BDSM 101 History - DOMINATION AND SUBMISSION

by Lady Hugs

Entire contents are hereby Copyrighted © 2004

In the BDSM realm in a general sense, pulls from the four areas of influences which gives distinct elements of dominance and submission.

As the knights and warriors of the modern day are given symbols of investitures, so does the BDSM realm.

Although there is less published works on other forms of investitures of the dominant or submissive, the Master, the Mistress, the slave, the rituals exist.

The literature proffered by the leather community, of the Old Guard, which is the basic foundation to follow in the modern BDSM culture, it still does not dictate what is absolute, in regard to the larger expressions of domination and submission. As times change so do rituals, ceremonies and practices.

In studying the BDSM investiture of the dedicated participant, the placement or wearing of certain items is a silent means to express their attitude and responsibility to the practice of BDSM, to the practice of Master, Mistress or slave, to the practice of Dominant or Submissive (as a title) and as Top or bottom (as a title).

When the person wears the leather pants, it is an expression of the highest commitment. The leather boots, also express the commitment as well. The wearing of chaps often denotes the next level under the enclosed leather pants. The wearing of Levi trousers express less commitment. These silent symbols show the experience level to the beholder’s eyes. The wearing of the cover, which is a "military officer like hat, with vinyl visor and cloth cover," are worn by the Dominant or Top. This goes back to ancient Rome and Greece, when slaves were freed, to separate themselves in society, they wore a hat always.

In addition, the early form of wearing leather, also included wearing of a leather jacket with epaulets. This then changed to also include leather vests. Black being the preferred choice in leather.

With weather and change of styles, the wearing of leather trousers has change to the wearing of leather shorts, thongs with chaps or chaps without thongs in private areas. We also have the "covers" worn by Dominants and Tops but, by heavy bottoms as well.

With those who practice other dressing forms, they must rely on their experience and knowledge to give silent signals as to what they are, be it Dominant or submissive. With a keen eye, if a person observes how the interaction between two individuals, usually can identify who is dominant and who is submissive. For example, most experienced submissive would know to walk approximately one-half step to behind of the Dominant’s left shoulder. Again, this practice has ancient roots in the military and slaver’s experiences.

Being in such a position, the Dominant could see out of the corner of their eye where the slave was, leaving their right hand which was normally the strong hand or sword hand free. Another example of interactions between experienced Tops and bottoms, is by how they make eye contact or not. A Top is expected to make direct eye contact with submissive types. The experienced bottom however, would not make eye contact directly with the Top but, look down at the boots of the Top.

There are other means to identify a Dominant. These may be the wearing of a sash to which the tails of the sash hangs on the left side. This is the old sword or saber side, now replaced by a whip. Since the authority badge is on the left, the weapon such as a sword was also on the left, now these subtle signs are used to denote the role they fill. In addition to the sash, some use keys hanging out on the left side of the belt, as an available Dominant and if keys are inside the pocket, they are not available. This "key" signal can be used by submissive types but, the keys are worn to the right side. Arm bands are at times used, following the same subtle code. Flags or bandannas are used in back pockets as well to subtle speak to the person viewing such, their interests and which role they are.

Now that the ways to identify who is a dominant type and who is a submissive type, it is the time now to know how to interact and learn the silent service of a slave and to be recognized to be considered more seriously.