Dexiosis-Handshake and Covid-19

Keramikos Museum, Athens – Naiskos from the grave of Agathon and Sosykrates [Giovanni D. Wikipedia]

With the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, medical experts advising us to stop the handshake! But for how long we have to endure not touching other people, friends and relatives?

The earlier representations of the Dexiosis[1], handshake, dates back as far as the 5th century BC in Ancient Greece. The Greeks called it dexiosis, roughly meaning “engagement of the right hand.” Dexiosis was practiced in ancient Greece, rather than bowing or curtseying, demonstrating that both parties were equals, they hold no weapons, and that they felt ease in each other’s presence. See Dexiosis-Handshake Article