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The St. Andrew’s Cross is a type of BDSM furniture that is characterized by its distinctive shape, resembling the letter "X." This apparatus is commonly used in practices involving restraint and can facilitate various types of play, including bondage and impact play.

The St. Andrew’s Cross typically features a sturdy framework, often made of wood or metal, which allows for the secure attachment of the submissive partner. The cross position encourages a vulnerable posture, where the individual is usually bound at the wrists and ankles, spreading them apart and providing accessibility for the dominant partner. This can enhance the experience of surrender and submission, as well as facilitate a range of activities such as spanking, flogging, or sensory play.

In a more detailed context, the St. Andrew’s Cross can also serve as a symbol of consensual power exchange, where both partners have negotiated their boundaries, limits, and safe words prior to engaging in play. Safety and consent are paramount, as is the aftercare needed post-session to ensure the emotional and physical well-being of all involved.

Overall, the St. Andrew’s Cross is not just a piece of equipment but also a significant tool within the BDSM community, embodying the principles of trust, consent, and shared exploration of desires.

A St. Andrew’s Cross is a piece of BDSM furniture consisting of two diagonal beams that intersect in an "X" shape, resembling the cross on which St. Andrew was crucified. This piece of equipment is commonly used in BDSM dungeons and play spaces for restraining a person in a spread-eagle position, allowing for easy access to various parts of their body for impact play, sensory deprivation, or other forms of BDSM activities. The person being restrained can be bound to the cross using ropes, cuffs, or other restraints, while still being able to move within a limited range. The St. Andrew’s Cross is often seen as a symbol of BDSM and is used for consensual power exchange dynamics between partners.

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About the Author: Gareth Redfern-Shaw

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Gareth is the founder of Consent Culture, a platform focused on consent, kink, ethical non-monogamy, relationship dynamics, and the work of creating safer spaces. His work emphasizes meaningful, judgment-free conversations around communication, harm reduction, and accountability in practice, not just in name. Through Consent Culture, he aims to inspire curiosity, build trust, and support a safer, more connected world.

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