What are the origins of the "collar" concept?
- Thread starter Mr Blonde
- Start date
Never
Come What May
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2000
- Posts
- 23,234
That horse goo animation must be circulating the net cause this is the second time I've stumbled upon it today.
People originally wrapped barbed wire around the necks of sheep dogs so that if a predator bit it they'd get a nasty surprise. This became the dog collar, which became a symbol of ownership. At some point, humans started placing them on slaves and that's how it entered BDSM culture.
People originally wrapped barbed wire around the necks of sheep dogs so that if a predator bit it they'd get a nasty surprise. This became the dog collar, which became a symbol of ownership. At some point, humans started placing them on slaves and that's how it entered BDSM culture.
FungiUg
Waves at Cats
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2001
- Posts
- 10,242
Interesting idea, but as barbed wire was only invented in the early 1900s, and slave collars have been around much longer than that, I'd say not entirely accurate.
Slave collars and manacles have been used for thousands of years. Slaves could be strung together by their collars, and yet walk and use their hands. Wrist and ankle manacles were also used, but are more restrictive on movement and ability to work. And most slaves were there to work.
I think slavery was only really killed by mechanisation -- it's far cheaper to run machines than it is to feed and maintain humans. So I for one am rather grateful for our industrial society!
Anyway, the collar as a symbol of slavery and submission stems from it's historical use. From memory (so again I could be quite wrong) the "house slaves" wore a "prettier" collar, which marked them as slaves and could still be used to restrain them, but didn't mar their beauty. And of course, it's the "house slave" concept that most BDSM slaves emulate -- how many BDSM slaves do you know who are keen to go out and pick cotton?
So there, my little theory on where the collars come from.
On the other hand, there is also the concept of a "choker", which is snug fitting jewellery or clothing to adorn a woman's neck. Perhaps the two concepts came together?
Slave collars and manacles have been used for thousands of years. Slaves could be strung together by their collars, and yet walk and use their hands. Wrist and ankle manacles were also used, but are more restrictive on movement and ability to work. And most slaves were there to work.
I think slavery was only really killed by mechanisation -- it's far cheaper to run machines than it is to feed and maintain humans. So I for one am rather grateful for our industrial society!
Anyway, the collar as a symbol of slavery and submission stems from it's historical use. From memory (so again I could be quite wrong) the "house slaves" wore a "prettier" collar, which marked them as slaves and could still be used to restrain them, but didn't mar their beauty. And of course, it's the "house slave" concept that most BDSM slaves emulate -- how many BDSM slaves do you know who are keen to go out and pick cotton?
So there, my little theory on where the collars come from.
On the other hand, there is also the concept of a "choker", which is snug fitting jewellery or clothing to adorn a woman's neck. Perhaps the two concepts came together?
s'lara
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2002
- Posts
- 2,248
Slave collars date back as far as the Roman Empire.
The use of collars in American slave history was more about function/identification as mentioned by Fungi. Same thing with Roman slaves: they often had tags naming the owner of the slave. But, as to the origin of the collar, i think the leap from slave identification (non-BDSM connotation) to BDSM is going to be tough to pin down.
Not sure that submission stems from the historical use of collars unless it was enforced submission. Entirely different from the mindset under which someone accepts a collar in a consensual agreement. i also don't believe that all slaves emulate the "house slave" role as well. i know there are plenty slaves put to work just like any other and while it may not be cotton they are picking, i wouldn't necessarily call working on a house, lawn, car, farm, etc. a walk in the park. Whether the slave is keen or on working hard labor or not, they have no choice unless a medical condition prevents them from doing so or it isn't necessary for them to do hard labor (tough to do that in an apartment or office job).
i see where You were going with that Fungi, and while in theory that kind of makes sense, i think the evolution of the collar to become symbolic in BDSM is likely a bit more convoluted than that. i swear i read somewhere that the Leather Society had a big hand in the collar thing.
Interesting research question though.
lara
The use of collars in American slave history was more about function/identification as mentioned by Fungi. Same thing with Roman slaves: they often had tags naming the owner of the slave. But, as to the origin of the collar, i think the leap from slave identification (non-BDSM connotation) to BDSM is going to be tough to pin down.
Not sure that submission stems from the historical use of collars unless it was enforced submission. Entirely different from the mindset under which someone accepts a collar in a consensual agreement. i also don't believe that all slaves emulate the "house slave" role as well. i know there are plenty slaves put to work just like any other and while it may not be cotton they are picking, i wouldn't necessarily call working on a house, lawn, car, farm, etc. a walk in the park. Whether the slave is keen or on working hard labor or not, they have no choice unless a medical condition prevents them from doing so or it isn't necessary for them to do hard labor (tough to do that in an apartment or office job).
i see where You were going with that Fungi, and while in theory that kind of makes sense, i think the evolution of the collar to become symbolic in BDSM is likely a bit more convoluted than that. i swear i read somewhere that the Leather Society had a big hand in the collar thing.
Interesting research question though.
lara
Phoenix Stone
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2004
- Posts
- 1,292
Dog collars have been around a very long time, too, though I don't have the date. There is a dog collar museum in a castle in England, forgot the name but I could google if anyone interested, that was quite entertaining. Man, those old ones (made of metal, and usually covered with spikes) looked heavy. Some have things etched into them. One said 'I'm Lord X's dog. Whose dog are You?' Nice, huh?
In Ivanhoe, two of the "serfs" in the opening pages are described as wearing collars bearing the name of their owner.
As stated above, it's probably quite convoluted. Animals and livestock of various kinds have been fitted with collars for a very long time, both to denote ownership and for identification/restraint puposes. The connection between ownership/slavery/submission should be obvious.
They've been used for restraint for a very long time as well, as any display of mideaval dungeon items will attest.
There's also something quite sexy about neck ornaments in general, as nearly all cultures have used various sorts of necklaces. Though the Romans used collars on slaves, they also wore elaborate neckwear themselves, in the form of gold and jeweled torcs and such.
Even today, the choker-type necklace is continually popular; every time they go out of style, they promptly come back in again.
As stated above, it's probably quite convoluted. Animals and livestock of various kinds have been fitted with collars for a very long time, both to denote ownership and for identification/restraint puposes. The connection between ownership/slavery/submission should be obvious.
They've been used for restraint for a very long time as well, as any display of mideaval dungeon items will attest.
There's also something quite sexy about neck ornaments in general, as nearly all cultures have used various sorts of necklaces. Though the Romans used collars on slaves, they also wore elaborate neckwear themselves, in the form of gold and jeweled torcs and such.
Even today, the choker-type necklace is continually popular; every time they go out of style, they promptly come back in again.
mitchell67
Fabricus
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2001
- Posts
- 1,381
re: necks and collars
Fashion is a means of accentuating any and all sexual characteristics. Women have longer and more slender necks and so various fashion statements accentuate this difference e.g. high collars and chokers are just two examples.
I think the symbolism, both from domesticated animals and from chattel slavery, is quite clear and the body part quiet accessible to explain the use of the collar in sub attire. But to follow up on my theory, do dommes appreciate collars the same way on male subs? Or as I imply above, do male necks not have the same appeal for the female sex?
Fashion is a means of accentuating any and all sexual characteristics. Women have longer and more slender necks and so various fashion statements accentuate this difference e.g. high collars and chokers are just two examples.
I think the symbolism, both from domesticated animals and from chattel slavery, is quite clear and the body part quiet accessible to explain the use of the collar in sub attire. But to follow up on my theory, do dommes appreciate collars the same way on male subs? Or as I imply above, do male necks not have the same appeal for the female sex?
Never
Come What May
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2000
- Posts
- 23,234
FungUg:
"as barbed wire was only invented in the early 1900s, and slave collars have been around much longer than that, I'd say not entirely accurate"
Sorry, they wrapped their dog's neck in a collar for cloth, leather, rope metal or whatever they had around and made sure there were spiky bits of metal on the outside. And we know that sheepherders have been doing this from at least Roman times.
"as barbed wire was only invented in the early 1900s, and slave collars have been around much longer than that, I'd say not entirely accurate"
Sorry, they wrapped their dog's neck in a collar for cloth, leather, rope metal or whatever they had around and made sure there were spiky bits of metal on the outside. And we know that sheepherders have been doing this from at least Roman times.
The basic
The basic point on collaring is that when a sub realizes that her Master wants her as his sub and she agrees with him then it lets others know that she is taken as well as symbolizes the ownership.
I have always believed that when the sub asks for the collaring her willingness indicates her deep submission to him.
Origins? Pick a theory, any theory.
The basic point on collaring is that when a sub realizes that her Master wants her as his sub and she agrees with him then it lets others know that she is taken as well as symbolizes the ownership.
I have always believed that when the sub asks for the collaring her willingness indicates her deep submission to him.
Origins? Pick a theory, any theory.
Mr Blonde
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2001
- Posts
- 864
Here's an easier question: When proposing marriage, the man gives a ring to the woman. Married people then wear a wedding ring to convey their commitment and status. Where does this "wedding ring" convention come from?
With both a BDSM collar and a wedding ring, the initiating partner is buying something to give to the receiving partner. I was looking at my own life and it seems I give/gift something that already belongs to me.
Bonus story: In high school, I played football (American version) and the coach insisted we all wear on jerseys to school on Friday for "team spirit" (or to alienate the non-athletic kids). Anyway, I thought that was pretty dumb so I did something new. Starting in sophomore year, I would make my current girlfriend wear the jersey for me. A long-time teacher told me it was the first time he had ever seen anyone do that. Anyway, a few people picked up on it and by my senior year maybe 25% of the team had girlfriends or at least girl-friends (cheerleaders) wearing their jerseys on Fridays. During college (when I was now a fledgling dom), I can remember several occasions when my girlfriends/submissives would wear my shirts or my boxer shorts either voluntarily or at my request.
It was more natural to give the partner something of mine to wear or receive as a gift. And since I don't wear collars, it doesn't fit that I would be giving out collars.
But anyway, back to the origin of collars...?
With both a BDSM collar and a wedding ring, the initiating partner is buying something to give to the receiving partner. I was looking at my own life and it seems I give/gift something that already belongs to me.
Bonus story: In high school, I played football (American version) and the coach insisted we all wear on jerseys to school on Friday for "team spirit" (or to alienate the non-athletic kids). Anyway, I thought that was pretty dumb so I did something new. Starting in sophomore year, I would make my current girlfriend wear the jersey for me. A long-time teacher told me it was the first time he had ever seen anyone do that. Anyway, a few people picked up on it and by my senior year maybe 25% of the team had girlfriends or at least girl-friends (cheerleaders) wearing their jerseys on Fridays. During college (when I was now a fledgling dom), I can remember several occasions when my girlfriends/submissives would wear my shirts or my boxer shorts either voluntarily or at my request.
It was more natural to give the partner something of mine to wear or receive as a gift. And since I don't wear collars, it doesn't fit that I would be giving out collars.
But anyway, back to the origin of collars...?
Lancecastor
Lit's Most Beloved Poster
- Joined
- May 14, 2002
- Posts
- 54,670
I dunno where they came from, but I always notice a woman wearing one.
Yum.
Yum.
s'lara
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2002
- Posts
- 2,248
This particular answer is incredibly elusive.
i've gone to several sources and it appears that despite various studies on sexology, sadism, masochism, etc., there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer of how the collar concept became popularized by the BDSM society.
The Leather Society certainly assisted in making the collar concept one where bottoms/subs/slaves almost exclusively wore them to identify their "roles."
i thought maybe the Kinsey Institute might have tackled the subject (collars), but it doesn't appear to be the case.
Since it is an interesting question, i hope others may have more insight.
lara
i've gone to several sources and it appears that despite various studies on sexology, sadism, masochism, etc., there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer of how the collar concept became popularized by the BDSM society.
The Leather Society certainly assisted in making the collar concept one where bottoms/subs/slaves almost exclusively wore them to identify their "roles."
i thought maybe the Kinsey Institute might have tackled the subject (collars), but it doesn't appear to be the case.
Since it is an interesting question, i hope others may have more insight.
lara
AngelicAssassin
Something Wicked
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2001
- Posts
- 10,945
Skipping to the important Question
What do you believe a collar represents?
Ok , I have a question..........
Do all Dom/mes collar?
collar of Consideration, Training collar, final or slave collar
Pictures of collars
If you know what wearing/giving means to you, does it matter? Friendly bumps to other collar threads.Mr Blonde said:
What do you believe a collar represents?
Ok , I have a question..........
Do all Dom/mes collar?
collar of Consideration, Training collar, final or slave collar
Pictures of collars
Mr Blonde
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2001
- Posts
- 864
Re: Skipping to the important Question
It only matters as a point of intellectual curiosity.
This is just a background question...maybe someone already knows the answer from their reading or experience, or maybe someone cares to go investigate the origins. As s'lara said, this is just an interesting research question.
AngelicAssassin said:
It only matters as a point of intellectual curiosity.
This is just a background question...maybe someone already knows the answer from their reading or experience, or maybe someone cares to go investigate the origins. As s'lara said, this is just an interesting research question.
WriterDom
Good to the last drop
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2000
- Posts
- 20,077
The oldest recorded exchange of wedding rings comes from ancient Egypt, about 4800 years ago._ Then the Romans took it up later.
Slave collars were fuctional, or to point out slaves that were inclinded to try to run off.
What we now know as modern bdsm grew out of the "old guard" of male gay leather groups after WWII. And that is where the tradition of collaring began. At least from what I've read.
Richard would be a good person to ask since he has been around a while.
http://www.io.com/~ambrosio/manners/oldguard.html
Slave collars were fuctional, or to point out slaves that were inclinded to try to run off.
What we now know as modern bdsm grew out of the "old guard" of male gay leather groups after WWII. And that is where the tradition of collaring began. At least from what I've read.
Richard would be a good person to ask since he has been around a while.
http://www.io.com/~ambrosio/manners/oldguard.html
