Pillory
Definition
A pillory is a wooden or stone post that in earlier times served as a place of punishment, torture, or execution. Within BDSM, the term is sometimes used symbolically or aesthetically to refer to a post or structure to which a sub can be tied during a punishment or humiliation game.
Explanation of the pillory
Historically, the pillory was often located in a central square or at the city gate, where convicts were publicly tied up, flogged, or put on display. It served as a deterrent and a form of public humiliation. This medieval background has given the pillory a strong symbolic character within BDSM.
In the modern BDSM context, the pillory is not used as an instrument of torture, but as a fetish object that refers to surrender, power, and punishment.
Being tied to a pole evokes feelings of powerlessness and exposure, while the Dominant retains complete control over what happens. Some find an almost ritualistic beauty in it: the combination of discipline, history, and aesthetics.
In some studios or dungeons, the pillory is recreated as a decorative or functional attribute. The sub can be tied to it with their arms up or behind their back, sometimes with ankle cuffs or chains. The effect is both physical and mental: it reinforces the feeling of surrender and inescapability.
Safety & points of attention
Although the experience around the pillory is often ceremonial or symbolic, the same safety rules apply as with other forms of bondage:
Pay attention to blood circulation and posture. Prolonged fixation with the arms raised can quickly lead to cramping or tingling.
Use soft restraints or a protective layer between the skin and rope or metal to prevent abrasions.
Keep the duration of the restraint short and change positions regularly.
Ensure emotional safety; the ritualistic nature can evoke strong feelings of vulnerability or shame.
Never leave the sub tied up alone.
When the pillory is deliberately used as a symbolic punishment ritual, it is important that both partners are clear about the intention: whether it is about discipline, humiliation, aesthetics, or experience.
Related terms pillory
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