Palmistry Guide: The Mounts

The palm’s mounts are the slightly raised, fleshy areas on the palm. Traditionally there are seven named mounts, but because Mars is divided into the First and Second Mars mounts, there are effectively eight. They are typically listed starting with the Mars Plain at the center of the palm, followed by the Jupiter mount, Saturn mount, Sun mount, Mercury mount, Moon mount, Venus mount, and the Mars mounts.

Mars Plain

The Mars Plain lies between the First and Second Mars mounts, at the most recessed part of the palm. It is usually slightly sunken. If its edges are level but the center rises like a small mound—reaching a height comparable to the mounts beneath the fingers—it points to an indomitable spirit and exceptional courage. If the first phalanges are long and the head line is clear and strong, this marks an outstanding person. Conversely, if the first phalanges are short and the head line is flawed, it suggests boldness without wisdom, along with arrogance and impatience.

Assessing whether the Mars Plain is depressed requires careful observation. Prominent surrounding mounts can make the plain appear sunken—which is actually favorable. A true depression means the mounts are underdeveloped and the plain itself sits lower, aligning with the negative traits noted above. Look closely before drawing conclusions.

Jupiter Mount

The Jupiter mount sits at the base of the index finger, known as the Xun Palace in Chinese palmistry (taking the left hand as the innate hand).

A well-developed Jupiter mount points to integrity, kindness, ambition, a drive for authority and reputation, dignity, prosperity, compassion, keen intuition, religious interest, and a strong sense of responsibility. If you need someone to take on a key role, expand a business, or manage administration, a person with a prominent Jupiter mount fits the bill.

A sunken Jupiter mount suggests the opposite: folly, coarseness, weak morals, cowardice, lustfulness, disloyalty, and indifference to reputation.

Saturn Mount

The Saturn mount lies beneath the middle finger, corresponding to the Li position in Chinese palmistry. Typically, a higher Saturn mount goes with a longer middle finger, though a truly prominent Saturn mount is uncommon.

A prominent Saturn mount suggests intelligence, strong perseverance, sincerity, carefulness in handling matters, independence, a love of study and research, organizational skill, a systematic mind, an affinity for mathematics, and a preference for a quiet rural life. They may also be drawn to sports, agriculture, animal husbandry, gardening, real estate, or mining.

An excessively large Saturn mount suggests a tendency toward melancholy.

If the Saturn mount is sunken, it points to pessimism, low mood, discouragement, secrecy, a need for stability, superstition, religious fanaticism, and emotional dullness. Those with star-like markings may have a yin-deficient, yang-excess constitution (if the Moon mount also shows star-like markings, they may be prone to strokes).

Sun Mount

The Sun mount relates to artistic and aesthetic appreciation, reputation and glory, optimism, gentleness, compassion, generosity, and a relaxed attitude toward wealth.

People with a pronounced Sun mount aren’t necessarily artists, but they pay close attention to clothing and prefer elegance and artistry in their homes, offices, and favorite places. They know how to enjoy life and make the most of their surroundings. They are empathetic and readily help others—even strangers—financially or personally. They dislike accepting favors or gifts unless reciprocity is understood. In their work, they pursue truth, goodness, and beauty, and they follow through, refusing to quit midway. If not satisfied, they keep refining until perfection is achieved.

Mercury Mount

The Mercury mount is located beneath the little finger. If it is overly developed—standing higher than other mounts—or if the little finger is bent, the head line is flawed, or the mount bears negative symbols, the person may use their talents for unscrupulous ends.

For example, an unscrupulous businessperson may use deceit to push others toward shameless goals, or imitate trademarks and forge products for personal gain. A doctor or lawyer might exploit professional knowledge, combined with innate traits, to extort, threaten, or make unreasonable demands, putting profit above ethics. In summary, many successful people belong to the Mercury mount, and many who harm society do as well, so this mount requires careful observation.

Moon Mount

The Moon mount, also known as the Yin mount, is located along the lower outer palm beneath the little finger—below the Second Mars mount down to the wrist line. This mount represents imagination, fantasy, mysticism, music, selfishness, laziness, and a love of travel.

Individuals with a developed Moon mount have a particular affinity for water; they enjoy living near the sea or lakes. If the Mercury mount is also developed, they may be drawn to a maritime lifestyle; many sailors have prominent Moon mounts.

If the Moon mount is excessively developed, it indicates tendencies toward melancholy, moodiness, coldness, greed, religious fanaticism, fantasy, laziness, and superstition. A strong, firm thumb can mitigate this; a small, soft thumb increases it. If the palm is soft and relaxed, it indicates someone habitually lazy, living in a fantasy world, unable to face reality, often dominated by illusions, and constantly yearning for the unattainable, leading to dissatisfaction. If finances allow, they may travel frequently; if not, they may become depressed.

Venus Mount

The Venus mount lies beneath the First Mars mount, in the fleshy pad below the thumb on the inner side of the life line, corresponding to the Gen position in Chinese palmistry.

A well-developed Venus mount signals kindness, empathy, gentle affection, and deep feeling. Often called the “love” mount, it reflects parents’ love for children, children’s love for parents, affection between spouses, and friendship among friends—love expressed from the heart in many forms.

An excessively developed Venus mount indicates high energy, sensuality, intense desires, promiscuity, and insincerity in love; in women, it may suggest flirtatiousness.

If the Venus mount is flat or sunken and the life line is too close to the thumb—making the Venus area narrow and small—it indicates low vitality, coolness in love, lack of empathy, excessive self-regard, and weak sexual drive. In women, it may be one sign of infertility.

First Mars Mount

The First Mars mount (also known as the active or lower Mars mount) is located between the Jupiter and Venus mounts, corresponding to the Zhen position in Chinese palmistry.

People with a prominent First Mars mount are typically very strong, robust, exceptionally brave, and relentless in their pursuits—natural fighters. Many famed soldiers and generals belong to this category.

If the First Mars mount is sunken, it indicates timidity, shyness, low ambition, indecisiveness, and difficulty taking action. They may lack interest and enthusiasm, and even when opportunities arise, they may hesitate to seize them, often missing good chances and lowering their odds of success.

Second Mars Mount

The Second Mars mount (also known as the passive or upper Mars mount) is located between the Mercury and Moon mounts, centered beneath the little finger, corresponding to the Dui position in Chinese palmistry.

Those with a developed Second Mars mount tend to be the counterbalance to First Mars types. They approach people and situations rationally rather than impulsively, value morality and logic, and dislike brutality and bloodshed.

With a moderately developed Second Mars mount, suitable careers include soldier, surgeon, police officer, firefighter, lifeguard, mechanical engineer, and adventurer. They may also possess a magnetic presence, using their innate qualities to explore metaphysical subjects such as hypnosis, psychology, divination, and the I Ching, often with surprising results.