Shaking Hands

A handshake is a short ritual in which two people grasp each other's right (not left - otherwise the deal is annulled) hand often accompanied by a brief up and down movement of the grasped hands. While its origins remain obscure, archaeological ruins and ancient texts show that handshaking was... Read More

A handshake is a short ritual in which two people grasp each other's right (not left - otherwise the deal is annulled) hand often accompanied by a brief up and down movement of the grasped hands. While its origins remain obscure, archaeological ruins and ancient texts show that handshaking was practiced as far back as the 2nd century BC. A depiction of two soldiers apparently shaking hands can be found on part of a 5th century BC tomb on display in the Pergamon Museum, Berlin (their reference SK1708). Some researchers have suggested the handshake may have been introduced in the Western World by Sir Walter Raleigh in service with the British Court during the late 16th century. The handshake is thought by some to have originated as a gesture of peace by demonstrating that the hand holds no weapon. See Less