Symbolic BDSM

[Lain]

What are the symbols of BDSM? That is, what can a person wear to identify him/herself as part of the BDSM community without most non-participants recognizing it? Are there certain metals/gemstones associated with the lifestyle?

Trying to think of gifts for my sub that won't make his family worry...

Lain

 

[ShyGuy68]

as far as I know, this logo

http://home1.stofanet.dk/shakes68/privat/bdsmlogo.jpg

in the one that most lifestylers associate with BDSM

 

[cymbidia]

And here's a bit of history regarding the development of that symbol, too, as well as links to buying products that contain it. (I've had it on my keyring for years and have yet to have anyone anywhere recognize it and let me know they'd recognized it. Kinda disappointing, to be honest. ~s~)


http://members.aol.com/quagmyr/history1.htm

 

[Justine]

I once met somebody who had this tiny brooch, in the shape of handcuffs. Very cute and discreet.

There is also something about handkerchiefs signalling whether one is a top or a bottom... does anyone know about it?

 

[cymbidia]

That "handkerchief code" thing is outdated. Actually, there are no real secret codes around anymore. Here's a hanky code list anyway, just for grins and giggles. (I'd have to have a bunchof these things draped all over me to indicate the full range of my interests! I'd look like a bag lady or something!)
http://www.sexuality.org/l/bdsm/hanky.html

The "hanky code" originated as a gay-inspired signaling system. What people did, i gather, was have a certain color handkerchief partially hanging out of their back pocket, tied around their heads, or attached to their jacket in some way.

This code was never really used among heterosexual BDSM lifestylers, at least not that i ever came into contact with.

However, at BDSM play parties, one little code is still sometimes recognized. Anything worn left (like a whip, your set of keys or a set of handcuffs) indicates "Dominant." If these objects are hanging from the right side of your belt you are signaling "Please use these things on me." I always take care to adhere to this one, even if very few others understand it.

 

[Justine]

Here's a hanky code list anyway, just for grins and giggles. (I'd have to have a bunchof these things draped all over me to indicate the full range of my interests! I'd look like a bag lady or something!)

Thanks, cymbidia... you are right, it is good for giggles.

 

[Lain]

And here's a bit of history regarding the development of that symbol, too, as well as links to buying products that contain it. (I've had it on my keyring for years and have yet to have anyone anywhere recognize it and let me know they'd recognized it. Kinda disappointing, to be honest. ~s~)


http://members.aol.com/quagmyr/history1.htm

That site is great! That's a really pretty symbol, too. Now I just have to pick something out, and figure out an occassion to give it to my love.

Do you know of any other sites that sell jewelry or other accessories with the symbol on it?

Lain

 

[cymbidia]

There are LOTS of sties that sell BDSM symbol jewelry and other items.

A Google search using "BDSM symbol" as the parameters gave me 11,800 results in 0.09 seconds. I think that's probably more than you'll need to find what you want.

 

[Frouwa_Aph]

This shop has beautiful BDSM themed jewelry. http://www.beewitched.com/

My personal favorite is a Ring of "O", I'm wearing one on my left hand, stainless steel, of course. <g> You can see one at http://www.ps-onlineshop.de/images/products/3063.jpg

Monika

 

[Pinklady]

You'd have to do the dance of a thousand veils to get down to the bottom of some people with that list...and yet there wasn't one for just top or dom. Of course it is more of a gay listing. That being the case, i'm surprised the BDSM community hasn't developed its own system, but then Cym is probably right. Items on the left indicates user and items on the right indicates usee.

Do purple handcuffs or teal blue paddles mean anything? You could get into some real trouble if you latch on the wrong things.

 

[Pinklady]

You'd have to do the dance of a thousand veils to get down to the bottom of some people with that list...and yet there wasn't one for just top or dom. Of course it is more of a gay listing. That being the case, i'm surprised the BDSM community hasn't developed its own system, but then Cym is probably right. Items on the left indicates user and items on the right indicates usee.

Do purple handcuffs or teal blue paddles mean anything? You could get into some real trouble if you latch on the wrong things.

BTW, the symbol is a triskelion, referring to the three armed symbol itself, but I've seen Ancient Greek tiled symbols with the three dots as well...and people call it deviant.

 

[cymbidia]

dbl post

 

[cymbidia]

Pinklady:

Stop hijacking other people's posts.

It's unethical.

It's very bad forum manners.

It's not funny.

I've seen you do it in two threads today.

I do *not* want you to do it at all and certainly not in my Forum.

Stop it immediately.

cymbidia
Forum Moderator

 

[SensitiveSuccubus]

Previous Post

Just for reference, the Triskelion post was mine.

Sorry about the dbl post, mea culpa.

Thanks, Cym.

SensitiveSuccubus

 

[P. B. Walker]

*bump*