The Types of thumbs

THE SUPPLE - JOINTED THUMB

The supple-jointed thumb, bending from the hand, is the indication of the extravagant person, not only in matters of money, but in thought; these are life’s natural spendthrifts – improvident of time, improvident of wealth. They have adaptability of temperament for both people and circumstances; they are quickly at home in whatever society they are thrown; they have the sentimental love of kindred and country, as opposed to the practical; they settle down easily to new work and new surroundings, and consequently they quickly make a home in whatever country they are placed.

THE FIRM – JOINTED THUMB

Again, in a general way, the exact opposite of all this is found among the people with the stiff, firm joint. In the first place, they are more practical, they have a strong will and a kind of stubborn determination which makes them rather stronger in character, and which is a large element in their success., They are more cautious and secretive; they advance by slow steps where the other natures will act by leaps and bounds. Again, they are not erratic like the first – mentioned; they stick to one thing; they carry out their purpose with a kind of resistless stubbornness; they have the practical idea of making the most out of their own home and their own country; they rule with strength; they have a keen sense of justice; they control self as they would control machinery; in war they are solid and strong; in love they are undemonstrative, but firm and staunch; in religion their churches are plain, but solid in art. In short they have the strength of their own individuality.

The next important characteristic of the thumb is the shape and make of the second or middle phalange. It will be found that this varies greatly and is a decided indicator of temperament. It has two noticeable formations, namely, the narrow moulded centre or waist-like appearance and its opposite, which is full and clumsier.

In his earlier work Cheiro called attention to the great difference, as far as character is concerned, shown by these two formations. His statement that the waist-like appearance indicated tact, aroused a good deal of interest, and as it was taken exception to by some critics, we will here endeavor to show in a logical way why such should be the case. In the first place, the student has by this time seen the truth of remarks about the finer formation of the thumb being the indication of the greater development of the intellectual will, and the coarse formation that of the nature that will use more brute force in the accomplishment of an object. It therefore follows that the waist-like appearance, which is a portion of the finer development, indicates the tact born of mental power, whereas the fuller, coarser development indicates force in the carrying out of a purpose in keeping with the characteristic of each nature.

• When the first or nail phalange is thick and heavy, with a short, flat nail, it is a sure indication of the ungovernable passion of the subject. All brutal animal nature have such clubbed formations, the force of blind passion completely dominating whatever reason they possess. Such people, as a rule, also have the first joint stiff, and the two points together give that terrible obstinacy of purpose that drives the subject, once out of temper, into deeds of violence and crime. The flat first phalange, consequently, whether short or long, is calmer in matters of temper and more controlled by reason.

• When the hand is hard the natural tendency toward energy and firmness indicated by the thumb is increased; consequently the subject with the hard, firm hand and the first phalange of the thumb well developed will be more resolute of purpose and more determined in the executives of his ideas than is the subject with the soft hand.

• When the hand is soft the subject will be more inclined to use his will by fits and starts, but cannot be so much depended upon in the execution of his plans.

• One very striking peculiarity to be found in this study of human nature through the medium of the hand is shown in the case of people with the supple or blending –back thumb. They rarely have the same keenness of moral consciousness that is found with those of the straight, firm development.