Reading Palms for Beginners: What the Head Line Tells You

Palmistry, or palm reading, is a form of divination through studying the lines of the palm. The head line is one of the 3 most important lines and describes how you think and react to situations. Everyone’s head line is different, so factors like length, shape, and depth affect the meaning. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to read your head line in palmistry and what each factor means.

Things You Should Know

A long head line indicates a deep thinker, while a short head line suggests impulsive behavior.
A straight head line means you’re analytical and practical, while a curved one means you’re more imaginative.
A deep head line means you’re quick-witted and decisive while a faint one often means you’re naive and kind-hearted.

Section 1 of 8:

Head Line Overview

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The head line of your palm reveals your intellect and mentality. Also known as the wisdom line, the head line is one of the 3 most important lines in palm reading, alongside the heart line and the life line.^{[1]
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Miriam Weber
Palmistry Expert

Expert Interview} In addition to revealing your intellect, it also displays your creativity, beliefs and attitudes, memory, and self-control.^{[2]
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Miriam Weber
Palmistry Expert

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- To locate your head line, first look between your thumb and forefinger. The head line starts at the edge of your palm and extends across the middle of it. The heart line is located above it and the life line below.
- While the head line reveals how you use your brain, it does not provide any indication of how intelligent you are. Don’t let a line on your hand cause you to think you’re dumb!

Section 2 of 8:

How to Read Your Head Line

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Like all of the lines on your palm, everyone’s head line is different. The length, shape, and markings of your head line are believed to reveal different aspects of your personality and mentality, and when combined, provide an overarching understanding of how you think and behave.
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Read the lines on both hands for an overview of your life. While palmistry techniques differ depending on the tradition, most agree that your dominant hand reveals opportunities, challenges, and upcoming events in your life. The non-dominant hand reveals innate characteristics like personality and natural talents and abilities, as well as destiny and past experiences. Most palm readers recommend reading both to fully understand your situation.
- In ancient Chinese traditions, the right palm represented women while the left represented men.

Section 3 of 8:

Head Line Length Meaning

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Your head line is considered long if extends across the palm and ends beneath your little finger. A long head line indicates you have a clear mind and are capable of deep, complex thinking. You enjoy problem-solving and puzzles, but you may also tend to overthink.^{[3]
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Medium head line A medium-length headline extends to the ring finger. This is the most common length for a head line and usually indicates you have a good balance between thinking and acting. You’re not as likely to get bogged down in the details as someone with a long head line, but you’re not as impulsive as someone with a short one.
- This is the most common length for a head line.
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Short head line A short head line only reaches the middle finger. If you have a short head line, you might be impulsive, indecisive, and have a hard time focusing. A short head line does not, however, indicate that you are unintelligent.
- To get better at making decisions, consider the situation and make a list of options. Come up with pros and cons for each one so you can determine the best course of action.

Section 4 of 8:

Head Line Shape Meaning

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If your head line is generally straight and doesn’t curve up or down, you’re likely highly analytical, practical, and dedicated. You might thrive in a career based in mathematics, science, or technology.
If your head line has a noticeable curve, you’re gentle, tolerant, and have strong interpersonal skills. You’d likely thrive in fields like the social sciences, literature, psychology, and mass media.
If your head line has a steep downward curve (ending at the bottom of your palm rather than the middle), you’re extremely imaginative, artistic, and creative. You’re easily influenced by emotion and would make a good painter, writer, or poet.
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Broken head line When your head line is broken into 2 distinct parts, you may suffer from sudden illness or a career interruption. If it’s intermittent and has many breaks throughout, you’re indecisive and change your mind often. You might have difficulty living harmoniously with a partner.^{[4]
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- If your head line is unbroken, you have strong convictions and stick to your decisions.
- To improve your decision-making skills, wait to address the situation when you’re calm and able to think clearly. If you’re stressed or panicked, you might not choose the best option.

Section 5 of 8:

Head Line Depth Meaning

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A deep and pronounced head line suggests that you’re resourceful and quick-witted. Your mind is sharp and you can easily think on your feet.^{[5]
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Faint head line When your head line is barely visible, you might be gullible and naive. However, you’re very kind-hearted.^{[6]
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- If you want to stop being so gullible, don’t be afraid to ask questions and do your own research. Reading more can also help!

Section 6 of 8:

Additional Head Line Markings

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If you have 2 parallel lines as your head line, you have a strong mentality and are able to see things from multiple perspectives. You might have a strong entrepreneurial spirit and are likely to succeed as a business person. However, this line also sometimes indicates twists and turns in marriage.^{[7]
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Forked head line If your head line has a branch curving toward the bottom of your palm, you’re a good thinker and problem-solver. The longer and more perpendicular the branch is compared to your original head line, the stronger your mental and imaginative abilities are.^{[8]
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- If your head line has a branch that curves upward, you’re highly adaptable and highly social. You may be highly successful in business, as well.
- If the curved branch extends beneath your ring finger, you’re highly talented and artistic. If it extends between your forefinger and middle finger, you’re clever but may be mischievous and like to stir up trouble.
- If the branch extends to the Mount of Jupiter (the squishy area just under your forefinger), it indicates wealth and power. You may have a dominant personality and are full of energy.
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Tasseled head line Tassels are like a bunch of smaller branches gathered at the end of your head line, and they often hint at health problems like low blood pressure, headaches, and dizziness.
- It’s important to remember that palmistry is not backed by science, and these indications should be taken with a grain of salt. If you’re concerned about your health, consult your doctor.
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Head line with islands An island is a small circle located on your head line, and the presence of one often indicates that you’re distracted by something or that you’re having trouble with your memory. The larger the island, the more serious your problem. The location of the island also determines its meaning, and you’ll find some common locations below:^{[10]
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- If you have an island below the Mound of Jupiter, you might have trouble concentrating on tasks.
- If you have an island below the Mound of Saturn (the fleshy section below the middle finger), you may be prone to headaches and depression, or you might have frequent stomach trouble.
- An island below the Mound of Apollo (the fleshy section below the ring finger) indicates you might have poor eyesight.
- An island below the little finger indicates you may have a nervous breakdown or suffer from cerebropathy later in life.
- The presence of 2 islands often reflects stubbornness, self-centeredness, and a lack of common sense.
- Again, palmistry is not rooted in science, so don’t stress too much if you have one or more of these markings. Always consult your doctor if you’re truly worried about your health.
A star consists of 3 short lines intersecting like a doodle of a star (or an asterisk). If you have one on your head line, it often indicates you may suffer a head injury or a disease involving a headache. However, if the star is right beside the head line rather than on it, you’re likely very wise.^{[11]
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Head line with crossings Crossings are small Xs that cross your head line. They mean you’re timid, weak-willed, and easily become frightened or anxious.^{[12]
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- If your head line curves down with a crossing at the end, you may soon have a serious accident.
- 3 or more crossings usually indicate genetic heart disease or coronary disease.
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Chained head line In palmistry, a chain consists of several connected ovals that resemble the links of a chain. A chained head line means you may have a hard time concentrating and paying attention or that you tend to become suspicious easily.
- If the chain is located at the beginning of the head line, you may suffer from poor memory and disordered thoughts. You might also be a heavy drinker.
- If both your head line and life line are chained, you may generally be unhealthy.

Section 7 of 8:

The Head Line and the Heart Line

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Head line overlapping heart line If your head line and heart line overlap to form a single line, this is known as the Simian Line or Simian Crease. Your thoughts and feelings converge and lead to an intense personality. You’re likely a strong leader and strive for an authentic, spiritual path in life.^{[13]
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- It may take some time to learn to balance the intensity of your life, however, and this may lead to internal stress. Turn to creativity and the arts or do meditation to learn more about yourself and your goals.
If the end of your head line crosses over the heart line, you have a lot of common sense and a love for the arts. Your life may also be filled with a lot of ups and downs. If your head line strongly curves over the heart line, you’re sympathetic, imaginative, and romantic, though you may suffer from chronic diseases like hypertension or diabetes.
When your head line ends very closely to the heart line, you’re confident and good at building interpersonal relationships. You often overcome obstacles with the help of friends and loved ones and you’re likely to have a very successful career.

Section 8 of 8:

The Head Line and the Life Line

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If your head line and life line are joined at the beginning and quickly split, you’re decisive and flexible. If they split farther toward the end, you’re introverted and thoughtful. The longer the overlap, the more worried and indecisive you are.^{[14]
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Head line separated from life line When your head line is completely separated from your life line, you’re bold and extroverted. You’re highly independent and capable of solving any problem that comes your way. However, you might secretly feel inferior and you have a hard time accepting others’ mistakes.^{[15]
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- The larger the gap between the head line and life line, the more bold and optimistic you are.

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Tips

The lines of your palm change over time, so what may be true in one palm reading might change if you try another one later down the line.^{[16]
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Never substitute a palm reading for medical advice. Palmistry is not rooted in science and should be used only for entertainment.

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If your palm reading reveals something you don’t like, try not to dwell on it. Remember, you have free will and can change your life for the better.

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