Boustrophedon
June 5th, 2007 by Lisa
from Wikipedia:
Research suggests that the ability of mirror writing is probably inherited and caused by atypical language organisation in the brain [1]. Approximately 1 in 6500 people in the population inherited the ability of mirror writing and half of their children also inherited the ability.
You may already know that Leonardo da Vinci often wrote his notes this way. I remember reading The da Vinci Code and being able to read this type of “code” very easily. If you want to see what da Vinci’s writing would look like you can go here.
I recently watched a show about handwriting analysis. This is something that has always intrigued me. The show stated that those who write with a heavy hand lack impulse control. When I was younger I wrote so hard that I would go right through the paper. I finally switched to a number 4 pencil that was harder so less graphite would come off onto the paper therefore making a lighter line.
The control aspect of the analysis made me laugh. I spent a good part of my life constructing elaborate self-imposed systems of control. If I did X, then I could do Y in return. It was my messed-up attempt at balance, I suppose.
I taught myself to hide my emotions. With practice I decimated my response to pain. A few years ago I was injured and had to go through months of physical therapy. Try as they may, they could not illicit a reaction from me during the physical pain that they were putting me through. One of the therapists joked that I was a guru of the branch of martial arts that studies to feel no pain. In my own way, I was…
My handwriting used to vary greatly, but now it stays fairly constant. I see handwriting as something very personal. There’s an intimacy to the handwritten letter or that isn’t there in an email. There are so many subtleties and nuances to be garnered from the cross of the “T” or the loop of the “L”.
How often do you write letters or notes in this day and age of email and text messages? Do you like your handwriting and has it changed much over time?
I rarely ever write a letter in my handwriting, sad I guess. I never cared much for my handwriting, but I don’t really remember what it looks like other than my signature.
hm, very interesting.
My challenge when writing notes from seminars and presentations is the fact my distance view is – 5,75 and reading view is -3,25. Which means I have to choose between seeing what I write or the presentation.
I write at work…and I write on the rare cards I sent!
My handwriting is bad. If I take my time and don’t rush I guess it’s not so bad. It’s kind of a combination of print and cursive. But, I get in a hurry and then things get harder to read. If I write out a long letter the beginning will be pretty neat and it will gradually get messier, which is a problem cause I’m pretty long winded and tend to ramble.
My handwriting has changed so much and so many times over the years! Even now it’s not very consistent because I rarely have to write anything, it’s all on the computer! I agree though that the handwritten note is so much more personal!!
Hi Lisa,
Very interesting.
Hugs
[...] are fairly accurate. I’ve always been interested in the study of handwriting. I’ve written before about my bizarre ability of mirror [...]