What is the origin of the handshake?
The handshake is one of the most important social customs which has emerged in the history of human civilization. It is also part of our everyday non verbal communication. The origins of the handshake are bit difficult to ascertain, because it originated before any written recordings of history. The oldest form of handshakes was practiced by the Egyptians. It was a ritual practiced amongst the rulers; they would shake hands with the statues of the Egyptian Gods. This symbolised the transfer of power from the gods to the current ruler. The modern handshake may have originated in the medieval Europe, where knights would clasp each others hands to show that they have not carried any concealed weapons. There was a minimum level of trust that is if this ritual was performed it meant that they had come in peace.
