Parallel manipulator is associated with a set of functions defined by its closure constraints. In this paper, using Lie algebra method, we provide a study on the singularities of parallel manipulators, their relations with the second order of the closure functions, and the tangent space of the configuration space of the manipulator. The transverse condition criterion is applied to analyze the behavior of the singularities. This gives a downright explication why the 6R paradoxical mechanisms work in their singular configurations, and allows to gain insight on configuration space singularities and to choose the adequate design parameters for the parallel manipulator.