What if there was a way to tell someone’s personality simply by looking at their hands? According to a Japanese trend, there is. Japanese hand test theory claims that another person’s fingers can tell you a lot about them before you even make a move. For example:
- Do they like to be approached, or do they prefer to do the “hunting” themselves?
- What are their key personality traits?
- Are they risk takers?
- Are they likely to succeed financially?
In Japan, this hand test was first popularized by a TV show and then spread like wildfire on social media. More reliable than blood type personality theory, the hand test (or digit ratio theory, as it’s known in the West) might have at least some truth to it.
But digit ratio theory isn’t exactly a Japanese thing. A number of U.S. and U.K. studies have found correlations between the 2D:4D ratio and various physical and behavioral traits [proof].
The 2D:4D ratio is calculated by dividing the length of the index finger [2D] by the length of the ring finger [4D]. A longer index finger results in a ratio higher than 1, while a longer ring finger results in a ratio lower than 1.
In addition, it has been known since the 1800s that men tend to have shorter index fingers than ring fingers, something that was mentioned several times in the scientific literature of that period. A study conducted in 1930 also found a statistically significant difference between men and women.
In 1983, a study examined the correlation between assertiveness in women and their digit ratio. Women whose index fingers were shorter than their ring fingers were more likely to describe themselves as assertive and competitive [Glenn D. Wilson, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, U.K., abstract].
According to Pete Hurd, a neuroscientist at the University of Alberta, a surge of testosterone during fetal development may be responsible for some of our behaviors and health conditions. One of the easiest ways to get an idea of whether you experienced this testosterone surge is to look at the length of your second and fourth fingers [source].
According to the research, a ring finger that is significantly longer than the index finger has been associated with:
- verbal sparring,
- mental toughness,
- greater athletic ability,
- higher aggressiveness,
- willingness to take risks,
- some health conditions, such as osteoarthritis in women and prostate cancer in men.
A longer list of associated health conditions can be found here.
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But the Japanese don’t seem to be nearly as concerned with the health implications of having a high or low digit ratio as they are with what it might say about their love life. That’s quite an interesting turn of events for a country where 40 percent of singles in their 20s and 30s said they weren’t even interested in romance [source].
The Japanese version of digit ratio theory says that, depending on the length of your fingers, you are either nikushokukei, which literally means “meat eater,” or soushokukei, meaning “vegetarian.” Basically, when it comes to love, nikushokukei are the pursuers, while soushokukei prefer to be pursued.
Here’s a nikushokukei hand:
You can clearly see that the nikushokukei index finger [2D] is shorter than the ring finger [4D]. In digit ratio theory terms, this results in a ratio lower than 1.
Research conducted in 2008 found that the most successful high-frequency financial traders tended to have a low digit ratio [research paper]. In Japan, they would fall into the nikushokukei type.
Besides being a pursuer in love, the “nikushokukei” type is thought to be confident and ambitious. Unless they are in a leadership position, they prefer to work alone. Highly assertive in matters of love and work, they tend to approach things logically, and when they get involved in something, they get involved deeply.
And here is a soushokukei hand:
The soushokukei ring finger is shorter than the index finger. In terms of digit ratio theory, this means a ratio higher than 1.
Soushokukei, or “vegetarians,” are less likely to take the initiative in love and more likely to wait to be approached. According to the Japanese version of the test, this type is less aggressive and prefers a laid-back lifestyle.
In the Japanese version of digit ratio theory, there is a third type too: zasshokukei, or “multicolored.” In the “multicolored” type, the second and fourth fingers are about equal in length.
According to the Japanese version of the test, zasshokukei are freedom-loving people who do a little bit of both: pursuing and playing hard to get. They tend to have an active social life and are notoriously non-committal.
So next time you’re on a date with someone new, you might want to take a quick look at your sweetheart’s hands before you get too invested.
If you made it this far, you might also like:
- Blood Type Personality Traits in Asia
- Yin Yang Test
- Four Temperaments
- Body Language of the Hands
- Holding Hands in Body Language
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