5:26 AM
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Symbols of the BDSM community. On the left, a
triskelion; on the right, a Ring of O. (Credit: rationalwiki.org)
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As with many
other forms of non-normative sexual activity, practitioners within the BDSM
lifestyle have adopted or created symbols that represent the BDSM lifestyle.
Much like the rainbow flag is used as a symbol of the LGBT movement, the BDSM
community use the triskelion[wp] and
the Ring of O,[wp] not so much as the symbol of a movement, but
more of an identifying feature, thereby allowing practitioners of the BDSM
community to meet up without the need to stand in the middle of a crowded pub
and shout, "Who's here for the rope-play?"
The
triskelion, used in many English speaking countries, needs to be of quite
specific design to be recognised as a BDSM symbol, with the outer circle and
spokes needing to be of a metallic colour (gold, silver, steel or iron are the
most common), the background needs to be a solid colour and the three holes
need to be holes, not dots, and are usually edged in the same metal as the
circle and spokes. The greasy thumbprint over the whole thing is entirely
optional. However, variations of the BDSM symbol do occur where the triskelion
is represented by flowers, normally red roses, that have prominent thorns shown
as part of the symbol.
The second
symbol, the Ring of O, is used more in continental Europe, and is widespread in
use throughout the German speaking BDSM community. Very, very loosely based on
the ring that the fictitious female character wears in the series of novels
"The Story of O," the ring consists of a a large steel ring with an
attached smaller ring which can be swivelled. The wearing of the Ring of O can
also carry greater symbolism than just identifying the wearer as a member of
the BDSM community. When the ring is worn on the left hand it
can indicate that the wearer is a top, or dominant, whilst wearing it on the
right-hand indicates a bottom, or submissive. In such cases a top would
normally wear the ring on the left hand so that his or her right hand isn't
wearing a heavy, metal ring that could cause unintentional damage during use,
whilst a bottom wears the ring on the right hand to indicate a symbolic binding
and surrendering to his or her top. Obviously, this can mean that the symbolism
can be reversed for people who are left-handed and so the wearing of the Ring
of O can't be used as a reliable guide to a wearer's preference. (Source)
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