"While there are many types of fingers one observes when studying the hand, certain main shapes can tie in with four major classifications in cheiromancy, which are associated with the elements. An Earth hand is known to have broad, square fingers which are equal to the length of the palm from wrist to the bottom of the fingers. Air hands have long fingers often exhibiting protruding knuckles, and the length of one's palm from wrist to the bottom of one's fingers is usually less than the length of the fingers.Water hands have long, flexible, conical fingers, and the length of the palm from wrist to the bottom of the fingers is usually less than the width across the widest part of the palm, and usually equal to the length of the fingers. However, a fire hand trait is known that they have shorter fingers; the length of the palm from wrist to the bottom of the fingers is usually greater than the length of the fingers," Desdemonda rattled off, her hand still raised.

Once the facts were streaming, they wouldn't stop, and she shook her head to concentrate. "Shhhush mind." There were so many words for one topic, though she supposed others were spin-offs, and just related to Palmistry. It'd be odd to be called anything but Gem. She wasn't sure if she'd respond to Wanda, Penny, or Helga. But then a subject topic is different than a human name, if you think about it, Gemma, she reminded herself, with another titter. The golden-eyed witch thrummed her fingers across her lips, lost in thought. Her hand crawling into the air, she dreamily murmured, "A club shaped thumb indicates a criminal tendency. Pointed or long thumbs indicate creativity or intelligence."

Jessica raised her hand:
"There are four shapes:
Earth hands are generally identified by broad, square palms and fingers, thick or coarse skin, and ruddy color. The length of the palm from wrist to the bottom of the fingers is usually equal to the length of the fingers.

Air hands exhibit square or rectangular palms with long fingers and sometimes protruding knuckles, low-set thumbs, and dry skin. The length of the palm from wrist to the bottom of the fingers is usually less than the length of the fingers.
Water hands are recognizable by the long, sometimes oval-shaped palm, with long, flexible, conical fingers. The length of the palm from wrist to the bottom of the fingers is usually less than the width across the widest part of the palm, and usually equal to the length of the fingers.

Fire hands are characterized by a square or rectangular palm, flushed or pink skin, and shorter fingers. The length of the palm from wrist to the bottom of the fingers is usually greater than the length of the fingers.

Cassandra's hand was still up, "Finger shapes... Square and straight."

"A square finger represents a down-to-earth quality in respect to the attributes of the finger. A pointed finger shows an artistic nature. Spade-shaped fingers represent invertiveness. The coned finger represents an imaginative quality. In the situation of a mixed finger, for example, if a person had a square type of ring finger, then they would be artistically inclined. But if the same person had a pointed index finger, then their occupation will commonly not be art related."

"Straight fingers represent a person who is honest, direct, and clear-headed. Crooked fingers show a devious and malicious quality, not only because it's in the movies, but because it's true."

Tommy raised her hand again, "Also the fingers are related to a god or goddess. Like the ring finger is associated with the Greek god Apollo." She told her

"Thank you, very much, ma'am," Anna replied, smiling up at the woman for giving her five points. Upon being asked her name said, "My name is Anna Greingoth."

She thought on the question for a moment and then said, "They are separated into four different groups: earth, air, water, and fire. The Earth group has broad, square palms and fingers, thick or coarse skin, and ruddy color. The Air group has square or rectangular palms with long fingers and sometimes protruding knuckles, low-set thumbs, and dry skin. The Water group has sometimes oval-shaped palm, with long, flexible, conical fingers. The Fire group has square or rectangular palm, flushed or pink skin, and shorter fingers."

Ariana was writing furiously, she was tyoo enamoured into her writying to even think of answering right then, and besides Divination had never been her strongest class. Especially the topic of palm reading. Definitly not osmething she wqas interested in. What about empathic bilitieis like reading the mind of feeling the emotions? Now there was something she knew all too muich about.

Sighing, she put her nad up and answered, "Err, if I'm not mistaken Professor Ma'am, there are many diffrent qualities in the hand. They each represent a certain element I think, though I could be completely wrong." Stopping she smiled and began, " Earth hands are generally identified by broad, square palms and fingers, thick or coarse skin, and ruddy color. The length of the palm from wrist to the bottom of the fingers is usually equal to the length of the fingers." she stopped, "That's all I know Ma'am." she finished, a slight blush of dissapointment creasing her young features.

Becca frowned as the class continued on. To be honest, she had no clue why she was there. She hated Divination. Probably more than Ancient Runes, and that was really high up there too. She just didn't understand it. On the homework she got lucky, because she had plenty of time to search through books and find the information. Here in class, though, she was useless. But she had to come anyway. Who knew, maybe something exciting would happen.

Issy obviously had no trouble with this class. Becca observed as the girl shot out answers like she had known it all her life. Well, she was a year older than Becca. She had been in this class before, hadn't she? So maybe this was just new to her because she was a first year. But, possibly... would making an attempt hurt anything? Well, she would never know. Because she definitely was not going to try. Becca the rebel, she thought to herself, and figured that had a nice ring to it.

"That is true for the shapes of the palms themselves. NOT for the fingers. I'm looking for the shapes of the fingers. Try again." St. Toussaint shook her head.

Kayla raised her hand. "To elaborate on what the others have said" she added;

"Square Finger Tips : People who have these fingertips tend to be careful and methodical thinkers. These people take a rational view of life. However on the down side they tend to lack creativity.
Pointed Finger Tips : These people have a sensitive and fragile personality. These finger tips are associated with artists, writers, poets and daydreamers.
Conic Finger Tips: These people have a flexible disposition and make good negotiators. Emotional security is important for peace of mind.
Spatulate Finger Tips: These are action people who tend to be dynamic thinkers. They are usually inventors, explorers and pioneers in new industrys."

Cassandra smirked at her answer and added "Finger shape would normally coincide with the shape of the hand. However, most hands represent a mixture of finger types. This mixture helps to create a diversity of qualities and talents for a person. The shape of the fingernail is also used in trying to determine the type of finger. Pointed-shaped fingers often have almond shaped nails; cone-shaped fingers will have oval nail; square fingers have square nails; spade-shaped fingers should have square-based nails which broaden at the tip."

Hmm... so the elements didn't really pertain to the fingers? Issy's finger drew down the page until she paused at a section. Raising her hand again, she read from it.

"

Quote:

The length of the fingers supplies various information about the character. A long-fingered person is analytical and academic, liking to study things in detail. A person with markedly short fingers is very practical and intuitive, liking to go with their gut instinct. When the hands are in proportion it shows a balanced personality.The proportion of the fingers in relation to each other is very important. They each stand for a character marking and indicate the strength of that quality.

Forefinger: Confidence, ego, ambition, drive.
Middle finger: Discipline, balance.
Ring finger: Emotional expression, creativity.
Little finger: Communication.

A balanced ego is indicated when the forefinger reaches the bottom of the nail of the middle finger.
Balanced emotions are indicated when the ring finger reaches the bottom of the nail of the middle finger.
Great confidence is indicated when the fore finger reaches past the bottom of the nail of the middle finger.
Very emotional and creative impulses are indicated when the ring finger reaches past the bottom of the nail of the middle finger.
A lack of confidence is indicated when the fore finger doesn’t reach past the bottom of the nail of the middle finger.
Blocked emotions are indicated when the ring finger doesn’t reach past the bottom of the nail of the middle finger.
When the middle finger is prominent, standing out from the rest, it shows a serious and intense nature.
When the little finger stands out naturally from your hand it shows an independent and outspoken nature.

"That's a bit more about the length and such," she admitted, flushing lightly. "But in a way, length pertains to the shape, right?"

...right? She bit her lip as she sat back.

OoC: Credit to Palmistry: about fingers - Forefinger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger : Palmistry

Krissy blushed a deep scarlet. "Sorry professor I was confused... I believe `tis
A long index finger shows self confidence and awareness.For people with a short index finger the reverse holds true. They are usually shy, afraid they will fail and inclined to have self doubt.
If the middle finger is long it indicates a person who treats life very seriously. They believe strongly in getting ahead.

People with short middle fingers are careless and generally prefer not to work

Most people tend to have a middle sized middle finger, meaning they are somewhere in between.
If the ring finger is long the person will have a creative nature. They will go well in the field of art or fashion design.

Sometimes this long ring finger is associated with people who have a gambling problem.

Short ring fingers are extremly rare.
People with long little fingers have a high I.Q. They make good writers and speakers.

A short little finger reveals emotional immaturity.

If the little finger is low set it indicates the person as a child had a problem with one of their parents. In some cases it indicates they were a victim of child abuse.

If the little finger sticks out from the hand it may indicate the person is involved in a relationship they do not want to be in.

I don't think there is anything about the thumb, though I may be wrong." She shrugged suddenly filled with self doubt. it wasn't quite finger shape, but it was length and how they sat on the hand.

Anna raised her hand again, and said, "The shapes are conical, square, spatulate, straight, and knotty."

She settled back in her chair, and tossed around the ideas that were being voiced. Gem quickly scribbled down her students words, putting a star next to the most useful, though it was more of a lopsided squiggle. Gem underline'd Cassandra's statement. That seemed to fit the bill of the question more. Still staring at her right hand, she lifted her left. "What about finger length? Which you measure by your longest finger, usually your middle finger. "A finger length shorter than your palm would mean your subjective, and good at staring things. Longer, would be more objective. And about the same... Well then that'd show you're pretty multi-talented and get along with the crowd well." Oh dear. That was more about length, wasn't it? She turned in her seat to beam at an intelligent sounding Hufflepuff. She seemed to have it. Hurriedly, she copied down what the young witch had said.

"Techinically," piped up Issy, "the thumb does not count as a finger."

"The fingers can beointed-shaped fingers,cone-shaped fingers, square fingers , spade-shaped fingers." Jessica answered with her hand up.

A few minutes later, Anna raised her hand again. "I'd like to add on to my answer, Professor. Another shape would be pointed."

Krissy blushed again and nodded. "aye, but I do believe `tis still considered a flange." She was starting to wish she were back in Ireland again, where all she had to do was train and read, no public speaking at all.

Since what she was going to say was pretty much already said, she pointed out something that Cassandra said before about having mixed type of fingers, "One may have an Earth hand with short fingers, showing a down-to-earth but dynamic character, such as a Capricornian might have. Or one may be an Air hand with same-length fingers - someone who is witty and talkative but also changeable, the way a Geminian might be. Kaika said, after raising her hand.

Cassandra was determined to outshine Anna know... was she trying to be the knew Xana Venefica? "Finger reading doesn't only depend on shape... it is read on four characteristics. The shape, of course, but also the length, the smoothness, and the space between fingers."

"The length of your fingers are relative to the size of your palm. On average, the longest finger is about seven-eighths the size of your palm, and if it is just as long s your Palm, then your fingers are considered long. Short fingers are shorter than seven-eighths of the palm. In relation to the fingers, the thumb is normally higher than the bottom joining of the index finger. The index finger, however, reaches a third of the way up the nail of the middle finger. The ring finger normally reaches just above the nail of the middle finger and the little, or pinkie, finger should reach the top joint of the ring finger."

"The smoothness of knottiness of the fingers and their joints is a good indication of which area of life a person would most likely be active in. It also deals with the instinctive, practical, and intellectual attainment in regards to the fields which each finger represents. The middle finger deals with service (goals, restrictions). The index finger deals with authority (position, wealth, happiness). The ring finger deals with fulfillment (fame, success). Finally, the little finger deals with activity (health, mind, commercial ventures). Characteristics of finger smoothness, if your joints are generally smooth, then you may tend to be passive, letting other control you, but at the same time quite impulsive which may sometimes lead to carelessness."

"Finally, it is also important to note the way fingers are spaced apart. With your hand in a relaxed position, examine how some fingers stand apart from others and how some stick close to the adjacent fingers. "

"An independent mind is signified when your little finger stands apart from the ring finger, with a great deal of space between them. An art related life is shown when the ring finger sticks close to the middle finger. Your fate will also aid in your success. If your middle finger and the index finger stick close together, it shows that you will gain authority and rank through your own goals and dreams. If they stand apart, then your position will come from other means."

"Actually," Jade ammended brightly, "in Asia, many cheiromancers only interpret the readings of the thumb and ignore the rest of the hand."

Kayla rolled her eyes after hearing the Slytherin Prefect. Just have to get the last word in don't ya, Trel she thought.

Hmph. Issy would not have somebody outwit her, or make her look dumb.

"While that is true," the twelve year old replied, "Professor St. Toussaint is talking about the over all accepted chiromancy. Other cultures may use only the thumb, but I imagine in our lesson, she is focusing on the widely accepted use of all the fingers."

Since Cassandra brought up the whole lenght of the fingers thing, Kaika remarked, "Finger length shorter than palm length show someone who is subjective and sees the world from his own perspective, who likes to initiate action and who is good at starting things. Short-fingered people are cardinal or dynamic in outlook, and operate in singular bursts of activity.

Fingers longer than the palm show someone who has an objective view of the world around them, and who likes to plan ahead. Long-fingered people are fixed or steady in outlook, and operate in a sustained and consistent manner.

Fingers about the same length as the palm show someone who is flexible and multi-talented, and who tends to go along with the crowd. People with same-length fingers are mutable or variable in outlook, and operate in cycles of activity and inactivity." of course, she raised her hand before saying it, as usual.

And then leaned back to her seat, she didn't know why that girl needed to say the last thing about a subject, if we consider that the universe is, at the moment, infinite, then she'll probably never end, since the topics don't cease to exist either.