Sex is an essential part of human life. However, in most countries throughout history it has been considered as something too intimate or even indecent to be openly discussed or studied, especially in the Christian world with its strict morality. Though in recent decades the situation has changed significantly it is still rather difficult to collect accurate and comprehensive scientific data on this realm of human relationship, and in particular, on bdsm history.
Different sources, including fiction and some other works of art suggest that bdsm history started in the Middle Ages with the courtly love cult; others claim bdsm history begins in early 18th century with the progress of science and liberalization of views in Western society. It is a supported fact that in mid 1700-s there existed brothels specializing in flagellation and bdsm sexual games. This epoch of bdsm history also gave birth to Marquis de Sade, the person whose name is now reflected in the very abbreviation under the letter 's. Another notable person in bdsm history was writer and journalist, Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, with his most famous novel Venus in Furs describing masochistic inclinations of people. However, it should be pointed out that contemporary bdsm principles differ much from those practiced by the above persons in early days of bdsm history and are now based on Safety, Sanity and mutual Consent.
The bdsm history made a leap in the 20th and at this period a number of bdsm movies, bdsm toons and magazines were published. Erotic photography with bdsm themes also flourished, Bettie Page being the celebrated model and John Willie and Eric Stanton pioneering fetish photography. Internet shops got all kinds of bdsm toys in-stock specially designed to fit the bdsm play. There appeared a number of communities and clubs, including electronic ones (members are said to be in the lifestyle ), and the Old Guard Leather subculture appeared, later substituted by the New Guard with more flexible and liberal principles.
Bdsm Leather Pride Flag (alternating black and royal blue horizontal stripes with one white stripe in the center and a large red heart in the top-left corner) and bdsm emblem (a circle with 3 divisions, metal rims and spokes, arms rotating clockwise and holes in the inner black fields), are now generally accepted in the bdsm history. |