Embracing is a form of exceptional language and an essential ritual in our daily life. It is also a universal symbol; however, curious as it may be, it does not always mean what we want, wish or dream.

We are dealing with a type of non-verbal language that is governed by the cultural norms of the various societies. It can be a small oasis of cooperation, a haven of peace or even a gesture of falsehood or deception.

Psychologists say that there are different ways of embracing and have designed a peculiar classification of each hug. Do you want to know what each one means?

1. Classic hugs
In this list, we want to start at the beginning. In this case, it brings us to the classic embrace. Two people surround each other with their arms firmly placing their heads side by side. This hug is very intimate. The breasts come together, and the heads are very close. Also, it usually lasts two or more seconds, so the ritual has a special charm.

Surely you ever embraced like this when you say goodbye to someone you love or when you’re reunited with him again. It does not matter if that other person is your partner. In fact, in our day to day, we can carry out this gesture with our closest friends and with our relatives.

2. Dance hugs
As the name implies, they are given to associate them with music. Usually, they lead one of the two people involved to hug the other by the nape of his neck (the arms join behind that part of our body). The looks are then caught in that unique universe inhabited by the most intimate complicity. As we can deduce, this kind of embrace can only occur at the level of a couple and in situations marked by the veil of romanticism.

3. Visual hug
When a hug has visual contact, there is a special component. It’s simple, very intimate, with both people glued to each other. But the space that remains between the two at breast height is replaced by the closeness of the complicit and affectionate looks.

This type of gesture does not require great physical contact. However, few acts are at once so intense and comforting. These looks grant affection and validation. The most sincere friendship is naked without words to reach the other person, to catch her and convey the most profound appreciation.

This type of hug is not only between couples. It is, without a doubt, the most beautiful we can offer our children.

4. Embrace between partners
Another of the classic hugs is between partners. They are two people without a particular trust or affinity. There is merely a pat on the back for a job well done or for the proximity of a specific event. However, the heads do not come together, and the feelings are not very intense.

This type of social gesture does not demand greater depth. It is a common and recurrent ritual that has its implication, which is useful and helps us to strengthen ties in our daily work environments.

5. Asymmetric hugs
The asymmetric embrace occurs between two people at different heights. In this case, the connotation is purely passionate and erotic. The most used is during an intimate and sexual act. For example, this type of asymmetrical embrace usually occurs when one of the members of the couple is sitting on a surface and the other person, standing up, approaches to embrace her and thus initiate that moment of intimacy and pleasure.

6. Side Hug
The lateral hug is another example of simplicity and closeness at the same time. It occurs when you surround someone else’s shoulder with an arm. Its meanings are several. It can refer to a desire to comfort the other person, companionship, sympathy and affection, love, tenderness, warmth …

We’ve all done it once. They are gestures of great simplicity but always comfort that comes well and serve us at the same time to strengthen those sensational ties with our friends.

7. Distant hugs
We pointed to it at the beginning: there are hugs that are not comfortable, that are given by pure formalism and that even pose a threat. In this case, in what refers to distant embraces, it can be said that they are highly prevalent. They occur when hugs lack intensity and occur with distant bodies. The waists are separated, and the act is produced more by compromise than by real pleasure or pleasure.

They can be part of a protocol or motivated by a temporary truce after an intense confrontation. Finally, it could be the staging of a tense cordiality and even an action that seeks to show a love that is not present.

8. Violent hugs
This is, without doubt, the angriest and threatening gesture of all. We speak of a kind of embrace of high intensity, but not precisely for the passion of love, but by pure violence and aggressiveness. It is usually very tight, lean. It could even cause pain to one of those involved. They happen during a fight or separating an individual from a row, for example.

It is a pity that hugging is not always a symbol of love and affection. That closeness felt towards another person by such intimate physical contact should perhaps never be violent or false. However, although sometimes we can live situations with this connotation, fortunately, most of the time the hugs symbolize and create a space of intimacy and affection in which we feel accompanied and comforted.