The doodles of destiny: What those not-so-casual scribbles reveal about you Recurring doodle symbols relate to basic human needs for love, security and survival Grid doodles show a desire for control and order Drawing hearts means you dream of love or sex Self-portraits portray an egotistical nature Waiting on a phone call with a pen in your hand? Bored on a train? Chances are you'll doodle. From unknowingly finding yourself doodling a flower or stars, there's much more to casual scribbling than meets the eye. In fact, what you choose to doodle actually reveals volumes about your personality and mood. Handwriting analyst, Ruth Rostron, said: 'Symbols that recur in doodles relate to basic human needs for love, security and survival. Interpretation of a particular doodle will depend on the way it has been drawn and the context but there are some common shapes that people doodle which have a real meaning. Revealing: Recurring doodle symbols relate to basic human needs for love, security and survival...but what does your doodle say about you? To mark the launch of a new book, Tom Gates: Extra Special Treats ... Not, expert doodler and comic story writer Liz Pichon has lifted the lid on what our doodles really mean, and you'll be surprised what your mindless scribbles say about you. Boxes suggest a self-controlled and controlling nature; they reflect common sense or someone who is practical, methodical and orderly. Box doodlers are logical and constructive, solve problems by thinking and consider situations from all angles. Predictable but reliable, these people like structure in their life and need security. They can restrain feelings and tend to have limited spontaneity. Subdivided boxes: analytical, meticulous Stacked up boxes: ambitious, materialistic, acquisitive Boxes with scribbles inside: feels frustrated, "boxed in," bottles up feelings When it comes to this feminine symbol, interpretation depends on the shape of the petals and leaves. Rounded flowers indicate someone who is warm, sociable, emotional, gentle, sensitive, romantic, naïve and vulnerable. When more pointed they suggest intelligence, quick thinking, assertiveness and decisiveness, but also a defensive, critical or perfectionist nature. A coloured flower: happy, enthusiastic, optimistic A drooping flower: depressed, feels tired or old A flower with a large centre: self-centred, confident, enjoys attention Flower power: Rounded flowers indicate someone who is warm, sociable, emotional, gentle, sensitive, romantic and vulnerable whereas heart doodles suggest an affectionate, sentimental and romantic person House doodles are symbols of security and shelter. How it is drawn shows feelings about home and family life. This person sees their home as a place of safety or refuge from the world, wants material or emotional security, or to be settled. Large house: ambitious, enjoys the good things in life Small, isolated house: lonely, unhappy House with few details: problems at home, home feels empty or cold A symbol of love and romance, heart doodles suggest an affectionate, sentimental, emotional and romantic person, or someone dreaming of love, marriage and/or sex. Two hearts: looking for commitment Broken: broken-hearted, drama queen Deeply shaded: unhappy, fixated, brooding The face doodler takes an interest in people and personalities. Self-portraits betray an egotistical nature, whereas faces doodled in profile tend to indicate someone who is secretive or wanting privacy. A round shape suggests a warm, sociable nature, a person who wants to love and be loved; angular faces tend to be doodled by challenging, tough or aggressive types who may be compensating for feelings of inadequacy. Smiling: contented, enjoys family and friends, flirtatious Sad, serious: thoughtful, melancholy, has difficulty relating Caricature: sense of humour, frustrated, conceals sadness Stars suggest aspiration and ambition and are doodled by those determined to succeed. They also indicate an intellectual or spiritual nature, or someone who is optimistic, a bit of a dreamer, or romanticises. Precise star: keen mind, meticulous, critical, exacting Roughly drawn star: argumentative, aggressive, may bend the rules to get what they want Different animals have typical characteristics and also express moods. Domestic animals are doodled by those who are home-loving, like their creature comforts and tend to be affectionate; if they're curled up it could suggest they are feeling defensive. Jungle animals reflect an aggressive, macho or frustrated nature, while caged animals could indicate a person is feeling trapped. Elephant, pig: feels overweight Hedgehog: keen mind, critical, defensive Horse: energetic, strong character Lion: courageous, leader, wants to take charge Mouse: feels small or helpless, phobic Animal behaviour: Jungle animals reflect an aggressive, macho or frustrated nature, while caged animals could indicate a person is feeling trapped Grid doodles show a desire for control and order. Well-balanced checks: good organisation and planning, purposeful, orderly, obsessive Roughly drawn: struggling to contain anger, frustration or aggressive feelings Telling: 'Interpretation of a particular doodle will depend on the way it has been drawn and the context but there are some common shapes that people doodle which have a real meaning', says Ruth Circles symbolise harmony and union, and are doodled by those who tend to be harmonious, sociable, cooperative, kind, friendly and flexible, and want to give and receive love. Large circles suggest a confident, self-centred or attention-seeking nature, while small ones reflect feelings of insignificance or inferiority. Solitary circle: independent, feels isolated or lonely Divided up circle: analytical mind Retraced many times: stuck with a problem, going round in circles, defensive Filled in: bottles up feelings, obsessive The stick figure doodler is intelligent, has an analytical mind, recognises what is essential and sees to the nub of a problem. This person likes facts and comes straight to the point, but can come across as abrupt or unemotional. They are self-controlled, yet may be out of touch with their own feelings or the needs of others. Large head: confident, bighead, craves appreciation or attention The type of boat someone doodles and its relative size and stability determines its interpretation; the water around the boat indicates whether emotions are tranquil or turbulent. Liner on a calm sea: self-assured, enjoys luxury, dreaming of a holiday Small boat on a stormy sea: vulnerable, on an emotional roller-coaster Small sailing boat: independent, wants freedom, loner Speedboat: adventurous, restless, wants to get away Warship: aggressive, macho