Articles & Insights into the world of handwriting.

The Face Behind the Mask

face behind the mask

Could our virtual masks hide a personality issue?

In the not too distant past, the idea of someone in a mask was exciting and romantic and reminded one of highwaymen and masked balls. “The Face behind the Mask!” is a phrase that resonated with mystery and excitement.

But since Covid “the face behind the mask” has taken on a completely new meaning. Now everyone wears a mask as a matter of course. The mask has become a standard part of our everyday attire and we no longer recognize our own friends in the street unless we can recognize their hairstyles!

While the mask has become our greatest protective device against the disease, to some talented designers it has almost become a fashion statement!

But what does it mean psychologically when everyone is seen as a potential threat and anyone who does not wear a mask is shunned?  This will surely have repercussions for all of us for a very long time to come.

But there’s also another type of mask that we have to deal with:

The Virtual Mask – A Personality Issue

We’ve all come across people who hide behind imaginary or virtual masks – people whose facial expressions belie their true feelings and whose real personalities are hidden behind façades.

Whatever reasons they may have for hiding behind their masks, they set up barriers to real communication and make it difficult for anyone to really understand them.

They are afraid that people won’t accept them for who they are. And they want to hide their fears, weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

When they wear their masks they feel a lot safer because no-one can see their vulnerabilities. But they are really like ostriches with their heads in the sand and their game of pretence has the unwanted effect of blocking off any type of genuine communication.

So how can we move aside the masks and get to know what really motivates these people?

The Clues in Handwriting

Handwriting does not deceive. With a genuine understanding of handwriting we can understand what a writer is really saying behind the subterfuge.

By concentrating on the forms and shapes of the letters we are able to look beyond the actual words being used.

We are able to remove the mask, expose the true nature of the writer and uncover the hidden meaning behind the written words.

You see, when we write we unconsciously reveal certain aspects of our personalities without realizing that we are exposing some of our deepest secrets. Even when we try to change the way we write we cannot disguise our true personalities.

Our fears and insecurities, our little vanities and efforts to impress – all these things are open to scrutiny once we know what to look for in the handwriting.

The Hidden Benefit

There is a hidden message in every single handwriting that you see.  And when you are able to access that message you get a deeper understanding of the person who wrote the lines.

The obvious advantage of being able to read handwriting is that we get to  understand people better – people from all walks of life.

But there is also a hidden benefit.  We get to learn more about ourselves in the process.

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Comments

  • Gaz
    August 27, 2015

    Very interesting read. The term personality and the idea of masking with false identity is currently prevalent in my mind due to particular circumstances I’ve faced this year. I most certainly agree that people hide behind ‘masks’ intentionally however I do strongly believe this can happen unintentionally also, as I have found. I do have a question – whilst graphology can decipher certain personality traits through unconscious writings, can people intentionally or unintentionally write in a way that does not represent their correct personality? Like a ‘masked’ handwriting?

    • Sandra
      August 27, 2015

      Hi Gaz

      Thank you for your comment which is very relevant. As for your question – yes it is possible to mask your handwriting – many people have done so – just think of forgers! But the reality is that they will not be able to continue masking their handwriting for very long. As soon as they lose focus and stop concentrating on faking their handwriting it will automatically revert to their normal style of writing. You can only consciously mask your writing for a limited time.

      In fact, many graphologists when analysing someone’s handwriting will discard the first page of a handwriting sample and work on the second or third page because the first page will be more studied and affected.

  • Gaz
    August 27, 2015

    Sandra, thank you for answering my original question. I’m not being flippant, I’m basing this on myself, I guess. When I write I have many styles of handwriting that, I think, is primarily based on who I’m writing to. It’s not a conscious decision as i’m only just realising. It’s not so much forgery by trying to be perceived as something i’m not – as it is more regard to the recipient. Even when I look back over notes and general scribbles there’s irregularity and all sorts of styling. (I’m guessing this says a lot about my personality!)

    • Sandra
      August 27, 2015

      Hi Gaz
      The interesting thing about handwriting is that not only does it reveal aspects of our personalities, it also reflects our moods and emotions. When we are tense or relaxed our handwriting reflects this. When we write to friends the handwriting is open and relaxed. But when writing under strained conditions, the writing reflects this too.

      The other day, I signed a receipt for a parcel while I was feeling uptight – I didn’t recognize my own handwriting it was so scrunched up! So yes, your handwriting can certainly change depending on the person you are writing to. Handwriting is a sensitive barometer.

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