Imagine you are on the perfect date. Your date is charming, they are fun to be with, but then when they write their name on the check you realize something...they are probably an ax murderer and you should run. Like right now, RUN!!! No, I'm joking, don't run. Just keep reading my blog. Seriously though, you can tell a lot about people from their handwriting. I have always been fascinated by those experts who show up on the news to tell us some unknown fact about someone famous based on how they sign their name or write a note. It is a practice with a long history, believe it or not. In fact, according to one of my books, in 330 BC, Aristotle said, "Handwriting is the visible form of speech". Wow that was a long time ago. The actual practice of graphology began in France, and was developed by a French monk named Jean Hippolyte Michon in the early 19th Century. He created a system to analyze handwriting called the study of fixed signs. After that, more research was done and methods were created in the practice of graphology until "Voila!", the analysis of handwriting that we practice today was created.
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| Sample 1- Impulsive variety sampler? |
This week, I wanted to master (well as much as I can in a week) Handwriting Analysis, or Graphology.
The Process
To start, I asked for handwriting samples from staff around the library. I asked them to send their samples anonymously and I threw out anything that I recognized. After doing this, I found out the best handwriting samples are on unlined paper (I asked for lines), contain the word "I" (which says a lot), and were not anoymous. Oops, I did none of those things. Oh well, carry on!
This week was mostly a lot of reading and researching. Honestly, I know I didn't master nearly all of the things you need to know to analyze someone's handwriting, but I did get a few good pointers on how to make a quick assessment. However, a few things probably aren't enough to get a real analysis. It takes a good combination of elements from a handwriting sample to get a complete picture of who someone really is.
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| Sample 2 - Tired, logical worrywart? |
Line spacing is the amount of space left between one line and the next. It indicates mental clarity. It shows how you plan, your perspective, whether you can be objective, closed minded, or irrational.
Sample 1 is a good example of crowded line spacing, Do you see how the "g" in the word "everything" crowds over the word on the next line? According to graphology, it means that the person who wrote this lives in the moment, and is driven by impulse. They don't think about how their big "g" loop is going to leave them no space for the word underneath later.
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| Sample 3 A reserved serious person who wants to move forward |
On the other hand, sample 2 leaves wide spacing between each line. In fact, they make sure to skip a line in order to avoid hitting the next one. This could mean a few things. They are very logical, organized and have great mental clarity or it might mean they are too concerned about maintaining their own space and enjoy observing rather than participating. Since I work with whoever sent this in, I am leaning toward the logical and organized analysis. They are definitely not antisocial at all, no way.
Word spacing is the distance between words and indicates how much personal space the writer demands from others and the level of restrain in social situations. In sample 6, the person demonstrates irregular word spacing. This indicates that their behavior changes unpredictably in relation to others and that they cannot sit still - especially since they also have low loops, such as in the word "go." Since they demonstrate crowded line spacing in addition, they are probably someone who talks quickly, does not think ahead, and lives in the moment.
In sample #3, the person uses wider word spacing and they are probably someone who is reserved and keeps their distance from others.
Letter Spacing is the distance between letters and gives clues to the degree of freedom allows, or whether they are able to adapt and change their mind when needed.
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| Sample 4 Trusting, smart, social, debater who doesn't like to plan? |
Sample 5 and 6 show narrow letter spacing. It means that they could be likely to give in to emotional and peer pressure. They might also be someone who rushes to judgement.
Margins show a writers feelings about the past and future. The left margin signifies the past, the right signifies the future. Margins reveal how you perceive and balance your time.
Samples #1 and #6 feature an irregular right margin. They might not be very good at planning for the future.
Sample 4 has a rigid left margin, which indicates discipline.
Sample 5 features an expanding left margin (a slow starter) and an expanding right margin (and so does 3), showing someone who will move to the future, but needs encouragement.
Sample 4 has a wide right margin, which might mean that they are interested in doing things, but not necessarily planning things.
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| Sample 5 is a slow starter, but gets really enthusiastic eventually! |
The Baseline is the invisible or printed line on which the handwriting rests. You can see the baseline by using a ruler or straight edge. The baseline is an indicator of goals. The steadier the baseline, the more focused someone will be at achieving the goals. It could also be a symbol of optimism or struggle. For example, in sample 3, the baseline moves up, which could mean the person is optimistic, or it could mean they are struggling against something.
Sample 2 has a downward baseline which indicates worry. I'm still not sure why it wouldn't indicate that someone was having an easy go of something - since if it goes up it could mean difficulty.
The Result
Clearly I am not very good at this, even after a week of trying. I think this is a skill that would take YEARS of research to really master. I didn't even get into zones (where your letters fall), size, or any other indicators. Still, even though I am horrible at handwriting analysis, it sure is fun! Coworkers who donated your samples, I hope you aren't mad at me!!!! I am sure I did this all wrong. Oh, and sample 6 was me, in case you were wondering...but let's not tell my husband that, okay?
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| 6. Someone with a short attention span who is impulsive, irrational, and conflicted. Yeah, right. |
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