Collars have been a symbol of power, submission, and ownership since ancient times. Today, they play a significant role in the BDSM and kink community as a symbol of dominance and submission, of commitment to a dynamic or relationship, as a milestone marker, in pet play and in other role-playing scenarios.
The evolution of collars in BDSM and kink culture has a surprisingly short history. Although collars were used to identify slaves and servants in the 18th and 19th centuries, the earliest reference to collars being seen in a kink context i is in Pauline Reage's Histoire d’O, published in 1954. The author, having no previous experience of BDSM herself, most likely invented the symbolism that has since inspired millions of BDSM authors and practitioners alike.
Today, collars are used in various forms of BDSM play, including pet play, slave play, and breath play. In pet play, pet collars are often used to represent the animal being portrayed, with different types of collars representing different types of animals. In both pet play and slave play, collars are used to represent ownership, control and may look different depending on level of training the submissive has received. The dominant partner may hold a key to the collar in either dynamic.
Breath play, a type of BDSM play that involves restricting a person's breathing. Some collars feature choke chains to engage in this type of play. In this scenario, the collar is used to restrict the submissive's breathing, adding an element of danger and excitement to the play.
The use of collars in BDSM and kink culture has evolved over time, with different types of collars representing different roles and dynamics. Today, collars are a staple in the BDSM and kink community, symbolizing power, submission, and ownership. Some even have a collaring ceremony and ritual, of equal value to marriage, to show their level of commitment to one another (or to themselves!) and the dynamic. As the community continues to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to see how the use of collars continues to change and adapt.