Traits and Strokes

Lower Zone
 Lower Zone
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: The writing area that embodies the part of each letter
that falls below the baseline. The lower zone of writing includes the lower
extensions of the letters "f" , "l", "g", "j", "p", "q", "y" and "z" along with beginning
strokes and ending strokes reaching below the baseline.

INTERPRETATION: The lower zone is related to concrete physical and

material drives. Picture concrete physical and material drives (e.g. eating,
sleeping, etc.) as "lower", more basic activities that are essential for our
survival in contrast to intellectual and philosophical (upper zone) pursuits (e.g.
reading, writing, etc.), which are more abstract.
 Lower Loop Fullness
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: Lower loop fullness refers to width and roundness of
lower loops. Compare the width of the loops to the letter "a".

INTERPRETATION: The motivation to seek physical and material pleasures

such as eating gourmet foods and spending time in luxurious surroundings. The
more full the lower loops, the greater the drive for physical and material pleasure.
 Lower Loop Length
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: Lower loop length is measured from the baseline to the
bottom of the lower zone letter and compared to the height of the middle zone.

INTERPRETATION: Level of activity. The longer the lower loops, the greater
the capacity to lead an active, varied life.
 Unrelated "p" Items
• Inflated Stems on Small "p"
• Inflated Capital "P"
• Round Top On Small "p"
• Upper Extensions on Small "p"
(Copybook)
• Open Bottom on Small "p"
 Inflated Stems on Small "p"
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: The stems of the small letter "p" are wide and full.

INTERPRETATION: Enjoys using his or her muscles in physical labor.

 Inflated Capital "P"
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: The capital letter "P" is inflated in size, typically both
in the stem and in the top. It is more than three times as high as the middle
zone.

INTERPRETATION: A good bluffer. Picture bluffing as "self-inflation."

 Round Top On Small "p"
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: The top of the small letter "p" is noticeably rounder
and smoother than the other letters.

INTERPRETATION: Doesn't go looking for arguments. Picture a round top on

a small "p" as smoothing over the edges of conflict by avoiding arguments
 Upper Extensions on Small "p"
(Copybook)
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: The beginning stroke of the letter "p" extends
significantly above the top of the "p" and comes to a point, as found in
Copybook writing.

INTERPRETATION: Likes a good discussion. Picture the upper extension of the

small "p" as a tool for intellectually "cutting into ideas" to support a differing point
of view.
 Open Bottom on Small "p"
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: Most of the bottoms of the small letter "p" are open.

INTERPRETATION: Talks out loud when alone. Picture the middle zone portion
of the "p" as a mouth which is either open or closed.
 "y" Loop Fullness
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: Examine as many "y" loops as you can find. Compare
them to the letter "a".

INTERPRETATION: Drive to accumulate money and material possessions.

Picture the "y" loop as a money bag. The larger the bag, the greater the drive. In
this case, the letter "y" is actually the final letter in the word "money."
 "y" Loop Closure
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: Some writers do not complete their "y" loops. After the
down stroke, they start back up but stop before they reach the baseline.

INTERPRETATION: Ability to hold onto money. Picture the money bag as

either open or closed. Closed Below The Line is a wish to hold onto
money while Closed Above The Line is the ability to actually hold onto
money
 "g" Loop Fullness
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: Examine as many of the lower loops on the letter "g" as
you can find. Compare the "g" loops to the width of the letter "a".

INTERPRETATION: Sociability. The fuller the "g" loop, the more outgoing and
gregarious. When extra-full, the inflation indicates bluffing. The letter "g" is
referred to as the "people letter." The words "outgoing" and "gregarious" both
include the letter "g" twice.
 "f" Balance
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: Balance occurs when upper zone extension height
and lower zone loop lengths of the small letter "f" are similar, thus giving a
balanced look to the writing.

INTERPRETATION: Organizational ability. The more equal the "f" balance, the
better the ability to organize tasks by creating a sound underlying structure and
putting everything in its place.
 "f" Loops
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: Compare the two loops of the small letter "f" to
each other.

INTERPRETATION: Preference for brainstorming versus implementing. Upper

loops reflect a preference for brainstorming while lower loops reveal a
preference for implementing. This is another example of the abstract-versus-
concrete continuum.
 Ending Stroke Fade Out
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: Look for words that end with a lower zone letter. Do any
of these letters end with a down stroke in the lower zone (without an upstroke)? If
you find some of these sticks-instead-of-loops, examine the consistency of the
pressure at the end of the strokes.

INTERPRETATION: Determination, or the ability to endure circumstances through

firmness and resolve. Picture determination as fading or not fading.
 Unrelated Items "g" or "f" items
• "g" Upstroke to Right
• "g" Loop Triangular
• "f" Knotted With a Big Loop
• "f" Loops Pointed
• "f' and/or "g" Look Like "8"
 "g" Upstroke to Right
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: A line curving up to the right replaces the lower loop
of the letter "g".

INTERPRETATION: Altruism. Picture the "g" as the person reaching out to help
others.
 "g" Loop Triangular
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: Lower loops of the letter "g" are triangular in shape.

INTERPRETATION: Manipulates others. Picture the triangular "g" loop as

manipulation through "working the angles." For men, this manipulation serves the
functions of meeting relationship needs indirectly and calming fears of rejection.
For women, the manipulation associated with a triangular "g" loop is often
expressed as bossiness in her dealings with other family members.
 "f" Knotted With a Big Loop
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: The letter "f" appears to be tied in a knot at the middle.

INTERPRETATION: Takes pride in family achievements. The word "family"

begins with the letter "f" while the knotted middle symbolizes holding on to
something which is carried into the mainstream of life (i.e. the middle).
 "f" Loops Pointed
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: The tops or bottoms of the loops of the letter "f" are
pointed.

INTERPRETATION: Harbors resentment which may be related to unresolved

family issues. Resentment is a feeling which can be viewed as the flip side of
guilt, in that we tend to resent those who try to manipulate us through feelings of
guilt. Harboring resentment refers to holding on to old feelings of resentment
which typically originated during childhood (once again, the word "family" begins
with the letter "f"). Working through and letting go of these old resentments can
be accomplished by acknowledging them and setting protective boundaries as
we become willing to risk loss of approval and learn to say no to further
requests.
 "f' and/or "g" Look Like "8"
VISUAL DESCRIPTION: Either the letter "f" or the letter "g" look like a figure "8".

INTERPRETATION: Has a fluid thinking style and potential literary talent.

Picture the number "8" as communication which is smooth and integrated.