THE SIMIAN LINE

Note: I know next to nothing about palmistry. I did some research on simian lines, because I have one, and everything I found is posted on this website. I am not a palmistry or a simian line expert and I have no additional knowledge about simian lines or general palmistry beyond what is posted on this page. A few years ago a friend gave me a great book (Palmistry, by Lori Reid) for my birthday, and I had fun looking up information about my hands’ traits (for example, learning more about my droplets, loops of vocation, and water hands). It was a casual time-waster that didn’t transfer into a desire to learn about all hand traits in all people. Basically, long story short, I can’t answer your palmistry questions or your simian line questions, I can’t refer you to a specific palmist (I don’t know any!), and I can’t read your palm. I’m sorry—although I enjoy hearing from other simian lined folks out there, and you should continue to feel free to email me and/or post messages in my guestbook, I just don’t know enough to help you or answer your questions about simian lines or palmistry. I’m not a palm reader, a chirologist, a geneticist, or a psychic. I can’t tell you what your lines mean or reveal your destiny. Trust me, a good palmistry book (preferably one loaded with photos) or a savvy palmistry expert can answer your questions far better than me!

I also want to add that aside from where I talk about Down syndrome or other medical conditions, the information presented on this page is speculative unless otherwise stated. It postulates theoretical connections between simian lines and certain behavioral traits and is not intended to provide undeniable medical proof that there is a biological link between simian lines and criminal behavior, mental illness, abnormality, drug addiction, or fanaticism. In fact, nearly all the information on this page comes from palmistry websites and palmistry books—not medical books. These palmistry sources are clearly cited on this page. If you want legitimate medical/scientific information about simian lines, check out my Medical Literature page.

Here is my simian line: 

The simian line is also known as a:

• simian crease
• single palmar crease
• single palmar transverse crease
• horizontal palmar crease
• transverse palmar crease
• simian fold
• palmar single flexion crease

The simian line’s name stems from its resemblance to the palmar creases supposedly found in the hands of primates. In a normal hand, there are three lines intersecting the palm, generally sloping at an angle. These are the head, heart, and life lines. A standard simian line fuses the top two lines (the head and heart lines), into a single, deep line which crosses the palm from one side to the other horizontally, rather than in a curving angle.

The implications of a simian line generally focus on three areas: dermatoglyphics (studying the human hand in relation to biological and organic disorders of an inherited nature), psychodiagnostic chirology (the human hand in relation to disorders of the psyche), and physiology (whether the bearer has a chromosomal disorder).

The simian line can be the target of negative connotations, and there are many conflicting interpretations of its meaning. Because its name stems from the word for “monkey” and because of its frequency in chromosomal disorders, most notably Down syndrome (one health website states that simian lines are found in about one half of Down syndrome individuals and is found in the normal population, depending on sample, in 1-15% of the people studied), many people are concerned about the simian line being a “bad sign.”

As the simian line is a combination of the head and heart lines, it is the frequent assumption of chierologists, dermatoglyphics experts, and palmists that the simian line performs the functions associated with both lines. That is, the bearer finds it difficult to separate emotions and what is desired (the heart line) from intellect and what is thought (the head line). They believe the simian line gives the ability to focus on one thing, absolutely, to the exclusion of all else. It is believed that these people generally achieve and accomplish far more than most, developing techniques and inventions that will last for generations. They also supposedly experience far more misfortune than most, usually due to the same intensity that drives them. The ambition for success in business endeavors will be strong, as will be the tendency to shut out all else in pursuit of these ambitions. People with simian lines are seen as being complex, forceful, goal-oriented, and egocentric.

Religious elements of the simian line are mentioned frequently. Arnold Holtzman, PhD, said that “Many of their numbers may come to identify with fundamentalist religion after living very open, liberal, and free-thinking lifestyles. Quite the reverse may be true, and to the same extreme, with those individuals who may originally have been brought up in very strict and rigid religious environments.” The writers at humanhand.com remark that “Psychological abuse was almost certainly present within your developmental years, probably taking the form of religious dogma. A complete shift in religion is now indicated as part of your life’s current direction—either into or out of a fundamentalist group.” It is stated at paralumin.com that “people who tend to be religious fanatics tend to have a simian line.” The roots of this perceived religious or anti-religious fanaticism probably stem from the single-minded intensity of the simian line which so closely mirrors the devoted intensity of fanaticism.

The simian line may be visualized as an agent responsible for sudden and radical adjustments in an individual’s attitudes, behavior, lifestyle, values, goals, ambitions, and, indeed, identity. Similarly, these radical adjustments may become manifest as new careers in areas these people may never before have considered. The individual, in this instance, may renounce a sound, secure, and long-standing career to devote himself, or herself, to a lifestyle which may be virtually a planet apart from anything hitherto associated with this person. Leaving everything familiar behind them these people may have felt compelled to fit themselves into their new skins, as it were. It is nothing which must necessarily respond to reason or logic inasmuch as this person would invariably attempt, and with much seeming conviction, to prove otherwise. As noted earlier, however, these dramatic developments do not always transpire. They would best be regarded as the exception rather than the rule... as a possibility and not as an inevitable expression of the simian line. Again, it is the “pressure” manifest as chronic, if low-keyed, unrest and general psychical discomfort which would best be the focus of the therapist’s attentions.

Links

• The most comprehensive simian line-related website I’ve found to date can be found here (with an accompanying podcast).

• Photos of simian lines are available in Flickr’s simian line photo pool.

• If you’re a MySpace user, you can join a group for folks with simian lines (Facebook also has an active group for simian-lined people, but you need to be a Facebook member in order to even see it).

• A forum for people with simian lines can be found here.

• Some personal websites I have found belonging to folks with simian lines can be found here, here, and here.

• A palmist, writer, and teacher discusses simian lines here.

• Here is an article on having double simian lines.

• Palmistry, The Art of Palm Reading covers all aspects of palm-reading—not just simian lines.

• A case study involving simian lines can be accessed here.

• HandResearch.com is a comprehensive source for palmistry information.

• Palm Reading - Read my Palm online! Palm Reading - The Lines on your palm tell the story... Read my Palm today

Excerpts from Palmistry: How to Chart the Lines of Your Destiny, by Roz Levine. Buy it here.

Some athletes (such as Muhammed Ali) possess a combination of the Lines of Heart and Head, known as the Simian Line. Found on any hand, this rather unusual line reveals an intense side to the personality. If this line is found on the hand of someone with an interest in sport, and the hand is strong and sinewy, there can be a love of intense, demanding competitive activity, such as running and cycling.

The Simian Line, where the Lines of Head and Heart combine, can often correspond with an impassioned disposition. This is a relatively unusual sign. Simian types are always intense in some way, although this is not necessarily a negative trait. When it comes to passion, feelings can get out of perspective because emotional reactions can swamp and overwhelm reasoning. Such people need understanding partners. A Simian Line found on the left hand often contributes to fundamental sensuality. Together with a full Mount of Venus, love, desires, and passions are even more amplified. If the Simian Line and…a pronounced Mount of Venus were found on the right hand instead of the left, then the combination would have a very different meaning. Sensuality and passion could be different to cope with. If the Simian Line and large Mount of Venus were found on both palms, then life would be ruled by unbridled passions, probably with dire consequences. As the Simian Line appears only on his left hand, Philip will have a basic tendency to experience life on an intense level. His energies are condensed, in that the thinking and feeling sides of him combine to create determination and a terrific ability to concentrate. His Simian Line is found in the usual position of the Line of Heart, which reveals that the feeling side of Philip dominates. A line set lower on the hand would mean that the intellect rules the feelings.

The Lines of Head and Heart are usually separate, but sometimes you will see a palm that appears to have a Line of Head but no Line of Heart, or vice versa. In either case, what you are looking at is a combination of the two, called the Simian Line. The Simian Line is likely to be found on the palms of people who have a strong tendency to be “a law unto themselves.” The word simian means monkey-like, but do not assume that the owner of such a line will bear any behavioral resemblance to a monkey. This line involves emotional and other responses… People with this line can find some aspects of relating to others problematic. They may need to understand how this line manifests in their lives and how best to handle the energies created by it … when separate, the Lines of Head and Heart allow objectivity and reason to rationalize and temper emotional balance because thoughts and feelings are combined. It is quite rare to find a pure Simian Line on both palms; owners of such will be very subjective and willful. They will not easily adhere to the usual norms of society.... In extreme cases, they will be completely ruled by passions and instincts and the law of the jungle will apply, hence the name given to the line. … This type often feels a lot of tension and internal pressure as everything is experienced in an acute way; this can give way to unreasonable outbursts, which can be aggressive. A violent tendency is found when other features, as well as the Simian Line, are present. If the thumb is very straight with no waist, a lack of reason will be very marked. When the Simian Line is found on both palms, look out for a short thumb. If it is very bulbous at the top and does not bend back easily under pressure, a violent temper is likely. It may be a good idea to avoid aggravating the owner of such a palm.

If the hands, apart from having Simian Lines, are otherwise normal—and especially if they are flexible—negative traits will be less defined. There can often be a great depth of highly creative energy simmering under the surface, which, if given the opportunity in terms of education and environment, can manifest itself in a powerful, highly individual way.

For a pure simian type—someone with a very defined Simian Line on both hands—all areas of life are experienced with enormous intensity. Powers of concentration can be tremendous as everything on a mental level is also felt emotionally and all feelings simultaneously register mentally. Whatever is chosen in terms of work is therefore crucial as it will be far better to apply concentrated energies to demanding tasks rather than to other people. Emotions can be so caught up in thought that responses can be, or seem to be, cold and unfeeling. Often, there is little comfort to be found in relationships as the element of sharing can be in short supply. The deep sensitivity of many simian types registers so subjectively that experiencing closeness and harmony in a relationship can be very difficult.

If this line is to be found on the left hand only, it can tell of a rather sheltered early life, or one where the child felt alienated, lonely, and misunderstood and apart from the rest of the family. There will be a tendency to either shun responsibility especially in early life, or at least to defy the rules, be wayward and deliberately awkward. In the matters of the heart, there can be a relentless attitude, which demands things to be ideal. The subjective nature can make relationships difficult, as it will be hard to make allowances for the other person and to realize that any harm is being done. Normal Lines of Head and Heart on the right hand improve the ability to realize harmonious relationships, but there will always be a basically intense nature, which can require much love and understanding from a partner.

If the Simian Line is found on the right hand only, physical desires can get out of control. Again, the subjective nature and basic tendency to see reason can create problems. When such powerful, concentrated energies are applied to a relationship, love can sometimes find expression only through obsession, as there can be some difficulty in articulating the magnitude of innermost feelings. The need to show such intense emotion may be directed mainly through sexual channels; the owner of such a palm would need a partner who also has a strong sex drive, otherwise the needs of a right-handed simian lover could feel excessively demanding.

If you have a Simian Line on one or both palms and have read some books on palmistry, especially those that were written a long time ago, you may have felt a bit concerned about some of the things that have been said about this line. Certainly it can create some problems in terms of the intensification of all your experiences, especially emotional ones and it can sometimes be difficult for others to understand you. Take heart, however, in the knowledge that it is probably better to feel so deeply than not to feel much at all; that your inner depth is subjective and often passionate-feeling can be a fount of great creativity; and that your powers of concentration can serve you well, depends on how you choose to use them.

When the Simian Line is found in the usual position of the Line of Heart, the emphasis will be on emotional intensity and subjectivity. Reason will take second place. A Simian Line in the usual position of the Line of Head reveals that the thinking processes are intensified and can deepen the powers of concentration.

Excerpts from The Everything Palmistry Book: Discover What the Future Holds—Life, Love, and Wealth—All in the Palm of Your Hand, by Katina Z. Jones. Buy it here.

The presence of this line can mean an abrupt shift in religious affiliation, particularly to something very unorthodox. If the line is deep, it can portend affiliation with a religious cult.

If you have a simian line, don’t let it make a monkey out of you. It doesn’t mean that you are less than human or not bright. What it does mean is that you have a lot of inner struggle and will have a hard time living a tranquil life.

It is best for those with a conjoined head and heart line to make sure that they have balance in their lives between these two forces and that they are very careful in paying attention to the intellectual as well as emotional aspects of life.

Deciding which should take precedence for you, the head or the heart, will be a difficult matter, and you may spend your life trying to find out. Unfortunately, this will be a constant struggle and will demand constant effort.

Beware: If you have a simian line … you may be more susceptible than others to some forms of heart disease.

Those with a simian line tend to confuse the rational with the emotional and are unable to separate their respective influences in order to let each one guide the appropriate area of life. They tend to think in absolutes and to be very focused on what interests them to the exclusion of other important factors.

This is not always a bad thing, of course, and neither is having a simian line. This kind of intensity could potentially make you egocentric, ambitious, and driven, but such behavior may help you accomplish huge goals. Unfortunately, such intensity also puts you at risk for disaster.

This intensity is often manifested in the attitude toward religion. People who are fanatical about one idea or dogma often have simian lines. Many of those with a simian line reject the belief systems they grew up with to accept another, often radical, faith. This kind of absolute change is often seen in other areas of life as well—in a career or lifestyle change, for instance, where the break with the old and the acceptance of something totally new and foreign is radical and thorough.

Having a simian line makes it hard to interpret what kinds of problems the markings of the line are revealing. It can also be hard to time the line so as to tell when these problems or influences will occur.

Excerpts from Simply Palmistry, by Sasha Fenton. Buy it here.

http://www.jenniferboyer.com/simianlinefacts.html