Last updated on October 5th, 2024 at 06:54 pm
Are you looking for comprehensive facts about left handers? Then you are in the right place!
In this blog post, we will explore 61 interesting facts about left handed people that are categorized into various sections, ranging from amazing facts to weird and even scary facts.
We will clear up misunderstandings and highlight their special abilities and contributions to society. There is much more to discover about left-handed individuals than you can imagine.
Let’s get started
Introduction
You may have a left-handed friend or classmate. It’s possible that you or your friends have teased them for being different. This could have happened at some point in the past or even today.
There is a common myth that left-handed people are less capable than right-handed people. However, handedness simply refers to the preference for using one hand over the other, known as the dominant hand.
Left-handedness is much less common than right-handedness. Left-handed individuals often perform tasks better with their left hand and are believed to have unique skills that can surpass those of right-handed people.
Does the right hand or left hand dominate our brain?
Many studies have explored whether the left or right hand is more dominant. A key finding is that the human brain has two halves: the right and left hemispheres.
If someone is right-brain dominant, they may prefer using their left side more. Conversely, left-brain dominant individuals tend to favor their right side. However, numerous studies have challenged this idea, and research on this topic is ongoing.
Amazing Facts About Left Handers
1. Left-Handers’ Strengths in Math, Architecture, and Spatial Awareness
A study by University of Liverpool PhD student Giovanni Sala and Professor Fernand Gobet of the University of Liverpool found that left-handers excel at math, architecture and spatial awareness.
2. Lefties Advantage in Sports
People who excel in most sports, one-on-one sports like tennis tennis, swimming, baseball, and boxing, are left-handed. This is one of the positive left-handed facts.
3. Right Brain Dominance in Creativity
Left-handed people use the right side of the brain more. This part of the brain helps and regulates a person’s creativity. That means, 90% of the total population in the world uses the left side of the brain and 10% ( Left Handed people) uses the right side of the brain.
4. Famous Left-Handed Inventors and Innovators
Left-handed people are very smart. Besides, the most famous inventors like Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, and Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company were left-handed.
5. Lefties outperform in leadership roles
Being left-handed may increase their chances of success in leadership positions. According to Robert S. Herbst, an attorney, wellness expert, motivational speaker, and powerlifter who is also a left-hander, “When I was at Columbia Law School, one of the best known schools in the country, most of the enrollees were left-handed.
Most of the students in class were left-handed. It means left handers are right brained people. They are more creative, analytical, verbal and have better language skills. These are important qualities to be a good lawyer.”
Cool Facts About Left Handed Person
6. Lefties have an upper hand in certain situations
Left-handed people won’t disappear, even though there aren’t many of them. Some scientists think they have advantages for survival. When fighting one-on-one, using the left hand can be surprising and give an advantage.
Research conducted by Charlotte Faurie and Michel Raymon found that —lefties did really well in more violent societies. So, in certain situations – left-handed people might have the upper hand.
7. The Relationship Between Left-Handedness and Insomnia
Most left-handed people suffer from insomnia.
8. Etymology of the Word “Left”
The word left in English is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word lyft, which means weak or broken.
9. Multitasking Abilities in Lefties
Many may have the ability to do multitasking or multiple tasks at once. All of that may have been achieved as part of many years of training. But left-handed people are naturally capable of multi-tasking.
Interesting Facts About Left Handers
10. Lefties Population and Rarity
Approximately 10-12% of the world’s population is left-handed. Therefore, they are special people in this world. Left-handers are better than right-handers in many areas, i.e., left-handers can outshine right-handers by their skill in different areas. Scientists aren’t exactly sure if being left-handed or right-handed is caused by DNA –or inheritance. If you know a left-handed person » appreciate them because there are not many in the world.
11. Left handed people have high self control and IQ scores
The relationship between intelligence and handedness is still debated. Left-handed individuals generally have higher self-control and IQ scores. However, —it is a myth that left-handed people are more intelligent than right-handed people.
While there have been left-handed geniuses like Leonardo da Vinci –this does not indicate a larger pattern. In fact, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that left-handed people are more intelligent.
12. Parental Left-Handedness and Likelihood of Child Being Left-Handed
According to global estimates, if both parents are left-handed, there is only a 26 percent chance that the child will be left-handed. At the same time, if only the father or mother is left-handed, there is a 15 percent chance that the child will be left-handed.
13. Left-Handedness in the British Royal Family
The British royal family is a prime example of the tradition of having left-handed people. Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, and Prince William are all left-handed.
Lesser Known Facts About Left Handers
14. It Increases the Risk of Breast Cancer
Here are some shocking facts about left handed woman. Being left-handed may increase the risk of breast cancer. A study in Busselton, Australia, found that left-handed have a higher risk of developing breast cancer especially for post-menopausal women compared to right-handers.The risk of post-menopausal breast cancer is 2.59 times higher for left-handers. But don’t worry… more research is needed to fully understand this connection. Because the study was based on a small group of people. The study was conducted in 2005 by Ramadhani MK, Elias SG, van Noord PAH, Gobbee DE, Peeters PHM, and Uiterwaal CSPM. Also it is published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal).
15. Maternal Age and Higher Chance of Left-Handed Baby
According to Stanley Coren, a psychologist at the University of British Columbia — women who give birth in their 40s have a 128% higher chance of having a left-handed baby. Coren suggests that—this could be due to common stress factors experienced by women over 40.
16. Lefties are better fighters
Another facts about left handed guys : Left-handers have proven to be good fighters. Alexander the Great and Napoleon Bonaparte were left-handed.
17. Likelihood of Being an Artist
According to research, artists are more likely to be left-handed.
18. They face language problems
According to a 2009 study from Finland, children who are left-handed are more likely to face language and scholastic difficulties that can continue into adulthood. Similarly, a 1993 study from Norway — which focused on 734 children —found a strong connection between dyslexia and left-handedness.
Fun Facts About Left Handers
19. Most left-handed people are angry.
A study in The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease showed that left-handed people feel more negative emotions. Other studies found that non-right-handed individuals, including those who are ambidextrous, also experience more negative emotions, like anger. This could be because their brains are wired differently, which affects how they feel fear and anger.
20. Drawing Preferences and Handedness
According to a 2014 study, left-handed people are more likely to draw right looking characters. Meanwhile, right-handed people are more likely to draw left looking characters.
Do you have doubts? If so, try drawing a portrait right now. If you are right-handed, you will find it easy to draw a picture of the person who is looking to the left.
21. Gender Disparity in Left-Handedness
There are more left-handed men in the world than left-handed women.
Surprising Facts About Left Handers
22. Biblical References: Negative Depictions of the Left Hand
In the Bible, the right hand is mentioned 100 times positively, while the left hand is mentioned only 25 times, and all of it negative.
23. Special Hand ability of Lefties
Most left-handers have the ability to use both hands for many purposes. Generally, this ability is not found in right-handed people.
24. Left-Handed Astronauts: A Surprising Percentage
This may surprise you. We have already mentioned that only 10-12% of the world population is left handed. Even though that is a small percentage, 20% of the total astronauts are left handers.
Means Lefties make significant contributions in the field of science.
25. Lifespan Disparity in Left-Handed vs. Right-Handed Individuals
Did you know that left-handed people, on average, tend to live shorter lives than right-handed people? This “discovery” was made by American psychologists Diane Halpern and Stanley Coren in the late 1980s and early 1990s. They studied about 1,000 deaths in Southern California and asked the families if the person was left–or right-handed. The study found that—left-handers lived to around 66 years old, while—right-handers lived to about 75 years old. The researchers also found that: left-handers were more likely to die in accidents at work or in cars, possibly—because they face challenges in a right-handed world. Additionally, another study published in the BMJ found that left-handed individuals may have a reduced life span. This potential reduction in life span could affect about 10% of the population. [Cite:1]
True Facts About Left Handers
26. Left-Handers and Alcohol Addiction
Left-handed people are more likely to be addicted to alcohol because the tolerance level on the right side of the brain is low.
27. Requirement for Nail Care in lefties
Left-handed people need to have their nails trimmed regularly as the nails on their left hand grow faster.
28. Enhanced Hearing Ability
Studies show that left-handed people have better hearing than right-handed people.
29. Facts about left handed writers
Left-handed writers are prevalent in the literary world, offering a distinct—perspective and storytelling approach. They excel in various genres like poetry, fiction, and journalism, although they may encounter challenges with conventional writing tools. According to IFL Science, it—indicates that left-handed individuals possess heightened creativity and problem-solving abilities.
Weird Facts About Left Handers
30. Superstitions about Itchy Hands
Here’s a fun facts about left handers: A few People in this world believe that an itchy left hand indicates you will lose money and an itchy right hand, you will receive money.
Did you like this fun facts? let us know in the comments.
31. Lefties struggles to earn
Now, it’s the time for money related facts about left handed people. Left handed people earn less than right handed. Left-handed people, on average, earn 10% less salaries compared to their right-handed peers — according to a 2014 Harvard study. The wage gap between lefties and righties was found to be $2,500 for men and $3,400 for women. Left-handers were also more likely to not attend or drop out of college and work in less cognitively demanding jobs such as manual-labor.
32. Left-Handed Presidents of the United States
From George Washington’s presidency in 1789 to the current president, Joe Biden, who took office in 2021 —it is interesting to note that eight out of the 46 presidents of the United States have been left-handed. Means, 17.39% chance for left handed president. They are James A. Garfield, Herbert Hoover, Harry S. Truman, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
33. Cultural Beliefs and Historical Practices
Left-handedness is still considered unnatural in many cultures and countries even today. Left handers are considered rude in Middle east or eastern countries like India. Moreover, left-handed children were once forced to use their right hand in the UK too.
Unique Facts About Left Handers
34. International Left-Handers Day
International Left Handers Day is celebrated on every year on August 13th.
35. Challenges Faced When Using Common Items
Nothing in the world is designed specifically for left-handers.
For example, a computer mouse and a digital camera are designed to be held in the right hand. No camera designed mainly for lefties has been released anywhere for left-handers. Zip (zipper) or a slide fastener of pants, scissors, – writing pad attached to chair in schools or institutes, – measurements printed on jars in a way that can be read by a right handed person.
Also, the controls of the video game, the way the brand name is printed on the pens, are arranged in such a way that it is easy for a right hand person to use and read while writing. Brand names of tea and coffee mugs are also printed in the same way. Similarly, while right-handed individuals find it convenient to write on a spiral-bound notepad. Whereas, left-handed individuals may accidentally hit the spiral binding. That can lead to hand discomfort.
36. It’s Connected with Premature Birth
Premature birth or children born before 37 weeks gestation are turn out to be left-handed.
37. Advantage on Typing QWERTY Keyboard
It has already been said that a computer mouse is not user friendly for the left hand. Now let’s talk about the computer keyboard. Left-handers have some advantages when it comes to typing. Left-handers can type 3,000 English words on a QWERTY keyboard with just their left hand. At the same time only about three hundred words can be typed with the right hand only. The most commonly typed letters are on the left side of the keyboard.
Scientific Facts About Left Handers
38. Faster Recovery from Stroke Compared to Right-Handers
Here is another cool facts about left handers: If a stroke occurs, left-handed people can recover much faster than right-handed people.
39. Higher Likelihood of Left-Handedness in Twins
When twins are born, the chances of becoming left-handed are twice as high as usual.
40. Lower Risk of Arthritis and Ulcers
Contrary to previous claims — a study by Geschwind and colleagues found that – left-handed individuals have a lower risk of developing arthritis and ulcers. These are special things about left handers compared to righties. Analyzing data based on a large survey, the researchers discovered that — no consistent association between handedness and allergies. The study also revealed significant evidence supporting the idea that left-handers enjoy a reduced rate of arthritis and ulcers.
41. Influence of Womb Behavior
Now, on to the details of a study. According to a study conducted at Queen’s University, Belfast, if the fetus sucks the left hand while in the womb, the child will become a left-hander.
Random Facts About Left Handers
42. Paw Preference in Animals based on Studies on Cats and Dogs
Animals can be left-pawed. For instance» —a study by Ataturk University showed that most domestic cats are right-pawed (50%), some are ambidextrous (10%), and others are left-pawed (40%). Another study by the University of Manchester found that — dogs are evenly split between right-pawed and left-pawed (50% each).
43. Factors Influencing Left-Handedness
There are many factors that influence handedness. Some of them are genes, heredity, environment, and brain dominance. Twins and males are more likely to be left-handed. The genetic basis for left-handedness is complex, with a 26% chance of a child being left-handed if both parents are left-handed. The ‘LRRTM1’ gene increases the chances of left-handedness, especially if inherited from the father. Hormone levels during pregnancy and early hand use experiences can also impact handedness. Right hand damage can result in left-handedness.
44. Famous left handed personalities in History
Famous left handers in history are Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, Bill Gates, Neil Armstrong, Marie Curie, Mark Twain, Mozart, Narendra Modi, Leonardo Da Vinci, …
Julius Caesar, Oprah Winfrey, Musician Paul McCartney, German Beethoven, Sylvester Stallone, Justin Bieber ( who signs autographs and play guitar with left hand), Angelina Jolie (she used specially made prop gun for her 2001 movie, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider) , Sachin Tendulkar (who is right handed batsman but left hander), …
Diego Maradona, Pele, Mark Zuckerberg, Aristotle, Steve Jobs, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth and Bart Simpson (one of the characters on “The Simpsons” .
45. Word famous left handed Authors
| Authors | Famous for |
|---|---|
| Lewis Carroll | Author of “Alice in Wonderland” |
| James Baldwin | Writer and social critic |
| Franz Kafka | Jewish novelist |
| H. G. Wells | Author of The Invisible Man |
| Mark Twain | Author of Huckleberry Finn |
| Oprah Winfrey | TV personality and writer |
| Tina Fey | Comedy writer and author of Bossypants |
| Marcel Proust | In Search of Lost Time |
| Virginia Woolf | Mrs Dalloway, “To the Lighthouse” |
| Kurt Vonnegut | Slaughterhouse-Five, “Cat’s Cradle” |
Psychological Facts About Left Handers
46. Lefties feel more shy and embarrassed than righties
In Abertay University in Scotland, few scientist did a study on how Left-handedness controls the left people. What do they say about left handers is: Left-handed people might feel more shy and embarrassed than right-handed people.
They worry more about “making mistakes” and “getting criticized”. The study found that–lefties are more hesitant while righties are quicker to take action.
47. Using Left Hand help to improve self control
Are you left-handed and feel a lack of self-control…? Here’s an interesting study… that might help you.Using your non-dominant hand can help improve self-control and reduce aggression, according to research by Dr. Thomas Denson of the University of New South Wales. The study recommends that right-handers should practice using their left hand for daily activities—such as using a computer mouse, stirring coffee or opening doors – while left-handers should do the opposite.Besides, the study found that—people who used their non-dominant hand for at least two weeks showed better control over their aggression.
48. Left-Handed Individuals Exhibit Higher Vulnerability
Lefties get more scared than righties, according to a research presented by The British Psychological Society.. They showed signs of being really stressed after watching a scary movie and remembering it. The study says that — the right side of the brain, which is stronger in left-handed people, might have something to do with fear. We need to do more research to be sure….
49. Fear of Left-Handed People: Sinistrophobia
We can see people in our society who are afraid of left side or left-handed people. This condition may take the form of a phobia. This phobia is known as Sinistrophobia.
Bad Facts About Left Handers
50. They have more chance for homosexual
Left-handed individuals have a 39% higher chance of being homosexual, according to a study conducted in 2000. Another study in 2013 found that — asexual participants were approximately 2.5 times more likely to be left-handed.
51. Academic Performance of Left-Handed Children at School
Left-handed children have not performed as well as right-handed children at school.
52. Sleep Disorders and Movement in Left-Handed Individuals
According to a study by Professor Dawn Alita R. Hernandez, left-handed individuals with a sleep disorder —that causes rhythmic movements are more likely to move both sides of their body.
Strange Facts About Left Handers
53. Most kangaroos are lefties
According to a first study of handedness on wild kangaroos and wallabies, published in Current Biology, —most kangaroos, including eastern grey kangaroos and red kangaroos, exhibit left-handedness in performing tasks such as grooming, bending branches and picking leaves. Red-necked wallabies — on the other hand, alternate between their right and left hands depending on the task. Goodfellow’s tree–kangaroos, who spend most of their time in trees, do not show a strong hand preference.
54. Wealth Disparity Among Left Vs Right Handed College Graduates
About 26% of left-handed college graduates are richer than right-handed rivals.
55. Country with more lefties
The Netherlands has the highest number of left-handed people in the world with 12.95 percent.
Scary Facts About Left handers
56. Notorious Killers and Left-Handedness
According to an article published by New Yorker, many notorious killers in the world are left handers. The most notorious criminals Jack the Ripper, The Boston Strangler, and Osama Bin Laden were left-handed.
57. Health Risks and Left-Handedness
Left-handed people are more prone to ailments like allergies and migraines.
58. Prevalence of Mental Disorders
Mental disorders are said to be common among left-handed people.
59. Study of Hand Preference on Signature for Left-Handed People
Akram Gasmelseed and Nasrul Humaimi Mahmood from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia conducted a study comparing the signature patterns of right-handed and left-handed individuals. The focus was on the ease of issuing documents using signatures and the challenge of verifying handwritten signatures to differentiate between genuine and forged ones.
The study utilized an online verification method with the Intuos TM Graphics Tablet and Intuos pen to capture dynamic signature signals—such as pen pressure, time duration of signing, altitude, and azimuth. In the study, significant differences in signature patterns between right-handed and left-handed individuals were found, indicating potential applications in this field. The study was published in the International Journal of Advances in Engineering & Technology in November 2011.
60. Left-Handers Might Have Deficiencies in Their Immune Systems
Left-handedness might be associated with deficiencies in the immune system, potentially due to the intrauterine hormonal environment. Research suggests that hormonal imbalances during fetal development could influence immune system formation, leading to increased vulnerability to infections and autoimmune diseases in left-handers.
These immune deficiencies may contribute to the observed differences in longevity between left-handed and right-handed individuals. Further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind this association and its long-term health implications.
61. Left-Handed Individuals Face Challenges in Medical Settings Due to Right-Handed Bias
Left-handed individuals may face challenges in medical settings. Most healthcare professionals are right-handed, which can lead to difficulties in accurate left-right orientation during diagnoses and procedures. This underscores the need for greater awareness of left-handed patients in medical practice.[Cite: 2]
Citation:
- BMJ. (1993). Left Handedness: Reduces The Life Span For 10% Of The Population. British Medical Journal, 307(6919), 1577-1578.
- BMJ. (2008). Left-Right Discrimination in Medicine. British Medical Journal, 337(7684), 1426-1427
FAQs on Unique Facts about Left-Handed Persons
Q: What percentage of people are left-handed?
A: Approximately 10% of the population is left-handed, making them a minority compared to the right-handed majority of the population.
Q: Are there any differences in the use of the left foot between right- or left-handed individuals?
A: While handedness primarily refers to hand preference, it’s not uncommon for left-handed people to also favor their left foot for certain activities.
Q: Is there any research on the prevalence of mood disorders among people who are left-handed?
A: Some studies suggest that left-handed individuals may have a slightly higher incidence of certain mood disorders compared to right-handed people.
Q: Do left-handed athletes have any advantage in sports?
A: Yes, left-handed athletes may have an advantage in certain sports due to their unique perspective and the rarity of left-sided plays, which can throw off their opponents.
Q: Is it common for people who are left-handed to type solely with the left hand?
A: While some left-handed folks might predominantly use their left hand for typing, most people, regardless of being right- or left-handed, use both hands for typing efficiently.
Q: Is there a link between being left-handed and having schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder?
A: Some research indicates higher rates of psychosis, including schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, in left-handed individuals, though more research is needed to fully understand this relationship.
Q: Can being left-handed affect the preference for using the left side of the body?
A: Yes, people who are left-handed often show a preference for using the left side of their body for various tasks and activities.
Q: Have there been any notable left-handed leaders?
A: Indeed, there have been at least seven commanders in chief who were known to be left-handed, highlighting that being left-handed does not hinder leadership abilities.
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Conclusion
Friends, now we have complete the ultimate guide of interesting facts about left handers. If any of your children are growing up left-handed, don’t try to make them right-handed on purpose. Because those things are not under our control. It is a complex process that affects the functioning of our brain.
Our intervention in children’s natural activities can create many changes or movements in children. This can lead to difficulties in children such as lack of confidence, mute” or “speech-impaired”. In other words, it can change their lives. So they should be allowed to grow in their own way or naturally left-handed.
Are you left-handed? Have you ever had any funny, interesting and difficult events because of it? If Yes, please comment below. Also, if you enjoyed it, please share this post with your friends and families who are left handers.
