What was the original purpose of the handshake?

Original purpose of the handshake: 800 BC contract

original purpose of the handshake involves signaling cooperative intent and trust during physical meetings. Recognizing this gesture helps individuals avoid misunderstandings and fosters positive outcomes in various negotiations.
Traditional meanings provide a foundation for effective social bonding and reduced interpersonal tension.

The Hidden Blade: Why We Started Reaching Out

The original purpose of the handshake was to demonstrate peaceful intent by showing that hands were empty and unarmed. This gesture served as a vital safety check to ensure neither party held a hidden weapon, establishing a primitive form of trust through physical transparency.

In an era where personal safety was never guaranteed, the handshake acted as a manual security scan. By extending the right hand - traditionally the hand used to wield a sword or dagger - a person proved they were not concealing a weapon in their palm. But there is a reason why we shake the hand rather than just holding it. I will reveal that secret weapon-checking trick in the next section.

The Up the Sleeve Trick and the Motion

The shake in the handshake was not originally about enthusiasm. It was functional. Historically, a vigorous up-and-down motion was intended to dislodge any daggers or knives that might be hidden up a persons sleeve. If you were hiding a blade in your cuff, the motion would cause it to slide out, exposing your ill intent before the conversation even began.

Lets be honest: we do not worry about hidden daggers in most modern business meetings. However, the legacy of this physical verification remains hardwired into our social code. I used to think the shaking motion was just a way to show energy. It turns out it was actually a survival tactic. This transition from a life-saving check to a social greeting shows how deeply our rituals are rooted in self-preservation.

Dexiosis: Ancient Greece and the First Handshakes

The formal term for this gesture in antiquity is dexiosis, which translates roughly to the engagement of the right hand. Ancient Greek and Roman art frequently depicted gods, heroes, and mortals clasping hands as a sign of equality, hospitality, or the sealing of a solemn oath.

Representations of dexiosis date back at least to the 5th century BC, appearing on funerary stelae and vases to symbolize a permanent bond or a peaceful union.^[1] Even earlier mentions exist in literature; for instance, references to handshakes as pledges of good faith can be found in epic poems as far back as 800 BC. In these contexts, the handshake - and this is the part most history books skip - was more than a hello. It was a contract. Clasping hands was a physical way to tie two people to a promise that was often considered sacred.

Quakers and the Death of the Bow

While the history of the handshake has ancient roots, its popularity as a common daily greeting is a relatively recent phenomenon. In the 17th century, the Quakers popularized the handshake as a democratic alternative to the more hierarchical gestures of the time, such as bowing or curtsying.

Bowing often implied a power dynamic where one person was subordinate to another. The quaker handshake history shows they believed in the equality of all people and found the handshake to be a much more egalitarian gesture. It forced both parties to stand on equal ground, literally meeting halfway. By the 1800s, this practice had spread through Western society as the standard way to acknowledge a peer. It changed the social landscape. Suddenly, respect was something shared between equals rather than something performative shown to superiors.

The Modern Handshake: Trust in a Post-Pandemic World

In 2026, the handshake is undergoing a quiet but significant resurgence. While the early 2020s saw a sharp decline in physical contact, current data shows that the handshake has returned as a primary trust-building tool in professional settings, though users are now more mindful of personal boundaries.

Studies indicate that pairs who choose to shake hands at the onset of a negotiation obtain better joint outcomes.

This happens because the gesture signals cooperative intent, reducing the likelihood of lying. About 70% of people in 2026 report being hesitant to trust individuals from different backgrounds or values initially, making a physical signal of cooperation like a handshake even more valuable. It is a biological reset. The act of touching hands can promote the release of oxytocin in the brain - a hormone that promotes social bonding and may help reduce cortisol levels ^[4]. It works. Just like that, a simple touch can melt the ice in a room of strangers.

Historical Greeting Methods and Their Meanings

The Handshake (Dexiosis)

Documented as far back as 800 BC in Greece and Rome

Weapon verification and sealing of binding contracts or oaths

Equality and mutual trust between two parties

The Bow / Curtsy

Universal across medieval Europe and many Asian dynasties

Acknowledgment of rank and submission to authority

Hierarchy and class distinction

The Military Salute

Popularized by knights in the Middle Ages

Raising the visor of armor to identify one's face to a superior

Respect for rank and readiness for duty

The Knight's Dilemma on the Silk Road

A lone traveler in the 12th century encountered a local chieftain on a dusty path. Both men were wary, hands resting near their sword hilts, fearing an ambush in the lawless territory.

The traveler took a gamble. He moved slowly, extended his right hand, and open-palmed his intent. The chieftain hesitated, suspecting a hidden dagger might be tucked away in the traveler's heavy woolen sleeves.

Instead of a simple grip, they grasped each other's forearms and shook vigorously. The traveler felt the relief as no metal clattered to the ground, and the chieftain realized the man truly came in peace.

This 2-minute encounter prevented a bloody skirmish. They shared a meal instead, proving that the physical verification of empty hands was the only currency of trust that mattered in a world without police.

Minh's Post-Pandemic Pivot

Minh, a 34-year-old startup founder in Hanoi, was struggling to close a major investment round in early 2026. Despite months of video calls, the investors seemed distant and skeptical of his data.

He invited the lead investor for an in-person coffee. When they met, Minh reached out for a firm handshake - something he had avoided for years due to health concerns and social anxiety.

The moment their hands met, Minh felt the tension in the room shift. He realized that the digital barrier had prevented the 'human element' from establishing the necessary rapport for a high-stakes deal.

The deal was signed 48 hours later. Minh noted that the handshake acted as a psychological lie detector, providing a 30% boost in perceived trust that no spreadsheet could ever replicate.