Planets. The rarity of the signs can be correlated according to this order. Almost everyone will have some type of Shape on their hand (Square, Cross, Circle). A few people will have Animals (Fish, Horse, Ox), and even fewer people will have Objects and Planets (Pot, Flag, Moon). This is because as each sign becomes more and more complex, it will become harder to find. If you are new to palmistry then all of these information may be overwhelming for you in the beginning. To make the learning process easier, I have created in this book a specific format for each symbol. This is how a beginner can best make use of the content for each symbol. • Name – The names of the symbols in this book will be listed in English instead of the original Indian languages. This is because there are several Indian languages from where these symbols are derived, and to minimise confusion I have decided to use only one language. Also, remembering and pronouncing the original names of these symbols in a foreign language may add an unnecessary element of complexity for beginners who do not know any Indian language. Some symbols have many names based upon the system they come from. For example, the Cow symbol in a North Indian system is called the Bull in a South Indian System. I have included all known names of each symbol in this book to make cross comparison easier. • Pictures – These are provided to help you visualise the shape of the sign
being discussed. Despite my artistic limitations, you should still be able to get a good idea of what these symbols are supposed to look like. Also, you may notice that not all pictures look like the objects that they are named after. For example, the Dog does not actually look like a dog at all. Indian palmists are aware of this, as I am, but these signs come from ancient traditions, so there is little value in renaming or redrawing them. • Symbolic Meaning – This section is for advanced palmists. Written inbetween the lines of most of Indian mythology are unique systems of palmistry and astrology. This section will give you a reference point to understand why certain mythic plots progress in the way they do. It will also give you a point of reference to understand a section of a myth and its significance for palmistry and astrology. If you are new to palmistry, it is best to skip this section and come back to it as your knowledge develops. • Palmistry Meaning – The explanations of the symbols in this book will be listed as per their Indian interpretations and not based upon the systems of other countries. For example, a Tortoise sign has a different meaning in the Indian Samudrika Shastra than it does in the Chinese Taoist Palmistry systems. The interpretations are written in a way that is simple and easy to understand. Furthermore, in some cases I have added my experiences in seeing these signs and thus included some of my own interpretations which are not found in traditional texts. • Locational Variance – A symbol will have a slightly changed meaning based upon where it is placed on a palm. For a beginner, it is best to only read the Palmistry Meaning section and leave your interpretation there. For an advanced palmist, the Locational Variance section will give a more fine-tuned explanation of the symbol and add more depth to your understanding. Sometimes, these symbols may appear in other locations than in the ones I have listed here. If you find a symbol in a location that I have not explicitly defined, then use the general meaning of the symbol. This is because the locational variance for that sign will have negligible
difference. Also, the mounts and the lines on the palm are used as a locational indicator. For example, Saturn can mean either the Saturn Mount or the Saturn Line. • Can be Confused With – Some of the symbols in this book can be confused with other signs. Therefore, I have included a brief section on symbols that are similar and can be misread, especially if a sign is poorly formed or weak. • Often Found With – Some symbols carry an energy that can be easily transplanted into other signs and can appear in clusters with other signs. Thus, there are combinations of symbols that are commonly found on many sets of hands. If you find a particular symbol on a palm, it is advised that you inspect that hand for other commonly associated signs as listed in this section to further your interpretation. • Deity – This section is also for advanced palmists only. It has been included to help people with their personal meditation and spiritual work to amplify the results of a particular symbol and receive the blessings of the deity in question. Just as each symbol has a symbolic meaning, each symbol also has an associated deity and/or planet that gives energy to the sign. In fact in most cases, a single symbol will have several deities and planets associated with it. This section will help you find the Hindu deity that is most prominent on your hand. Once you have identified the most important deity across several signs hand, you can focus on that deity’s meditations and mantras in order to amplify the result of the signs on your palm. After you have gained some experience in working with these energies, you can recommend them to others when you read their palms. • Rarity – This section will give an approximation on the occurrence of signs on different hands. The numbers I give in this section are based upon my estimates and not derived from any ancient text or source. Also, I have not measured the rarity of these signs in any empirical way; I give only my best guess based upon many years of practise as to how often they occur.
As a general rule, I use the following criteria: o Common – A sign that almost everyone has. o Uncommon – Occurring in approximately 1out of 10 palms. o Rare – Occurring in approximately 1 out of 50 to 100 palms. o Very rare – Occurring in approximately 1 out of 500 to 1,000 palms. o Exceptionally rare – Occurring in approximately 1 out of 10,000 palms. It is important to remember that originally, the Western systems of palmistry did not use complex symbols in their work and rarely looked into symbols beyond the basic Square or Circle. It has only been in recent centuries that they have started adopting some of the Indian palmistry symbols. Thus some of the signs in this book may seem familiar to students of Western palmistry; however, the interpretations are being kept to their original Indian meanings. Also, Western palmistry has recently incorporated the use of planetary symbols as a means of interpretation. This is something that was not done by ancient Indian palmists, and so those interpretations have not been included in this book. In my opinion, which may be biased, I disagree with the use of planetary symbols other than the Sun and Moon. I have not found these signs on a person’s palm in a way that could not be confused with another sign from Indian palmistry. For example the sign for Jupiter is often confused with a poorly formed Swastika with a few ‘missing branches’ or a Goad.
Furthermore, there are Chinese systems of palmistry that also use symbols in their work, although the interpretations and symbols themselves are different from their Indian counterparts. I have not included those Chinese symbols in this book, but have found that they have accurate meanings associated with them. As a final point of consideration, there are close to two dozen symbols in Indian palmistry which have become ‘extinct’, meaning that their interpretations have been lost over the course of centuries and millennia. I would like you to be aware that there are some signs that you may find on your hands which are not covered in this book, but may be derived from either the Chinese systems or from lost sources in ancient India. ______________ 1 Not to be confused with Patanjali’s Yoga, which is a spiritual exercise. Here the word ‘Yoga’ is used in an astrology/palmistry context.
How to Use This Book If you are new to palmistry, then it is best to use this book as a reference guide that can add a depth of understanding to your learning and practise. It is unwise to spend time memorising the meaning of each sign in this book as doing that will swamp you with information. Instead, focus your energy towards finding the signs on a hand and then building an understanding for their meanings relative to the major lines. After you have some practise on this, then explore the various clusters, deities, and symbolic meanings of each sign to further your level of understanding. For a more advanced student of palmistry, I recommend the following system to get the best results from this book: 1. Identify symbols and clusters combinations. 2. Identify their results. 3. Determine when the results will be obtained. 4. Identify the deity that is giving support to this sign. 5. Understand why these signs are appearing. 6. If relevant, open your mouth and speak. Identify Symbols and Cluster Combinations It takes practise to find these symbols as they can be located anywhere on the hand. They can be formed by any combination of lines and can vary in size from 1mm to 5cm. Sometimes these symbols are formed by very faint lines and require good lighting to bring them up. Don’t be discouraged if you do not find these symbols right away when you start reading palms. Furthermore, once you
do start to locate them, make sure that you are not confusing one sign for another. Even many professionals make the mistake of not spotting a sign or misreading one symbol for something else. I recommend starting your search by: • Looking at the mounts for signs. • Then searching the major lines for symbols that may be attached to them. Start by looking at the Saturn Line, then the Mercury Line, and then inspect the Life Line. This is because these three lines are more likely to have symbols on them. After this, look at the other major lines. • Next search the fingers, starting with the thumb, the index finger, and then the other fingers. In my experience, the thumb and index finger have signs that appear on them more regularly than in the other fingers. • Look at the centre of the palm (also known as Rahu’s Triangle) for branches of major lines that may form symbols. By following this order, it will be much easier to find signs and symbols than if you were randomly scanning the hand. It will also develop a routine that will make your future readings more efficient. In order to identify clusters later on, you might want to draw the symbols on the palm as you find them in order to find patterns. Identify the Results If you are a beginner, search this book for the meaning of any symbol that you come across and use it in your readings. If you aspire to become an advanced palmist, then you will need to practise and memorise the meaning of all the symbols in this book. I advise you to become familiar with the general meaning of a symbol, and then as you grow in confidence, add in the Locational Variance
interpretation. It is also important to differentiate between a sign that is weak (formed by very faint and barely visible lines), a poorly formed sign (irregularly shaped), and a strong prominent sign as this will either amplify or diminish the results listed in this book. Determine When the Results Will Be Achieved This is a complex issue that will also require a lot of practise of traditional palmistry systems. Regardless of which system of palmistry you use, be it one of those from India, China, or the West, I advise you to look at the major lines and locate the time when they change (becoming either stronger or weaker). Then trace the influence of a symbol to that time period in order to find a cause for the change in the line. For example, a Saturn line (also known as the Fate line), which forms a Plough at the age of 20 and becomes strong at the age of 40 2 , can be interpreted to mean that from the age of 20, this person began a disciplined process of emotional release which resulted in financial benefits in their career at the age of 40. Each sign does not exist as an independent signal of a future event, rather it is formed by years of effort. This is why, as stated earlier, in the Indian systems of palmistry, these symbols are considered signals of Yoga (actions which will derive future results). Therefore to get a complete understanding of the role of symbols on a hand, it is important to look at the major and minor lines to find out when they are activated. Identify the Deity Giving Support Once all the signs on a palm have been identified, look for the deity that rules over most of them. This deity will have a strong influence on the owner of the
palm in question. You do not need to believe in that god or goddess, but acknowledge that the energy which that deity represents is strong on this person’s hand. Taking the above example of a Plough on a Saturn line, the most prominent deity that represents the Plough is Balram (the elder brother of Krishna). If you are familiar with the story of Balram, you can equate passages of his mythology and map it, with a reasonable degree of accuracy, to events in the life of the person for whom you are reading. Also, if you are advanced, you can prescribe meditation, mantras, or gemstones favourable to Balram to enhance their beneficial results. In India this is known as a ‘remedy’. I should warn you though that remedies should only be given by those who have an advanced understanding in meditation and the use of gemstones and crystals. Sometimes, strengthening a good energy can be ‘too much of a good thing’, and becomes difficult for some people to handle. Furthermore, do not give out meditation or gemstone suggestions to those who you believe will rely on them in a superstitious manner. If you feel that someone is likely to believe that wearing a gemstone can change their fortune, then don’t prescribe anything to them other than meditation. On the other hand, if you feel that someone is interested in learning about energy and its effects on themselves, then prescribe a remedy. As a palmist, your goal should be to enlighten people, not to lead them down a path of superstition and confusion. And as a final warning regarding remedies, make sure that you are in a position to monitor changes to the person’s hand based on the suggestions that you have recommended so that you know when to stop the prescribed remedy. Understand Why These Signs Are Appearing This is the most challenging and yet most enlightening step of the process. Once
you find a symbol, know when it will be activated in a person’s life and understand the deity or energy that is giving its blessing. You should then make an effort to understand WHY this sign has appeared on this person’s hand. This requires looking at a person’s life as a sequence of events that gave rise to actions and consequences. Take the example of a Plough forming on a Saturn line at the age of 20, which becomes strong at the age of 40. This person would have had some degree of difficulties in their childhood (before the age of 20). To find out exactly what those difficulties were, look at the other lines on the hand. However, starting at the age of 20, this person made an effort to clear the emotional baggage from the past. This process took the person two decades, from age 20 through 40, and through this process this person let go of a lot of their suffering and limitations. This process gave them a deeper understanding of themselves along with a clearer state of mind. And it is this clearer state of mind that will bring career growth at the age of 40. Thus, we have an action (many years of emotional release) followed by a consequence (clarity of mind and career advancement). Therefore the reason why this person has a Plough on their Saturn line is because they have, at some level, worked to overcome the problems they faced in their childhood before the age of 20. If you identify several symbols and collect the ‘why’ of them all, then you can understand the meaning of this person’s life. This is not an easy process for beginners, but once this skill is mastered, you can explain to someone the purpose of their existence—what they are born to suffer, what they were born to learn, and what emotions they need to release in order to further their spiritual development. If Relevant, Open Your Mouth and Speak After going through this entire process, use your own wisdom and decide if the
knowledge that you have found is relevant to the person you are reading for. This needs to be done on a case by case basis and also on a symbol by symbol basis. Sometimes, a person struggling financially does not need to know that they will have strong spiritual abilities twenty years from now. Take the above example of the Plough on the Saturn line that grows stronger at the age of 40. That person, if you met them when they were under the age of 20, will not be helped if you tell them that it will take another 20 years of hard work to overcome their childhood problems. But that same person, if you met them between the ages of 30 and 35, will benefit greatly from that same message. It is the height of wisdom to understand what to say to a person and know the manner in which it needs to be said. Think first, then speak—and keep your message to the point. As simple as this may seem, it is surprising how many professional palmists try to interpret every line that they see on a palm and overload their clients with information. ______________ 2 The Plough symbols means that this person will overcome sadness in their past with discipline and effort. They then receive material rewards as a result of this inner change.
A-Z Descriptions
A Name: ANKLET see NECKLACE Name: ARMOUR Symbolic Meaning: The armour does not appear in Indian mythology. Palmistry Meaning: Spiritual protection in the form of blessings from teachers and the divine. Locational Variance: Jupiter – Blessings are from teachers or gurus Can Be Confused With: Quiver Often Found With: Umbrella and Swastika Deity: Ram, Shiva, or Jupiter Rarity: Rare (1/100) Name: ARROW also known as HOOK Symbolic Meaning: The arrow is a popular weapon used in mythology. Famous archers, such as Ram or Arjun, could wield the forces of nature with their
arrows. In some cases, they could even place gods on their arrows and use them as weapons. The arrow is a symbol of intelligence and devotion. Palmistry Meaning: The virtues of serenity and restraint are used to perform religious duty. This symbol can be interpreted as a loose equivalent of a trident if properly formed. Locational Variance: Appearing on a mount – It strengthens the positive qualities of that mount. Appearing at the end of a line - It strengthens that line and amplifies its positive results. It is important to note that the major line should not continue through the arrow. The ‘tip’ of the arrow should be at the end of the line. Can Be Confused With: Thunderbolt, Lotus, Spear, or Trident (if it is inverted or poorly formed) Often Found With: Om and Fish Deity: Ram, Karthikeya, Krishna, and Durga Rarity: Rare (1/100) Name: AXE Symbolic Meaning: The axe is often used as a metaphor for moral courage in Indian stories. It rarely appears in the Ithihasas (the Ramayan and Mahabharat) but is common in the Purans. It is most prominently used in the stories of Parshu Ram, whose name literally translates as ‘Ram with an Axe’. In these stories, Parshu Ram uses his axe to kill demons, kings, and entire armies. He also uses
his axe to kill his mother, and on another occasion he even attacks Ganesh (who also carries this weapon). Palmistry Meaning: Donations to charities will bring prosperity and recognition in the future. Locational Variance: Jupiter – The donations are given to religious groups or to educational groups. Saturn – Charity towards the weak and outcast. Sun – Charity towards one’s government. Can Be Confused With: Flag Often Found With: Drum, Bow, and Om Deity: Parshu Ram and Ganesh Rarity: Rare (1/100)
B Name: BARLEY see SEED Name: BEAK Symbolic Meaning: When the beak appears in Indian myth, it is a warning of impending danger and is often used by a bird when attacking someone. See the stories surrounding Gaurda and the Asuras for more details. Palmistry Meaning: Freedom from being manipulated by others. Some schools of palmistry consider this to be a sign of divine protection. Locational Variance: This sign appears on the mounts, between them, or on the webs of the fingers. The meaning is the same anywhere it is found. Can Be Confused With: Bird or Triangle Often Found With: No specific combinations Deity: Vishnu or Saturn Rarity: Rare (1/50) Name: BELL Symbolic Meaning: Bells are used to reset spiritual energy in Hindu temples. The theory is that the vibrations of the bell circulate stale energy and bring it into harmony with active energy. Thus, it is a tool that changes one form of energy into another. Almost all Indian rituals require the use of a bell at some stage of
the ceremony for this reason. Palmistry Meaning: Success and the respect of one’s community Locational Variance: Jupiter – There is a strong influence of this person’s father or ancestors that contributes to success in material and spiritual matters. Saturn – Subordinates contribute to this person success. Sun – Awards and social recognition for work Mars – Public awards Venus – Amplifies the General Results Can Be Confused With: Conch or Leaf Often Found With: Temple and Flag Deity: All of the deities, but especially Laxmi, Parvati, and Saraswati Rarity: Rare (1/100) Name: BIRD also known as CROW Symbolic Meaning: Karmic consequences of past actions will harm and diminish the ego. In myth, the bird or crow is used as an inauspicious sign foreshadowing upcoming problems. Palmistry Meaning: This is a misunderstood symbol. It is a sign of forthcoming problems, often as a result of excessive ego in the past. But it is also a sign of spiritual growth for that same reason. Look at the Fate line to determine when these problems will arise. The best way to reduce the negative effects of this sign is to cultivate humility and atone for past actions. Locational Variance:
Jupiter – Mistreatment of teachers Saturn – Amplifies the General Result Sun – Amplifies the General Result, and requires greater humility Venus – Mistreatment of people of the opposite sex in the past Can Be Confused With: Beak Often Found With: No specific combinations Deity: Ram, Vishnu, and Saturn Rarity: Rare (1/100) Name: BOAT Symbolic Meaning: Water is always a symbol of emotion. Boats, the vehicle used to traverse water, therefore is the symbol used to overcome emotional attachments and blockages. Palmistry Meaning: Wisdom Locational Variance: Ring of Jupiter – Scholar of ancient texts Ring of Saturn – Strong meditative abilities Moon – Moral Courage This sign is often found on the ring lines (Jupiter, Saturn, Sun, or Mercury). In this case it is a large sign. When independently formed, it appears much smaller. Can Be Confused With: Moon, Pot, or Lotus Often Found With: No specific combinations Deity: Ram and Hanuman (together) Rarity: On a ring line – Rare (1/100) Independently formed – Very rare (1/500)
Name: BOW also known as BOW AND ARROW Symbolic Meaning: Protection derived from mastery over illusion. In many Indian stories, archers had the ability to breathe magical spells into their arrows to use against their enemies. In some cases, they could even seat gods and goddesses on their arrows and use them as weapons. Palmistry Meaning: Bow - Wisdom which gives protection from enemies and leads to a large amount of wealth and some fame later in life. Bow and arrow – The appearance of an arrow on this sign is a symbol of divine protection derived from following one’s religious duty. It helps to overcome resistance and gives the above results. This sign produces even greater results later in life, which can be amplified by developing compassion for one’s enemies. Locational Variance: Saturn – Internal energy (self-sabotage) will be overcome to produce the General Results listed above. Mercury – Enemies in professional life will be overcome, leading to fame. An excellent sign for researchers and scientists. Mars – Self-discipline produces success. Attached to Heart Line or Head Line – An enemy in the person’s family or a love interest will cause obstacles to this person’s happiness, but these problems will ultimately be overcome. Can Be Confused With: Umbrella or Kite Often Found With: Lotus, Fish, and Sword Deity: Ram, Parshu Ram, Durga, Saturn, and Mercury
Rarity: Bow attached to a major line – Rare (1/100) Independently formed – Rare (1/500) Bow and Arrow – Exceptionally rare (1/10,000) Name: BOW AND ARROW see Bow Name: BRACELET see Necklace Name: BULL see Cow
C Name: CAT see Tiger Name: CHAIN Symbolic Meaning: The chain is a universal symbol of bondage. Palmistry Meaning: Instability and worry Locational Variance: Life line – Family problems in young age Heart line – Trouble relating to others emotionally, often in an early age Can Be Confused With: None Often Found With: No specific combinations Deity: Rahu, Venus, or Saturn Rarity: On Life line – Common (6/10) On Heart line – Common (3/10) Name: CHAKRA Symbolic Meaning: Chakra translates as ‘Circle’ or ‘Circle of Energy’. In myth, it is used as a destroyer of darkness. For example, the Sudharshan Chakra is the alpha-weapon used by Vishnu to kill demons. It would invariably cut his enemies’ heads off (the symbolic place for ego-based desires) and bring balance to Dharma. For further study, refer to the story of Vishnu decapitating Rahu and
Ketu. Palmistry Meaning: This person has done a tremendous amount of spiritual work on themselves. There will be more spiritual victories that will take place within them at some point in the future. Locational Variance: Moon – This person’s dreams and subconscious are very powerful tools for spiritual growth. Rahu – The abovementioned spiritual work has been very difficult but achieved through faith and discipline. Ketu – Very strong spiritual powers Can Be Confused With: Circle, Sun, or Wheel Often Found With: Lotus, Mace, Swastika, and Om Deity: Vishnu, Krishna, Durga, Sun, Jupiter, Moon, and Mercury Rarity: Exceptionally rare (1/10,000) Name: CHARIOT Symbolic Meaning: The best symbolic use of the chariot comes from the Mahabharat where it is used to represent an individual. The chariot’s horses represent the mind (restless in nature), the charioteer is a personification of god and the discipline derived from wisdom (the person who controls the horses), and the path that the chariot travels upon is the path to enlightenment. Palmistry Meaning: Self-mastery leads to social prestige. Locational Variance: Mercury - Self-sacrifice creates improvements in one’s community, which is rewarded with honours and titles. Moon - Creativity and imagination bring wisdom, which in turn brings
respect of one’s society. Can Be Confused With: Rope or Scale Often Found With: Bow, Circle, and Swastika Deity: Ram and Krishna (hence some association with Vishnu), Sun, and Saturn Rarity: Located on a finger – Rare (1/100) Poorly formed on a mount– Very rare (1/1000) Properly formed on a mount – Exceptionally rare (1/10,000) Name: CHARIOTEER see Human Name: CIRCLE Symbolic Meaning: Time, because a circle is beginning less and endless. Palmistry Meaning: Amplifies the energy of any mount that it appears on, sometimes even to a detrimental effect. Locational Variance: Jupiter – Strong spiritual ability Saturn – Sadness and melancholy Sun – Fame Can Be Confused With: Wheel, Chakra, or Tortoise Often Found With: Multiple signs. There are no specific combinations. Deity: None Rarity: Rare (1/50) Name: CLUB see Mace
Name: COBRA see Snake Name: CONCH Symbolic Meaning: Many Hindu gods hold a conch shell in their hands. Throughout ancient India, it is used as an iconographic symbol of strength and perseverance. In war, the conch shell was used to signal the beginning of a battle. It was an instrument which required strong lung capacity and was thus used to intimidate opponents. Palmistry Meaning: Independently formed – Success Part of a major line – Success in the field of that line Locational Variance: Jupiter – This person is a learned and respected individual who achieves success and fame through education or religious work. Saturn – One’s self-discipline gives great prosperity. Here, it takes longer to achieve the positive results but the results are the same. Sun – Hard work will give great results in the second half of life. Mars – Success in the military or police force. Otherwise, this person is a very good strategic and tactical thinker who attains success as a result of
these traits. On Life Line – Strength and vitality in old age Can Be Confused With: Plough, Flag, Temple, Saint, Flame, Mace, Leaf, Fish, or Shivling Often Found With: Plough, Fish, Swastika, and Om Deity: All deities except Shiva and Rahu Rarity: Independently formed – Very rare (1/1000) Attached to a major line – Rare (1/100) Name: COW also known as BULL Symbolic Meaning: The Earth and its worldly abundance. Cows are used as a metaphor for selfless charity because they provide milk, butter, and fuel without asking for anything in return. Within the Krishna story, this symbol is contrasted with the Vedic gods such as Indra who asks for sacrifices in return for divine favour. The Earth herself often appears in various stories as a cow, carrying on the general theme of selfless worldly abundance. Palmistry Meaning: High spiritual powers and abilities Locational Variance: None Can Be Confused With: None Often Found With: No specific combinations Deity: Earth, Krishna, and Kamadenu Rarity: Poorly formed – Very rare (1/1000) Fully formed – Exceptionally rare (1/10,000)
Name: CRAB Symbolic Meaning: None Palmistry Meaning: Peace and harmony. Also a happy and settled family life. Locational Variance: This symbol is often found on the Jupiter finger or on the Venus and Moon mounts with no variance in results. Can Be Confused With: Scorpion or Crocodile Often Found With: Moon and Fish Deity: Krishna Rarity: Rare (1/50 – 1/100) Name: CRESCENT MOON see Moon Name: CROCODILE Symbolic Meaning: Repressed fear. The crocodile doesn’t often appear in Hindu mythology except for once in Ramayan and once in the Mahabharat. In each case, they are illusory figures who attacked a learned scholar/warrior while they were bathing (Hanuman and Drona, respectively). Palmistry Meaning: Happiness Locational Variance:
Jupiter – Happiness from family, teachers, or spiritual growth Mercury – Happiness is derived from the actions of others. Moon – Happiness from within Ketu – Happiness derived from spiritual growth Can Be Confused With: Crab or Scorpion Often Found With: Flag and Circle Deity: Ganga or Kalki Rarity: On Jupiter finger – Rare (1/50) On Mercury finger – Rare (1/100) Elsewhere – Very rare (1/1000) Name: CROW see Bird Name: CROWN Symbolic Meaning: The crown is not a common symbol that is used in mythology. In the rare circumstances that it appears in a story, it is often used as a symbol of renunciation where a king gives his throne to his heir. Palmistry Meaning: Respect and admiration of one’s community Locational Variance: Saturn – Helps one to achieve positive outcomes in charitable works Sun – Amplifies the General Result Mercury – Amplifies the General Result The Crown should not be attached to a major line. It should be formed on either a mount or a finger, and it should be independent of other lines. Can Be Confused With: Umbrella, Boat, or Bell Often Found With: Sword and Flag
Deity: Ram, Vishnu, or Kartikeya Rarity: Rare (1/100)
D Name: DOG also known as SPRING Symbolic Meaning: Dogs are seen as inauspicious in India. This is because they are loyal to a fault. Palmistry Meaning: Wealth, and the fulfilment of many of life’s desires Locational Variance: This sign is a companion to the Trident in that it brings positive results wherever it is placed. However, it loses some of its strength if connected to another line. Can Be Confused With: Horn Often Found With: Trident, Tree, Mountain, and Temple Deity: Ketu Rarity: Very rare (1/1000) Name: DOOR Symbolic Meaning: None. This symbol has been interpreted by palmists in recent centuries, and so has not had time to be used extensively in mythologies. Palmistry Meaning: There is no known ‘traditional’ interpretation of this sign.
However, it is related to protection, the removal of negativity, and auspicious new beginnings. It has also been associated with wealth and fame by some traditions in South India. Locational Variance: None Can Be Confused With: None Often Found With: No specific combinations Deity: Hanuman and Ganesh Rarity: Rare (1/100) Name: DOUBLE FISH TAIL also known as FISH TAIL Symbolic Meaning: None. This symbol does not appear in mythology. This sign only belongs in palmistry. Palmistry Meaning: Happiness and wealth Locational Variance: Saturn and Sun Mounts – If this sign is very large and traverses these two mounts horizontally, and possibly even formed by a Ring of Venus (also known as a Girdle of Venus), it indicates trouble in life, which once internalised and transcended, becomes a source of future prosperity. Can Be Confused With: None. However, this symbol must be horizontal. If it is vertically placed then it can be confused with the Drum. Often Found With: No specific combinations. However, it is often found with a Life line that is chained at its beginning. Deity: Sheshnag and Ketu Rarity: Very rare (1/500)
Name: DRUM Symbolic Meaning: Time Palmistry Meaning: Spiritual mastery of one’s body; often found in the hands of Yogis or those who practice ascetic austerities that affect the body, such as fasting, advanced yoga, or breathing meditations. Locational Variance: Jupiter – A religious scholar who masters meditation through the concentration of his or her breathing. Sun – Spiritual mastery will occur by control of either the eyes or the heartbeat. Thumb – Exceptional yogic gifts derived through years of practise. Can Be Confused With: Two triangles Often Found With: Temple, Swastika, and sometimes a Trident Deity: Shiva, Durga, or Kali Rarity: Very rare (1/500)
E Name: ELEPHANT Symbolic Meaning: Wisdom, wealth, and prosperity. The association with both Ganesh and Laxmi are obvious. Whenever an elephant appears in Indian mythology, it always represents material abundance. In ancient times, it was considered ‘lucky’ to establish a village or town in an area with elephants because it was seen as an omen of future prosperity. We can rationalise this superstition because the areas that elephants inhabit (particularly in the Asian subcontinent) require large amounts of lush vegetation, fertile soil, and a stable water source. Therefore, an area inhabited by elephants would provide good vegetative potential. Palmistry Meaning: This is one of the primary signs of Raj Yoga (wealth and abundance). It is seen on the hands of wealthy and lucky people. Locational Variance: Jupiter – Amplifies the General Results. It also brings strong wisdom and gives the person a scholarly disposition. Mercury – Wealth will be attained, but after struggles in the first half of life. The Elephant should appear independently on a mount or a finger, and should not be connected to any other lines. Can Be Confused With: Tusk Often Found With: Fish, Lotus, and Trident Deity: Ganesh, Laxmi, Indra, Jupiter, or sometimes Mercury Rarity: Rare (1/100 - 1/250)
Name: ELEPHANT GOAD see Goad Name: EYE Symbolic Meaning: Enlightenment. The spiritual third eye is a symbol of clairvoyance and spiritual gifts. Sometimes a deity would grant a third eye to a devotee to enhance their spiritual vision. There are also some cases of mythic stories where an eye is destroyed, and here it represents ignorance, which is often brought about by upsetting a goddess, such as the example of Kuber or Shukracharya. Palmistry Meaning: Extremely strong intuitive ability, someone who has ‘seen the divine’ Locational Variance: None. The Eye is usually large and can cover two mounts. Can Be Confused With: Circle Often Found With: No specific combinations Deity: Shiva, Kali, Durga Rarity: Exceptionally rare (1/10,000)
F Name: FAN Symbolic Meaning: The fan does not appear in mythology. Palmistry Meaning: The Fan strengthens any line that it appears on and amplifies its positive qualities. Locational Variance: On the Saturn line – Hard work will bring wealth. On the Sun line – Success in many different areas of life, and also many prominent awards On the Mercury line – Success in research or business Can Be Confused With: Fish or Goad Often Found With: Crown Deity: Ganesh, Vishnu, or Ram Rarity: Rare (1/100) Name: FISH Symbolic Meaning: Prosperity and growth. The Matsya Avatar of Vishnu is the most prominent story of a fish in Hindu mythology. Palmistry Meaning: Abundance and wealth
Locational Variance: At the base of the Rahu and Ketu Triangles – Many orthodox Indian palmistry schools hold that this is the only place that fish should appear in order to hold its meaning. I disagree, as I have seen this sign in many other places with similar results. Ketu (not touching Rahu) – Amplifies the General Results. It also gives memories of past lives. Moon – Strong intuitive ability that gives the General Result Can Be Confused With: Saint, Conch, Swan, Infinity, or Islands Often Found With: Flag Deity: Matsya or Ketu Rarity: On Rahu/ Ketu Triangles (often connected to Life line) – Rare (1/100) Ketu – Rare (1/100) On major lines ending on a mount – Very rare (1/1000) Elsewhere – Exceptionally rare (1/10,000) Name: FISH TAIL see Double Fish Tail Name: FLAG Symbolic Meaning: The flag represents authority and also ethical behaviour. Being a man-made construct, it is a symbol of social standing and pride within
one’s community. Palmistry Meaning: The flag is always a positive sign denoting prestige amongst one’s society, which is achieved as a result of having the personal courage to behave ethically and follow the path of truth. Depending on where it is located, it also represents spiritual attainment. A Double Flag (the first sign in the illustrations above) - amplifies the General Result of a Flag. Locational Variance: Jupiter – Success in an ambitious project for the betterment of society; also some mastery of spirituality Saturn – Success after years of disciplined effort Sun – Recognition as an artist/creative thinker Mercury – Success and recognition in the field of business or science Mars – Success in the military or police profession Moon – Gift of creative thinking; also a positive sign for the person’s mother Ketu – Admiration and blessings received by spiritual people When the Flag is connected to a major line, it strengthens that line and gives its results at the time when the flag proper grows from the staff. If it is located on a mount, then it adds to the positive qualities of that mount. Can Be Confused With: Plough, Spear, Sickle, or Axe Often Found With: Fish, Swastika, and Temple Deity: Ganesh, Hanuman, Durga, or Ketu Rarity: Rare (1/50 – 1/100)
Name: FLAME Symbolic Meaning: The flame is a symbol of spiritual energy. In many Indian stories and rituals, fire is used as a conduit of spiritual energy that is used to interact with gods and goddesses. Palmistry Meaning: Exceptionally strong spiritual abilities Locational Variance: Jupiter – Amplifies the General Result Sun – Makes one charismatic and famous Thumb – Success as a leader. This is an excellent sign for politicians particularly if found on the first phalange of the thumb. This sign is small and is generally less than 1 cm. Can Be Confused With: Kite, Leaf, Conch, or Mace Often Found With: Flower, Trident, Om, and Plough Deity: Shiva Rarity: On thumb – Exceptionally rare (1/10,000) Elsewhere - Very rare (1/1000) Name: FLOWER see LOTUS Name: FLUTE Symbolic Meaning: The flute appears in the stories of Krishna, often when he was a young child or youth. He would play this instrument to calm the cows that
he was herding, or sometimes to seduce women. Palmistry Meaning: The gift of charm Locational Variance: Saturn – A person who is prone to have addictive behaviours and traits Can Be Confused With: None Often Found With: No known clusters Deity: Krishna Rarity: Very rare (1/1000)
G Name: GANDER see Swan Name: GARLAND see Necklace Name: GOAD also known as ELEPHANT GOAD Symbolic Meaning: Self-control and wisdom. This symbol only appears in relation to Ganesh, and it is not often used as one of his primary ‘tools’. There is no unique story surrounding the goad. Palmistry Meaning: Wisdom and a strong spiritual ability Locational Variance: Jupiter –This person has studied ancient scriptures and acquired some advanced form of spiritual knowledge. Saturn – Wealth Rahu – Puts a check on addictive tendencies, and also heightens intellectual ability Can Be Confused With: Swastika, Window, Lotus, or Spear Often Found With: Ring of Jupiter (Solomon), Shield, and Temple Deity: Ganesh Rarity: On a branch ending on the mount of Jupiter – Uncommon to rare (1/50) On the Saturn line – Uncommon (1/10)
On any other mount – Rare to Very rare (1/500) Name: GOOSE see Swan
H Name: HILL see Mountain Name: HOOK see Arrow Name: HORN Symbolic Meaning: None. Palmistry Meaning: A good education will lead to wealth later in life. Locational Variance: Jupiter – Amplifies the benefits of education, and brings good teachers and role models. Venus – Gives love of the arts in addition to the General Result. The Horn should be attached to a major line to have its best effect. Can Be Confused With: Spiral, Dog, or Lotus Often Found With: Fish and Pot Deity: Shiva Rarity: On thumb - Very rare (1/1000) On Venus - Very rare (1/1000) Elsewhere - Rare (1/500)
Name: HORSE Symbolic Meaning: The restlessness of the mind. The horse appears most prominently in the Kalki Puran as Kalki’s main symbol. It is used to highlight the end of the Age of Darkness and the beginning of the Age of Purity. Horses also appear in some stories as parts of armies, but in these contexts they are not used as a symbolic metaphor. Palmistry Meaning: Strong spiritual power will be achieved by controlling one’s mind and gaining inner strength, compassion, self-control, and discretion. Locational Variance: None. The Horse appears on fingers more often than it does on the mounts. Can Be Confused With: None Often Found With: No specific combinations Deity: Kalki Rarity: Exceptionally rare (1/10,000) Name: HOUSE also known as HUT Symbolic Meaning: In astrology, the home represents one’s mother because our mother was the first ‘house’ that we lived in before we were born. This symbol (of a home) does not often appear in specific stories except in some of the Puranas.