On a board that I belong to, a few questions were brought up as to the meaning, value, and importance of a collar.  I responded with my thoughts and the following is that post.

I believe there are many ways to define the collar within the umbrella of the alternative lifestyle community, however, when it comes to "Gor" then I believe that there is only one way to interpret its meaning - it signifies ownership and that the slave has surrendered her right to choose as long as she wishes to remain in it. In its tangible form, it may take many shapes. It may be a strip of leather, a circlet of steel, a necklace, a ring, or it may have no tangible form at all, instead being a word that denotes the committment itself.

I do believe, however, that a collar has whatever meaning it is given by those who are involved in the relationship. Just like a wedding ring, for some its meaning may be of great importance while for others, it may be something taken lightly and tossed away at a whim.


"What does it mean to you?"

The collar I wear means the world to me. It symbolizes not only my surrender to my Master and his ownership of me, but its constant presence around my neck serves to remind me of who I am at every moment of every day. It is almost as if I can feel his own fingertips encircling my throat. Although it is the symbol of his ownership, I would feel somewhat naked if it were ever to come off. In fact, I had to undergo some medical tests and they instructed that it was to be removed as (being made of metal) it obstructed their machine's view. When it was temporarily removed, although I was still his slave and the relationship had not changed, I felt a moment of panic because that familiar weight was gone. Strange, huh? *grins*

"Does a collar have to be a "collar", can it be a bracelet, a necklace ?"

While for my owner, a collar is his preference, I believe it is up to each individual Master to decide which form the collar will take.


"What's the significance of a cyber collar ? "Shouldn't" a cyber collar have just as much significance as a Real-Time collar and not be taken lightly ?"

Again, I feel that the collar has whatever significance the relationship's participants put in to it. Online or offline, it can mean everything or nothing to the individuals involved.

I believe that it is something that should never be taken lightly though. Before entering into such a profound commitment, great thought and care and time should be given to make sure that the choice is a good one.

I do not feel that online and offline slavery are the same thing per se, but I do believe that the collar itself can be equally as important regardless of the venue of which one wears it.