What Are Masonic Hand Gestures? Understanding 17 Hand Signs

Plus, how the gestures are used within Freemasonry

Co-authored by Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: November 30, 2025 Fact Checked

Freemasonry is known for its many hand gestures, which range from a series of grips (handshakes) to hand signals performed during initiation ceremonies and at other times. If you want to learn more, but have been afraid to ask, we’re here to demystify masonic hand gestures. Keep reading to find out how they are performed and when they’re used, along with the meanings behind the gestures, to help paint a clearer picture of how they are used between Masons.

Masonic Hand Signs & Handshakes

An illustration of common Masonic hand gestures

Grip of an Entered Apprentice (Boaz): Press the index finger knuckle to shake hands.
Pass Grip of a Fellow Craft (Shibboleth): Press between the index and middle fingers.
Real grip of a Fellow Craft (Jachin): Press the 2nd knuckle firmly.
Pass Grip of a Master Mason (Tubalcain): Press between the 2nd and 3rd knuckles.
Real Grip of a Master Mason (Ma-Ha-Bone): Press the tops of his fingers against the other’s wrist while interlacing the thumbs.

1

Dueguard of an Entered Apprentice

Download Article

Apprentices use this sign when taking a First Degree oath in the Blue Lodge. Candidates place the right hand above the left hand in front of the body with palms facing each other. An apprentice holds both hands parallel to each other in front of their body, with their right hand positioned above the left. This hand gesture symbolizes holding the Bible for the entered apprentice’s oath, with the left hand “supporting the Bible” and the right hand “resting thereon.”^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Type: Sign (hand gesture)
- Blue Lodge describes the fundamental level of Freemasonry that grants the first 3 degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. Blue is the color of the costume or accessories worn during meetings there.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- A due guard is a ceremonial gesture used as a mode of recognition that symbolizes a Mason's obligations, can confirm their identity, and refers to a penalty for violating their obligations.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
- Masonic hand gestures are traditionally very secretive, so many details surrounding them are rumors.

2

Sign of an Entered Apprentice

Download Article

This signals an apprentice’s degree during the opening and closing of a lodge. The apprentice holds their right hand against their throat with their left hand by their side. With their right arm and elbow out and their right hand palm facing down, apprentices draw their right hand quickly across their neck to show the penalty of having their throat cut, their tongue removed, and their body buried in the sands of the sea; this penalty is said to come if the apprentice doesn’t fulfill their obligation.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Type: Sign (hand gesture)

3

Grip of an Entered Apprentice (Boaz)

Download Article

This grip identifies an entered apprentice in the Third Degree. Entered apprentices perform this handshake by pressing their thumb against the other Mason’s index finger’s knuckle joint. When shaking hands with a fellow mason, the other mason also presses their thumbs against the knuckle of the other person’s index finger. It stands for strength and duality as one of the 2 “pillars” of Freemasonry, along with Jachin.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Type: Grip or token (handshake)
- It’s rumored that the Grip of an Entered Apprentice appears in the 1930 film Annie Christie.

4

Dueguard of the Fellow Craft

Download Article

This is used when taking the oath of the Fellow Craft at the Second Degree. Masons hold their right hand (palm down) in front of the body and their left arm/hand as if taking an oath. Their right hand’s position symbolically represents placing the hand on the Bible, while their left arm is held at a 90-degree angle. Their left hand is facing forward, as is done when taking an oath.
- Type: Sign (hand gesture)

5

Pass Grip of a Fellow Craft (Shibboleth)

Download Article

Shibboleth is used when attending the opening of a fellow craft’s lodge. They shake hands while pressing the space between the other Mason’s index and middle fingers. When 2 Masons perform this handshake, one Mason presses their thumb onto the area between the knuckle joints of the index and middle fingers. The fellow Mason also performs this handshake in the same way. It represents friendship and brotherly love between Masons, so they can recognize each other.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Type: Word or pass (password)
- The Pass Grip of a Fellow Craft may appear in the 1920 film Metropolis.
- “Shibboleth” refers to a type of ancient password used by Gileadites to distinguish themselves from their enemies.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}

6

Real grip of a Fellow Craft (Jachin)

Download Article

Jachin symbolizes duality using the image of the pillar in Solomon's Temple. It also represents spiritual transformation from the profane to the sacred. Masons perform this handshake by pressing their 2nd knuckle firmly with their thumb. When they shake hands using the Jachin grip, both use their thumbs to press firmly on the knuckle of the other’s middle finger. ^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Type: Grip or token (handshake)
- The Jachin grip often follows the pass grip (Shibboleth) when 2 masons shake hands; the Shibboleth functions as a password so they can identify each other, while the Jachin is considered the “real grip.”

7

Sign of a Fellow Craft

Download Article

The Junior Deacon uses this when a candidate is ready for the Fellow Craft degree. It’s also performed by a Fellow Craft and/or during the opening of a lodge in the Second Degree. Masons cup their right hand over the left breast with their left arm by the side, drawing their right cupped hand roughly across their body, and then dropping it at their side. It refers to the penalty that is believed to come to a candidate for violating their fellow craft obligations. The penalty is having the heart taken out and given to animals.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Type: Sign (hand gesture)

8

Dueguard of a Master Mason

Download Article

This sign recognizes a Master Mason when addressing one another. It’s also used when a Mason presents to an officer of the lodge. The Mason holds both hands (palms facing down) in front of their body at waist level. They then raise both hands to the midpoint of their body and face their palms down; their elbows are bent close to the sides of their body. This hand position represents taking the oath when becoming a Master Mason at the Third Degree in the Blue Lodge.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Type: Sign (hand gesture)

9

Sign of a Master Mason

Download Article

This sign is used during a Master Mason initiation ceremony. It might also be used at the opening of a lodge or the start of a meeting. Masons hold their right hand in front of the body with their left hand by their side. They briskly draw their right thumb (and hand) across their mid-body (left to right) towards their right hip, and then let it hang at their side. This hand gesture represents the penalty for a Master Mason who doesn’t fulfill their oath. The penalty is thought to involve being cut in half and having their bowels burned and scattered to the “4 winds of heaven.”^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Type: Sign (hand gesture)

10

Pass Grip of a Master Mason (Tubalcain)

Download Article

This password is used when a Fellow Craft becomes a Master Mason. The Fellow Craft presses the space between the other Mason’s 2nd and 3rd knuckles while shaking hands. While one Mason firmly presses the area between the middle and ring finger knuckles with their thumb, the other Mason reciprocates this action while they shake hands. It represents friendship and brotherly love between Masons, so they can recognize each other.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Type: Word or pass (password)
- Tubalcain is followed by the real grip of the Master Mason, called Ma-Ha-Bone.

11

Real Grip of a Master Mason (Ma-Ha-Bone)

Download Article

Ma-Ha-Bone is performed during the initiation of a Master Mason degree. The first Mason presses the tops of their fingers against the wrist joint of the fellow Mason, who does the same, while both keep their fingers spread apart and their thumbs interlaced. Also called the “lion’s paw,” this handshake is considered the “strong grip” used between 2 Master Masons. Instructions on how to perform this handshake are traditionally given at a graveside when the candidate becomes a Master Mason.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Type: Grip or token (handshake)
- Ma-ha-bone is followed by the Five Points of Fellowship.
- Mah-ha-bone means "What, the Builder!” and is thought to be based on "Maughbin,” taken from the Scottish "marrow" and the Hebrew "bone,” to mean "rotting bone.”^{[14]
  X
  Research source}

12

Five Points of Fellowship

Download Article

This grip is performed during the initiation of a Master Mason degree. Masons embrace while shaking hands through 5 points of contact (Five Points of Fellowship). The Master and Candidate shake hands while coming into contact with each other at 5 points of the body: foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, other hand to back, and cheek to cheek (or mouth to ear). The Master whispers “ma-ha-bone” into the ear of the candidate.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- Type: Grip or token (handshake)
- The Five Points of Fellowship is followed by the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress.
- This handshake is the final part of the initiation process for a Master Mason that symbolizes the Hiramic legend of Hiram Abiff, the master architect of King Solomon's Temple, who was murdered rather than give away the secrets of Freemasonry. It represents integrity, fidelity, and perseverance in the face of adversity.^{[16]
  X
  Research source}

13

Grand Hailing Sign of Distress

Download Article

This sign is only used when the Master Mason is in danger. The Master Mason candidate raises both arms (toward heaven) while squaring their elbows at a 90-degree angle. Once instructed, the candidate lowers their arms using their thumbs as a focal point 3 times until their arms hang naturally at their side. The purpose is to promise other Masons to never give the sign of distress unless truly in distress, or to instruct others.^{[17]
X
Research source}
- Type: Sign (hand gesture)
- The newly initiated Master Mason gives the grand hailing sign of distress after receiving the Five Points of Fellowship.

14

Pass Grip of a Mark Master Mason

Download Article

This grip is used to recognize a Mark Master Mason when entering a lodge. The mason presses between the other Mason’s 2nd and 3rd knuckles while placing their left hand on the other’s right arm. This handshake uses the pass grip of a Master Mason (pressing the thumb between the knuckles of the middle and ring fingers). Additionally, their thumb slides or “passes” from the other’s 2nd knuckle to the space past the 3rd knuckle.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- Type: Word or pass (password)

15

Real Grip of a Mark Master Mason

Download Article

This handshake is used when a Mark Master Mason receives wages. The Mason swings their extended arm forward to present a keystone to the candidate. They grasp a symbolic keystone between their thumb and extended fingers of their right hand with the mark of the stone facing their thumb; their left arm hangs by their side. They hold their arm at full length and swing it forward to present the keystone to others when asked questions.^{[19]
X
Research source}
- Type: Grip or token (handshake)
- A decorative keystone is used to symbolize the central, wedge-shaped stone at the top of a masonry arch that locks the others into place.

16

Grip of a Most Excellent Master

Download Article

This grip is associated with the Most Excellent Master's degree. This grip symbolizes the “covering” of the other Mason’s faults with charity. The Mason places their thumb over the knuckles of the other Mason's first 3 fingers. Only the Mason giving the handshake places their thumb over the knuckles of the Mason receiving the handshake; it’s also known as the "covered grip.” The Masons also repeat the word "Rabboni," when performing this handshake, which means "good master" or "most excellent master.”^{[20]
X
Research source}
- Type: Grip or token (handshake)

17

Sign of Secrecy

Download Article

This sign emphasizes the need for discretion during a Masonic session. Masons place the tip of their right index finger on their lips. This simple hand sign is associated with the Egyptian god of silence, Harpocrates. It’s also referred to as the “sign of the silence.” This masonic hand gesture often gets confused with what are thought to be Illuminati hand signs, which is because common hand signs often have more than one meaning or association.^{[21]
X
Research source}
- Type: Sign (hand gesture)
- If you’re still obsessed with masonic hand signs, read more about what it takes to become a Mason.