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The BDSM Symbol..

The round BDSM emblem is an ancient symbol called the “Triskahelion”. Visually the symbol is a reinterpretation of the “yin-yang” and has become a way that BDSM practitioners can proclaim their interest publicly, virtually unobserved by the “vanilla” public.

Although the symbol has no meaning to the vanilla public, it is full of meaning for those involved in the many aspects of BDSM. The three divisions within the emblem represent the many triads that exist within BDSM itself.

First of all, it represents the three primary divisions within BDSM itself: Bondage/ Discipline, Dominance/ Submission, and Sadism/ Masochism. Secondly, it symbolizes the motto of BDSM behavior and play: Safe, Sane and Consensual Thirdly, the Triskahelion can be seen to represent the three divisions of our community; Tops, Bottoms and Switches.

To me it is the third representation that gives meaning to the holes in each unit of the emblem. Since BDSM is at the very least a play style and at it’s greatest, a love style — the holes represent the incompleteness of any individual within the BDSM who is not part of the community; separately we exist, but it is only as a community that we come together to form a cohesive whole. This interpretation serves to cement the idea that BDSM cannot be done alone.

The resemblance of the Triskahelion to the yin-yang symbol of the orient, is not accidental. The curved outline of the yin-yang represents the shadowy border between where one ends and the other begins; the same is true for the BDSM symbol — the curved borders representing the indistinct divisions between Bondage/ Discipline, Dominance/ Submission and Sadism/ Masochism.

Lastly, the curved lines of the Triskahelion can also be seen as a stylized depiction of a lash as it swings, or even an arm in the motion of delivering a spanking. The all-embracing circle itself, represents the overlying unity of BDSM and the sense of community that brings us together and makes us whole.

You can read more about the BDSM Lifestyle Symbol here.

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