Our knowledge of the human mind and body, and much that we now take for granted in medicine and psychoanalysis is surprisingly new, but there are lines of research that were carried out in the 19th century that didn't stand the test of time in a practical sense. One such interest was phrenology, or assessing character by the bumps on a person's head.
Phrenology was originally developed by Dr. Gall, a native of Baden, who postulated that there is a connection between the ways in which the mind works and the shape of the cranium. His idea was that the shape of the head indicated the kind of brain contained within. He also suggested that a young person's brain could be altered by education and specific kinds of use. This latter statement has proved to be true, and not only for young people—elderly people are told by their doctors that if they want to keep their minds nimble, they must use them or lose them.
The first thing that the Victorian phrenologists did was to measure the size of the cranium, as that supposedly revealed the amount of brainpower within. It's normal for a woman's head to measure 48cm to 56cm, and for a man's head to measure 49cm to 57cm. There are, however, many exceptions to this rule.
Having measured the head, they divided it into seven imaginary sections.
A Associated with the planet Mercury, this is considered the seat of the main intellect and the ability to think.
B Associated with the planet Jupiter, this concerns the things to which we find ourselves naturally drawn. It rules anything that captures our loyalty or devotion.
C Associated with the planet Saturn, this is concerned with our survival instincts. It rules our urge to protect and safeguard others and ourselves.
The seven major divisions of the head
D Associated with the Sun, this governs the whole workings of the mind. It's concerned with our ambitions and the way we set about achieving them.
E Associated with the planet Mars, this is concerned with our energies, natural instincts and appetites. It rules such things as our willingness to fight for what we want and the acquisition of material possessions.
F Associated with the planet Venus, this concerns matters of feeling and affection. It rules love and sex.
G Associated with the Moon, this concerns our relationship with our family, our home situation and our place in society.
The Victorians divided the seven sections into a total of 42 subsections, and these can be seen in the following diagram.
This involves the power of observation and the ability to discriminate. The larger the bump, the more the person likes dealing with details. If too large, he will be ultra-critical and very inquisitive. If too small, he will have little curiosity and very poor mental faculties.
The 42 areas on the head
We know this as memory. A large bump implies a good memory, while a small one suggests a poor memory and a low level of intellect.
This rules reasoning ability and powers of analysis. If over large, the subject may be hypercritical, if too small, the subject cannot make comparisons or apply himself.
The Victorians also called this “powers of deduction.” If large, the subject has an original mind, good powers of deduction and intuition and he would make a good explorer or inventor; if small, the mind will be mundane and shallow.
This denotes a sense of humor. A small bump suggests that the subject can't see a joke.
This relates to a sense of direction and a memory for places. If large, the subject would have a photographic memory and he might even experience déjà vu at times! A small bump suggests that the subject finds visualization difficult and that he lacks a sense of direction.
This links with a sense of rhythm and timing, as well as punctuality. A small bump suggests that the subject is never on time for anything and that he has no ear for rhythm.
If this bump is developed, the subject will have an ear for music. If not, he won't be able to sing in tune and may not appreciate music at all.
A large bump here indicates an aptitude for figures, while a small one suggests poor numeric skills.
If this bump is large, the subject will be well organized and able to work systematically. If it's small, he will be disorganized and confused.
The person can judge shades of color and remember them; he can also distinguish distant objects. If large, the subject may be able to use color exceptionally creatively. If it's small, he will have difficulty in seeing objects at a distance and he may be color-blind.
This governs the ability to judge the weight of objects, along with the ability to balance objects on top of each other or to keep one's own balance. (People with large feet are better at keeping their balance than those with small feet, because it's easier to keep the body upright when the feet are large.)
This governs the ability to judge the size of an object or space of a room.
This concerns the ability to see and remember people and objects. Artistic people have a well developed bump here. An over-large bump may make for super-sensitivity to atmospheres and places, while a small one would indicate a subject who is oblivious to people and to his surroundings.
A well-developed bump belongs to a good communicator who has a way with words. It also implies an ability to learn foreign languages. If over-large, the subject will talk too much. If small, he may be reticent or hesitant and fumbling in speech.
Sometimes called the bump of intuition, this gives really deep understanding of the motivation of others. If underdeveloped, the subject cannot understand others and is indifferent to them.
If over-developed, the subject will be over-generous and too ready to help others. If under-developed, he is miserly with both his time and his money.
This indicates a respect for values and traditions. If over-developed, the subject may be fanatical about religion. If the bump is small, he could hold nothing sacred and have a destructive nature.
This symbolizes popularity, charm, and pleasantness. If overlarge, the subject could be effusive. If small, he is hostile and offensive.
This is the ability to learn by imitation. A small bump here suggests independence and eccentricity or an inability to learn by imitation.
This relates to religious or spiritual feelings. If over-large, the subject might be too otherworldly to cope with daily life. If very small, the mind will only be able to cope with practical matters.
This concerns optimism and forward thinking. Too large a bump here suggests a lack of realism, while too small a bump suggests a pessimist.
This symbolizes an appreciation of beauty and nice things. If the bump is over-large, the subject will be unrealistic. If small, he lacks imagination, culture or ideals.
A love of romance, as in romantic scenery, thrilling experiences, the wild grandeur of places and appreciation of all that is best in life. If over-large, the subject may want to dramatize everything. If small, he will have absolutely no romance in his soul and will be a wet blanket.
In moderation, this bump endows the subject with determination and self-discipline, but if it's over-large, he is a tyrant or a despot. If small, he will be irresponsible and unable to finish anything that he starts. He may be easily led into temptations or easily bullied by stronger people.
If this is over-developed, the subject will be nervous and neurotic. If small, he will be indifferent to the needs of others and he will lack principles.
If this bump is over-large, the subject will be too fearful to achieve anything. If it's too small, he will be reckless.
A bump here denotes the ability to keep a confidence. An overlarge bump suggests a crafty, lying character who enjoys plotting against others, while a small bump belongs to the person who cannot keep anything to himself.
If the bump is very large the subject will be pompous and full of self-aggrandizement; if it's small, he will be self-effacing and easily pushed around.
This concerns our status and standing in the community, as well as the amount of praise that we attract. It rules politeness and social and public relations skills. If the bump is large, the subject may be full of himself. On the other hand he may become famous, respected or an authority on a particular subject. If very small, he will be indifferent to the opinions of others and perhaps anti-social.
This refers to concentration and mental application. If the bump is over-large, the subject could be obsessive. If small, he won't be able to concentrate on anything for long.
This indicates the ability to make things, do DIY, make clothes and to be creative or artistic. A large bump here could suggest someone who is always busily engaged with some project. A small one denotes a lack of dexterity and a lack of interest in making anything.
This rules the ability to earn money, obtain possessions and to obtain knowledge. Obviously, if this is over-large the subject will be a miser and someone who hoards things. He may lack honesty due to an intense desire to amass things. A small bump denotes a drifter or perhaps a subject whose values are not materialistic.
This bump is concerned with the connection between the brain, the sense of taste and the stomach, so it regulates the desire to eat and drink. If it's over large, the subject will be a glutton or drunkard, but if very small, he will not be interested in eating and drinking.
To quote from original Victorian sources, “Fakirs and other hermits who consider starvation to be necessary to their spiritual well-being have very small bumps of alimentiveness.”
We call this executive ability, because it concerns the ability to create and run some kind of enterprise. There can be a destructive or revolutionary aspect to this bump that suggests that if it's overlarge, the subject seeks to break down the existing status quo and impose one of his own making. A small bump here suggests an inefficient and ineffective type of person who wants peace at any price.
This bump symbolizes resistance, courage and the ability to stand up for oneself. If the bump is over large, the subject will be aggressive. If it's very small, he will be a coward.
This rules the will to live life to the full. With a very large bump, the subject would struggle for survival against any odds, but if it's very small, he may have little tenacity and no great desire to live. Lack of a bump here could denote suicidal tendencies.
This refers to the ability to be sociable and to make friends. If the bump is over large, the subject will be indiscriminate and over-friendly, but if it's small, he will be unsociable.
This concerns the ability to make lasting relationships or to make a success of marriage. A normal or large bump here shows an ability to make relationships, whereas a small one belongs to a loner.
This rules the sexual instincts. If large, the person is a sensualist. An over large bump here denotes someone who prizes sexual conquests over other forms of relationship. If it's small, obviously the subject will lack sensuality or sexual desire.
This denotes a love of home life and a love of one's country. If over developed, this subject could hang on to his home at any cost, or he could make a great fuss about his home and its contents. If the bump is very small, this person may be something of a drifter with little regard for a home or even for his country.
This means a love of and a desire for children, and a love of pets. If the bump is very large, the subject relates better to children and pets than to adults. If small, he will not be interested in either children or pets.
