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<title>Papyromancy</title>
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<h1 id="firstHeading" class="firstHeading mw-first-heading">
<span id="openzim-page-title" class="mw-page-title-main"><span class="mw-page-title-main">Papyromancy</span></span>
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<div id="mw-content-text" class="mw-body-content mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr"><div class="mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output" lang="en" dir="ltr"><p><b>Papyromancy</b> is a way of <a href="Divination" title="Divination">divination</a> 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<sup id="cite_ref-skepdic_1-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-skepdic-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> 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.<sup id="cite_ref-nature_2-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-nature-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Etymology">Etymology</h2></div>
<p>Derived from the Greek papuros (‘paper’) and manteia (‘prophecy’)<sup id="cite_ref-occultworld_3-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-occultworld-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Methods">Methods</h2></div>
<p>A <a href="Paper_fortune_teller" title="Paper fortune teller">paper fortune teller</a> is a form of <a href="Origami" title="Origami">origami</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.
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Criticisms">Criticisms</h2></div>
<p>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.
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Examples">Examples</h2></div>
<p>An urban legend where a specifically folded $20 American bill will reveal the <a href="September_11%2C_2001_attacks" class="mw-redirect" title="September 11, 2001 attacks">September 11, 2001 attacks</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-snopes_4-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-snopes-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Pictures">Pictures</h2></div>
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2></div>
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<li id="cite_note-skepdic-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-skepdic_1-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://skepdic.com/papyromancy.html">"Papyromancy"</a> Retrieved February 3, 2007.</span>
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<li id="cite_note-nature-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-nature_2-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">
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</style><cite id="CITEREFCarper2012" class="citation web cs1">Carper, Va. (29 January 2012). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://naturemeanings.blogspot.com/2012/01/divination-in-nature.html">"Divination in Nature"</a>. <i>naturemeanings.blogspot.com</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">3 May</span> 2018</span>.</cite></span>
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<li id="cite_note-occultworld-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-occultworld_3-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://occult-world.com/augury/papyromancy">"Papyromancy"</a>. <i>occult-world.com</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">3 May</span> 2018</span>.</cite></span>
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<li id="cite_note-snopes-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-snopes_4-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><cite id="CITEREFMikkelson2002" class="citation web cs1">Mikkelson, David (16 May 2002). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/post-no-bills/">"$20 Bill Folding"</a>. <i>Snopes.com</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">3 May</span> 2018</span>.</cite></span>
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This article is issued from <a class="external text" title="Last edited on 2025-06-06" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/?title=Papyromancy&amp;oldid=1294284420">Wikipedia</a>. The text is available under <a class="external text" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en">Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0</a> unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.
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