I-dot in your signature

If you have an i dot in your signature, give some thought to what it will say about you. Remember that all the usual rules of handwriting analysis apply, but they are magnified and personalized by being in your signature. Of course, i-dots only appear in lower case i, so if you have a capital I in your name, the guidelines below do not apply to that.

- a drawn or "creative" i-dot suggests that you need to stand out as being different. This is a very common stroke to find the writing of teenage girls.

- a jabbed, short, straight line for an i dot is someone who is feeling rather restless or even irritated, or perhaps just in always in a hurry.

- no i-dot, where there is a lower case i is someone who does not pay due attention to detail.

- an i-dot which then continues as the lead in stroke for the next letter, shows intelligence and creativity.

- an i dot meticullously close to the top of the lower case i is a writer who takes meticulous care of the smaller details. Good for accountants, engineers etc, but can be a problem in more people centered work.

And lastly, a lower case i, with or without a dot, used in place of a capital I (at the beginning of a name, or as a middle initial) shows either genuine underestimation of self, or trying to project an image of extreme modesty. The rest of the writing will show which it is. It is most likely to be an image the writer is trying to give.

So although the i-dot is small and often unobtrusive, it carries true meaning as to the character of the writer. So if you have an i-dot in your signature, give some thought as to how you want to be seen.

Read a free article on the i-dots in handwriting...

More on Signatures...

Sign your name with confidence

Just as people can tell if you are confident by meeting you, they can also tell if you are confident from looking at your signature. Often without any handwriting analysis training, too!

But the nice thing about confidence is that it is one of the "fake it till you make it" traits. You can make yourself feel and look, and write, with confidence at least over the short span, even if you don't feel very confident most of the time.

Let's say you are going to put your signature to an important document and you want to show confidence. It could be the cover letter as you apply for that all important job.

Get the letter all typed, printed out and ready for your signature.

Now sit back, relax, close you eyes, and think confidence. Tell yourself how confident you are. Visual the results of you being confident, of your confidence being rewarded (in this scenario it would be getting the job). Keep visualizing and thinking confidence, and when you feel you have achieved it, open your eyes and write your name, without taking time to allow your doubts to return. Write your name thinking how proud you are to be you, to be the possessor of all the great traits and abilities that you have.

This should make your signature more confident in general.

One of the ways confidence shows in a signature is when it is slightly larger than the rest of the writing - but not too big, that would indicate arrogance.

So sign with confidence. And then having seen what difference there is in your confident signature over previous versions, keep doing the confident one from now on. Soon it will be part of you.

More on signature analysis...

Signature Analysis: writing high flying, long tails on your name

What does it mean when the tail on your first name goes way high above the rest of the lower case letter? If this only occurs in that name alone it means it’s very personal. If it occurs elsewhere too, it means it’s a more general trait evident most of the time.


That high flying end stroke is a cry for attention. It’s like waving your arm in the air saying “notice me, notice me.” Put more diplomatically is shows that you like recognition when you believe you deserve it.

Either way, you want to be noticed.

For more on analyzing signatures...

Try the Free Signature Analysis Quiz at www.potentiality.biz

Signature Analysis: It only happens in my signature!

Any stroke that only happens in your signature has special significance.

Your signature is very personal, so a stroke that happens only there applies to you on a very personal level.

If it is in your first name, it's you, the individual.

If it is in your last name, it applies to your family (whether biological family or created family)

So take a good look at your signature compared to the rest of your writing to notice any unique strokes in the signature, then read up on your handwriting analysis to work out what these strokes mean.

What happens when I change my name?

Whether you change your name because you are getting married and have decided to take your husband's name, or changing it for some other reason, provided you are happy with the new name, it will show the same qualities as your previous name.

Obviously some letters show specific things, and if you had a great many lower case "t"s in your previous name and none in your new name, then the qualities shown only in the lower case "t" would not be evident in your new name. This doesn't mean you don't have them any more, it just means the appropriate letter is not there, so those qualities cannot be evaluated from your new signature.

If you are unhappy with your new name, or if you were unhappy with your old name (say it was your spouse's surname and you are very happy to no longer be married) then you can expect to see that change. Happy in upslanting writing, unhappy in downslanting writing. Occasionally a score through the name you didn't like, in the form of a flourish or extended t-bar.

But even so, the basic personality will still be the same.

For more on signatures and what they tell you.

Small capitals in signature

What does it mean when someone's signature has noticeably small capitals?

It is an indication of modesty. This writer does not seek the limelight. S/he may like to be in the center of things, knowing what is going on (this will show if their signature is in the middle of the page) but they don't want to be noticed and attract attention.

Of course, there is what is called "false modesty" - someone who really longs for attention but pretends they don't.

The real person shows in the body of the writing, the signature just shows how the person wants to be seen. So if the body of the writing is more flamboyant, attention seeking, with a modest signature, you will know that the modesty is not real and that this writer has, for some reason, decided to look as though they want to be low key, when in reality they seek recognition and attention.


More on Signatures.

Should you develop a Power Signature?

I am sometimes asked how to develop a "Power Signature", one that contains all the "good" traits you want to have, and will, subconsiously or consciously, impress all who see it.

It is important to remember that you signature only shows the person you want others to see you as.

So if you are content with a power signature only, it means you are content to put on a show to impress others, but are not really concerned with who you really are!

Much better to start developing the traits you want in ALL of your writing, including your signature.

When both are the same, it's a "what you see is what you get" scenario. Much better than "this is what I want you to see, but I'm really much different" that comes with a signature made to look good, while the real person remains with it's flaws.

That is not to say I think everyone needs to change their writing. I don't.

But if you are unhappy with who you are, or who you appear to others to be (which unless you are putting on a show, is the same thing), it's time to take action on the whole person, not just the shop-front!

Grapho-therapy, or Grapho-coaching takes you through this process of changing your writing slowly and effectively. It takes 21 days to break a habit, and even longer to put one of your own choosing in it's place.

Change doesn't happen overnight, so whether you use your handwriting to affect change, or some other method, you have to be patient.

So if you are unhappy with who you are in any area of your life, you can take the steps to change it.

But please, take the time to work on the real you - don't waste time putting up a false front, which is what a "power signature" on otherwise "unpowerful" writing would be.

For more on how to change your writing to change your life...

For more on Signatures...

Signature Analysis: Gaps between Names

Most people sign more than one name. It may be as simple as one initial and name, or it may be 3 or 4 names written out in full.

Look carefully at the spacing between the names. If there is just one name and an initial, or two names, then you only have that one space to go with, and the comparison can only be made between the spacing in the signature and the spacing in the rest of the writing. However, that is better than nothing.

Better though, is when there are more than 2 names. 2 initials and a last name, 2 names and an initial, 3 names, or more. All of these give more than one space between name or intial.

Is the spacing consistent between all? Or is there a larger gap between one than others?

A larger space means distancing oneself. So if, let's say someone writes their first name, their middle initial, and then their last name with a larger space between the middli initial and the last name than there is between the first name and the initial. What does this tell us?

The first name, and the middle initial is the individual person. The exception here is if the middle name is that of a close relative after whom the person has been named. In that case, the middle name may be taken as representing that relative..
The last name is always the family name and as such represents family in general.

So if the last name is isolated by a wider than usual space from the rest of the name, the writer is distancing themself from family. If the larger gap is between the first name and the middle name or initial (especially if this is named after a close family member) then the first name (ie the writer themself) is distancing themself from the family in general and also specifically from the person who's middle name they were given.

It can be a sign of trouble in a marriage when a larger than previous gap starts to appear regularly before the last name, whether in a man or woman's signature.

Spacing is something that's easy to overlook, but can give very important information.

Find out more about analyzing signatures.

Or try the Signature Party Game... fun, easy, unique ... light hearted fun with signatures for groups of any size.

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Writing your Signature in another language

I recently received a question from a reader asking if it was legal to sign one's name in another language.

My answer to that is that I have no idea, and I suppose it would depend on what you were signing and in what country you were at that time.

However, it did give thought to the idea of a signature in another language and how that works for handwriting analysis.

Since the purpose of the signature is to tell the reader who is writing, a signature that is legible to the reader is the best idea. But what if you come from, say, China and you would very much like to continue using your Chinese script signature.

That is fine. But if it's a document for English speaking readers, I would suggest you sign your signature in your native language first, then immediately below sign the English version of your signature.

If you have 2 names - one in your native language and have adopted another in English, then sign the name appropriate to each language (ie your Chinese name in Chinese, your English name in English)

How does this connect with handwriting analysis?
Your English signature will still analyze just like anyone else's signature, provided you are fluid enough in English script that your writing doesn't look awkward and as if it's an effort to remember each stroke.

And once you become familiar with graphology, your knowledge of another script will allow you to also analyze that script in the same way.

But in the meantime, as you "create" your English language signature, take some time to ensure it includes as many positive traits as possible ... because one it becomes second nature to you to write this name this way, these traits are the ones that you will be showing the world.

Need more help in finding what traits mean what in a signature? Find it here.

Signing other than your name

When you sign something other than your name, say "Mum" or "Dad", the word takes on the same importance as the signature. However, the image is narrower in it's focus.

Whereas your entire signature is how you see yourself before the world, your signature of "Mum" shows only how you see yourself to your children.

The same, of course, goes for any other title, say "Grandpa" or "Grandma".

So if you have occasion to write either of these, look carefully at how you sign those titles in comparison to how you sign your actual name in general, and find out how differently you see yourself before these members of your family.

Of course, there is always the "what you see is what you get" signature, where it is just the real you, no image, that shows. In this case, one would expect to particular difference in the "Mom" etc title either.

However if there is a problem between you and the family member to whom you are writing this title, it will show in how you write it.

Naturally, all this applies to letters you receive from "titled" people as well as those you write.

More on signatures.

Obama's signature

This month's People Potentiality Newsletter, coming out on February 1st. 2009, gives an analysis of President Barack Obama's signature.

To sign up for the newsletter go to:
http://www.potentiality.biz/signup.htm
If you read this after February 1st., contact me and I will give you a link to the article.

For more on analyzing signatures check out the Signature Analysis Workbook.

Elaborate signature

When you find an extremely elaborate signature, where the body of the writing is not so overdone, you have found a writer who desperately wants attention.

If the individual is in show business, it may be that they need this to further their career, or it may be that they got into show business in the first place because of the need for recognition and attention.

But no matter who the person, or what the cause, a signature that seems designed just for display is someone who is saying "notice me."

If the writing, either in the signature or not, also has long tails on the ends of words, that swing upwards, ending above the height of the lower case letters, this is even more of a cry for attention.

Many people have these long, upward swinging final strokes and they enjoy recognition when they feel they have earned it. However when you couple it with a deliberately attention grabbing signature, you have someone who is demanding that you pay undue attention to them whether or not they have done something warranting approval.
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Changing your signature

If you feel like changing your signature and carefully creating a new one for yourself, do so.

How will that affect who you come across as in signature analysis?

Well, obviously that depends on what changes you make, but for you to be comfortable with your new signature, it will have to be compatible with who you are.

So it may look different to you, but analyze out the same. This is perfectly possible, and not at all uncommon.

Or you may have outgrown your previous signature. We all change as we go through life, and if you have changed in some way and your previous signature just doesn't feel right any more, then by all means create something that feels good.

If it comes easily to you after a bit of practice (to undo the habit of your old signature) and feels good, it means it reflects who you are now, so go for it.

Of course, if you change your signature noticeably, it is best to notify your bank and anywhere else where they compare signatures, but from the graphology perspective, it's OK to do anytime it feels right.

But I was taught to write this way...

We were all taught to write at one time. We were taught a particular style, depending on where we were living. We copied from books and from the teacher's writing, trying our best to make our writing look the same.

Fine. But what age were you then?

Do you still do everything else as you had to do it then?

No, of course you don't.

You have taken over your own life, kept what fitted, and discarded or changed the rest.

And so it is with your writing.

If you still have strokes in your writing the same as you were taught as a child, you have them because they fit who you are as a a person. The ones that didn't fit, you have changed.

Remember, you are not looking at the style of writing, but at the specific strokes within the writing.

I have often been told by people that they still write this way because they were taught to do it this way. And yet, upon looking at their writing, I have yet to find an adult who writes exactly in any way taught in schools.

So don't just think "I was taught" and instead look deeper. Look at each individual stroke, and find out what really ticks inside you. The only person who genuinely writes exactly like your teacher is your teacher.

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Free Signature Analysis Quiz

I have written a free Signature Analysis Quiz for you.

Just sign up for free, and access the quiz to find out more about what your signature reveals.

(Great for analyzing the signatures on all your incoming Christmas, birthday or Valentine cards)

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Obama's signature

Have you seen Obama's signature?

In the word "Obama" he writes the "b" to the long downstroke is encased in the capital "O".

This has a very significant meaning.

The last name is family (the first name is the individual).

Any covering or encasing in a form of protection.

So by writing the "b" partly encased in the "O", Obama is showing his strong protectionism for his family.

Find out all about signatures.

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What to put in your signature

What to put in your signature! Is it best to write your full name? First and last names, plus middle initial? First initial and last name? Does which you do mean anything?

The less you write the less you are giving away in the way of information. When you write your first initial and last name only, you are giving away the bare minimum of information you can give in your signature, and for that reason it usually denotes a more formal approach.

Of course, if you write you signature 100 times a day, you probably want it to be as short as possible, so here we are considering what you would write if you only write your signature a few times a day, or less.

The first name written out in full followed by the last name shows someone who is more friendly and open. First name, middle initial and last name can be an indication of a bit more "show". It creates some importance the more names and initials you can put down.

However if you're name is John Smith, you might want to include your middle initial for purely practical reasons of identification, since there are probably few more John Smiths out there.

Women who use their maiden surname plus their husbands are showing independence in that they didn't give up their own name. Women who retain their maiden name alone are showing even more independence.

So, yes, what you put in your signature is significant. Consider how you want to come across as you sign your name next time.

Find out more about signatures.

Distance between the signature and the body of the writing

The distance between the signature and the body of the writing shows how connected the writer is, or is not, with the content of the rest of the writing.

A signature close to the end, say, of a letter indicates the writer really believes and is connected to what he or she has just written.

The signature well distanced from the body of the writing, mean the writer is trying to distance himself/ herself from what they have just written.

It doesn't mean it was necessarily a lie (although it could be) but it means they are uncomfortable in some way with what is in the letter.

A "normal" signature should be the same distance below the last line of writing and each line in the body is below the one above.

Check out the distance. It can give great insights.

Play the Signature Analysis Game with your friends.

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Signatures: Size does matter.

Is your signature smaller than your writing? The same size? Or larger?

A signature smaller than the rest of the writing is someone who is hiding away, who doesn't want to be noticed. Why appear "smaller" or less noticeable than you really are? False modesty could be one reason, or someone who has some reason to want to brush by without attracting attention.

Signature larger than the writing is the opposite. This person wants to be noticed. They are presenting themselves as larger than life. They want attention and recognition. It may be part of the job - a salesman, a politician etc. Or it may just be a cry for attention.

The signature of the most genuine person is the one who's signature and writing look the same. Here I am, they say, like me or not, this is who I am, like me or not.

If you write your signature differently from your writing, take time to consider why you do this. There may be a good reason, or you may discover something about yourself you hadn't previously thought of.

Play the Signature Party Game with your friends.

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Readers' Question: What does a circle for an i-dot mean?

We've all seen it, I'm sure: the i-dot that's drawn as a circle, or some other shape.

It is commonest amongst teenage girls, but can be found in the writing of either sex of any age.

A circle is the commonest, but other shapes also appear.

For example, actress, the late Jayne Mansfield (mother of "Law and Order" star Mariska Hargitay) used to put a heart shape for her i-dot.

So what does it mean?

Well, any drawn shape for an i-dot is a demand for attention. It says "notice me, I'm unique."

Some people may draw their i-dots in all their writing, some may only do it in the signature.

When it only appears in the signature, it indicates that this need for attention is part of their public image, and not necessarily part of their private personality.

Learn more about signatures.

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