BDSM Education- Markings

Throughout this article please insert your favorite term for Dom/me/Master/Mistress/Owner, or sub/bottom/slave/property, etc. where appropriate.

Most markings are something special between a Dom/me and sub and are usually done when the 2 enter a long term relationship and/or marriage.  The design is usually designed by one or both of them to represent a special meaning to them as Master/slave, Dom/me/sub, Owner/property, etc.  I personally advise you to create something together and to be sure you both have discussed the design and the placement of the marking.  If a sub is caught up in trying to please their Dom/me by having whatever marking their Dom/me chooses and placed where their Dom/me wants it without any input from the sub, it can impact the sub's mental well-being and be devastating to their self-esteem.  A slave still needs to feel like they are a person and are important and have not lost themselves.  A sub that comes to a Dom/me and asks for a marking or asks if they could accept their Dom/me's marking will mean much more as it really becomes something that belongs to them both, rather than just belonging to the Dom/me.

These markings usually are for life and is not easily removed like a collar can be, so both need to know that doing such a marking is not something done on a whim and is meant to represent their relationship and bind them closer to each other for life.  Some Dom/mes will have a duplicate marking or the other half of a design to symbolize their commitment as Dom/me to their sub. 

For the sub this is extremely symbolic, some see it as a badge of honor as well.  It is etched into the sub's flesh, as well as their mind.  It is etched into the sub that they are worth the time and effort to be marked and that their body is no longer their own.  Some consider it a step of crossing over to the point of no return, it is no longer "play."  The marking shows the sub's choice to live as a slave and is there for them to see, unavoidable, always acknowledging their place and their choice.  The marking of the slave shows the Dom/me's choice to live as the slave's Master/Mistress and is there for all to see, unavoidable, always acknowledging their place, their responsibility and their commitment for life to their property.

Any place better for a marking than another?

Markings done on the left side means you are Dom/me/Master/Mistress/Owner etc.  Markings on the right side means you are sub/slave/bottom/property etc.  

Any specific marking to show you are a Dom/me or sub?

Common markings are usually a tattoo, a piercing(s), a brand or a cutting.

If you are looking for a standard design, there really isn't any, but with that said, here are a few that seem commonly used: 

The word slave or the word slave in the language of the Dom/me's heritage.
The Dom/me's name or initials over the sub's name or initials.
The slave's-slave name.
From "The Story of O" piercing of the clitoral hood. 
Piercing right nipple or both nipples.
The leather pride flag (similar to the one on this site's home page).
Some sort of knife and/or whip design.
The BDSM emblem.
John Norman's Gor slave markings-the staff and fronds of the classic Kef and the rose for a Dina.
The Chinese symbol "Nù" (woman under master's hand) is also popular.
Slave's registry number and/or slave registration number bar code.

Back to Dictionary page-Markings definition

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