The document discusses fingerprint patterns and their rarity. It begins by describing the three basic fingerprint patterns: loops, whorls, and arches. Loops have one delta point, whorls have two, and arches have none. Arches are the most rare overall pattern. Less common patterns include double loops, peacock's eyes, and tented arches. Tented arches are considered a rare pattern, found on less than 1% of people. The document also suggests certain fingerprint patterns may be associated with character traits, such as loops indicating flexibility and whorls signaling independence.

1. MARCH 27, 2010
Below are the three basic pattern types. The loop is
the most common fingerprint pattern all over the
world.
To identify the three patterns, note the ‘delta’, the
point where lines from three directions come
together. The whorl has two deltas, the loop has one
(see bottom-left), and the arch has no delta at all.
Whichfingerprints are most rare?
Below are some pictures of less common fingerprints
patterns.
Send me a picture/scan of your palm or fingerprint if
you have troubleidentifying it (frvc [at] dse [dot]nl).

2. DoubleLoop Peacock’s eye Tented Arch
To see if you have an unusual or rare fingerprint,
check which finger it is found on. For example, a
radial loop is common on the index finger, but
extremely rare on the little finger.
Uncommon fingerprint: less than 1 in 20 peoplehave
such a fingerprint.
Rare fingerprint: less than 1 in 100 peoplehave such
a fingerprint.
Extremely rare fingerprint: less than 1 in 1000 people
have such a fingerprint.
In order from most common to most rare:
1.Ulnarloop = a loop that comes from the pinky
side of the hand
– So common,it is quiterare NOT to have one!
2.Whorl = a spiral pattern
– Very common, especiallyon the thumb, index
and ringfingers

3. 3.Radial loop = a loop that comes from the thumb
side of the hand
– Commonlyfoundon indexfinger, uncommon on
middlefinger, rareon other fingers
=====================
UNCOMMONFINGERPRINTS:
=====================
4.Arch = most simple fingerprint, no loop patterns
– Uncommonpattern on: all fingers,rare on little
finger
5.Doubleloop = two loops going in two directions,
but is actuallya type of whorl
– Uncommonpattern on: all fingers except thumb,
rare on ringand littlefingers
6.Peacock’s eye = a tiny whorl inside a loop
– Uncommonpattern on: all fingers,most common
on ring finger, rareon thumb.
===============
RARE FINGERPRINTS:
===============
7.Tented arch = arch pattern but horizontalridges
rising up high in the middle, creating a tent-like
pattern. Note: the tented arch is often confused
with a loop that looks like a tented arch. Look for
any signs of a loop to check if it is a ‘real’ tented
arch.

4. – Rare on all fingers, extremelyrareon thumb and
littlefinger
8.Accidental = anything else, such as horizontal
rather than vertical loops
– Rare on indexfinger, extremelyrareon all other
fingers
Source used: Fingerprints, palms and soles,
Cummins, H., 1943
Charactertraits
Handreaders have associated fingerprints with
certain character traits.
 Loops*: flexible, adaptable, easy going, highly
receptive, impressionable, unfocussed, team players.
 Arches: down to earth, pragmatic, responsible,
reserved, consistent.
 Tented arches: hyperactive, impulsive, intense,
fiery.
 Whorls*: independent, inflexible, individualistic,
highly focussed.
 Doubleloop (a.k.a. composite): indecisive,
uncertain, diplomatic. Some doubleloopslook more
like whorls, others are more clearly two intertwined
loops. Depending on which one it is, see also the
associated loop or whorl characteristics.

 Peacock’s eye (a.k.a. central pocket loop):

5. perfectionistic, good eye for detail. It is more of a
whorl than a loop, so see also whorl characteristics.
*Note that loopsand whorls are quite common – so it
would take about 4+ whorls to make you a ‘whorly’
person and 7+ loops to make you a ‘loopy’person.
Handreadersalso give specific meaning to the
fingers. To interpret the meaning, you need to
combine all the characteristics, and this takes
experience (say, getting people’sfeedback from
reading at least 1000 hands). But it can be fun linking
the fingerprints characteristics to the individual
fingers:
 Thumb: Willpower/control
 Index: Public image, self expression
 Middle finger: Values, morals
 Ring finger:
 Pinky: Communication
The meaning also dependson the hand you look at –
this is if you have different fingerprints on your left
hand compared to your right hand:
 Dominanthand (right if right handed):Public self
 Passivehand: Private self