When you think about it, the handkerchief is a fascinating
object—a delicate response to one of the decidedly indelicate
aspects of being human. Throughout history it has been
considered both an old-fashioned and unhygienic rag, as well as
a precisely embroidered symbol of high social standing. Its
origins, naturally, come from the same utilitarian cloth that
inspired scarves, used to wipe away sweat and protect the head
and mouth. In fact, the name “handkerchief” derives from
medieval head scarves called “kerchiefs.” When the handkerchief
came into widespread use in Europe in the mid-1500s, nearly a
century after the table napkin, it was another way for
aristocrats to distinguish themselves f... Eventually, the
handkerchief was endowed with a romantic and spiritual symbolism
that was unique among accessories. This is probably because a
handkerchief is designed to absorb substances the body
excretes—using someone’s hanky was a very intimate act, akin to
other exchanges of bodily fluids like kissing. A handker