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Hermina Ferry

Feb 13, 2025

What is the Pi Kappa Alpha secret handshake?

What is the Pi Kappa Alpha secret handshake? I recently joined the fraternity and am curious about the traditions and rituals, including the secret handshake. Could someone provide more details or share their experience? Thanks in advance!

1 Answers

Best Answer

We found two different explanations of the Pi Kappa Alpha secret handshake. The first states that it is a normal handshake between fraternity brothers, with the pinky and middle fingers extended to each other's wrists.

The second explanation instructs fraternity brothers to make a PI (π) sign using the middle and index fingers on the recipient's palm. There should be a one-inch space between the middle and index fingers. Your pinky, ring finger, and thumb should clasp the brother's middle and index fingers. This closes the Pi sign by making both the middle and index fingers touch.

We suspect the second handshake (grip) is either the real one or at least closer to the real one than the first, due to the greater number of sources describing it.

Pi Kappa Alpha had its beginnings in Room 47 West Range at the University of Virginia in 1868. Members are known as "Pikes." Pi Kappa Alpha has more than 220 groups across the United States and Canada, over 250,000 lifetime initiates, and 14,000 undergraduate members.

Prominent members include radio personality Rick Dees, retired ABC Nightline anchor Ted Koppel, country music singer Tim McGraw, and actor Jeremy Piven.

CollegeTips.com offers advice on how to get in good with the fraternity brothers when rushing.... Show More

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