Side of Palmist Building, Havana Junction, Alabama Possibly 1971 - 1972

William Christenberry captured this image of the Side of a Palmist Building in Havana Junction, Alabama, with his keen photographic eye. The central symbol here is the painted hand, a motif deeply rooted in the history of divination. This symbol resonates across cultures and epochs. In ancient times, the hand was seen as a map of fate, its lines offering glimpses into the future. From the ancient Chaldeans to medieval scholars, palmistry was a respected form of knowledge. Observe how this symbol has been carried through time, adapting to different cultural landscapes, and how the gesture of the hand is an expression of destiny. The image engages the viewer on a subconscious level, tapping into our collective memory and the enduring human desire to understand and control the future. The layers of paint on the wall, the broken windows, speak to the cyclical nature of belief and the persistence of symbols that echo through time, even in the ruins of a forgotten place.