International Hand Reading Association Conferences
The IHRA runs two online Hand Reading Conferences a year, usually around the end of March and at the end of October. The next conference is on 31 Oct-1st Nov 2026.
At each Conference, we invite the most experienced hand readers from around the world to present their latest research findings and discoveries or to give a talk on a specific chirological theme. We also like to include at least one Guest Presenter who has a specialised knowledge of matters relevant to hand reading, such as handreading history, psychology, dermatoglyphics.
Feedback from Participants of the Oct 2025 Conference
"I really loved to see the growing number of serious hand readers gathered from all around the world. I also liked the variation of presentations this time. It was inspiring to hear more about special and rare fingerprints and to witness different hand readers giving their take on the same hand from different angles."
"I enjoyed being in the presence of many experienced/ master hand readers with a wealth of knowledge from around the world, providing rich and diverse presentations discussions and so very informative!"
"What I loved most about this event was the variety of ideas and how different disciplines — science, psychology, creativity, and spirituality — came together in one place. Every talk sparked curiosity and gave me something new to think about."
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​First started in 1990 under the auspices of the UK Cheirological Society and held in person in London and Oxford, these seminars have proven to be a valuable opportunity for sharing chirological wisdom and broadening the hand reading knowledge of all. Its also a great way to meet other hand analysts from around the world ! To date, we have had participants attending from the UK, USA, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Poland, Ireland, Cyprus, Canada, Thailand, Australia, Romania, Russia, Hong Kong and even New Zealand !
All our conferences are recorded and are available for attendees to view again once the conference is ended. Scroll down to see the themes covered in recent years.
IHRA Conferences 2026: 11-12th April 2026 and 31 Oct-1st Nov 2026
IHRA Conferences 2024-26
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IHRA Conference #5 :: 11th-12th April 2026
(1) Christopher Jones (MA): "The Hands of Drug Addicts" Christopher will present his research study into the hands of residents of a drug rehabilitation community, collected in Oxford in around 1990. What hand features do we see in those who get addicted to drugs like heroin and cocaine? With a large selection of handprints to look at, we will find out!
(2) Assessing the right hand of Pablo Picasso
Picasso left a very good cast impression of his right hand, so lets see what we can find out about him from this! Several very experienced handreaders will give their view on his hands - if you are interested in contributing to the discussion as well, please contact Christopher Jones in advance.
(3) Prof Alison Bashford: “The Hand that Speaks: Charlotte Wolff and interwar psychology”. We are very honoured to have with us Professor Alison Bashford of the UNSW, Australia, author of the marvellous new book 'Decoding the Hand'. Alison will give us a talk on the hands of apes, the psychology of the hand and the science of semiotics as expressed in the work of the most significant handreader of the C20th, Charlotte Wolff.
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(4) Felicity Booth (MA) “Doubled Lines – the significance of dualities in the palmar lines” Felicity brings her 30yrs of handreading to explore the characteristics of doubled lines. People are complex - but their lives are made even more complicated if they have complex or doubled line formations. Doubled Earth lines are rare, doubled Air lines are in two minds and doubled Water lines can be very difficult to read. This exploration of these line formations will help clarify what is going on in these cases.
(5) Russian Criminological Studies:
We are very pleased to have a presentation from Prof Nikolai Ganin from St Petersburg University who will give a talk on: "The Hands of Russian Criminals: A statistical analysis of the hand prints of convicted murderers, based on the materials of the Police’s operational investigative unit” [In English]
(6) Professional Development:
Counseling Corner with Carolyne Taylor (Dip. Couns): “Considerations on the client’s and our own cultural and social context and how this affects reading hands” Looking at significant biases that will affect our ability to read hands in an impartial, caring and sympathetic way.
(6) Johnny Fincham (BA): “The chakras, their meaning and potential in spiritual hand analysis” The much loved and wonderfully entertaining Johnny Fincham will share his insights on the spiritual aspect of reading hands. What are chakras? Are they spiritual? What does it all mean???? Johnny will enlighten us with the discoveries he has made in this oft-neglected aspect of handreading.
IHRA Conference #4 :: 25th-26th October 2025
(1) Johnny Fincham (BA): "Oppositional Indicators - honing your skills as a Handreader'
(2) Quick-Fire Presentations
Christopher Jones: "The Palmistry of Fingerprints"
Kate Shannon: "The Lived Experience of Double Loops"
Counseling Corner with Carolyne Taylor (Dip. Couns): "Supporting traumatic childhood experiences in a hand reading"
(3) Christopher Jones (MA): "From HM Parkhurst Prison: The Hands of Rapists and Murderers"
(4) Andres J Washington "The Significance of Rare Fingerprints and the NCIC Classification System"
(5) Handprint assessment of John Lennon
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(6) Felicity Booth (MA) “How different are you? Neuro-divergence and the Hand"
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IHRA Conference #3 :: 5th-6th April 2025
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(1) Christopher Jones (MA): "Latest Research – The Hands of those that travel into Other Dimensions"
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(2) Quick-Fire Presentation: Interdigital Dermatoglyphics
Four seasoned handreaders give short talks on the meaning and significance of the dermatoglyphic patterns to be found between the fingers - the Loop of Leadership, the Loop of Serious Intent, the Loop of Playfulness and the missing Fire Finger Tri-radius. Part of our on-going Professional Development series.
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(3) Carolyne Taylor (Dip. Couns): "Counseling Skills for Handreaders"
Carolyne is a professional counselor and experienced handreader who has been studying hands since the mid-1990's. She will give a presentation on essential counseling skills and knowledge useful for chirologists in a handreading consultation.
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(4) Liz Hallows (MA): "The Water Line (upper transverse crease) as an indicator of your Myers Briggs Type Indicator profile"
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(5) Handprint assessment of Carl Jung
As the MBTI is derived from the functional psychology of Jung, we thought we would look at his hands at this conference! CG Jung is one of the most extraordinary minds of the C20th. We examine Jung's handprints to see how his sagacity manifests in his hands.
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(6) Felicity Booth (MA) “The Vagus Tone Line - redefining the Health Line"
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IHRA Conference #2 :: 30th Nov - 1st Dec 2024
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(1) Alexandra Nagel PhD: "Einstein & Handreading: A Love-Hate Relationship"
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(2) Handprint assessment of Albert Einstein
The genius of Einstein is widely recognised not least because he has made a significant contributions to the world, not least though his revolutionary understandings in the sphere of physics and astronomy. We examine his handprints to see how that manifests in his hands.
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(3) Felicity Booth (MA) “Life in the Hall of Mirrors – the Upper Minor Water line”
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(4) Johnny Fincham Esq BA: “Reading between the lines - Advanced techniques to make your hand readings more insightful”
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(5) Professional Development Session
Three quick-fire presentations on aspects of handreading to enhance and develop your practice as a professional chirologist:
a) Communicating, Listening & discussing sensitive topics
b) Professional Boundaries, ethics and power in Handreading
c) How to build up your practice and become successful
(4) Christopher Jones MA (Oxon): "Indications of Power in the Hand"
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IHRA Conference #1 :: 15th-16th June 2024
(1) Alexandra Nagel PhD: ‘Julius Spier and the hands of Etty Hillesum’
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(2) Handprint assessment of Etty Hillesum and Julius Spier
We will have the opportunity to assess the hands of Etty Hillesum and will also take the time to look at the hands of Julius Spier himself.
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(3) Christopher Jones MA (Oxon): ‘Assessing Relationship compatibility from the hand’
(4) Johnny Fincham Esq BA: ‘The Secrets of Simian Lines and Sydney Lines’
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(5) Felicity Booth MA: ‘How the hand reveals the subconscious’
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