A study of palm lines, various landmarks on the hand, and their correlation with the hand's anthropometric dimensions may sometimes help predict various future events in the life of an individual. We try to find out any correlation between these appearances and the sudden death of an individual. In the present study, we collected data from an individual’s hand after carefully breaking the rigor mortis in the deceased brought for medicolegal postmortem examination and measured the different dimensions. The data were then subjected to statistical analysis.

The article may help rule out the cultural belief about the study of the lifeline and age at the time of death. Palmistry is a self-interpretation of changes in or around the lifeline by an individual, and it varies from person to person. There is no concrete literature proof available that suggests its importance in ascertaining the age of the individual.

We also observed that there is no close relation between the age interpreted by the lifeline and the biological age of the individual. Our study shows that the individual either lives too long or too short compared to age by the lifeline.

We observed that unnatural deaths are more common in young individuals, and males outnumber females. According to the cause of death, hanging, accident, and poisoning are the most common, followed by sudden death and homicide. In our study, we observed that there is no correlation between unnatural death and the lifeline of an individual and age at the time of death.

Palmistry, the HAST SAMUDRIKA, is a part of science, known as SAMUDRIKA SHASTRA. Palmistry is defined as the interpretation of the lines on the hand, which indicate the development of various personality traits as the subject matures and develops throughout their life. Knowledge of past, present, and future events can be interpreted from the study of these lines. The lifeline is an indication of constitution and physical well-being, and of general vitality, while its length indicates natural life expectancy apart from accidents.

Medical Palmistry, the major branch of Palmistry, facilitates the diagnosis of diseases by keenly focusing on one’s palm. The texture, shape, and color of palms and nails reflect the health condition of a person. The positions of lines, mounts, and some special symbols exhibit several medical features of internal organs of the human body and thus lead to the diagnosis of various diseases. Medical palmistry grasps the hand texture, color, some features like the proximal interphalangeal joint, the eponychium of the middle finger, and several special symbols called whorl, loop, grill, and islands to assist in diagnosing diseases [1-4].

The present study is unique in the way that different scientific knowledge, i.e., medical sciences and palmistry (Study of palm ceases) and anthropometry (Study of measurements of body parts), is used to find out any correlation between unnatural deaths and observations present on the hand and anthropometric measurements of the deceased. Literature revealed that only a few studies have been carried out on this topic. We also tried to find out any relationship between the palmer creases, hand geometry, and the age of the deceased at the time of death. Unnatural deaths are increasing day by day, and common encounters are accidents, poisoning, hanging, burns, drowning, suicides, homicides, etc.

The hand geometry indicates the tendencies and traits of a person as well as their physical health criteria. Palmistry has two branches, as given:

1. Chirognomy: Knowledge of the shape of the hand, Mounts, texture, quality of hand and fingers, relates to the hereditary influence of character and disposition.

2. Chiromancy: Knowledge of lines relates to the events of the past, present, and future [5].

Data survey and referential research on Indian classical texts on astrology, anthropometry, physical attributes of male and female (SARIR LAKSHAN VIJYAN), Samudrika Vidya, etc., will be conducted [6].

Study and interpretation of Agastya Samhita available in Vaidisvaram Kovil, Tamilnadu in the form of palm leaf manuscripts, different schools of Indian ASTRO sciences pertaining to planetary impact on the human body.

Palm reading, palmistry, or chiromancy is a popular art in Asia, though its popularity has grown in other parts of the world over the years. A person's hands are imprinted with many of these markings from birth, while others appear as the hands grow and change, so in many cases, palm reading focuses more on how these lines interact rather than what the lines look like. These relationships can be used to determine health, mental, emotional, and physical characteristics, which can have an impact on the person whose palm is being read.

Anthropometry is an ancient science. It emerged in time immemorial and is integral to SAMUDRIK Vidya. It is known as Saririklakshanvijyana too. This occult science is based on empirical study, supposedly conducted from the Vedic age onwards to the Gupta period. In the late Gupta period, it was codified in VRIHATSAMHITA by Varahamihir. A branch of it was called Hastarekhavijyana, which remained in practice with some fundamental principles. However, there is a need for scientific examination of such perceptual knowledge.

Since prehistoric times, the human brain has been working on the enigma of death. Archaeological evidence has brought to the fore that early primates, especially Neanderthals, paid heed to problems related to sudden death. Petroglyphs and evidence available all over the globe in the form has mysterious symbols signifying death. Intriguingly, a Harappan sarcophagus pot depicts the sudden death of a young man and his body in a process of metempsychosis. Indian literature, specifically Varahmihira and commentaries, elaborately discussed male and female physical attributes, their inner merits, and their attitudes as well as aptitudes. The evolution of Hasta Rekha Vigyan, Samudrika Vidya, Arogya Jyotish, Strilakshan Vigyan, etc. was an outcome of the ongoing observations and research. In fact, in the Arab world and Europe also perceptual knowledge on the above-mentioned subjects gradually evolved. For example, Kerio is considered the best-known authority on palmistry. 

Commonly studied lines on hands are:

Heart line: The first to locate is the heart line. This line is near the top of the palm and extends from the index finger and can extend through the pinkie. If the line is long, that implies a steady love life, while shorter lines imply that this person may fall in love easily or may be a bit less interested in romance. If the line is curvy, then this person may have many different relationships or express their feelings more openly, while a straight line implies that this person is more likely to keep their head in romantic situations. Breaks or circles in the line signify emotional trauma.

Headline: The headline, which runs horizontally through the center of the palm, represents this person's thinking style. Curved lines represent people who are more creative or spontaneous, while a straight line implies that this person is more straightforward. If this line does not touch the lifeline, it implies that this person is adventurous. Breaks in the headline show inconsistencies, and doughnuts or crosses imply emotional crises that the person has suffered.

Lifeline: The next major line down in the palm reading guide, starting near the thumb and curving in an arc, is the lifeline. Many palm readers consider this one of the most important lines on the hand. This line reflects health, major life changes, or the person's well-being. The depth of this line implies vitality, while shallow lines imply that this person can be easily manipulated. In some cases, a person will have multiple lifelines, which implies that they are especially vital. Breaks in the line imply sudden lifestyle changes, while circles imply major injuries or illnesses. Swoops or a semicircle on the fate line shows the enthusiasm and strength the person lends to their life.

On India’s premium occult science blog, Mr. Nirav Hiingu on 18th August 2019 has written a blog “Can Palm reading predict death” has mentions that a systematic study of lines and other changes on the hand can predict future events in life and even the time and day of death.

Dr. Narayan Dutt Shrimali, the renowned Indian Palmist, has stated these traits in his book on palmistry. In India on the average lifespan of the people is around 60 - 70 years; hence, if a man dies at the age of 40-45 years, it must be considered premature death.

Sneha S, et al. A Study observed that the palmistry aspect of the lifeline ratio of the subjects was found to have no correlation with the longevity of a person. This disproves the claims in the palmistry [6-10].

In this regard, a systematic study on Indian Systems of Anthropometrics and the Medical Scientific Study on palmer creases is highly required [11-16].

Uniqueness of the study: every human being has their cosmic energy that can be interpreted by different signs on the body. These signs can help to study the changes that occurred in the body, and if someone who is nearer to him/her can guide the individual based on these changes in time and we can prevent the unnatural thing may be fatal to him and we can save the human life as well as the aftereffects of that changes of cosmic energy [17-21].

Objectives of the study:

• Documentation of ancient literature about palmistry.
• To find out any correlation between deceased lifeline, age, and sudden death.

The present study was conducted on 100 sudden death cases, brought for medicolegal postmortem examination. After taking permission from the Institutional Ethical Committee, various parameters such as the measurement of the palm and the lifeline of both hands were collected by preparing a study form. The age of the deceased was also collected from near relatives from Documents such as Aadhar card or driving license, etc.

Inclusion criteria

• All age groups
• Both sex
• All unnatural deaths

Exclusion criteria

• Infants
• Injuries to the hands
• Any disease over hand
• Amputation of either hand

After breaking the rigor mortis carefully, the hand was cleaned with soap and water and dried, and a photograph of both hands was taken separately from the palmar aspect. With the help of a thread measurement of hand length and the length of the lifeline was taken. The parameters were entered in an Excel sheet, compared, and a statistical analysis was done by a standard test.

Observations

Table 1 shows that the commonest age group is 21 – 30, followed by 41-50 years.

Table 2 shows that males outnumber the females.

Table 3 shows that the incidence of death according to cause of death is almost equal in deaths due to poisoning, hanging, sudden death, and accidents.

Life year lost due to disease * Age group at death.

Chart 1 shows that death due to disease is either less than the predicted or more than the age at the time of death.

There is no significant correlation between death as per Lifeline and age at the time of death (Table 4).

Table 5 shows the lifeline lost and age at the time of death due to different causes of death.

If we consider two major age groups according to age, such as below 40 years and above 40 years, and calculate the correlation between cause of death and age at the time of death. It shows there is no significant correlation. According to cause of death the cause of death, death due to poisoning and hanging, is nearly the same in both age groups. It suggests there is no significant correlation between the cause of death and age at the time of death (Table 6).

If we consider two age groups, such as below 40 years and above 40 years, and then observe any correlation between the average age calculated by the lifeline of both hands and the cause of death. There is no significant correlation between age calculated by lifeline and cause of death, but there is a considerable loss of life expectancy at the time of death and cause of death (Table 7) (Chart 2).

There is not much literature and study available on the study of palm creases about the life of an individual. We tried to find out any correlation between them. In the present study, we used the same method that was described in Newrick, et al. [7] and Teghan Lucas, et al. [8]. The Newrick, et al. [7] found a correlation between longevity and the line of life’s length, but the later study by Lucas, et al. [8] and our study did not observe any correlations between them. The former studied the correlation between natural death and longevity of life with lifeline, while we studied the longevity of life in unnatural deaths.

Some authors have studied these lines: Mr. Nirav Hiingu, on 18th August 2019, wrote a blog “Can Palm reading predict death”, has mentioned that a systematic study of lines and other changes on the hand can predict future events in life and even the time and day of death.

Dr. Narayan Dutt Shrimali, the renowned Indian Palmist, has stated these traits in his book on palmistry. In India on the average lifespan of the people is around 60 - 70 years; hence, if a man dies at the age of 40 - 45 years, it must be considered premature death.

Sneha S, et al. A study observed that the palmistry aspect of the lifeline ratio of the subjects was found to have no correlation with the longevity of a person. This disproves the claims in the palmistry [6,10].

According to Cheiro’s theory of the line of life and longevity. He believes that the line of life is merely another flexion crease on the palm, and it is subject to all biological changes according to the age of the individual and their body; therefore, there are always changes in the length of the lifeline in everyone. It may also be influenced by genetic and environmental factors. So, one can interpret that Cheiro’s original theory applied to natural life expectancy (no accidental deaths) because he believed that longevity (as length of the line of life) is only subject to genetic influences and all unnatural deaths are because of environmental factors.

• Males outnumber the females.
• The young age group, 21 -50 years are common victim.
• Cases are almost equal in sudden death, hanging, poisoning, and accident.
• It is observed that there is NO correlation between age at the time of death and age calculated by lifeline.
• In most cases, life expectancy is more as compared to age at the time of death, especially in the below-30-year age group.
• In only one case nearest age expected and the age at the time of death is FOUR years less.
• In 41-60 years, the group expected the age of survival to be more than 20 - 30 years older than the age at the time of death.

Limitations

In the present study sample size is small. In the future, we can try to find out any correlation between palmistry and the age of the individual, with a larger sample size and more parameters of hand anthropometry, along with a study of other lines on the palm, such as the head line, heart line, etc.. It will guide researchers to include more parameters of Palmer changes so that any scientific correlation can be established.

We would like to thank Mrs. Khudeja Ziyauddin Shaikh, who suggested the topic of study to conduct at our center, as she knew that our center was receiving many unnatural and sudden death cases. We are also thankful to Dr. Swati Patel and Dr. Hetal Patel, Assistant Professor, Community Medicine, SMIMER, and Kiran Medical College, respectively, for their support in data analysis.

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