Jewelry with fingerprints is popular! And not without reason. It's the most personal thing you can carry with you from someone. But did you know that fingerprints also reveal a lot about yourself? To learn more about this, we interviewed the 'Grand Dame' of palmistry: Ellen Duim (59 years old).
Who is Ellen Duim?
Ellen Duim has had her own palmistry practice for 28 years, has trained 180 people in the three-year course (including our colleague Hillie), and read countless hands, both from individuals and in the business world. Ellen about palmistry: "What I find so beautiful about my profession is that I learn from every encounter. It's very special to take a glimpse into the soul of another and to pass on my knowledge, experience, and wisdom. I should have kept track of it, I think I've examined about 25,000 pairs of hands quite quickly."
What is your opinion on capturing a fingerprint on a piece of jewelry?
"A fingerprint is unique; no one else has your pattern. That's why I think it's beautiful and also touching that people are increasingly having their own or a loved one's fingerprint captured on jewelry. You then have something truly unique in your hands.
Your own fingerprint can be an ode to yourself, and a loved one's print is a reminder of special times. I also see more and more couples in my practice having their combined prints immortalized in jewelry, for example, at a wedding. How beautiful is that?"
Do you wear jewelry with a fingerprint yourself?
"Absolutely! With my own fingerprint. Wearing my own print is like a talisman; it reminds me of who I truly am. And somehow, it gives me a feeling of strength and security. A little 'private moment' with myself."
What does a fingerprint mean?
"Skin patterns are called dermatoglyphics in the medical world. Dermatoglyphics comes from the Greek Derma = skin and Glyph = carving. In palmistry, we look at the entire hand: the shape of the hand, the position of the fingers, the lines, the nails, etc. But what I find most enjoyable is the fingerprints or skin patterns in palmistry. Why? When you compare the skin patterns of parents and children, you can find a combination of the patterns of both parents in the hands of the child. How remarkable is that? And when you consider that skin patterns also show character traits, you can imagine that one child may resemble dad or mom more than another.
Your preferred element
I find skin patterns more important than the lines in the hand. They are at the foundation of character and never change. They show our qualities, possibilities, and life lessons, and don't shy away from highlighting your pitfalls and challenges. They reveal your preferred element, the element from which you approach the world. You often feel a connection with someone with the same preferred elements, while a meeting with someone with opposing elements can be difficult.
Fingerprints don't lie
The beautiful (and confronting) thing is that fingerprints don't lie. They don't tell fairy tales and show you who you are in all simplicity and without judgment. With all your beauty and all your imperfections. The skin patterns show your identity. Each person has unique patterns; every human being is original and unique. Fingerprints are not used by the police for identification for nothing.
Fingerprints or skin patterns are found on the fingertips, but if you look closely, you can also find some patterns in the palm of your hand. They, too, tell a part of your life story.
The fingerprints
"There are 4 types of skin patterns, linked to the 4 elements: earth, water, air, and fire.
Some patterns are more common than others. Water signs, for example, are the most common; you often find them on all 10 fingers. Fire and earth signs can appear on all 10 fingers, but less frequently. And I have never seen someone with 10 air signs."
Noise on the line
"Especially for beginners, it can be challenging to discover and recognize skin patterns, especially if you have horizontal and/or vertical lines on your fingertips. During illness or a period of discomfort, the patterns can even appear 'erased.' Not strange, of course: the skin patterns show what your element is, and sometimes you are completely 'out of your element.'
The cleaner the fingertips, the better your energy can flow, and the easier it is to keep the energy of others out. In older people, it's not unusual for the lines on the fingertips to become less visible; it's a natural process as the energy diminishes."
Fun fact: the prints, also called skin patterns, are formed a few weeks after conception and are genetically determined. And they never change!
What types of fingerprints are there?
Loop - water - feeling
"With loops, you encounter various variants: an ulnar loop, a radial loop, a double loop, or a peacock eye. A whole family!
An ulnar loop has the opening towards the pinky. If the opening points towards the thumb, you have a radial loop. Independence won't be strange to you; you like to swim against the current. You don't like it when someone tells you what to do.
Water person
If you have many loops, you are a water type. Feeling is your strength. People with loops are often creative and have many possibilities, but they need stimulus from outside. If they receive recognition, they can
Be very enthusiastic and, in turn, motivate others. They scan the environment and sense what others do not express but mean. This can cause confusion when the verbal message differs from the energy the person is emitting.
A water person needs time to articulate feelings clearly. They can be oversensitive to criticism and easily hurt, even if the other person means no harm. They are unlikely to express criticism themselves, although it may be felt.
A water type does not appreciate being approached too directly or bluntly.
Harmony is crucial for a water person. But don't forget that it's more loving to occasionally burst out than to sweep irritations under the rug. As a person in touch with feelings, you also need to learn to express your feelings in time. Otherwise, there's a chance of a volcanic eruption or a very icy reaction."
"In a double loop, two loops intertwine, ulnar and radial. There is a strong sense of justice, good intelligence. Making choices can be challenging as you see so many possibilities. The challenge is not so much making a choice but choosing and standing behind your choice.
Peacock eye - water - feeling
You recognize a peacock eye by a small 'eye' in the heart of the loop.
A peacock eye shows strong intuition; it gives you extra strength. On the ring finger, for example, it can also bring healing qualities. Each skin pattern has qualities and challenges, except for the peacock eye. Think of it as a little gift in your hands."
"Did you know? The symbol that appears most frequently in the Netherlands is water? So, we're a watery country.
Crown - fire - will
"A crown is round and consists of circles. If you have many crowns on your fingertips, you're a fire type. The will dominates.A crown shows strength and creativity. People with many crowns are naturally self-centered. Their intensity creates a strong presence. It's delightful when this person is happy, but beware when they're grumpy!
Fire person
People with a lot of fire often struggle with authority issues. They will engage in a fight if the other does not behave as an authentic leader but acts authoritarian. If you stay out of the fight and approach the other openly, both parties can interact on equal terms.
In practice, I often see that people are afraid of the power of their fire. They feel misunderstood and hold back. Such a pity! Let that inner sun shine; you make the world a much brighter place.
The challenge for a fire person is not to take everything personally. See the abundance available to you. Then you can develop into a powerful leader."
"Tent - air - thinking
See the 'tent pole' in the middle of the pattern? That's how you recognize it.
Tents are air signs, and air is associated with 'thinking.' People with tents are good at communicating and very sensitive to the energy in the environment. They 'hear' what is not spoken but is said between the lines. They are independent and forward-thinking. Rebels and capable of bringing innovations to society and transferring knowledge.
Air person
An air person needs to learn to stay in touch with themselves and others, especially when they feel attacked. They can counter words with their quick thinking and strong communication. Remaining grounded and giving concrete form to (often fantastic) ideas will make an air person successful.
It's also important to ensure inner peace so that the acquired knowledge and inner wisdom can be transferred to others."
"Bows - earth - doing
Lower and rounder than a tent, without the 'tent pole.' With many bows, you are an earth type, a true doer.
Earth person
Bows crave safety and structure. They are kind, down-to-earth, and practical, always there for you. They prefer to avoid confrontations, and sudden changes are not always appreciated. They feel a lot but may struggle to express their feelings; they need to feel safe to do so. Home, good food and drink, and practical creativity are part of an earth person. If you let them know how welcome they are, they will do anything for you.
A bow is a late bloomer. You'll first observe from a distance, but once you get going, you can't be stopped!
Being open to innovation and daring to 'let go' are the lessons for these earthy types. Having trust, celebrating life, and enjoying what comes on the path."
Multiple types of skin patterns
It's entirely possible that you see a combination of skin patterns in your hands. For example, a mix of loops and crowns, or loops and bows. You might even encounter three types in hands. In that case, you'll recognize multiple qualities in yourself and also experience multiple challenges."
"Does it matter on which finger the fingerprint is?
Each finger tells its own story, and each skin pattern does too. A good palm reader will combine the qualities of the finger and the skin pattern to complete the story.
With a crown on the middle finger, for example (crown = fire, strength, and energy; middle finger = structure and responsibility), you might occasionally come across as rebellious. After all, a fire sign doesn't easily accept being told what to do!"
"Want to know more about fingerprints?
If you want to know more about fingerprints, you can download the e-book 'Are you in your element?' on Ellen Duim's website.
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