Palli Vilum Palan: what a falling lizard means
What a falling lizard means changes with the body part: the 1937 and 1893 books read the ears, neck and navel as good by tradition and the nose, mouth and right wrist as not favourable, and for some parts the side (left or right) matters. Neither book separates men from women.
Source: Kevuli Sastiram, Madurai 1937 (pp. 14–15); Erode 1893 (pp. 34–36). In our own words
These are traditional beliefs from old printed books, not predictions. The old books sometimes give harsher readings than these, and we do not reproduce them. "Not favourable" here means only that tradition reads a minor setback.
- Good by traditionThe book reads a gain, a visit, good news or success.
- MixedNeither good nor bad: a journey, a delay, a small worry.
- Not favourableTradition reads a minor setback, nothing more.
The 1937 and 1893 label beside each reading shows which book says it. Both labels together mean the two books agree.
Head and face
- Head Not favourable A disagreement may arise 1937 · 1893
- Crown of the head Not favourable Tradition reads a minor setback 1893
- Hair Not favourable Tradition reads a minor setback 1893
- Forehead Good by tradition A wedding or auspicious event comes up 1893
- Face Good by tradition You meet relatives 1937
- Eyebrow No side given Good by tradition Comfort and help from elders 1937Right Good by tradition Support from elders 1893Left Not favourable A heavy heart 1893
- Eye No side given Not favourable A little unease of mind 1937Right Good by tradition Standing and benefit 1893Left Not favourable Some restrictions 1893
- Nose Not favourable Tradition reads a minor setback 1937 · 1893
- Cheek Right Good by tradition Benefit 1893Left Not favourable Friction with officials 1893
- Ear Right Good by tradition A long life 1937 · 1893Left Good by tradition Profit in business 1937 · 1893
- Mouth Not favourable Unease of mind 1937Not favourable Worry about a rival 1893
- Upper lip Not favourable Money or goods lost 1937 · 1893
- Lower lip Good by tradition Quick gain 1937 · 1893
- Chin and jaw Not favourable Friction with officials 1937 · 1893
- Neck Good by tradition Opponents back down 1937 · 1893
- Nape Good by tradition Respect and honour 1893
Shoulders, arms and hands
- Shoulder Right Not favourable A small loss 1893Left Not favourable Money or goods lost 1893
- Upper arm Right Good by tradition Good health 1937Left Good by tradition Comfort and enjoyment 1937
- Elbow Right Not favourable Expense 1893Left Good by tradition Well-being 1893
- Forearm Right Not favourable Goods lost 1893Left Good by tradition Well-being 1893
- Wrist Right Not favourable Some trouble 1937 · 1893Left Good by tradition Fame 1937 · 1893
- Palm Right Not favourable A heavy heart 1893Left Good by tradition Money comes in 1893
- Back of the hand Right Good by tradition Comfort 1893Left Not favourable An unexpected small hindrance 1893
- Fingers Right Not favourable Tradition reads a minor setback 1893Left Good by tradition Benefit 1893
- Nails of hands and feet Not favourable Money or goods lost 1893
Chest, belly and back
- Chest Good by tradition Money comes in 1937Good by tradition Well-being 1893
- Centre of the chest Good by tradition Courage 1893
- Belly Good by tradition Grain comes in 1937Good by tradition Children are blessed 1893
- Navel Good by tradition Something precious is gained 1937 · 1893
- Ribs (both sides) Good by tradition Great prosperity 1893
- Waist Good by tradition The family grows 1893
- Back Not favourable Tradition reads a minor setback 1893
Thighs, legs and feet
- Thigh Right Not favourable Tradition reads a minor setback 1893Left Good by tradition Prosperity 1893
- Knee No side given Good by tradition Much well-being 1937Right Good by tradition Happiness 1893Left Not favourable Some hesitation 1893
- Calf Right Not favourable A hindrance or restriction 1893Left Good by tradition Honour 1893
- Ankle and shin Right Not favourable Sad news 1893Left Good by tradition Prosperity 1893
- Foot and sole Good by tradition A smooth journey 1937Mixed A trip out of town 1893
- Top of the foot Good by tradition Benefit and gain 1893
- Toes Good by tradition A good deal of money 1893
Places the books leave out
Neither book gives a reading for one particular finger, the eyelid, teeth or tongue, or for day against night. The 1937 text touches far fewer parts and gives a side only for the ear, upper arm and wrist; the 1893 text covers more parts and both sides. We do not make up readings for places the books leave out.
Is there a separate reading for men and women?
No. The 1893 Erode text says plainly on page 36 that the results apply equally to men and women. The 1937 text has one list for everyone as well. The old mention of male and female lizards is about identifying the chirping lizard, not about the listener.
Frequently asked
On which body part is a falling lizard good?
Places where both books read well include the right and left ear, lower lip, neck, left wrist, navel, chest and belly. The full part-by-part list is on this page.
Does the side (left or right) change the reading?
In some places, yes. The ear, upper arm, wrist, eyebrow, eye, cheek, shoulder, elbow, forearm, palm, back of the hand, fingers, thigh, knee, calf and ankle have separate right and left readings. For the head, face, mouth, lips and nose the books give no side.
What about places the books do not mention?
Neither book gives a reading for a particular finger, the eyelid, teeth or tongue, and neither distinguishes day from night. We do not make up readings for places the books leave out.
