Lampadomancy is the interpretation of flame from an oil lamp or torch as a channel to prophetic knowledge. Unlike capnomancy, its focus is entirely on the living flame rather than smoke.
Practitioners observed the flame's behaviour after posing a question. A tall, steady flame foretold success; a flickering or forked flame indicated conflict or deception. A flame that leaned left warned of danger, while one bending right promised good fortune.
The practice was common in ancient Egypt, Greece, and the Near East, often conducted in temple settings at night. Some traditions specified the type of oil — olive, cedar, or myrrh — as critical to the reading's validity.