What is the hanky code?

A system of coloured handkerchiefs worn in the back pocket, built by gay and bisexual men in 1970s leather bars to signal what they wanted without speaking. The colour named the subject; the pocket named the role.

What does a hanky in the left pocket mean?

Giving, or the active role. The right pocket means receiving.

What does a hanky in the right pocket mean?

Receiving, or the passive role. The left pocket means giving.

When did the hanky code start?

Around 1970–72. Keys on one side or the other were already a signal in New York around 1970; San Francisco’s Trading Post printed the first cards in 1971; Leather ’n’ Things expanded the code in 1972.

Who invented the hanky code?

Nobody, and everyone who wore it. The Trading Post and Leather ’n’ Things in San Francisco are the earliest documented sources; the code was then revised by consensus and use.

Where is the hanky code written down?

Hal Fischer’s Gay Semiotics (1977), Bob Damron’s Address Book chart (1980) and Larry Townsend’s The Leatherman’s Handbook II (1983). The physical record is held by the Leather Archives & Museum, the GLBT Historical Society and the UK Leather Archive at Bishopsgate.

Is the hanky code still used?

In leather and kink communities, yes. More widely it is a reference to that history — and, with the 2026 Originals, a way to wear an identity.

How many colours are in the hanky code?

By 1980, more than ninety recognised colours and variants. The HankyCode Master specifies 311, of which 136 are Originals written in 2026.

What is a HankyCode Original?

A new word written in 2026 on the 1972 grammar — colour, pocket, word — for identities the old code had no language for. Always marked as new.

What is the gender grid?

Thirty 2026 codes where the left pocket is who you are and the right pocket is who you are drawn to.

Do the colours match pride flags?

Where a flag exists we respected it, but every HankyCode colour is unique to the collection. The word is the identity; the colour is the print.

Why is the figure two colours?

Rule 17: on the white half the figure carries the code colour; on the coloured half it is white. The colour becomes part of the silhouette.

What is “the pair”?

Two prints hung left beside right, the way two people stood when the code did its job.

How does the quiz work?

Five questions with no right answers. It offers you three colours and a pocket, and lets you send the result to the person you want to read it.

Is the site suitable for under-18s?

This site carries no sexual content: colour, pocket, identity and history only. The mature 1970s wording is in the archive at hankyfamily.com/archive, behind an 18+ door.

Does the quiz keep my answers?

No. It stores nothing. Email is asked for once, after the reveal, with one line saying what it is for.

Is the Hankyfamily a real person?

No. The voice on our channels is an AI-generated art construct and says so. A person at the studio handles money and complaints.

Is HankyCode a trademark?

HANKY FAMILY® is the registered mark (UK00004351805). The hanky code itself belongs to nobody.

What are the prints printed on?

Hahnemühle German Etching 310gsm, A3, giclée. Editions of 25 per code and side, signed and numbered, for the Family.

Something on this site is wrong. Who do I tell?

The studio. Corrections to the history from the people who lived it are wanted, and the Master changes when we are wrong.

HankyCode › Library › The hanky code, answered: twenty questions people actually type

E · FAQ · Everyone

The hanky code, answered: twenty questions people actually type

Twenty straight answers about the hanky code — meanings, pockets, history, whether it is still used, and how HankyCode prints work.

Twenty questions

Short answers, each with a page behind it. Where a question is about the mature 1970s wording, the answer lives on the archive, for adults.

Questions people ask

What is the hanky code?: A system of coloured handkerchiefs worn in the back pocket, built by gay and bisexual men in 1970s leather bars to signal what they wanted without speaking. The colour named the subject; the pocket named the role.
What does a hanky in the left pocket mean?: Giving, or the active role. The right pocket means receiving.
What does a hanky in the right pocket mean?: Receiving, or the passive role. The left pocket means giving.
When did the hanky code start?: Around 1970–72. Keys on one side or the other were already a signal in New York around 1970; San Francisco’s Trading Post printed the first cards in 1971; Leather ’n’ Things expanded the code in 1972.
Who invented the hanky code?: Nobody, and everyone who wore it. The Trading Post and Leather ’n’ Things in San Francisco are the earliest documented sources; the code was then revised by consensus and use.
Where is the hanky code written down?: Hal Fischer’s Gay Semiotics (1977), Bob Damron’s Address Book chart (1980) and Larry Townsend’s The Leatherman’s Handbook II (1983). The physical record is held by the Leather Archives & Museum, the GLBT Historical Society and the UK Leather Archive at Bishopsgate.
Is the hanky code still used?: In leather and kink communities, yes. More widely it is a reference to that history — and, with the 2026 Originals, a way to wear an identity.
How many colours are in the hanky code?: By 1980, more than ninety recognised colours and variants. The HankyCode Master specifies 311, of which 136 are Originals written in 2026.
What is a HankyCode Original?: A new word written in 2026 on the 1972 grammar — colour, pocket, word — for identities the old code had no language for. Always marked as new.
What is the gender grid?: Thirty 2026 codes where the left pocket is who you are and the right pocket is who you are drawn to.
Do the colours match pride flags?: Where a flag exists we respected it, but every HankyCode colour is unique to the collection. The word is the identity; the colour is the print.
Why is the figure two colours?: Rule 17: on the white half the figure carries the code colour; on the coloured half it is white. The colour becomes part of the silhouette.
What is “the pair”?: Two prints hung left beside right, the way two people stood when the code did its job.
How does the quiz work?: Five questions with no right answers. It offers you three colours and a pocket, and lets you send the result to the person you want to read it.
Is the site suitable for under-18s?: This site carries no sexual content: colour, pocket, identity and history only. The mature 1970s wording is in the archive at hankyfamily.com/archive, behind an 18+ door.
Does the quiz keep my answers?: No. It stores nothing. Email is asked for once, after the reveal, with one line saying what it is for.
Is the Hankyfamily a real person?: No. The voice on our channels is an AI-generated art construct and says so. A person at the studio handles money and complaints.
Is HankyCode a trademark?: HANKY FAMILY® is the registered mark (UK00004351805). The hanky code itself belongs to nobody.
What are the prints printed on?: Hahnemühle German Etching 310gsm, A3, giclée. Editions of 25 per code and side, signed and numbered, for the Family.
Something on this site is wrong. Who do I tell?: The studio. Corrections to the history from the people who lived it are wanted, and the Master changes when we are wrong.

Sources

Hanky Family Studio, Statement on Origin and Custodianship (June 2026)
Handkerchief code — Wikipedia
Hal Fischer, Gay Semiotics (1977)
Bob Damron’s Address Book (1980 edition chart)
Larry Townsend, The Leatherman’s Handbook II (1983)
HankyCode Master v3 (the studio’s specification of all 311 codes)

How this was made: written by Hanky Family Studio from the sources above and the HankyCode Master v3, checked against the studio’s voice and safety standard, last built 2026-09-18.