Asecret handshake is a distinct form ofhandshake or greeting which indicates membership in or loyalty to aclub,clique orsubculture. The typical secret handshake involves placing one's fingers or thumbs in a particular position, one that will be recognized by fellow members while seeming to be a normal handshake to non-members.[1] This is most frequently associated in the popular consciousness withcollege fraternities,fraternal orders andsecret societies.
In the Roman mystery religionMithraism, members were initiated with a handshake, and members were known assyndexioi (united by the handshake).[2]
Freemasons are among the long-standing users of secret "grips" (similar to handshakes) as tokens.[3]
Some (but not all) of the denominations from theLatter Day Saint Movement also use secret grips as tokens, adopted and adapted from the concept of grips used as tokens in Freemasonry.[4]
Secret handshakes are also used bycollege fraternities in the United States, and used by members as recognition symbols in later life.[5]