Masonic handshakes and other gestures are common among secret societies such as the Freemasons and the Illuminati, for the purpose of identifying the person making the gesture and they may also alert the viewer to a hidden agenda at play.
For Masons, a handshake is an “outward sign, or token, of the union of our minds and hearts.” Their handshakes are also known as “grips’ or “tokens”.
The left-hand image indicates the Grip of an Entered Apprentice; it also goes by the name of “Boaz”. It shows the Mason’s thumb pressing against the first knuckle-joint of the first finger of the recipient. If the recipient is also a Mason, he will usually press back.
The image on the right indicates the Pass-Grip of Fellow Craft, which is also known as “Shibboleth”. It shows the Mason pressing with his thumb between the first and second knuckles of the recipient’s hand.
The image below left shows the Real Grip of a Fellow Craft; its formal name is “Jachin.” The Mason presses hard on the recipient’s second knuckle and this may be returned if the recipient is also a Mason.
The image below right shows the Pass-Grip of a Master Mason; this is also known as “TubalCain.” The Mason presses on the space between the second and third knuckles.
In the Masters Grip, the Mason pushes his fingertip into the recipient’s wrist. Pressure may be returned by a fellow Mason.
This one is the Real Grip of a Master Mason; it is also known as the “Lion Paw”. It shows the index and middle fingers extended over the recipient’s hand.
SOURCE for information on handshakes.
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