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Scroll To Top![Hanky code](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Alex Cheves](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 450 450'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Black on left = sadist/S&M Top. Black on right = masochist/S&M bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Black with white checks on left = top for safe sex only. Black with white checks on right = bottom for safe sex only.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Black velvet on left = camera-ready. Black velvet on right = photographer.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Gray on left = bondage top. Gray on right = bondage bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Light blue on left = looking to get sucked. Light blue on right = cocksucker.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Mosquito netting on left = outdoor sex top. Mosquito netting on left = outdoor sex bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Medium blue on left = cop. Medium blue on right = looking to get cuffed.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Navy blue on left = ready to fuck ass. Navy blue on right = looking to get fucked.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Light green on left = verbal abuse top. Light green on right = verbal abuse bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Toothbrush on left = my place. Toothbrush on right = your place.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 976 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Teal on left = CBT giver. Teal on right = needs CBT.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Red on left = fist top. Red on right = fist bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Red lace on left = group sex top. Red lace on right = group sex bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Dark red on left = two-handed fister. Dark red on right = two-handed fistee.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Light pink on left = dildo fucker. Light pink on right = dildo fuckee.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Dark pink on left = nipple torturer. Dark pink on right = wired nips.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Maroon on left = cuts. Maroon on right = bleeds.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Magenta on left = armpit-loving top. Magenta on right = pits sniffer/licker/cleaner.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Purple on left = piercer. Purple on right = piercee.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Lavender on left = drag queen fucker. Lavender on right = drag queen.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Leopard print on left = tattoo-loving top. Leopard print on right = tattoo-loving bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Yellow on left = watersports/piss top. Yellow on right = piss drinker/human urinal.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Pale yellow on left = spitter. Pale yellow on right = loves spit.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Mustard yellow on left = hung (8+ inches). Mustard yellow on right = size queen.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Gold on left = 2 guys/couple looking for third. Gold on right = couple-hunting.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Orange on left = anything, anytime top. Orange on right = anything, anytime bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Apricot on left = chubby guy. Apricot on right = chubby chaser.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Coral on left = suck my toes. Coral on right = sucks toes.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Rust on left = cowboy. Rust on left = cowboy\u2019s horse.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Fuschia on left = spanker. Fuschia on right = spankee.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Kelly green on left = looking to buy. Kelly green on right = escort for hhre.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Hunter green on left = daddy. Hunter green on right = orphan boy.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Drab olive on left = military top. Drab olive on right = military bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Gray flannel on left = suit-and-tie top. Grey flannel on right = suit-and-tie-loving bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Beige on left = rimmer. Beige on right = needs a rimjob.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Brown on left = scat bottom. Brown on right = scat top.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Brown lace on left = uncut top. Brown lace on right = foreskin-hungry bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Charcoal on left = latex fetish top. Charcoal on right = latex fetish bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1005 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Light blue with white stripes on left = sailor. Light blue with white stripes on right = looking for a sailor.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1005 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![White on left = looking to get jacked off. White on right = giving handjobs.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1005 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Holstein (cow print) on left = milker. Holstein on right = looking to get milked.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Black leather bandana on left = leather fetish top. Black leather bandana on right = leather fetish bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Tie-dye on left = phone sex top. Tie-die on right = phone sex bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Red with white stripes on left = shaver. Red with white stripes on right = looking to get shaved.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Red with black stripe on left = bear. Red with black stripe on right = bear chaser.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Baby blanket on left = looking for a human baby. Baby blanket on right = human baby.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Handiwipe on left = gives oil massages. Handiwipe on right = likes oil massages.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Green camo on left = military (non-specific). Green camo on right = loves soldiers.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Dirty jockstrap on left (or simply worn) = wears dirty jocks. Dirty jockstrap on right = loves sniffing/licking dirty jocks.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Airforce blue on left = pilot/flight attendant. Airforce blue on right = loves flyboys.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Robin\u2019s egg blue on left = 69 top. Robin\u2019s egg blue on right = 69 bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Black lace on left = looking for femme bottoms. Black lacke on right = femme bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Red and white gingham on left = park sex top. Red and white gingham on right = park sex bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Milk-Bone on left = top handler. Dog collar around the neck/Milk-Bone on right = human dog/pup.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Keys in front pocket, left side = has a car. Keys in front pocket, right side = looking for a ride.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Keys in back pocket, left side = has a place. Keys in back pocket, left side = looking for a place to crash.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1056 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Gold lam\u00e9 on left = loves muscleboy bottoms. Gold lam\u00e9 on right = muscleboy bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Silver lam\u00e9 on left = starfucker. Silver lam\u00e9 on right = celebrity.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Kleenex on left = stinks. Kleenex on right = into BO.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![White velvet on left = voyeur. White velvet on right = loves to show off.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Lime green on left = wants a human food tray. Lime green on right = dinner plate.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Tan on left = smokes cigars. Tan on right = likes cigars.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Aluminum foil/silver cloth on left = E-Stim top. Aluminum foil/silver cloth on right = E-Stim bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Turquoise on left = water sex top. Turquoise on right = water sex bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Ziploc bag on left = has drugs. Ziploc bag on right = looking for drugs.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Union jack on left = skinhead top. Union jack on right = skinhead bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![Terry cloth on left = bathhouse top. Terry cloth on right = bathhouse bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![White with multicolor dots on left = hosting an orgy. White with multicolor dots on right = looking for an orgy.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![69. Doily on left = tearoom top. Doily on right = tearoom bottom.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1000 750'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![close button](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA0OCA0OCI+PHBhdGggZD0iTTI0IDRDMTIuOTUgNCA0IDEyLjk1IDQgMjRzOC45NSAyMCAyMCAyMCAyMC04Ljk1IDIwLTIwUzM1LjA1IDQgMjQgNHptMTAgMjcuMTdMMzEuMTcgMzQgMjQgMjYuODMgMTYuODMgMzQgMTQgMzEuMTcgMjEuMTcgMjQgMTQgMTYuODMgMTYuODMgMTQgMjQgMjEuMTcgMzEuMTcgMTQgMzQgMTYuODMgMjYuODMgMjQgMzQgMzEuMTd6IiBmaWxsPSIjOTgwMDAwIiBjbGFzcz0iZmlsbC0wMDAwMDAiLz48cGF0aCBkPSJNMCAwaDQ4djQ4SDB6IiBmaWxsPSJub25lIi8+PC9zdmc+)
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Let’s bring the hanky back.
What are you into? If I was wearing my hankies, you’d know what I like. Hanky code hit its peak in the ’70s — an under-the-radar system used by gay men seeking casual sex and kinky playmates in the pre-internet era. Colored hankies in your back pocket (left pocket for “top,” right pocket for “bottom”) signified what sex you like and what you’re looking for.
This was also called “bandana code” or “flagging.” As with most queer history, interpretations of the code differ. Different hanky code guides are on the internet, some with conflicting meanings. This slideshow is a composite of various online guides — with one major omission. Much of the original code focused on race (yellow with white stripe, right pocket, meant you wanted an Asian top; light blue with black dots, left pocket, meant you wanted a blow job from a black man). I’ve decided to halt our long history of racism and have removed these. Don’t see your favorite color/fetish here? Chalk it up to an underground system that was never officialized.
This is a hanky code guide for today — for guys who in 2017 are tired of hookup apps and ready to hit the streets. Let’s bring cruising back.