What does your signature say about you?

Some time ago a food magazine spoke of "Signature Parties," where a handwriting analyst was called on to prepare short analyses to give the guests. After that, I got some calls to do some events like that but I decided that doing just the signatures would not be a fair appraisal of people. (In another post, I will tell you how I decided to do them in case the idea appeals to you for a party you host. Since everything is handled by mail I don't need to be there in person.)

Your signature is the image you consciously or unconsciously want to project to others. In a sense, it is like a calling card you leave behind. It is a very personal statement about you. Unlike the rest of your writing, you don't learn how to write your signature by having to follow rules. Instruction in copybook school lessons doesn't include how to sign your name. You are left to decide what style you want to use and how you want your name to look. Some people practice a lot to develop a very unique one.

You may write yours clearly and legibly all the time. Or it may vary depending on what you must sign. However it comes out, it is legal verification of your identity, whether it is legible or not. The clarity of a legible signature shows a straightforward communicator. Here is the principle: When the body of writing and the signature match in style, that is, both are readable, it not only shows modesty and consideration for others who will need to make it out, it also indication of ease and freeness about projecting who you are for the world to know, implying "what you see is what you get." (That does not mean to suggest that illegible writers are dishonest.)

If all the writing is hard to read it can indicate a very bright mind. Also a very fast thinker if executed quickly.

If some of the writing is clear and other parts not clearly readable the plot thickens. The ability to write any part of it legibly shows that the writer is capable of making all the writing legible.

So, if the text and the signature styles are different it suggests that a person's public life and private life are different. A clear text in the body of writing shows a desire and need to get across ideas; if the signature of the same writer is unreadable then there is reluctance to reveal oneself personally even though the ideas expressed may be very clear.

Remember always that the analyst is looking at all the writing available and not isolating parts of it to reach conclusions. For example, I would be considering slant, pressure, size, and pressure along with scores of other factors, even looking at where a writer places the signature on the page.

Illegible signatures are very common these days. Some such signatures belie neglect or 'I really don't care if you can read it or not.' Thus, many forms require printing your name and also ask you to sign it in your natural way.

A highly embellished signature, especially if larger than the body of writing, can indicate underlying feelings of inadequacy. Showy writing reveals a need to be noticed. (Usually extroverts.) As you might guess, it is common to see public figures sign their names just that way. Conversely, tiny unobtrusive signatures, especially when smaller than the text, show a feeling of not wanting to be noticed. (Like many things about handwriting analysis, it is common sense when you think about it.)

There is a pervasive idea that complicated and ornate signatures are harder to forge. Not so. A legible, natural, connected and quickly written signature is very difficult to duplicate successfully.

So what's in a name? Quite a lot, wouldn't you say?