Do you have unusual fingerprints?

Below are the three basic pattern types. The loop is the most common fingerprint pattern all over the world.

To identify the three patterns, note the 'delta', the point where lines from three directions come together. The whorl has two deltas, the loop has one (see bottom-left), and the arch has no delta at all. Which fingerprints are most rare? Below are some pictures of less common fingerprints patterns. Send me a picture/scan of your palm or fingerprint if you have trouble identifying it (frvc [at] dse [dot] nl). Double Loop Peacock's eye Tented Arch To see if you have an unusual or rare fingerprint, check which finger it is found on. For example, a radial loop is common on the index finger, but extremely rare on the little finger. Uncommon fingerprint: less than 1 in 20 people have such a fingerprint. Rare fingerprint: less than 1 in 100 people have such a fingerprint. Extremely rare fingerprint: less than 1 in 1000 people have such a fingerprint. In order from most common to most rare: Ulnar loop = a loop that comes from the pinky side of the hand - So common, it is quite rare NOT to have one! Whorl = a spiral pattern - Very common, especially on the thumb, index and ring fingers Radial loop = a loop that comes from the thumb side of the hand - Commonly found on index finger, uncommon on middle finger, rare on other fingers ===================== UNCOMMON FINGERPRINTS: ===================== Arch = most simple fingerprint, no loop patterns - Uncommon pattern on: all fingers, rare on little finger Double loop = two loops going in two directions, but is actually a type of whorl - Uncommon pattern on: all fingers except thumb, rare on ring and little fingers Peacock's eye = a tiny whorl inside a loop - Uncommon pattern on: all fingers, most common on ring finger, rare on thumb. =============== RARE FINGERPRINTS: =============== Tented arch = arch pattern but horizontal ridges rising up high in the middle, creating a tent-like pattern. Note: the tented arch is often confused with a loop that looks like a tented arch. Look for any signs of a loop to check if it is a 'real' tented arch. - Rare on all fingers, extremely rare on thumb and little finger Accidental = anything else, such as horizontal rather than vertical loops - Rare on index finger, extremely rare on all other fingers Source used: Fingerprints, palms and soles, Cummins, H., 1943

Character traits Handreaders have associated fingerprints with certain character traits. Loops*: flexible, adaptable, easy going, highly receptive, impressionable, unfocussed, team players. Arches: down to earth, pragmatic, responsible, reserved, consistent. Tented arches: hyperactive, impulsive, intense, fiery. Whorls*: independent, inflexible, individualistic, highly focussed. Double loop (a.k.a. composite): indecisive, uncertain, diplomatic. Some double loops look more like whorls, others are more clearly two intertwined loops. Depending on which one it is, see also the associated loop or whorl characteristics. Peacock's eye (a.k.a. central pocket loop): perfectionistic, good eye for detail. It is more of a whorl than a loop, so see also whorl characteristics. *Note that loops and whorls are quite common - so it would take about 4+ whorls to make you a 'whorly' person and 7+ loops to make you a 'loopy' person. Handreaders also give specific meaning to the fingers. To interpret the meaning, you need to combine all the characteristics, and this takes experience (say, getting people's feedback from reading at least 1000 hands). But it can be fun linking the fingerprints characteristics to the individual fingers: Thumb: Willpower/control Index: Public image, self expression Middle finger: Values, morals Ring finger: Aesthetics, creativity Pinky: Communication The meaning also depends on the hand you look at - this is if you have different fingerprints on your left hand compared to your right hand: Dominant hand (right if right handed): Public self Passive hand: Private self Fingerprints on your palm? Do you have any fingerprints on your palm? Is it a loop inbetween two fingers? No? Congratulations, whatever it is automatically qualitifies as an uncommon palm pattern! One or more loops are usually found on the area of the palm between the fingers. The one between the ring finger and pinky is commonly called the 'humor loop', and between the ring and middle fingers is called the 'loop of seriousness' (draw your own conclusion about this one...but it refers to 'type' of humor rather than humor itself). A loop between the index and middle fingers is quite rare, and is a sign of royal lineage in Indian traditional palmistry. Some people also have loops or arches elsewhere, most commonly in the area around the base of the thumb. It is also quite common to have a loop on the side of the palm opposite the thumb, about halfway up, which is called a memory loop. A whorl print is very rare anywhere on the palm. Fingerprints around the world In some human populations whorls are more common, such as among aboriginal Australians, Eskimos and in some parts of Asia. Europeans tend to have more loops. Arches are more common among the Bushmen, Efe pygmies and oddly enough, the Dutch. Nevertheless, the order of commonness: loop -> whorl -> arch, is the same everywhere. Can fingerprints be forged? Apparently it is not too difficult to fool a fingerprint security system. Check out this demonstration from MythBusters: Can fingerprints be forged? - EduTube Recommended links Let us know at the palmistry club if you have any unusual (finger)prints, and what you think it could mean! (and out of interest - your family origins) . Or post your comment here. For more information, Christopher Jones provides the most detailed analysis of fingerprints on the web. And see also Ed Campbell's detailed historical overview of fingerprints, palmar dermatoglyphics and character identity. Did you know that Malcolm X had extremely rare fingerprint patterns? Have a look and also check out Andres Washington's analysis of the rarity of these prints.