From Palmistry to Chirology: the History of the Science of Hand Reading

Christopher Jones is a significant figure in the history of modern chirology. Being the former head of the London Chirological Society, Master of Humanities (Oxford), he has been conducting research on the history of the tradition of hand reading for many years, relying not only on scientific works, but also on primary sources stored in European libraries and museums. However, unlike other researchers of the history of the occult sciences — and palmistry is part of them — To. Jones himself is a high-class specialist in hand reading, who has nurtured a number of talented students known outside of England, among whom such palmists as Johnny Fincham and Lynn Seal can be noted..

Having set as its goal the debunking of myths based on nothing, To. Jones traces the history of the development of hand reading from its origin thousands of years ago in the vastness of India up to the middle of the XX century. Relying on scientific research, sources on palmistry and his own experience, he tries to identify the most important works of a particular period, to understand the historical context within which the views of a particular representative of the tradition were formed. Jones' book repeatedly provides detailed descriptions of now outdated methods and views, which, however, may be of some interest to us.

Being a practicing master, Jones does not consider palmistry as a dead or undeveloped art, but draws readers' attention to the fact that in the XX century there was the formation of chirology — psychologically oriented hand reading, to which many scientists and researchers paid tribute. Thanks to his student Julius Shpir, Carl Jung got acquainted with chirology, who even wrote an introduction to the only book by Shpir dedicated to the hands of children. Maria-Louise von Franz recalled the spectacular consultation on the hand of a Spy in one of her works. Since then, chirology, like astrology, has interested psychologists and psychoanalysts, coming into use as one of the non-standard ways to diagnose personal changes.