The Mystery and Sanctity of

The Collar

by Master Buz Lawson

The wedding ring’s history dates back to ancient times deep within African tribes, first appearing as a permanent bracelet around a woman’s ankle.  In the caste system of tribal customs, the bearer of the ankle bracelet became the property of the one whose bracelet she wore, for life.  The promise of marriage transferred ownership of her portion of her father’s assets to her husband.  This also serves as one history of the dowry, the promise of wealth accompanying the purchase, or enslaving of, a ‘wife.’  Survival of the tribe as well as the individual members of the tribe depended on this distribution of status and assets.

In what could be arguably less civilized, the early Romans enslaved captured enemies as well as citizens found guilty of sedition and criminals.  Those unfortunate enough to have been enslaved in this way wore some kind of collar, affixed so that it could not be removed by the slave.  In such times, a female slave could work her way up a devised system to be elevated to the position of ‘concubine,’ but could never be freed.  She would be property of the Master who owned her for the duration of her life.

A male slave who was fit, however, was likely to be assigned to hard labor or to Caesar’s army, where he would serve and likely die.  Those who did not die were given the opportunity to perform for Caesar in the coliseum in battles to the death with others of their kind or with wild predators.  Having elevated themselves to the status of ‘Gladiator,’ successful performances and behavior deemed ‘suitable’ could earn them the freedom to become citizens.

These slaves wore chains around their necks, locked in place.  Bought and sold among Roman aristocracy, the key that opened the lock was transferred along with the piece of property.

During the same period, and for several centuries thereafter, Europeans from states farther to the north adopted slavery as a sentence for criminal acts.  Indentured slaves served out a sentence that was pre-determined by the legal powers of the age, most generally being sentenced to serve the house that was offended by the crime.  It was not necessary that an indentured slave be marked with a collar or other symbol of their servitude, as any attempt to escape the sentence passed could result in torture or even execution.

It was only in the late seventeenth century that slave-traders began to invade foreign lands for the purpose of capturing innocents, without political agenda or ambition, purely for profit.  The promise of free labor in the establishing of wealth in new lands made the slave trade profitable.

Slaves captured in this way and for this purpose were heavily shackled in chains and transported by wooden ship thousands of miles to be auctioned off as property to any who would be willing to bid on them.  Wretched and miserable, freedom was a dream beyond reach.

The collar that is bestowed by a Master upon a slave in the leather world of modern day represents an ownership by agreement.  The tribe does not depend, for its very existence, on the transfer of status, wealth and assets.  No enemies have been vanquished.  The slave is not earning the way to freedom, nor has the slave been convicted of some terrible wrong, and been sentenced to make restitution in service.

The leather slave of today has chosen slavecraft as a vocation, and a Master as a mentor.  The Master of today need not be a surly, brash overlord, (though some prefer to appear so), but is a willing partner in an exchange of power.

The power exchange is exactly that; an exchange.  Anyone who attempts to convince you that ‘power exchange’ means, “You give me power over you and I accept power over you – that is the exchange,” is likely dangerous, if not physically, most certainly emotionally.  With power comes responsibility, and in accepting responsibility, one gains power.  As enigmatic as this statement seems, it is the very nature of the exchange of power between a Master and a slave.  Accepting and agreeing to live in the very nature of the conflict and necessity of opposites, both accept responsibility for their respective roles and are therefore empowered. 

A slave submits, offering service and obedience.  Such an offer is a brave and powerful one.  It is in service and obedience that the slave earns the right to receive and continue to wear Master’s collar.  In accepting the responsibility inherent in such service and obedience, the slave is mysteriously empowered, providing that Master is responsible in accepting and honoring the gift.

When Master accepts this gift, Master does so with the knowledge that no possession is worth owning that is not worth caring for.  In placing a collar around the slave’s neck, signifying ownership, Master accepts the responsibility to look after the slave and to see to his physical and emotional needs, as well as to protect, nurture and train him.  In responsibly accepting the gift of slave’s submission and service, Master is empowered.

A slave serves Master’s needs as a matter of commitment to service, and a Master sees to the slave’s safety, security, health, growth and well-being as a matter of being the responsible owner of precious property.  In this, the exchange of power is complete; slave surrenders power in serving, and Master empowers slave to serve by accepting responsibility for the needs of the slave.   In the negotiated exchange of power, power is actually shared, along with the responsibility that comes with power.

The collar is a powerful, enigmatic and sacred symbol of a deep and mysterious bond.  Beyond all of the other trappings, significators and accoutrements we don in our leather lives, none is more sacrosanct than a Master’s collar.  It is the one most recognizable symbol of commitment in the lives of Masters and slaves, a commitment to continual honest communication, devotion, dedication and the negotiated exchange of power.

The mystery and sanctity of the collar can be summed up thus:

 “I have accepted and am honored and empowered by this gift.”

 “my Master’s collar reminds me of my duty and sets me free.”

 As sacred as is the commitment between Master and slave, so also is its symbol.  A Master’s collar should be seen and if not understood, at the very least revered.  It should be considered sacrilege to touch the collar around a slave’s neck without the consent of the Master who owns it.  Likewise, it should be considered sacrilege to touch or engage the property bearing it without its owner’s consent.  Committing either offense speaks of a lack of responsibility to or respect for the very nature of the power exchange, making one less deserving of its benefits.  To be seen disrespecting the property of another is to speak in deafening tones of one’s inability to show respect for others.  Disrespect for the nature of the D/s lifestyle will only garner contempt and set an individual outside of it. 

If you like what you see and would like to be one day privileged enough to belong to such a bond, you can empower that desire by accepting the responsibility to respect it in others.  None will find you suitable who know you to have violated the sanctity of the collar.  Masters:  who would accept or seek your collar who is not sure of your respect for what it represents?  slaves:  who will offer you a collar who is not sure you can respect the commitment required to earn and wear it?