Most experts agree that palmistry started in India, but perhaps its most common association is with the nomadic people popularly known as Gypsies. During the Middle Ages, they were often employed as spies by various kingdoms in Europe. They would use palm reading sessions with important people as an opportunity to get information.
大多数专家同意相手术起源于印度，不过也许最容易是和人们熟悉的游牧民族吉普赛人联系在一起。在中世纪，吉普赛人常被欧洲的王国雇来充当间谍。他们利用替大人物看手相的机会来刺探情报。