Photo of Lorde holding Taylor Swift's foot confuses everyone

Lorde holds Taylor Swift's foot in this photo that's quickly gone viral. Photo/Instagram

A photo of Lorde holding Taylor Swift's foot has gone viral - and raised plenty of questions.

Like, "Why?"

The photo was posted overnight on Swift's Instagram account and shows Swift and Lorde posing with girl group Haim, rising star Serayah and actress Halston Sage on a two-seater bike.

Because of Lorde's foot-holding, it's quickly gone viral.

Real love. @serayah @haimtheband @lordemusic @halstonsage

A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Apr 28, 2015 at 11:13pm PDT

Swift captioned the photo "Real Love" but didn't supply an explanation for the foot-holding, leading some to start speculating.

Buzzfeed said it showed there was "true friendship" behind the gesture, while Grantland asked why Lorde was holding her foot "like a handmaiden".

Others took to Twitter in an attempt to explain the pose.

I completely understand where Lorde is coming from re: holding Taylor Swift’s foot in that photo, photos are awkward and you do what you can

— Larry Fitzmaurice (@lfitzmaurice) April 29, 2015

@taylorswift13 @HAIMtheband @lordemusic @SerayahLove @halstonsage LORDE IS HOLDING YOUR MAGESTIC FOOT. WHICH IS A PART OF THE INSURED LEGS

— Christine🌻🌷🌺 (@TheSwiftArmy) April 29, 2015

Perhaps there's a simpler explanation after all that: Swift is perched precariously on the bike and her feet can't quite reach the ground. Lorde may simply be helping her balance so she doesn't fall over in front of her friends.

Anyone thought of that?

- nzherald.co.nz