Leather Education & Community Links:
Hanky Code:
The hanky code is a color code system that men can use to indicate preferred fetish or sexual preferences by wearing one or more color handkerchiefs in their left or right pockets.
In gay culture a man will often wear his keys on his left to indicate he prefers to take the top or dominant role, or on the right to indicate he prefers the bottom or submissive role. In the leather community an armband worn on the left or the right arm is used to indicate the same preference.
During the 1970’s the hanky code developed to further define the wearer’s preferences. While there is not a universally agreed on code, most codes do agree on the most common colors. Wearing a hanky in a back pocket is also referred to as flagging. Popularity of the hanky code declined during the 1980’s, only remaining popular in the Leather Community.
Larry Townsend’s The Leatherman’s Handbook II, 1983 second edition, included the following table which is generally considered authoritative. Implicit in this list of hanky color codes is the concept of right/left polarity.
| Color | Interest |
|---|---|
| Black | S&M |
| Gray | Bondage |
| Dark Blue | Anal sex |
| Light Blue | Oral sex |
| Brown | Scat |
| Kelly Green | Hustler/prostitution |
| Orange | Anything, anywhere, anytime (but not necessarily anyone) |
| Purple | Into piercing |
| Red | Fisting |
| Pink (light) | Dildo/anal toys |
| White | Masturbation |
| Yellow | Watersports |
Other colors have been added over the years, the more common include:
| Gray with Black | Light SM |
| Charcoal | Latex / Rubber |
| Robin’s Egg Blue | 69’er |
| Teal Blue | Cock & Ball play |
| Lavender | Drag Queens |
| Dark Pink | Tit play |
| Mauve | Navels |
| Majenta | Arm pits |
| Fuschia | Spanking |
| Coral | Toes |
| Rust | Cowboys |
| Hunter Green | Daddy / Boy |
| Olive Drab | Military Uniforms |
| Beige | Rimming |
| Tan | Cigars |
| Black / White Check | Safe Sex |
| Red / White Stripe | Shaving |
| Red / Black Stripe | Furry Bears |
| Paisley | Boxer Shorts |
| Leopard | Tattos |
In some cases meanings can differ. More inclusive lists can be found at:
- www.sacbolt.com/hankycode.html,
- www.chicagoleather.com/hanky.html,
- www.leathernjonline.com/hanky.htm
- www.thetwilightguard.org/tg_hanky.html.
Please note that wearing a bandana in a back pocket has also become popular among rock ‘n’ roll musicians in more recent years. Asking can avoid misunderstandings.
Additional Information:
- Gay Leather Community Events and Information
- Exploring the Gay Leather Community
- Wearing Leather
- Leather Care
- Leather Shops
- Handkerchief Codes
- Exploring Kink
- Mr. CMEN Leather
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Please note that CMEN does not control the content of linked web sites, the organizations who own these web sites accept sole responsibility for their content. Information on this page is provided for educational purposes and does not imply endorsement by CMEN.
Exploring the Leather Community – Leather Events and Organizations – Wearing Leather – Leather Care – Leather Shops – Hanky Code – Exploring Kink