The handkerchief colour code which is also known as the hanky code, bandana code, and flagging is a system used by the gay, androgynous and BDSM community which was developed in the 1970s. It is used to identify people looking for casual sex encounters. It can be used to identify whether the person is a top or a bottom, the ideal types of sexual experiences and fetishes they are interested in.

The handkerchief colour code is used worldwide but is popularly used in United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and South Africa. If you were to have a look at the Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco and the after parties that followed, you’d notice that the patrons may wear a variety of different colourful clothing items which use the handkerchief colour code.

The Gay Community’s History Of The Colour Code System

In 1855, after the Gold Rush in San Francisco men would go to square dances after work or on the weekends. They would dance with other men since there was a deficiency of women. The men who would take the female part would wear a red bandana and the men who took the male part would wear a blue bandana. They would place the bandana around the arm, attach it to their belt or place it in their back pocket of their pants.

In 1970 to 1971, the popularity of the colour code system took off in New York when a writer for the Village Voice kidded that rather than just wearing keys to show whether somebody was a top or a bottom, it would be more efficient for people to wear coloured hankies to report their specific sexual preferences.

Although the Handkerchief Colour Code was a main part of the society and culture in the 70s and 80s. Its popularity declined during the AIDS epidemic. In the 90s the colour codes became popular again but the items of clothing diversified from hankies to various other forms of coloured accessories.

Items Of Clothing That Use The Colour Coding System

Handkerchief Colour Code system is not just limited to handkerchiefs. It can be used with different types of day to day wear that can be worn discreetly including:

Keys

Handkerchiefs

Bandanas

Belts

Wrist bands

Flags

What Area Of The Body Should I Wear The Handkerchief Colour Code?

Originally the system was limited to people in the gay, androgynous and BDSM community wearing keys on the left or right side of the body as a form of symbolism to tell another person whether they were a top or a bottom. Now, people can use the colour code system on different areas of the body to mean different things.

The Left Side Of The Body

Wearing a handkerchief on the left half of the body commonly demonstrates one is a top.

The Right Side Of The Body

Wearing a handkerchief on the right half of the body commonly demonstrates one is a bottom.

Other Areas Of The Body

Other clothing items included in the coding system can be worn on different areas of the body. For example, Bandanas may be worn in the front or back pocket. They can also be tied around the neck with the knot on the individuals preferred side. It can also just be a stylistic preference.

What Are The Colour Codes?

There is no definitive handkerchief colour code system as the meanings can change depending on the groups, community or geographic location. If you are confused about the colour code, you will need to check with the adult lifestyle event, venue, community or individual to understand what it means to them. Even though this is the case, there is an acceptance to which colours should be generally used for standard sexual preferences.

Standard Colour Codes

Yellow: Urolagnia, Urophilia, Undinism, Golden Showers and Watersports.

Urolagnia, Urophilia, Undinism, Golden Showers and Watersports. Brown: Coprophilia and Scatophilia.

Coprophilia and Scatophilia. Black: Heavy Sadomasochism.

Heavy Sadomasochism. Dark Blue: Anal Sex.

Anal Sex. Light Blue: Oral Sex.

Oral Sex. Orange: Up for Anything.

Up for Anything. Grey: Bondage.

Bondage. Red: Fisting.

Other Colour Codes In The BDSM Community That Vary In Meaning

Green: Sex workers and prostitutes.

Sex workers and prostitutes. White: Virgin or someone who is new to the scene. They may be looking for a lover but would like to take things slow.

Virgin or someone who is new to the scene. They may be looking for a lover but would like to take things slow. White With Polka Dots: Looking for an orgy, hosting an orgy or enjoys orgies.

Looking for an orgy, hosting an orgy or enjoys orgies. Silver Bells: Pet play and animal roleplay.

Pet play and animal roleplay. Blue: Mentor, guide, safe person or someone willing to help others.

Mentor, guide, safe person or someone willing to help others. Red With White Stripes: Enjoys grooming activities like shaving people or being shaved.

Enjoys grooming activities like shaving people or being shaved. Leopard: Enjoys or has tattoos, body modification and/or body art.

Enjoys or has tattoos, body modification and/or body art. Light Purple: Energy Play.

Energy Play. Purple: Enjoys being spanked or spanking.

Adult Products That Use The Colour Code System

Icon Brands has designed an adult product named “Falcon Leather Code Bands” which uses the colour code system. The Falcon Leather Code Bands can be worn as day to day wear as they look incredibly discreet. It can be worn on your wrist, ankle or even as a cock ring. So you can wear it publicly for all to see and when you find someone who matches your sexual preferences you use it to enhance your erection.

Stephen is a cis-gendered gay male who spends far too much time with his two cats and eating tim tams. A self-identified sex-positive advocate he cares deeply about gender equality, disabilities, sexual education and social issues. Opinionated and bold he isn’t afraid to speak his mind and say what others won’t. With a yearning for knowledge and experience in all things relating to sex, he is a prolific writer that has developed the content for a myriad of informative Sexual Health and Wellness websites. Stephen’s articles and writings tends to focus on social issues, sexual education, queer issues and all things fetish and absurd. He comes qualified with the completion of a double Bachelor degree in Social Sciences and literature, and a Masters in Education. www.adultsmart.com.au

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