do ppl actually use hanky code or lace code or any other secret color-related code related to a subculture anymore or

in my heart, Dale Cooper flags magenta ❤️

See, I know that when my mother gifted me versions of her iconic bandanas in my favourite colours she wasn’t thinking of the Hanky Code, but all I can think of now is “What if someone sees me wearing the Fisting/Sadomasochism/Bondage hanky and asks me about it? I’m not into those things, I’d be false advertising”

Hi, I really like cowboys and I really like the hanky code, here is a brief thought I had but am to scared to respond directly to because of fear of being rude (but if you saw it you know, it’s probably obvious with the fandoms I’m in)

Cowboys stopped being common in about 1887, some say at most 1920, and the modern, more complex hanky code started in the 1970s. The original hanky code originated during the California gold rush, during the 1840s if I’m recalling correctly. The original code was for square dancing, where men doing the female role would wear red, and men doing the male role would wear blue. It could very easily be the opposite, let me know if I’m wrong.

So, there wouldn’t be an overlap. Unless it was a cowboy theme at something post–70s, you would not see a cowboy using the hanky code for anything other than dancing.

I hope you learned something today! I’m sorry if I come off as rude to the person who made the art I’m referencing, it was very cute and very talented, but I get weird about these things.

Got these mini hankies over the weekend!!! 💕 (big thanks to @bringbackthehankycode on Instagram)

Black: heavy s/m

Paw print: pet play

Grey: bondage

Galaxy print: t4t

(Yes I flag all of these all on the right)

FISTING????

Hi, anon, thanks for your question!

So, the flagging system is a piece of queer cultural history. It was utilized while cruising to indicate what kind of sexy fun people were looking to get up to. Guide below:

So, a couple different examples!

The first is a slightly modern take on the original system, developed by gay men in the 40s and 50s.

The second and third are examples from lesbian S&M magazines from the 70s and 80s. The system was adapted for dykes by groups like Samois, the first lesbian S&M organization in the US, and the legacy lives on in groups like Women of Drummer.

So, I utilize my tagging system to organize different kinds of content and play! Hope this helps!

Today I have learned about Hanky code, rings, and flagging.

What a cool way to signal

eddie munson cannonically likes men, tops, and enjoys SM, but there’s no way to know that unless you know a fuck ton about queer history and codes

You think ocelot wore a rust coloured shirt cause he’s into cowboy play?

Homme & Hanky Code Pt. 2

Homme & Hanky Code Pt. 1

the hanky code (2025)

i got tired of too many hanky code charts with old info / incomplete info. too much cross referencing. so here’s a complete list of what i have been able to find as posting this (12/17/25)
happy cruising, freaks

if you would like a live document version, here’s the actual spreadsheet

There’s a big difference between people who ship things because they think it’s going to be canon and people who ship things because why the hell not.

Do I think that Eddie Munson is using the hanky code? This metal head from a small town with zero access to the internet. No. But did I also see the handcuffs in his room, his silly flirting with Steve, and his general vibe and go “well yes I can see that actually” so therefore it’s a beautiful headcanon him doing it accidentally or intentionally it’s beautiful. Steve however I don’t know what it is I just like him and robin being queer buddies in my mind (I also just don’t want to see him back with Nancy after all the character growth)

(And yet some people take this shit too seriously and will like cuss you out for it and call you a dumbass like it’s not fake people in a silly story)

i will forever be curious if billie joe is actually following hanky code, if it’s just for the aesthetic or if he’s just flagging to pay homage/as a way to flag as a queer person in general

I’m incapable of putting a bandana in my left back pocket. physically can’t

ALT

Bro’s ready ig

pompken seazen

Y’know I thought I was over the mischaracterization like this.

I was like, people can be stupid, it’s okay.

But y’know what, NO, I’m STILL mad about this!

Like this isn’t queer baiting, this isn’t even queer coding. This is just a gay guy in the 80s being a gay guy in the 80s!

Learn to use your eyes.

I know what this means, I don’t need to look it up, but I understand not everyone does.

So, if you don’t know something, look it up!

Seriously, it’s okay to not know things, but if you see something in media and you go “I don’t know this” THEN LOOK IT UP!

If you don’t know WHAT to look up, I assure you so long as you’re not within the first like 24hrs of the release date of an ep someone will have posted something about it. It’s just on you to know how to navigate the fandom space to find information.

I promise it’s not rocket science.

Usually it’s as simple as “why does Eddie Munson wear a black bandana in his back pocket?”

Especially for queer things, people jump on those deliberate choices of costuming or acting and turn into digestible information for those who don’t understand in short order.