You’ve probably noticed, like me, the constant presence of harnesses around. They appear at parties, in photos, and are part of the look for many people in our community. All this popularity made me wonder: are they just a fashion accessory, or do they have more to say? The truth is that this piece connects to a rich history of visual communication within gay culture, dating back to the ingenious hanky code. Let’s explore this fascinating trajectory of colors and desires together.

The Hanky Code: The Origin of the Language of Colors

Before dating apps made meeting easier, the gay community, especially in the 1970s in the US, developed its own system to communicate interests and fetishes: the hanky code. It was a subtle and effective visual language: a colored handkerchief, worn in the back pocket, signaled specific sexual preferences. The color indicated the desired fetish or practice, and the side it was worn on – left for the active/dominant role, right for the passive/submissive one – completed the message. In an era without today’s digital conveniences, it was a remarkable demonstration of creativity and resilience to create connections.

The Harness: More Than an Accessory

Moving forward in time, we arrive at the harness. Although the use of handkerchiefs in pockets has decreased, the harness has emerged as a prominent visual and symbolic item. But reducing the harness to a simple accessory would be a mistake.

• As a Style Statement: Firstly, we cannot deny its impact as a fashion item. A well-chosen piece truly has the power to transform a look, adding structure, attitude, and a focal point. It can highlight the body, project an image of confidence, and also serves as a sign of belonging to certain aesthetics or groups. It is, undoubtedly, a potent form of individual expression.
• Roots in Leather Culture and BDSM: Looking into the history of the harness takes us directly to the BDSM universe and leather culture. In these contexts, it is much more than an adornment. It often becomes a functional tool (think of models with rings for bondage, for example) or takes on an almost ritualistic role, helping to mark the entry into a specific mental state for exploring sensations and power dynamics.
• Quick Distinction (Strap-on): It’s worth remembering that there is also the strap-on harness, worn on the waist or hips to attach a dildo, serving a very specific purpose different from the chest models we usually discuss as visual accessories.

The Colored Bridge: From Handkerchief to Harness

And here history connects in a fascinating way: the visual language of the hanky code has found new life in colored harnesses! Far from being just black leather, today we find harnesses in various materials and a vast range of colors. The idea resurfaces: using color as a signifier of interests and fetishes, creating a direct parallel with what handkerchiefs in the pocket meant.

Of course, not everyone wearing a colored harness today knows or strictly follows this code – the choice can be purely aesthetic. However, in many circles, the colors still carry these inherited meanings. Knowing the code can be an interesting starting point, but always remember that direct communication and consent are fundamental.

Below is a table showing the most common meanings associated with colors, based on the traditional hanky code and often applied to harnesses today:

Table of Colors and Meanings (Harnesses & Hanky Code)

Color	General Meaning (Based on Hanky Code)
Red	Fisting
Yellow	Golden Shower / Watersports (Urophilia)
Light Yellow	Spitting / Being spat on
Beige	Rimming (Anilingus)
Navy Blue	Anal Sex (Penetration)
Medium Blue	Interest in police uniforms / Police fetish
Light Blue	Oral Sex
Green	Hustling / Sex work OR Interest in military uniforms
Dark Green	Preference for older men (Daddy)
Grey	Bondage / Restraint / Immobilization
Black	Heavy BDSM / Sadomasochism (S&M)
Brown	Scat (Coprophilia)
Orange	Open to (almost) anything / Willing to experiment / Just flirting
Purple / Violet	Piercings / Needles
Light Pink	Use of dildos / Sex toys
Dark Pink	Nipple torture
Fuchsia	Spanking
Magenta	Armpit licking
White	Mutual masturbation / Masturbation
Black & White Checkered	Safe Sex Only practice

Important Considerations:

• Variations: This list is a guide. Meanings can have nuances or variations depending on the region, social group, or the evolution of the language itself within the community.
• Left Side vs. Right Side: Originally, in the hanky code, the pocket side indicated the role (active/left, passive/right). On harnesses, the color itself usually indicates the interest in the practice, and the role dynamics might need to be discussed or inferred in other ways.
• Context is Everything: Color is an indicator, not an absolute rule. Someone might wear a yellow harness simply because they like the color, without necessarily being interested in watersports.
• Communication Above All: The code never replaces clear conversation and explicit confirmation of interests and boundaries. Informed and enthusiastic consent is always the golden rule.

An Evolving Language

The hanky code is a significant chapter in our history, a reminder of our ability to create our own languages for connection and expression. Although the social and technological context has changed, the fundamental desire remains. The harness, with its versatility spanning fashion, fetish, symbol, and function, has become an heir to this visual tradition, adapting the language of colors for today.

It’s clear that, whether through a handkerchief in a pocket or a colored harness, the quest to express who we are and what we desire continues to find creative and potent forms.

And for you, what story do these colors and pieces tell?