What It Means When You Hold Hands While Interlocking Fingers

Holding hands is one of the sweetest and most intimate acts in any romantic relationship, incorporating closeness, warmth, and trust in one simple and often public gesture. In fact, studies show holding hands reduces cortisol, the stress-causing hormone, by making people feel more content and connected (via The Adrenal Fatigue Solution). Scientifically speaking, holding hands actually sends a signal to the brain that there's no danger. Hand holding also increases oxytocin, the so-called "love hormone," similar to what you experience when you cuddle.

Especially in the early stages of a relationship, holding hands is a great barometer for how close two people are getting and how comfortable they feel in each other's company. According to experts, the more interlocked our hands are, the better.

Patti Wood, body language expert, told Elite Daily, "It's one of my favorite couple behaviors to interpret because it shows not only the connection and confidence in the connection between the members of the couple, but also, potentially, the power dynamics and passion and tenderness." 

As psychotherapist and relationship coach Toni Coleman LCSW explained to Women's Health, "It feels good to hold hands with someone we know because it's all about wanting to be close to them. We only hold hands with people we have a certain level of comfort with or attraction to." In fact, Coleman compares holding hands to foreplay, as it makes both partners feel sexy and wanted.

She advises that, when we interlace our fingers, we're looking to, quite literally, be more intertwined with our partner. "Intertwined fingers say, 'I'm into you. I want to get closer — and I can't quite get close enough,'" Coleman says. When both partners are willing to lock fingers together, it means you're on the same page and equally invested in a stronger, deeper connection.

When a couple holds hands with their fingers entwined and palms facing forward, that's a sign they have "a very intimate connection," body language expert Traci Brown told Elite Daily. Fellow body language expert Yana German adds, "There is no superiority in who is in charge or not. The relationship is based on trust, honesty, the same life goals and ambitions, and thus [shows] a couple looking forward to experience life with each other and enjoying the present moment."

Likewise, a tight, interlaced grip with crossed arms shows confidence and support, according to Wood, who explains, "The gripper is saying, 'I have got you and I won't let go you can depend on me.'" Brown points out this particular type of hand-holding involves more closeness than any other, because the interconnection of hands and arms is evident of a deeper intimacy.