Mesopotamia: BDSM tale of goddesses and gods
BDSM, that is to say the universe which brings together the practices of bondage, discipline, domination, submission, sadism and masochism, would have begun in the era of antiquity in Mesopotamia. With the creation of writing, stories of goddesses and gods were found mentioning BDSM sexual practices. The story most popularized by historians is that of the goddess Inanna. According to the accounts found, Inanna is a goddess worshiping her vagina who tended to place men in a position of submission and in a state of orgasmic pain.
Ancient Greece: Flagellation and transmission of sexual knowledge
At the time of ancient Greece, we speak of BDSM present in the essence of a religious ritual called “flagellation” towards both men and women. Flogging was carried out in Sparta in what was called the whipping tomb which was a room specially dedicated to the practice of whipping with the aim of feeling sexual pleasure. Sex being an integral part of society, the transmission of knowledge was encouraged. We also saw BDSM in the representation of this teaching in the role relationships that certain couples or duos could have as student/teacher, therefore with a power relationship associated with sexuality. (A quick reminder that consent occupies an essential part of BDSM practices today and we cannot say that at that time these notions were necessarily respected or applied.)
Kama Sutra (4th century): BDSM consensual sexual practices and first guide
The arrival of the Kama Sutra, which is a Sanskrit work, brings the notion of consent and a guide to more targeted BDSM practices to seek more controlled sensations. The Kama Sutra dictates places that can be struck during consensual sex to promote sexual pleasure including the shoulders, head, space between the breasts, back, buttocks, hips and part midline of the body. The book also indicates methods for doing it well, including striking with the back of our hand, striking with contracted fingers and striking with the palm of the open hand, for example.
The Marquis de Sade: Sexual fantasies and origin of the term “sadism”
In the 18th century, Donatien Alphonse François or the Marquis de Sade who was a French nobleman wrote several stories and novels highlighting sexual practices using pain to elevate sexual pleasure. Moreover, he even spent time in prison for his activities and behaviors far from societal norms. It is from its title that the term “sadism” in the definition of BDSM came into being.
Leopold von Sacher-Masoch: BDSM Stories and Origin of the Term “Masochism”
Leopold von Sacher-Masoch is an Austrian writer who discussed BDSM in these stories in the 1870s. For example, the story "Venus in Furs" illustrates a man's great desire to become a woman's slave and let her punish him to the point of pain. It is also in these writings that the term “masochism” indicates perversion will be taken up by the psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing and will remain in BDSM culture thereafter.
The 18th century: Roman Fanny Hill & flogging in brothels
One of the first pornographic novels, Fanny Hill by John Cleland tells the story of a female prostitute who participates and observes during group sex scenes in England. At times in the novel, we see that the author refers to pain and pleasure. Moreover, flagellation was still present, but increasingly hidden due to the decline of the Catholic Church. It was in brothels and brothels that BDSM practices were experienced, including by figures like King George VI. We began to see installations such as a machine for whipping several people at once and a spanking chair.
The 1950s: The popularization of leather clothing and accessories
With industrialization comes new materials such as leather, PVC and metal which will be used more and more as part of BDSM culture in communities influenced by biker groups. Both clothing and sex toys have been influenced by these new materials, bringing innovation to BDSM sexual practices. Much associated with masculinity, leather becomes an emblem of violence and aggressive sexuality in fetishes. Subsequently, certain pin-ups, including Bettie Page, took up these BDSM representations to bring a different touch bringing several senses to leather.
Today: BDSM Communities and Priority Consent
Understandably, BDSM goes back a long way in history and seemed to focus a lot on mixing pain and sexual pleasure, without necessarily having the consent of everyone involved. Although the whip and the notion of violence seemed very popular at the time, the definition of BDSM is diverse and includes several sexual practices that were not mentioned much in ancient stories. We can also see that BDSM was practiced both publicly and in more hidden environments depending on the time and associated beliefs.
Today, BDSM is more and more explained and is shared with consent as a priority in communities. Although there is still work to be done, the options for experiencing BDSM and connecting with other interested people are more open than before. Thanks to social networks and specialized dating applications, it is now possible to interact with people who are fans of BDSM and find events to explore as well. Thanks to the popularization of erotic stores and online commerce, it also makes it possible to obtain sex toys, accessories and erotic lingerie to experience your BDSM as you wish.
Sources:
- https://www.vforvibes.com/fr/history-of-bdsm/
- https://nawajutsu.fr/les-origines-du-bdsm/
- https://www.only-pleasure.com/article/histoire-bdsm-plongee-origines-evolution