Graphology is the analysis of handwriting in an attempt to determine the writer’s personality traits, and while it is not backed by science and many consider it a hoax, it is quite interesting to see how a person can reveal certain aspects of their personality by their choices when it comes to putting pen to paper. One of the curious aspects of graphology is the study of signatures, which, because they are not used often and are picked to convey a message, can actually be some of the most informative part of the study.
While it is not a science, graphology is widely used in psychological counseling, and forensic analysis, although not necessarily in the same capacity. But the part that we are focusing on today may belong more to the psychological profiling part, as it relates the reason why some people choose to underline their signature and what it might tell us about their personality.
What underlining the name in your signature means according to graphology
If the experts are to be believed, this small choice of underlining the name in your signature points to a sign of self-affirmation, a desire to stand out, or a need to stake out your territory. It is definitely a sign of a strong character, and that comes with a few interesting qualities:
- Self-confidence: Underlining denotes firmness and a desire for one’s name to stand out.
- Search for recognition: In some cases, it shows a longing for social approval or admiration.
- Personal pride: It can indicate that the person is satisfied with who they are and wants to make this clear to others.
- Leadership or Authority: If the underline is strong and firm, it suggests a dominant personality and leadership skills.
However, as with all traits, they come with positives and negatives, and while these can of course, be representative of a show of strength and good solid morals and character, experts also believe that if the line is excessively thick, aggressive, or crosses the name these traits can move form positives to negatives and be associated with traits like insecurity, egocentrism, or an excessive need for control. It can also be a sign of anxiety or internal tension.
This analysis does imply that people either pay a lot of attention to their signature, making sure to place it always in the same space and with the same movements, or do not pay enough attention to it and thus reveal a hidden message. Whichever interpretation you choose to have, this is just a fun way to analyze something that can be found in your day to day, and unless you are an expert, we do not suggest that you apply this knowledge in any meaningful way.
But even the type of line that you use can tell experts a lot about yourself, as it depends on your mood and invites those that want to look for clues to try to ascertain even more traits. These are some of the most common examples of underlining and their interpretation in graphology:
- Straight, Thin Line: It shows a balanced self-esteem
- Thick, Pressed Line: It can indicate the need to impose authority
- Upward-Curved Line: This can mean that the person has either a lot of ambition and/or enthusiasm
- Line Crossing the Name: This can represent internal conflict or a self-demanding personality
This analysis does imply that people either pay a lot of attention to their signature, making sure to place it always in the same space and with the same movements, or do not pay enough attention to it and thus reveal a hidden message. Whichever interpretation you choose to have, this is just a fun way to analyze something that can be found in your day to day, and unless you are an expert, we do not suggest that you apply this knowledge in any meaningful way.