What is “the honest truth?”  Isn’t the truth colored by one’s personality and upbringing?  There is the “truth” from the side of the reader or listener and the “truth” from the side of the author or speaker.  Many forms of deception influence the individual in their beliefs about honesty.  In handwriting there are four particular traits involving the lower case letter “o” that affect how a person relates to “the truth”.

1.  Self-deception –   The sign of this trait is a loop on the left side of the “o”.  This trait reveals that the writer does not really know himself.  The larger the loop the more this trait influences one’s reality.  If an individual is practicing self-deception, how can he achieve total truth with another?  People who practice self-deception cannot be relied upon, as they may not be realistic.  Self-deception colors what these individuals believe about the environment and people surrounding them.  People who use deceit as a defense mechanism may actually see only the facts in a way that agrees with their perceived reality.

2.  Secrecy toward others -  The secrecy loop is located on the right hand side of the “o”.  The larger the loop the more the person will resist sharing information with anyone.  Secrecy can be a valuable trait if the loop is small and the person works in a job

such as HR where confidentiality is imperative.  What about the person who does not want anyone to know anything about himself?  He will actually answer a question with a question.  This is a defense mechanism.  Sometimes the individual has been so secretive, for so long, that he literally does not know the truth anymore.  A secretive loop may or may not be accompanied by a self-deceit loop.  See number 3.

3.  The third is the intentional liar -   This “o” shows both the self-deceit loop and the secretive loop and crosses in the middle.  This individual uses the lie to get his way.  Children who live with parents who tell lies to make things sound more interesting may be teaching their children that lying is acceptable.  If a child observes an adult lying, the child may decide it is all right to lie to get what they want.  Whatever the reason, you should not believe the person who has a preponderance of this type of “o” in their writing without sufficient information to back up their statements.

4.  The pathological liar -  Pathological liars show this trait in the double loop in the “o” but the “o” is open at the top.  When a pathological liar tells a lie 2 or 3 times, he actually begins to believe that lie.  It is hard to remember the truth when one tells enough lies.  He lies to get his way, to convince others that perhaps he is successful or rich.  He may lie for any number of reasons or no reason at all.  This individual may lie when there is no rational need to do so.  Sir Walter Scott knew about such a person when, in his poem “Marmion” he wrote, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!”   

The four faces of the “o”.  What a small letter to grant us such great insight into personality.