Flagellation
Flagellation is the act of whipping (Latin flagellum, "whip") the human body. Specialised implements for it include rods, switches and the cat-o-nine-tails. Typically, whipping is performed on unwilling subjects as a punishment; however, flagellation can also be submitted to willingly, or performed on oneself, in religious or sadomasochistic contexts.
Rhabdophilia
Main article: Rhabdophilia
Rhabdophilia is the arousal from receiving flagellation. This is a form of phobophilia common among those who participate in S&M sex.
Apparently, this was popular after the Black Death in the Middle Ages. People felt the need to exercise control over themselves and their fates, and so two sets of extremists arose. These were those who participated in orgies, and those who participated in self-flagellation (the flagellants). The flagellants originally whipped themselves in order to punish themselves for the sins of the clergy and society. In a stunning twist, however, some later orgies consisted of whipping combined with sex.
Disciplinary use and torture
Flogging is an approximate synonym that was probably derived from flagellum in the British Navy, where flogging was a common disciplinary measure that became associated with a seaman's manly disregard for pain.
- Flagellation probably originated in the Near East but quickly spread throughout the ancient world. In Sparta, young men were flogged as a test of their masculinity.
- The Jews limited flagellation to forty strokes, and in practice delivered forty strokes minus one, so as to avoid any possibility of breaking this law due to a miscount. Additionally they would have a doctor monitor the punishment, who would stop it if it became too much for the person to safely bear.
- In the Roman Empire, flagellation was often used as a prelude to crucifixion, and in this context is sometimes referred to as scourging. Whips with small pieces of metal or bone at the tips were commonly used. Such a device could easily cause disfigurement and serious trauma, such as ripping pieces of flesh from the body or loss of an eye.
- The Romans reserved this torture for non-citizens, as stated in the lex Porcia and lex Sempronia, dating from 195 and 123 BC. Typically, the one to be punished was stripped naked and bound to a low pillar so that he could bend over it, or chained to an upright pillar as to be stretched out. Two to six lictors alternated blows from the bare shoulders down the body to the soles of the bare feet. There was no limit to the number of blows inflicted; this was left to the lictors to decide, though they were normally not supposed to kill the victim.
BDSM/Erotic use
In the sexual sub-culture of BDSM, "flagellation" involves beating the submissive partner and is a form of impact play. Such a flogging is not always delivered with forceful blows; sometimes it is done with very soft blows, repeated a great many times so as to make the skin sensitive. Thus, the softest impact will eventually feel very intense. Flogging for erotic thrill, typically with implements such as floggers, whips, paddles, or canes.
The flogger See used in this context has a large number of soft broad suede or leather thongs. Its impact is felt as an impact ("thud") leaving a stinging sensation. Used with light or medium intensity, it can almost act as a form of massage. Used intensely or for longer periods, it becomes painful. Flogging with this implement, usually on the shoulder blades, behind, or other fatty areas of the body, can leave bruising but does not cut or permanently mark the skin.
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