Active hand (also dominant or writing hand): the hand you use most for writing and everyday tasks. Western palmistry reads it as the way your nature has developed. The passive hand (the other, non-dominant hand) is read as the nature you inherited, before that development.
Do you read the left or right hand?
The two traditions give different answers. Indian texts begin with the right hand for a man and the left hand for a woman. Western palmists begin with the right hand for men and women alike.
Both still look at the other hand. Palmists read a sign found on both hands at full strength, and one found on a single hand at half. That is the simplest reason to hold both palms up together.
What does each hand show in Indian palmistry?
In the classical Indian method, the hand to read first is set by sex: the right hand for men, the left for women. The texts describe the reader taking a man's right hand in their own right hand, and a woman's left hand in their left, before reading the lines.
The other hand is not ignored. Indian texts read it for particular family and household matters, which Rekha leaves out.
What does Western palmistry say about each hand?
Western palmists read the right hand for men and women alike. Left-handers are an exception, and the reason given is that the active hand is the one that counts.
The passive hand still has its own job. It shows the inherited, undeveloped nature, while the active hand shows how you have grown in mind, body and character. That growth is what makes the two palms look a little different.
| Indian reading | Western reading | |
|---|---|---|
| Hand read first | A man's right hand; a woman's left hand | The right hand, for men and women |
| The other hand | Read for family and household matters that Rekha leaves out | The inherited nature, before it was developed |
What if you are left-handed?
Then the hand read first swaps over: the left hand for a left-handed man and the right hand for a left-handed woman. The idea given is that the active hand is the one to consider.
How do you compare your two hands?
Hold both palms up side by side in good light. Work through them in the usual order, and note where they match and where they differ.
- Shape: the overall hand type is usually much the same on both hands.
- Major lines: compare the depth, length and ending of the heart, head and life lines.
- Minor lines: compare these too; they are the lines said to change most with time.
- Signs: a mark found in the same place on both hands is read at full strength; on one hand only, at half.
Most people's two hands differ only a little. Where they disagree even on basic traits, palmists read it as a dual nature, two sides of you pulling in different directions. See the full order for reading a palm.
Questions about which hand to read
Is the left hand for women and the right hand for men?
Yes, in Indian palmistry. The classical Indian texts read a man's right hand and a woman's left hand first. Western palmists read the right hand for both. Rekha photographs both hands for everyone and notes which hand each feature appears on.
Which hand shows my future?
Traditional texts did make forecasts from the hands; Rekha leaves those out. It reads what your hands show about temperament and leanings, for reflection.
Why do my two palms look so different?
Usually the two hands differ only a little, and the difference reflects how far you have developed your inborn nature. A sharp contrast, even in basic traits, is read as a dual nature.
Can the lines on my hands change?
Palmists say some lines do change over the years, and that new ones can appear and fade. The minor lines in particular are said to bend to strength of character. That is one reason to read both hands again from time to time.
See both your hands, read two ways
Rekha guides you through a photo of each palm, notes which hand each feature appears on, and shows the Indian and Western readings side by side.
Palmistry is a tradition, not a science. These readings are for reflection and entertainment.