Spreadeagle table

A spreadeagle table (for lack of another name, a proper term is not yet known) is an item of BDSM/spanking furniture on which the bottom is laid horizontally in a spreadeagle position.

Usually such a table has a central surface from which four bars extend, on which the bottom's arms and legs are placed and restrained (e.g. with straps, cuffs or rope. A spreadeagle table can look similar to a horizontal version of a St. Andrews cross, but the central part is usually wider and straight to support the subject's torso and head. Also, spreadeagle tables are usually padded to be more comfortable to lie on - vertical St. Andrews Crosses don't need such padding.

Shapes

The following simplified graphic shows the two most common shape variants, with the arms either in a V-position or extended to the sides.

       \       /
        \  _  /               _
         \| |/               | |
          | |           =====| |=====
          | |                | |
          | |                | |
          |_|                |_|
         /   \              /   \
        /     \            /     \
       /       \          /       \

In South Korea, a similar wooden construction called gonjang (곤장) is used for judicial corporal punishment, but in the shape of a cross, where the delinquent's legs are together, not spread:

                _
               | |
          =====| |=====
               | |
               | |
               | |
               | |
               | |
               |_|

Position

For spanking, the spankee is laid prostrate on the spreadeagle table. The spankee's pelvis can rest on one or two pillows, or folded or rolled-up towels or blankets for more comfort and to elevate the spankee's buttocks into a more erotic and spankable position.

For BDSM and sexual play, the bottom can lie either prostrate or on his/her back. In both cases, the subject should always be firmly secured so that he/she can not accidentally fall off.

A spreadeagle table is popular because the restrained person is particularly exposed and helpless.