Our behaviour and appearance are linked to our personality and psyche. There is a saying: “Class does not come with money”, which means our actions reveal our class (inner character), no matter how rich or poor we are. Apart from our behaviour, our handwriting can also reveal quite a bit about our character, mind and emotional state. Through your handwriting and doodling, Marwa Fouad Abdel Maksoud, a professor of psychology at Ain Shams University, can tell more about your inner personality than you already know, and thus you can easily figure out your own character code. "Handwriting analysis is an extremely useful tool in recognising the quality and capacity of an individual's talents and potential, particularly in career guidance and improving relationships," she said. Abdel Maksoud went on to explain that large handwriting can mean extravert and outgoing, or it can mean that the writer puts on an act of confidence, although this behaviour might not be obvious to strangers. Small handwriting can logically mean the opposite. It can also indicate that the writer is a thinker and academic, but that depends on other features in the handwriting. "If the writing is small and delicate, the writer is probably not a good communicator with those not on his own wavelength. Generally these people do not find it easy to break new social ground," Abdel Maksoud added. Handwriting analysis or graphology is actually a very old and respected science – the study of handwriting and its analysis was developed 3,000 years ago by the Chinese. The Romans used graphology, and over the centuries various civilisations and cultures analysed handwriting to identify the essence of a person. The modern approach to handwriting analysis was established by a group of French clerics, led by Abbé Michon, who defined key aspects of the science in the 1870s after 30 years of study. His work formed the basis of modern graphology, although the science is still researched and expanded. Abdel Maksoud said that pressing the pen hard onto the paper could indicate commitment and taking things seriously. If the pressure is excessive, it's a sign that the writer gets really uptight at times and might react quickly to what could be seen as criticism, even though none may have been intended. These writers react first and ask questions later. "Light pressure shows empathy and sensitivity to mood, but can also, if the writing pressure is uneven, show lack of vitality," she explained. There is much we can know about character from the strokes. Tall upper strokes in l, t, h, etc. indicate reaching towards goals and ambitions or, if they are very long, unrealistic expectations. Reasonably proportioned upper zone loops indicate someone who likes to think things through and use imagination in a sensible way. Wide upper zone loops indicate more of a tendency to dream and reflect on ideas. If the up-stroke rises and then returns to the top of where it started, the writer may be absorbed by imagination and keep only to the basic requirements of daily activities. Lower loops as in g, j, y, etc. are equally varied and have different meanings. For example a straight stroke shows impatience in getting a job done. A 'cradle' lower stroke suggests an avoidance of aggression and confrontation. Wide spaces between words signify 'give me breathing space'. Narrow spaces between words indicate a wish to be with others, but such writers may also crowd people and be intrusive, notably if the writing lacks finesse. Closely spaced lines indicate that that the writer operates close to the action. For those who do this and who have a handwriting that is rather loose in structure, the discipline of having to keep cool under pressure brings out the best in them. Even the margins have a meaning. The left one shows roots, beginnings and family. The right side shows other people and the future. The top expresses goals and ambitions. The foot of the page shows energy, instincts and practicality. Margins are therefore very informative. If the left margin is wide, there is keen interest in moving on. A narrow left margin indicates caution and not wanting to be pushed. A narrow right margin shows impatience and eagerness to get on with things, while a wide right margin shows a fear of the unknown. "Some people's handwriting consists of a single style only, but many have a combination of two handwriting styles or more," Abdel Maksoud said. Threaded handwriting is like unraveled wool, waiting to be turned into something new. These writers are mentally alert and adaptable, but can also be elusive and impatient. They are responders rather than initiators. They can be very clever at drawing strands of information together. Therefore, they observe, bide their time and make decisions at the most appropriate moment. Handwriting that looks like a wave is often an amalgam of all or most of the other forms and is usually a sign of mental maturity and skillfulness. It indicates good coping mechanisms and shows that the writer can resort to a variety of responses to suit the occasion. They are adaptable and resourceful. These features and interpretations provide a useful guide on behaviour and the handling of social requirements. Understanding a personality through handwriting is a valuable way of making the best of both personal awareness and interpersonal situations for the benefit of all concerned. “As a child you were taught to write, but it's unlikely that you still write the way you were taught. The fact that your handwriting has changed since your childhood helps to explain graphology and why it can be used to interpret a personality,” Abdel Maksoud explained. She added that even dots had much to say about the human character. Marwa said if the dot was placed correctly it indicated a practical character; someone who did not long for the past but is balanced. When a dot is positioned to the right, it signifies independence. Amove to the left indicates isolation and depression. If a dot is placed away from the letter it indicates ambition and imagination. "You can't change your handwriting without changing your life, and you can't change your life without changing your handwriting," she concluded. Haphazard scribbles and doodle drawings also have their own meaning in character analysis. If drawn in sequence they indicate routine, being systematic, high concentration, wisdom and patience. They can also mean the writer is a good manipulator, open minded, likes travel and adventure, is funny and optimistic. If a doodle drawing shows overlapping figures, it indicates that this character is introverted, diligent, hardworking, but someone who breaks down quickly when subjected to severe pressure. Food and fruit drawings could mean that this person is overweight and wants to lose weight, but fails. Drawing a ladder means that this person is optimistic, quick in thinking and seeks perfection. Drawings of houses indicate that a person seeks stability and security, is always worried and adores money. There are many more shapes and figures that can be related to our inner nature and personality, explained Seham Foda, a psychology and sociology specialist at Al-Azhar University in Cairo. “Drawing geometrical shapes means that a person is tolerant, peaceful and generous. Squares indicate a limited ability in dealing with people and a thrifty nature. Triangles mean hasty judgments, stars signify objectivity and circles denote generosity, cooperation and calmness,” Fouda added. Sometimes separate drawings of floral shapes indicate a sociable, loveable, sensitive and romantic kind of person. Lines have also much to tell; they indicate someone is feeling imprisoned and looks for freedom. “Drawing the sun, moon and stars signifies that the person is optimistic and seeks perfection, has the ability to focus on tiny little details, someone who wants to prove himself,” Foda added. Haphazard, abstract lines define a tense character, unable to focus, aggressive and with an empty life. Drawing beautiful faces means that a person is keen on positive things, sensitive, well-mannered, attractive, friendly, with a high sense for science and beauty. Ugly faces indicate a mistrusting, ill tempered and pessimistic nature, a tendency to distort the truth, a high sense of humiliation. Foda explained that such drawings are very useful in therapy as indicators of psychological problems, since some patients find it hard to express verbally what they feel and suffer from.
