Imagine you’re shaking someone’s hand. Seems normal, right? Polite. Routine. Maybe a little awkward if you’re not sure whether to go for the firm grip or the cool, casual clasp. But what if I told you that some handshakes have carried the weight of empires, secret codes, and brotherhoods so old they make the pyramids feel young?
Welcome to the world of the Secret History Handshake.
Not Just a Gesture, A Signal!
Most of us treat handshakes like background noise. You’re introduced to someone new, you clasp palms, maybe give a couple pumps, and move on. But for centuries, certain handshakes meant a whole lot more. They were symbols of allegiance, entry tickets into underground networks, and silent affirmations of shared values.
Think of the Freemasons. Their handshakes, known as “grips,” weren’t just club gimmicks. They were carefully crafted signs passed down in ritual and secrecy. You couldn’t just fake your way into a lodge. The wrong squeeze or pressure in the wrong spot? That could expose you as an outsider. And maybe worse.
The Romans Had a Version Too
Take a look at some old Roman sculptures or coins. You might spot a very particular handshake: forearm to forearm. This wasn’t a casual greeting. It was a sign of trust, neither person could draw a weapon while their sword arm was locked with yours. Smart, right? Also kind of badass.
It’s this gesture that modern military salutes and greetings evolved from. The handshake wasn’t just about saying hi. It was about survival.
The Underground Railroad and the Silent Nod
In more recent history, especially during the time of the Underground Railroad in the United States, enslaved people and abolitionists used gestures and secret signals to recognize each other without tipping off slave catchers or unsympathetic bystanders. Some historians believe unique handshakes and touches were part of this coded communication system.
Even jazz musicians during the Harlem Renaissance supposedly had ways of shaking hands that communicated who was “in the know,” a sort of cultural fingerprint shared among those who lived double lives, one for society, one for survival.
Gang Culture and the Evolution of Hand Signals
Fast forward to modern times. Ever seen a complex handshake in a movie involving gang members? Those elaborate routines aren’t just for flair. They’re built on centuries of secret signals. Handshakes became tribal markers, evolving in each group, region, or family. If you know it, you’re part of the crew. If you mess it up, you’re not.
It’s like passing a test, except the test is made of rhythm, timing, and trust.
Pop Culture’s Take, Real or Ridiculous?
You’ve probably seen those funny, over-the-top bro handshakes in movies, slaps, fist bumps, spins. While most are exaggerated, they’re rooted in real-world examples of people building identity through touch. Think about it: when you have a secret handshake with a friend, it means something. You both remember it. It’s your thing.
And no, it’s not just for teenagers or cults. Adults do it too. Sports teams, secret societies, even heads of state.
Why It Still Matters
So why should any of this matter to you today? Because it reminds us that communication is more than words. It’s texture. It’s timing. It’s touch.
Handshakes can say: “You’re safe with me.”
Or: “You’re one of us.”
Or even: “You’re not welcome here.”
And that’s powerful. It’s part of what makes being human so strange and wonderful. We layer meaning into the tiniest things, even something as small as a handshake.
Next time someone reaches out to shake your hand, pause for just a second. What are they really saying?
What are you saying back?
Sources:
1. “The History of the Handshake.” Smithsonian Magazine.
2. “The Secret Handshakes of the Freemasons.” History.com.
3. “The Masonic Rituals and Freemasonry.” BBC History.
4. “The Roman Salute and Handshake Origins.” World History Encyclopedia.