Handwriting: A Reflection of the Times

 

Of all the skills, crafts and interests that are featured on Craft and Create, do you know which one has proved to  be the most popular?

Graphology! And I have the stats to prove it.

It seems that viewers can’t get enough information about the way handwriting analysis works.

Now I’ve always been fascinated by crafts and a variety of various interests. There are so many things you can make and do.

But when it comes to a skill that involves gaining a greater understanding of people – then Graphology wins hands down.

I’ve had many requests for more articles about Graphology.  Readers can’t seem to get enough of them.  And in a way it’s surprising when you consider how education in handwriting is so peripheral these days.

But as an aside, here is something that I have noticed about society and handwriting in general:

Handwriting reflects the behaviour of the times

 

Many people during the 19th Century tended to be formal and conscious of self-discipline. Manners were observed, clothes were elegant.

While I’m not speaking about everyone of course – there were many who were not privileged to be able to read and write – I simply want to point out that most schools and places of education took formal learning seriously.

Now if you take a look at the handwriting that emanated from that century you will see that people tended to write carefully, formally and even beautifully.  There was a certain artistry about handwriting and having a “good hand.”

The beginning of the 20th century was the same. Handwriting looked civilized. And then something happened to society in general and all kinds of chaos broke loose.

Formality disappeared and casual informality took its place.  We can see it in so many ways – in manners, in dress code and even in speech.

Music, dance and art began to reflect the new times. So of course it carried over into handwriting styles as well.

Which brings me back to my earlier point.

 

Handwriting like art, manners and clothing reflects the society in which we live.

In our present times, society is becoming more and more incomprehensible.

Can we expect handwriting to be any different?

Today the “art” of handwriting does not exist. Of course there is still Calligraphy but that is a separate art form and has nothing to do with everyday handwriting.

And now, many schools are considering dropping cursive handwriting altogether.  And many have done so already because the speed of civilization now demands typing and texting as the most convenient forms of “written” communication.

Handwriting as a skill is fast becoming a forgotten art. And with the disappearance of formal education in handwriting comes its rapid deterioration.

 

So what does all this mean to the Graphologist?

Well handwriting of any nature is always relevant to a Graphologist.  Even if a particular handwriting looks like chicken scratchings it is packed full of hidden meaning as far as the Graphologist is concerned. And even if a particular handwriting looks like chicken scratchings it will conceal a surprising number of the writer’s personality traits.

And having waxed rather eloquently on my interest in Graphology I can only excuse myself by saying that I have always found it to be my most valuable accomplishment.

It’s also undeniably fascinating. It’s a great conversation starter at a dinner table and if taken more seriously a huge help with all kinds of interpersonal relationships.

It’s such a pity that people know so little about it!

If this strikes a chord with you, I have another site where I concentrate totally on Graphology. Take a look.  It’s called Graphology World