Also called: Dominant graha · Ruling finger
Where on the hand: Across the four fingers: a finger dominates if it is markedly longer, thicker, straighter, better-set or better-marked than the rest.
What it looks like: Compare the four fingers on all five counts at once — length, girth, straightness, height of set, and quality of markings. One finger standing out on several counts rules the hand.
The person's whole character is then read through that graha, with the excesses of that planet as the standing risk.
Jupiter dominant
- **The type** — the leader, the priest, the lawyer, the politician; ego, ambition, religion, authority.
- **Excess** — arrogance, tyranny, egotism.
- **Cheiro** — a long index enables one to command others effectively.
Saturn dominant
- **The type** — the researcher, farmer, engineer, monk, occultist; prudence, gravity, solitude.
- **Excess** — melancholia, morbidity, obsession with rules, superstition.
- **Indian view** — a notably long Saturn finger is an excellent sign, *"शनि की उंगली विशेष लम्बी होना उत्तम लक्षण है"*: artistic and spiritual inclination. Western sources are more cautious.
Apollo dominant
- **The type** — the artist, performer, gambler, celebrity; craving for glory, celebrity and publicity.
- **Excess** — vanity, greed, recklessness.
- **Cheiro** — a very long Apollo gives an intense desire for public recognition; when nearly as long as Saturn, greed and unfounded vanity.
Mercury dominant
- **The type** — the merchant, scientist, writer, orator, diplomat.
- **Cheiro** — a Mercury finger passing the nail joint of the third finger gives eloquence and persuasive speech; a short one gives difficulty in speaking but often better ability in writing.
- **Excess** — long and crooked gives deceit. A short Mercury also denotes a short temper and low self-confidence.
Palmistry is a traditional interpretive art, not a science. Offered for reflection and self-understanding — not medical, legal or financial advice.