Who came up with the idea of shaking hands?

Question

And why do most of us shake hands when we greet, or meet someone?

Answer 1

Many sources say that shaking hands began with the knights in the days of chivalry as a way of showing that one had no weapons when meeting another person. Although shaking hands was probably originally a way of indicating friendly intentions by showing that we were not carrying a weapon, the custom far predates the Middle Ages (see below). The custom of tipping one’s hat, however, probably was from the days of chivalry where removing one's metal helmet that was part of a suit of armor indicated trust that the person being met wouldn't lop your head off.

Giving the hand or joining hands as a pledge of friendship and fidelity, however, dates back to the Old Testament. In 2 Kings 10:15 when Jehu (9th century B.C. Israeli king known among other things for his reckless chariot driving) asked Jehonadab if his “heart was right” with him and “if it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand.” And in Proverbs 11:21 we have:
quote:

"Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished."

And in 2 Maccabees 12:12 (circa 2nd century B.C.):
quote:

"Then Judas, thinking indeed that they would be profitable in many things, granted them peace; whereupon they SHOOK HANDS, and so they departed in their tents."

Homer, in the 9th century B.C., also spoke of the practice when he had Nestor shaking hands with Ulysses on his return to the Grecian camp with the stolen horses of Rhesus. Later, during the time of the Roman Empire the shaking of hands continued and on into the Middle Ages where in addition to the abovementioned indication of friendly intentions a vassal would put his hands in the hands of his overlord when taking the oath of fidelity and homage. A bit later in Shakespeare’s ‘Antony and Cleopatra (1606), IV, xii, Mark Antony says:
quote:

"O sun, thy uprise shall I see no more: / Fortune and Antony part here; even here / Do we SHAKE HANDS. All come to this?”

In addition to being a greeting, shaking hands has become customary in many cultures after settling an argument, on confirming an agreement or business deal, and before embarking on a contest of some sort. But shaking hands is not, and has not always been, a custom practiced by all societies and many Asians, for example, prefer a nod or a slight bow instead, although in modern times the handshake appears to be gradually becoming universal.

Answer 2

The actual beginning of the handshake is as difficult to specifically determine as most events that happened before written history. However, there are many accounts that provide both comedy and insight. One origin offered by Herbert Spencer, in his book THE PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY, is that of two Arabs meting in a desert. They each reach for the others hand to kiss it in greeting. However, it is an insult to have your hand kissed by another individual, so both men try to withdraw from the lips of the other man. The end result of this meeting is the acceptance by both men that they wouldnt kiss the others hand, and thus they ended up only clasping the hand of the other, and the handshake was born. The mutual acceptance by the two men that the hands wouldnt be kissed shows the equality between the two individuals; however, that aspect will be discussed a little further down the page.

Perhaps a more practical origin of the handshake comes from medieval Europe, where kings and knights would extend their hands to each other, and [grasp the] others hand as a demonstration that each did not possess concealed weapons and intended no harm to the other (Hall). I say this is a more practical origin of the handshake, because it more closely resembles our current use of the handshake as a way to introduce ourselves to a person and open ourselves up to them for the purpose of interacting. Interestingly enough, the ancient Greeks used it similarly. It was a welcoming sign of friendliness, hospitality, and trust (Schriffin).

Still, despite the various possible and plausible origins that the handshake sprung from, the handshake has taken many diverse and, at times, conflicting meanings.

Answer 3

This came from the mid evil days, of swords and knives.
Meetings would take place, both sides would place their weapons on the table, but some sinister dudes would hide a small knife in their sleeves.
A good shake of the hand would cause the knives to slip out, or make noise, if present.
If caught, deal is off and usually along with their head.

With a firm hand shake, it’s a way to determine their honesty and integrity.

This was my understanding of the hand shake

Answer 4

David C was very insightful with his answer. Know that we have all of this knowledge, let's change history. Hand shaking should be considered impolite and offensive. Everyone knows that hands are the biggest germs carriers and you never know where someone's hand has been, especially guys that love to grab their crotch for whatever reason and people that don't carry tissue and let's not forget those thong wearers... From this day on, I am never shaking anyone's hand. They will get a head nod and a big smile.

Answer 5

I don't know where it came from. However, it is the most disgusting practice in society! Peoples hands are the most dirty part of their body and by touching other people's hands germs are spread. Dirty contaminated hands. This is the reason why viruses and bacteria that cause flus and colds and others are easily spread. I stopped shaking peoples hands once I became and adult. I prefer to hug friends and simply nod in recognition when I greet a stranger

Answer 6

Actually Knights didn't shake hands. As was said they put down their weapons. They DID put their hand on the others arm in what people are thinking of. They would put their hand like right above the elbow as a way to check for weapons. People have since turned it into they shook hands but really they didn't as it was much further up. Yeah it FAR pre-dates the old-West though.

Answer 7

It's Roman custom, the guard would shake the armto check for concealed weapons. And then it just caught on.

Answer 8

It's a very ancient custom designed to show the new friend that you have no weapon.
It became a means also for the ' gentleman's agreement for financial transactions, usually witnessed by several friends.

Answer 9

Cowboys. If you have a hold of the other person's hand they can't draw their gun to shoot you. That's why my dad always said, "Never shake hands with a left handed cowboy."

Answer 10

I believe it started in the mid evil ages... when two knights would meet, they would raise their hand to show not harm will come to the other.