Where do handshakes originate?

Where do handshakes originate: 9th century B.C. roots

The handshake originated as an ancient tradition representing peace and mutual trust. Understanding where do handshakes originate provides insight into the significance of physical contact in formal agreements, ensuring the greeting remains a powerful symbol of respect today.

The 9th Century B.C. Depiction: The Earliest Known Handshake

The history of the handshake traces its origins to the 9th century B.C. ^[1] in the Ancient Near East. The earliest known visual evidence of a handshake is a stone relief depicting Assyrian King Shalmaneser III shaking hands with a Babylonian ruler to seal an alliance. This wasnt merely a greeting—it was a symbolic act of peace and a binding agreement between two powerful leaders. When you grasp someones hand today, youre unknowingly replicating a gesture originally used to forge treaties and signal the end of conflict.

Why the Handshake? The 'Weapon-Free' Theory

The most widely accepted explanation for the handshakes origin is practical: it proves you arent holding a weapon.

By extending an empty right hand with the palm open and exposed, you demonstrate non-hostile intent. This wasnt just symbolic. In Ancient Greece, the gesture was called dexiosis—frequently depicted in funerary art and vases to represent a farewell or a pact. Greeks used the right hand clasp to show they werent armed. The Romans later adopted the practice but often used a forearm grip, grabbing each others wrists to literally check for a dagger hidden up the sleeve. This grip served as a security check, a clear example of the handshake origin weapon check theory, ensuring neither party was concealing a blade before engaging in conversation or trade.

The Medieval 'Weapon Shake' Theory

The medieval knight handshake origin added a specific nuance to the gesture: the actual shaking motion. Historical accounts suggest knights would shake hands vigorously to dislodge any weapons that might be hidden up the sleeve. The up-and-down motion wasnt just friendly enthusiasm—it was a practical security measure. While the evidence for this specific motion is largely based on oral tradition and medieval lore rather than formal documentation, it remains a compelling explanation for why the gesture moved from a static clasp to the dynamic shake we use today.

From Formal Treaty to Everyday Greeting: The Quaker Influence

For most of its history, the handshake remained a formal act reserved for sealing agreements, alliances, or farewells. It wasnt a casual hello. The shift toward the everyday greeting we recognize today occurred in the 17th century, largely tied to quaker handshake history and the Religious Society of Friends. Quakers believed in equality and rejected the hierarchical social customs of their time, such as bowing, doffing hats, or curtseying. They promoted the handshake as a more egalitarian greeting, one that signified mutual respect between equals. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the handshake had spread through Western culture as the default polite greeting.

The Rise of Etiquette and Handshake Standardization

As the gesture moved into social etiquette, rules solidified. For those curious where do handshakes originate as a measure of character, a firm grip became associated with confidence in the 19th century through conduct manuals, while a limp grip implied weakness. The right hand remained mandatory, as the left was historically considered sinister or unclean. By the 20th century, the handshake had become a global business standard, transcending its original martial origins to become a symbol of trust and professionalism. It evolved from a literal weapon check to a metaphorical one—a way to assess character and intention through a few seconds of contact.

What the Archaeological Evidence Actually Shows

We have more than just theories; we have physical proof. The Assyrian relief from the 9th century B.C. is the oldest unequivocal depiction of a handshake. It shows King Shalmaneser III (858–824 B.C.) meeting with Marduk-zakir-shumi I of Babylon. After Marduk helped Shalmaneser defeat a rebellion, the Assyrian king rewarded him with land and status. The relief shows them clasping hands, formalizing the alliance. Before this discovery, many historians believed the handshake originated in Greece, but the Assyrian artifact pushes the timeline back by roughly four centuries.

The Greek Dexiosis: More Than Just a Gesture

In Ancient Greece (5th century B.C.), the handshake—dexiosis—was heavily featured in funerary art. The ancient greek dexiosis meaning symbolized the bond between the living and the dead, or a final farewell. It also appeared on vases depicting gods and heroes making pacts. The Greek variation emphasized the open palm, reinforcing that no weapons were involved. The term dexiosis literally derives from the Greek word for right hand (dexia). This version of the handshake was highly ritualized and context-specific, often used to signal the conclusion of a contract or a solemn vow.

Roman Forearm Grip vs. Palm Handshake

The Romans, known for their military practicality, adapted the gesture for security. Rather than shaking palms, they often clasped forearms. A forearm grip—grabbing just above the elbow or the wrist—made it nearly impossible for either party to draw a hidden dagger. This grip was common among soldiers and officials. However, Roman art also depicts the standard palm-to-palm handshake, particularly in contexts of marriage (dextrarum iunctio, or joining of right hands) to symbolize unity. So while the weapon-check theory dominated the public sphere, the romantic and contractual handshake remained for private life.

Comparison: Handshake Styles Across Cultures and Eras

The handshake hasnt been a static gesture. Different cultures and time periods have emphasized different styles, each with its own social meaning. The table below outlines the key variations and what they signified, showing how the act of shaking hands has always been more about communication than mere physical contact.

The handshake has evolved through several distinct phases: from formal political alliances in the Ancient Near East (9th century B.C.) and spiritual vows in Ancient Greece, to Roman military security checks using forearm grips. Later, the medieval era added the shake to dislodge weapons, while the 17th-century Quakers popularized the gesture as an egalitarian social greeting.

Addressing Common Misconceptions: Myth vs. Fact

Several myths surround the handshakes origins. One common misconception is that it began solely in ancient Rome. The evidence shows the gesture existed centuries earlier in Assyria.

Another myth is that the weapon-check theory is entirely fabricated. While the specific medieval knight shaking weapons loose story may be romanticized, the underlying principle—extending an empty hand to prove you arent armed—is documented in Greek and Roman sources. A final confusion involves whether the handshake was always a greeting. It wasnt. For most of its history, it was a formal act of agreement. It took the Quakers to transform it into a daily hello.

Real-World Example: A Modern Diplomatic Handshake

The diplomatic world still treats the handshake with the gravity of its ancient origins. In late 2025, at the United Nations General Assembly, representatives from two historically adversarial nations engaged in a high-profile handshake before a bilateral meeting.^[3] Diplomats noted the length and firm grip as signals of willingness to negotiate. Behind the scenes, aides had negotiated the terms for days—including who would extend their hand first and whether it would be photographed. In this context, the handshake remained exactly what it was 2,800 years ago: a trust signal and the final seal of a political agreement.

Why This History Still Matters Today

The handshake is one of the few physical gestures that has survived across millennia with its core meaning intact: trust. Every time you shake hands, youre participating in a ritual that originated with Assyrian kings and evolved through Greek farewells, Roman security checks, and Quaker egalitarianism. The 9th century B.C. king Shalmaneser III used the gesture to secure his throne. A 21st-century job candidate uses it to secure an offer. The context has changed—from stone reliefs to Zoom interviews—but the signal remains the same: my right hand is empty, and I approach you in peace.

Comparison: Ancient Handshake Styles

Ancient Near East (Assyrian)

• Alliance sealing, treaty ratification, political loyalty

• Stone reliefs, artifacts with inscriptions

• Standard palm-to-palm, right-hand clasp

• Royal meetings, post-war agreements, religious ceremonies

Ancient Greece (Dexiosis)

• Farewell (funerary art), vow, bond between gods and mortals

• Vase paintings, marble reliefs, literary references

• Open palm, right-hand clasp with extended arm

• Funeral stelae, vase paintings, mythological scenes

Ancient Rome

• Security check (forearm) and unity (dextrarum iunctio)

• Coins, sarcophagi, military monuments

• Forearm grip (military) and palm clasp (civil/marriage)

• Soldier interactions, marriage ceremonies, political meetings

The 2026 Israel-UAE Handshake: A Modern Treaty Sealed

At a trade summit in Dubai in March 2026, Israeli tech entrepreneur David Cohen and Emirati investor Fatima Al-Mansour met for the first time. Their countries had normalized relations five years prior, but this was the first time two private-sector leaders from their respective industries had shaken hands publicly to finalize a $50 million joint venture.

David was nervous—he had rehearsed the moment for two weeks, reading about the cultural significance of the handshake in Gulf Arab tradition. He knew that an overly firm grip might be perceived as aggressive, while a limp grip could signal weakness. Fatima, for her part, had checked with her legal team to ensure the handshake wouldn't be misinterpreted as a personal rather than corporate commitment.

When they finally shook hands in front of 300 attendees, the grip lasted exactly four seconds—long enough for photographers to capture it, short enough to avoid awkwardness. David maintained eye contact and smiled, while Fatima nodded once, a subtle acknowledgment of equality. The room applauded.

That handshake was featured in business publications across the Middle East as a symbol of economic integration. David later told reporters, "It wasn't just a greeting. It was the final signature on a deal that took 18 months to negotiate. In that moment, the handshake said everything the contract couldn't."