Ownership Icons allow people in the BDSM Lifestyle to proudly show their involvement in the subculture, their status, and orientation.
The first 4 icons were initially designed by Tanos and used in 1995 by The Slave Register. They were designed to have a clear symbolism corresponding to their meaning (which makes them easier to remember), but without being obvious to vanilla by-passers in public.
Triskelion
The BDSM emblem, what does it mean?
The BDSM symbol was designed to have no obvious symbolism to a person who has no knowledge of the BDSM lifestyle choice.
In the early ’90s there was a collective outcry to create a way to be recognised by others in the lifestyle, whilst remaining incognito to the non-BDSM community or vanillas.
It was designed to be enigmatic, difficult to interpret or understand, but to a person within the lifestyle, it should be rich and full of meanings.
the Triskele, in the context of BDSM, focuses' on is the three arms of the Triskele and the number 3.
First, let's look at the name BDSM. It can be split into three areas.
1 B&D - BDSM - Bondage and discipline
2 D&S - BDSM - Dominance and submission
3 S&M - BDSM - Sadism and masochism
Secondly, the BDSM lifestyle has and promotes a three-way creed, a statement of faith if you like. Keep it,
1 Safe
2 Sane
3 Consensual
Thirdly the BDSM lifestyle participant can be identified by one of three clearly identifiable groups
1 A Top ( A Dominant, Master or Top)
2 A bottom ( A submissive, slave, or bottom)
3 A Switch ( A person who may be a Dominant in one relationship or role-play setting and a submissive in another. They are able to switch or serve in both roles)
So now if we look at the three legs, each leg represents one of three things, but at the same time one of many things.
What are the sperm style or Yin Yang shapes?
The shapes are meant to show how one area of B&D, D&S, and S&M are separate, but can easily cross the indistinct line into another area, representing how one area begins and another end. They appear the same but are clearly different. The constituent parts of BDSM are in motion. The blackness represents and celebrates the dark desires of a person and their ability to unleash and or control them.
What are the holes or dots in the Yin Yang shapes?
They are not dots, they are meant to represent holes. In this context, think of the black Yin Yang shapes as a person. A Top, a bottom, or a switch. The hole represents the fact that something or someone is missing and that the person or role is incomplete. Each shape/person is playing its part. BDSM can not be performed by one person, hence they have a hole within them. It is a hole that can only be filled by another. A Dominant requires a submissive as much as a submissive requires a dominant. One must have the other to be complete.
What is the outer ring?
The ring surrounds the three divisions of the various three's within the BDSM lifestyle. We can think of the circle as a border that represents the oneness of its community. A container of all constituent parts. A border of a community that understands, respects, protects, and embraces its own for their lifestyle choice, whilst understanding one part is no more or less than the other. If you stand inside of this circle, you have made a lifestyle choice and become one of the constituent parts.
Triskelion designed by Tanos, 1995
1. Ownership and Possession
Derived from the The Ownership Flag. This combination represents the shield as the owner, head of the household and the thick circle placed on the shield represents the collar, the owned submissives and slaves.
Popular with the head of Leather Families or Kink Houses containing more than one Master/slave or Dominance/submission relationship, where some or all of the rights associated with property ownership are held by the Master, Mistress, Owner or Dominant.
Worn by the main Master, Mistress, Owner or Dominant of the house.
Ownership and Possession designed by Tanos, 1995
2. The Shield
This is the symbol of a male Owner, Master or Dominant or a female Owner, Mistress or Domme.
The shield represents the owner of a slave or submissive.
The up-pointing arrow represents the male biology symbol.
The cross represents the female biology symbol.
Worn by the Owner, Master or Dominant or a female Owner, Mistress or Domme.
The Shield designed by Tanos, 1995
3. The Circle
This is the symbol of an Owned submissive or slave.
The closed circle represents a collar. The collared submissive or slave is spoken for and off limits to others.
The up-pointing arrow represents the male biology symbol.
The cross represents the female biology symbol.
Worn by the submissive or slave.
The Circle designed by Tanos, 1995
4. Unlocked Open Cage
This is the symbol of an Unowned submissive or slave.
The open square represents an unlocked open cage, where the un-collared submissive or slave is available to be approached.
The up pointing arrow represents the male biology symbol.
The cross represents the female biology symbol.
Worn by the un-owned submissive or slave.
Unlocked Open Cage designed by Tanos, 1995
5. Littles
This is the symbol of an Owned little of either sex.
The closed circle represents a collar. The collared little is spoken for and off-limits to others.
The open square represents an unlocked open cage, where the un-collared little is available to be approached.
The heart represents the little soul inside.
Worn by the little.
Littles designed by Sully of Beautifully Bound, 2016
6. Polyamory
This is the symbol of Polyamory of either sex.
The infinity symbol represents a long lasting trusted union between all involved.
The heart represents unconditional love.
Worn by anyone involved in this relationship.
Polyamory designer unknown
7. Switch
This is the symbol of a switch of either sex.
The arrows around the heart represents the person choosing to switch between the Dominant and submissive role.
The heart represents the the single being.
Worn by either involved in this relationship.
Switch designer unknown
You can buy these pendants and locking day collars here.
Posted By Sully B
Updated : 3rd December 2021 | Words : 1011 | Views : 309974 | Comments : 3
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4 Comments
Shouldn't there be another symbol? The Dom that doesn't have a sub but is looking for a possible candidate. Possibly the shield without the circle collar inside?
New new, just starting to explore the possibilities.
Thanks,
Bill
Posted By TRM on Sunday 6th August 2017 @ 12:15:03
Thank you Sully.
Posted By Vyktorya on Sunday 28th May 2017 @ 14:29:09
I have a question regarding the Owned symbol... when the gender indicator is in it, is that the gender who is the owner? Example: I'm female my Owner is male. If I should I wear the symbol, would I have the male indicator showing that I am owned by a male?
Posted By Vyktorya on Sunday 28th May 2017 @ 11:19:03
The 'owned' symbol is worn by the person who is owned. You are a female so you would wear the owned symbol with the female gender icon inside. Your owner would wear the shield symbol with the male gender icon in it as he is a male.
The circle represents a collar...a submissive or slave wears a collar, not the Dominant.
Sully
Posted By Sully on Sunday 28th May 2017 @ 11:19:03
