Papyromancy is a way of
divination
Divination () is the attempt to gain insight into a question or situation by way of an occultic ritual or practice. Using various methods throughout history, diviners ascertain their interpretations of how a should proceed by reading signs, ...
through folding paper. Some say a true papyromancer can crumple up any piece of paper, unfold it, and predict the future from the creased lines reading the creased paper the way that a palm reader would read a person's palm. Another form of papyromancy is done by folding an illustrated piece of paper and interpreting the resulting image.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek papuros (‘paper’) and manteia (‘prophecy’)
Methods
A
paper fortune teller
A fortune teller is a form of origami used in children's games. Parts of the fortune teller are labelled with colors or numbers that serve as options for a player to choose from, and on the inside are eight flaps, each concealing a message. Th ...
is a form of
origami
) is the Japanese art of paper folding. In modern usage, the word "origami" is often used as an inclusive term for all folding practices, regardless of their culture of origin. The goal is to transform a flat square sheet of paper into a ...
. A player asks a question and the operator uses an algorithm to manipulate the fortune teller's shape. Questions, answers, colors or numbers may be written on the fortune teller. Manipulations are done by various methods. The holder asks for a number or color. Once the number or color is chosen, the holder uses their fingers to switch between the two groups of colors and numbers inside the paper fortune teller. The holder switches these positions several times determined by the number of letters in the color, the number chosen, or the sum of both. Once the holder has finished switching positions, the player chooses one of the flaps revealed. These flaps often have colors or numbers on them as well. The fortune is under the flap. Steps may be repeated and changed to suit the users.
Criticisms
The paper fortune telling devices can be “rigged” by the placement of only even numbers on one “position” and only odd numbers on the other, causing forced placement to an even position. This will generate only good or bad fortunes.
Examples
An urban legend where a specifically folded $20 American bill will reveal the
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks, also known as 9/11, were four coordinated Islamist terrorist suicide attacks by al-Qaeda against the United States in 2001. Nineteen terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners, crashing the first two into ...
.
Pictures
File:2011-365-314 Social Media Cootie Catcher (6333021221).jpg
File:Carré magique WP.jpg
File:Cootie catcher.jpg
File:HKMH 香港玩具傳奇 Legend of Hong Kong Toys 香港歷史博物館 HK Museum of History March 2017 IX1 paper East South West North.jpg
File:Fortuneteller mgx.svg
References
Divination
Paranormal terminology
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