IC :
BDSM Dictionary : Branding: history
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
This entry is part of the BDSM Dictionary hosted by Informed Consent.
This is the version from 16 Sep 06, 7:06 PM. The full history of this entry will show any more recent versions.
| Contents |
Branding refers to the scarification of the body by a hot object. It can happen accidentally, for example from careless use of a violet wand, or purposely to create a slave mark. The rest of this article is to do with the intentional marking of a slave.
Branding is usually done with a hot metal object to scar the body. It is sometimes seen as an ultimate act of submission and commitment, to slavery if not to the relationship. A brand will be with the slave for many years, and is likely to show a mark for the rest of the person's lifetime. Brands are normally placed high on the outer thigh, on the belly just above the crotch or on the breast.
A mark, normally indicating identity or ownership, is burned into the skin just as might be done on the hide of a animal, with a hot iron. The human skin is much more fragile than, say, that of a bull and a lot more care needs to be taken. A human branding mark is normally much smaller than one for cattle, so care needs to be taken with the design as something too complex is unlikely to work or last.
For some slaves and owners, branding is an intense desire, indicating total commitment and psychologically stamping the slave as property so the slave truly feels owned and wanted. Branding is a common issue in Gorean slavery, often talked about in the novels.
For those with a low pain tolerance or just wanting to pretend about branding, a mark can be applied with an ink marker. Cheat 'brands' can also be applied with tattoos.
Branding is not part of play; serious branding should not be considered as a 'scene' but should only be done by a knowledgeable practitioner.Personal Experiences
(This entry in the BDSM Dictionary incorporates text from the Branding article in Wipipedia.)
This entry is published under the terms of the GFDL. People with profiles on Informed Consent can improve this entry: see the BDSM Dictionary help page for details.
