The Quiet Power of Ownership Icons
BDSM — A World of Chosen Power
BDSM is not simply about the act—it is an intricate dance of Bondage & Discipline, Dominance & Submission, and Sadism & Masochism. At its heart lies consent, trust, and the intoxicating exchange of control. It is a world where power is given, not taken; where boundaries are respected, and pleasure often blooms in the tension between restraint and release.
Within this subculture, symbols carry weight. They are silent declarations, intimate markers of identity, worn not to shout but to whisper—only to those who understand the language.
Summary of Symbols
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Triskelion — The emblem of the BDSM lifestyle, rich with triple meanings: practices, principles, and roles.
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Ownership & Possession Shield — Authority and guardianship over multiple D/s or M/s relationships in a household.
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The Gendered Shield — The mark of an Owner, Master, Mistress, or Domme, carrying masculine and feminine symbolism.
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The Circle — The sign of an owned submissive or slave, protected and spoken for.
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Unlocked Open Cage — Indicates an unowned submissive or slave, open to approach.
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Littles — Represents owned or unowned littles, with the heart at the centre of their identity.
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Polyamory — Love without limits, marked by infinity and a heart of unconditional affection.
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Switch — The dual-natured role, able to embrace both Dominant and submissive energies.
The Symbols and Their Stories
The Triskelion
A discreet mark. A knowing glance. A shared language.
The BDSM Triskelion is not a loud emblem. To the uninitiated, it is a mysterious swirl; to those who live the life, it is layered with meaning.
In the early 1990s, the community longed for a way to recognise one another while remaining invisible to the vanilla gaze. The answer came in 1995 from Tanos—a design rich in symbolism, yet impenetrable without context.
Its three arms echo the three pillars of BDSM: B&D (Bondage & Discipline), D/s (Dominance & Submission), and S&M (Sadism & Masochism). They also mirror the creed of Safe, Sane, Consensual, and the three primary roles: Top, bottom, and Switch.
The Yin–Yang curves show motion and interplay, the dark celebrating our shadow selves. The hollow within each arm represents what is missing—the counterpart needed to be whole. Encasing it all is the circle of community: united, protective, and accepting.
Designed by Tanos, 1995.
Ownership & Possession Shield
Born from the Ownership Flag, this emblem speaks of authority, guardianship, and claim. The shield stands for the Dominant—the unwavering protector and head of the household. Encircling it, a bold ring symbolises the collar worn by those under their command.
Common in Leather Families or Kink Houses with multiple D/s or M/s relationships, it marks the central figure who holds the rights and responsibilities of ownership.
Designed by Tanos, 1995.
The Shield
A mark of command and guardianship, The gendered Shields signifies the one who holds ownership in a D/s or M/s dynamic. The shield itself symbolises the protector of a submissive or slave; the arrow denotes masculinity, the cross, femininity—together representing all Dominants, regardless of gender.
It is worn by those at the helm: Owner, Master, Mistress, or Domme.
Designed by Tanos, 1995.
The Circle
The owned circle is silent declaration of devotion, The Circle marks one who is owned—submissive or slave. The unbroken loop embodies the collar, signalling that the wearer is claimed and off-limits to others.
Gender symbols within honour all who serve, regardless of sex.
Designed by Tanos, 1995.
Unlocked Open Cage
An invitation in plain sight, the Unlocked Open Cage marks a submissive or slave who is unowned. The open square recalls an unlatched cage—its occupant free to be approached, courted, or claimed.
It is worn by those whose next bond remains unwritten.
Designed by Tanos, 1995.
Littles
A tender yet unmistakable mark, the Littles symbol speaks of innocence and belonging. The closed circle reflects the collar of a claimed little, while the open square hints at freedom for those uncollared. At the centre rests the heart—the sweet, playful soul within.
Designed by Sully of Beautifully Bound, 2016.
Polyamory
The Polyamory emblem honours love without limits. The infinity symbol speaks of bonds that endure and intertwine; the heart embodies unconditional love that multiplies when shared.
It is worn by those who embrace multiple loves openly and ethically, where every connection is valued and consent is sacred.
Switch
The Switch emblem belongs to those who can flow between power and surrender. The circling arrows show the freedom to take either role; the heart at the centre reminds us this duality belongs to one complete being.
It is worn by those who embrace every facet of the exchange.
Wearing the Symbols Today
From whispered meetings in private clubs to the vast reach of the internet, these symbols have travelled through decades of shared passion, identity, and community. Today, they adorn more than profiles and history—they live on skin, in ink, and in the quiet gleam of jewellery worn close to the heart.
At Fetbomb, each piece is crafted to honour this legacy. Whether it’s the bold authority of Ownership & Possession, the fluid duality of the Switch, or the timeless mystery of the Triskelion, our designs allow you to carry your identity with you—discreet to the world, but instantly recognised by those who speak the language.
Wear them as a declaration, a secret, or a promise. Let your symbol become part of your story.
Explore the full collection at Fetbomb.com — where every piece is more than jewellery; it’s a mark of who you are.
