You have options:
Left: Worn by the more dominant participant. The TOP.
Right: Worn by the more passive participant: The BOTTOM.
Arm/Wrist: Either left or right [see above]
Ankle: Either left or right [see above]
Back Pocket: Depending on your dominant or passive side, wearing the hanky in your back pocket is the most common placement. Personally, this is how I display my hanky's. Sometimes I fold them into squares and allow a little bit to show or I'll have it unfolded and hanging halfway out of my back pocket. When the hanky is hanging out it adds a fun, more fancy way of displaying your colors. When it is folded, it's more of a professional look and better for personal use.
Around the neck: Old school and not as common today. When men would square dance together, a bandana around the neck with the specific color [blue or red] signified their position in the dance.
Belt Loop: Uncommon.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
The Hanky Code Introduction
As far as homo's are concerned, we didn't always know who/where we can and can not approach another man, and so we created the Hanky Code. An age old secret association to sexual preference and kink. This color-coded system is more prominent in the kink, bear, and leather communities but has grown to all orientations and genders.
Originating in the mid and late 19th Century, in San Francisco, after the Gold Rush- when women were scarce; but square dancing was very popular- one man wore a blue bandana (representing the man role) and one wore a red bandana (representing the woman role). Bandanas were either worn around the neck, arms, leg, or back pocket.
Revamped in the late 70's - when gays weren't as known to the public as they are now, we created a secret communication. It was safe for us to know who we could approach and who we couldn't approach. This secret also allowed us to let others know what exactly we are interested in and what position we played in the bedroom. It was called 'flagging' but because of the AIDS crisis and exposure to the gay community, the decline of using hanky's began and has not seen a rebirth since. I hope to change that, but only for the fun and herstory of my culture.
I love the Hanky Code. It's nostalgic and it's fashion forward and it's completely oblivious to the outside world. I started collecting hanky's a year ago and my collection continues to grow. We were at Disney World over Christmas and I was wearing a hot pink hanky and my boyfriend's Gramma asked, "What's with the handkerchief's Crayleb? Is it a gang symbol? Why do you wear them?" Because I use them, I replied.
No, seriously. I use them to blow my nose, dap the sweat off my face, wipe my hands after washing, on a hot summer day I douse it in cold water and wear it around my neck. I utilize my hanky's as they are meant to be used, because I grew up on a farm and that was my first experience with a bandana.
Having the conversation about the hanky code with a Grandmother, at Disney World, was not something I wanted to do.
So, I started this blog to offer a brief history lesson and reference guide to anybody interested. It's fun, it's cute, and it's my contribution to society.
Happy reading!
Originating in the mid and late 19th Century, in San Francisco, after the Gold Rush- when women were scarce; but square dancing was very popular- one man wore a blue bandana (representing the man role) and one wore a red bandana (representing the woman role). Bandanas were either worn around the neck, arms, leg, or back pocket.
Revamped in the late 70's - when gays weren't as known to the public as they are now, we created a secret communication. It was safe for us to know who we could approach and who we couldn't approach. This secret also allowed us to let others know what exactly we are interested in and what position we played in the bedroom. It was called 'flagging' but because of the AIDS crisis and exposure to the gay community, the decline of using hanky's began and has not seen a rebirth since. I hope to change that, but only for the fun and herstory of my culture.
I love the Hanky Code. It's nostalgic and it's fashion forward and it's completely oblivious to the outside world. I started collecting hanky's a year ago and my collection continues to grow. We were at Disney World over Christmas and I was wearing a hot pink hanky and my boyfriend's Gramma asked, "What's with the handkerchief's Crayleb? Is it a gang symbol? Why do you wear them?" Because I use them, I replied.
No, seriously. I use them to blow my nose, dap the sweat off my face, wipe my hands after washing, on a hot summer day I douse it in cold water and wear it around my neck. I utilize my hanky's as they are meant to be used, because I grew up on a farm and that was my first experience with a bandana.
Having the conversation about the hanky code with a Grandmother, at Disney World, was not something I wanted to do.
So, I started this blog to offer a brief history lesson and reference guide to anybody interested. It's fun, it's cute, and it's my contribution to society.
Happy reading!
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