Bondage & Discipline, Domination & Submission, Sadism & Masochism: The Collar

Just like many aspects of "Bondage and Discipline, Domination and Submission, Sadism and Masochism," the collar is very controversial in its meaning and need. In many but not all dominant and submissive relationships, there is a collar or necklace that symbolizes a submissive belonging to her master or dominant. The meaning and background of the collar has been interpreted in many different ways but the following are some of the important points.

The Collar is given to a submissive usually in a ceremony like a marriage ceremony but kinkier. The Collar being like the ring symbolizing the fact that the submissive is taken and no longer available. It also states the obvious which is that the individual wearing it is the submissive not the Dominant of the relationship. Usually behavior will tell you this however occasionally you will see a submissive trying to dominate his or her Master.

The Collar is also used for role-playing games which are prominent in the Dominant/submissive lifestyle (D/s). It can help the submissive feel her role and Mastered which is what she or he desires.

There is also the connotation of the Collar being given due to the idea of a submissive being a "pet". Now keep in mind that some submissive do believe this way and choose to, and are exceptionally happy. However there are also submissives that are not inclined to this way of thinking and their Master is not either.

Now being collared does not always mean literally wearing a leather collar with buckle. The actual collar can be many different things, from a small metal ring that encircles the neck, to a diamond necklace. Chokers seem to be a very classic style of a collar for many submissives because of the tightness and incessant reminder of their Master.