A Discreet Mark of Locking: Exploring Symbols for Keyholders and Locked Partners in the World of chastity

We were hunting for T-shirts that showed off a KH/MC theme. We stumbled on two sites with lots of pre-printed options and they’ll custom-make orders too. While browsing, we noticed that different lifestyles use a discreet symbol—one you’d recognize if you knew the lifestyle, but meant nothing to outsiders. The sites offer shirts saying things like “I’m Locked” or “I’m the key holder,” which feels a bit too obvious for comfortable outings. We figured finding one with a subtle symbol would work well and maybe even spark conversations. Does anyone know of a discreet symbol that represents being a KH or MC? If you’re in the market for t-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, tote bags, mouse pads, etc., check out Café . and; they have solid selections. Just search by your “kink”. Here are some links to get you started;

Well, there's the arrow pointing up inside a box, but that seems tied to being "owned" or acting as a slave. That doesn't quite fit everyone here. Something discreet, yet still signaling "I'm locked up"... gotta think about that one...

I saw one somewhere with a picture of a rooster in a cage... D

Yeah, I've seen those before. Since we don't live in San Francisco, I'd feel a bit conspicuous wearing one out shopping. We don't do public humiliation as kink. I've wondered if you could create a stylized "male/female" symbol using the Ares thing (the circle with the north-east pointing arrow), and instead of the female Venus symbol (and upside down cross) design a stylized key - like a skeleton key hanging from the circle, with the key section replacing the cross. Did that make any sense?

I recently blogged about this. A certain community neuters feral cats and clips one ear so they can be easily identified. Someone was selling winter hats with ears on them, featuring one clipped ear, as a fundraiser. I thought it was cute. The GLBTQ community often wear buttons, or "livestrong" type bracelets with rainbows or pink triangles. I DO love the caged rooster idea. Perhaps buttons or bracelets with a caged rooster? mikecb

If they would make one without the word chastity on it this might me discreet enough. Again, without the words this could work. ... 9011167607 Here is the cock in the cage. The logo on the shirt is almost too small to see but the one at the top of the page is what is on the shirt.

I guess I was thinking about something more simple. keyheld.jpg keyheld.jpg (18.95 KiB) Viewed 17458 times I hope I didn't hurt anybody with my mad artistic skillz.

Very nice. Now, what is the reply when someone asks for the meaning?

Shouldn't that be a padlock on there?! Unless you are making a design for gay keyholders - which is a pretty hott thought now that I mention it! Mmmm, gay chastity porn. Uh, what were we talking about? Oh, right.;-) Why not just a little lock for the locked partner, and a key for keyholders? You could make little cloisonne' pins or some such. The issue I'm seeing with any design is that it seems like you want to communicate, but at the same time, you don't want to communicate too loudly. In that case, you really just need a glyph with no inherent meaning (like the Prince logo, or just about any corporate logo for that matter). I like to wear the key around my neck, so I don't really need to display any other symbol than that - although I usually don't wear it when Lukus is out, so I guess for those times it might be nice. Mostly, those times I seem to be jonesing to pop him back in so there's not really a need for a reminder then.;-)

> member_888da5db85 wrote:Shouldn't that be a padlock on there?! Unless you are making a design for gay keyholders - which is a pretty hott thought now that I mention it! Mmmm, gay chastity porn. Uh, what were we talking about? D

Or a rooster with a key around his leg or in his mouth. The idea is that it doesn't have to be explicit. In fact it is better if it is not, The Polyamorous community has adopted the Parrot as it's symbol. As in "Poly want a cracker"?

> member_35d756fb6e wrote:Or a rooster with a key around his leg or in his mouth. The idea is that it doesn't have to be explicit. In fact it is better if it is not, The Polyamorous community has adopted the Parrot as it's symbol. As in "Poly want a cracker"? I thought Jimmy Buffett had a lock on parrots...:D

> member_888da5db85 wrote:Shouldn't that be a padlock on there?! Unless you are making a design for gay keyholders - which is a pretty hott thought now that I mention it! Mmmm, gay chastity porn. Uh, what were we talking about? I wasn't thinking about a padlock because I wanted to mimic the combined male/female symbol (I'm sure there's a name for it), and a hanging key seemed to be more stylistically fitting (think of the overall shape) than a padlock - which would be more conspicuous. I hadn't thought about what you might tell somebody if they asked, but the idea was that the symbol I was thinking of (that I can't draw) wouldn't be *so* different as to cause notice. And yes, a lot of people like to communicate without communicating. In the US, a lot of guys wear discreet Masonic rings; until recently, Masons never really talked about their membership publicly, but *other* Masons would notice the ring. And I think I'm not the only one that remembers the "hanky codes" that were common in urban areas back in the 70s.

Ok, I think part of what was going on with my reading of that design is that the two circles were such different sizes that it just looked like a male symbol carrying a key rather than interlocked with a female symbol. Even so, that one only works for a portion of the chastity community (although I suppose it could be varied).

> member_888da5db85 wrote:Ok, I think part of what was going on with my reading of that design is that the two circles were such different sizes that it just looked like a male symbol carrying a key rather than interlocked with a female symbol. Even so, that one only works for a portion of the chastity community (although I suppose it could be varied). Ah, yes, it was a very heterosexual-centric thinking on my part, wasn't it? But now that I think about it, it could still work. If I have time to get to a CAD program today I might make another attempt. My artistic skills are limited to the written arts - the finer arts somehow passed over me.

Wow! I was surprised at all of the responses. I get the feeling that there isn't a symbol so, we'll come up with one of our own. I got a CAD program for my carpentry hobby so I might play around with it to see what I can come up with. I like Tom Allen's concept of the male/female together. I'm going to try it with one circle and the cross on the bottom taking on a shape of a key. The male side, I'm thinking of one side of the arrow to show a small key opening. Something as subtle as this would be acceptable to LRC and me. It could be explained by "Oh it just shows that she owns the key to my heart." or something similar. I think someone practicing chasity would recognize its significance.

:like:

My CAD skills are non existent, but I am picturing: A circle with a heart in the middle. In the middle of the heart, a picture of the key hole (the old fashioned kind, that would accept a skeleton key). Off the circle, at the NNE position, an arrow. At the bottom of the circle, at the S position, a line with the skeleton key (not a plus sign, female symbol; the hangy thing on a skeleton key). Would this work for conveying loving, locked, a couple, not necessarily het? I wish I could draw on the computer! LOL D

With my non-existent paint skills, I came up with this: Image I didn't want the key to look so much like an E, but this was the best I could do!

That's actually pretty much exactly what I was imagining from your description! I think it still reads as really hetero, because of the reflection of the classic male and female symbols. You could also do two interlocking circles, and play with positioning of the arrow and key... maybe position the arrow lower and make it so it curves DOWN! Heh heh heh.:twisted: You have to admit, that perky arrow is a bit inappropriate for what we're portraying.;-) I've been imagining something maybe a bit simpler, like a little padlock with a heart shaped opening (for the locked party) and a key (like a fancy skeleton key) with a heart shape where the keyring would go through (maybe a bit of filigree on the top as well) for keyholders. This is sort of two individual logos though. To combine it for couples so both could wear the same insignia is going to require a bit more thought.

You know, just the heart with the keyhole would probably be perfect by itself! It really unclutters the design, it includes rather than excludes, and most importantly, it looks good. Dev, I think you have a winner!

I did some revising and came up with this: Image I wanted to have more edges touching, so everything is connected.

all very interesting... how about the normal male female rings, but reversed so that the male arrow points down and the female cross points up, perhaps I am too influenced by our FLR... LOL!

I have no idea how to add images but this link is for the Japanese symbol for chastity ... r-chastity

Here you go: Image

really?, it looks like the little symbol on the left (the guy) has an erection and is about to stick it to the little symbol on the right (the girl). -A

Dev, I love yours! I like the symbolism of enclosure, and having everything connected. Beautiful!

> member_888da5db85 wrote:Dev, I love yours! I like the symbolism of enclosure, and having everything connected. Beautiful! Thank you! I'm flattered...

> member_ef260e9aa3 wrote:I did some revising and came up with this: > Image I may have a dirty mind but that looks pornographic to me.

> member_35d756fb6e wrote: > > member_ef260e9aa3 wrote:I did some revising and came up with this: > > Image > I may have a dirty mind but that looks pornographic to me. :lol::lol: I hadn't noticed that at first but you are right. -A

Back to the drawing board, then? D

You DO have a dirty mind! Sheesh. Who here doesn't?!;)

Seriously, I don't see it. I think a little messing with the proportions would make this design perfect.

> member_ef260e9aa3 wrote:I did some revising and came up with this: > Image > I wanted to have more edges touching, so everything is connected. Dev; I liked your design and was going to try to have it put onto a t-shirt and ran into a problem. I copied it off the forum and it came out with a large white background with a small logo when placed on the web site's set-up. When I tried to enlarge the logo the auto-designer gave me the following message** " The image is enlarged to maxium for clarity. If you want image larger use 2000 x 2000 pixel PNG with transparent backgroud" ** I'm a million miles away from knowing what this means and am hoping that you or someone else can tell me how to do this.

Let me ask my partner Lukus... I bet you he can figure this out (tomorrow).;-)

I can revise it, too. Locked, if you send me your email address in a PM, I can send the file to you directly. D

I redid the image. If you want to grab the file out of my photobucket, send a PM and I'll give you the code (I don't want to post it here for privacy reasons). Alternatively, send me your email and I'll send the file to you. Image

Here is the file in transparent png. The board only allows 256k uploads so it is only 500 pixels wide

Hello you all, On these sites there is also a chastity symbol, maybe we can join them and make it an international symbol. That would be better. Greetings from Bert from the netherlands.

Dev, Melissa and I like your symbol so much we've even discussed getting it tattooed on each of us (in a discrete location) on our male chastity anniversary. I'd like mine to be all black and she'd like her's to have some red in it. We'll see! Michael

Michael, Thank you! I'm flattered. If you do get a tattoo I hope you will post pictures! D

Dev, We've practiced drawing it on each other with a Sharpie. We both want to get it tattooed on our male chastity anniversary in October. She wants hers to the side of her pubic hair where her bathing suit will cover it. She thinks mine would look good centered right above my cage (I'm clean shaven). Michael

Did you get it done?

> member_4e3795d05d wrote:Did you get it done? What he said... D

We want to and still plan to, but there were some unexpected repairs to be done and kids to provide for...maybe with our tax return. It's still going to happen - someday! Michael

Good to see you posting, hope all is good in your world

I've played with this design idea: Symbol.jpg Symbol.jpg (4.19 KiB) Viewed 7803 times Inner ring: male symbol Next ring out: the key Next ring out: female symbol Last ring: Wedding band

To my mind simplicity always wins out in the end. My suggestion would be for the classic 'keyhole' with the 'male' symbol pointing downwards within. (I'm on a phone so can't draw it but it is really simple) This would be for either party as the sex of the person would denote their role (with the exception of male KH's in a same sex partnership) and as it's just a line drawing could be done small, cheap and quickly - an ideal erotic surprise! Not sure about placement; are there established conventions for 'markings' of this sort?

I'm not aware of conventions for placement. I think you can put it where you like! My tattoo is on the small of my back. CQ is going to have another one done probably on my shoulder or my bum when we hit a significant anniversary.

I've come across a new one lately (or at least new to me) that I like. Have you guys seen this one before? ( ... -born.html) I first saw it here: ... -this-cake It seems that it was designed to symbolize femdom relationships but I think the meaning of a symbol (or more specifically, a tattoo) is what you choose for it to be.

> member_af720fba9f wrote:I've come across a new one lately (or at least new to me) that I like. Have you guys seen this one before? ( ... -born.html) > I first saw it here: ... -this-cake > It seems that it was designed to symbolize femdom relationships but I think the meaning of a symbol (or more specifically, a tattoo) is what you choose for it to be. A great symbol for all the man who are in a situation controlled by a woman. In fact I don't miss a key symbol, the closed ring has enough expression. I am going to use it! Thanks. Bert from the netherlands.

> member_32987c4b7a wrote: > A great symbol for all the man who are in a situation controlled by a woman. > In fact I don't miss a key symbol, the closed ring has enough expression. I am going to use it! > Thanks. > Bert from the netherlands. Fuhgitaboutit.

> member_af720fba9f wrote:I've come across a new one lately (or at least new to me) that I like. Have you guys seen this one before? ( ... -born.html) This looks way too Christian for me. I'd go for something much more subtle. A heart with a keyhole design in it for him, and a key with a heart shaped handle for her. Nice and simple.

> member_7e766db0a6 wrote: This looks way too Christian for me. Turn it upside down?

I have been looking for a symbol to wear for a while. I was hoping that there was a standard symbol that might be known and when around others interested in chastity they would know that symbol much like the BDSM symbol. A few things I came up with. I had bought a PA Locking hasp a while back for my PA when it was a smaller ga and my wife pointed out I could wear that as a pendant on my leather necklace. (Looks like ... -lock.html) the advantage, the kids and all vanilla do not know what it is, It was my PA jewelry and now my symbol of my chastity. Second I just placed a small masterlock I used before on a Miller cage on my key chain. No one outside chastity would ever figure that one out, might be common outside chastity but a nice reminder while I look for my keys to see that lock that was used on a cage too. lol.

It seems important to us to display from some way our choices of life without being able to go back. So Muriel and I have inked on our skin the state of each of us. Initially we wanted to do these tattoos on the center of my shaved pubes and on groin of my wife above her pubic hair. But on second thought we also wanted that these drawings are always visible to everyone. In fact a kinky clue to who can understand… And we finally chose to make these brands on the back of our wrist (the left for me and the right for her). These tattoos are complementary. My design is a heart-shaped padlock and the lock is replaced by the lips of a small cunt (obviously HER cunt). Of course that means I'm deprived of the access to her sex. The Muriel’s drawing is a large key with the tip of the key shaped in little cock with hanging balls, symbolizing that she only get control of my dick.

Hi there, hope you all don't mind a newbie chiming in but hubby and l are going to get a lock & key tattoo as well. I actually drew out his padlock with kinda like vines on it that form my initials around the keyhole. I'll get a key that matches the lock style. We hope to get them soon, we're very excited!

Nice drawings. Where are you going tattooed these symbols?

> member_a3933509db wrote: Nice drawings. Where are you going tattooed these symbols? My monkey boy has, of course, let me choose the spot to be tattooed... I love his hips - so damn sexy - so I decided that his lock tattoo will go on his right side, lower abdomen right above his waistband. I'm pretty sure my key will go on the inside of my forearm or something like that... wherever I find room inbetween my other tattoos lol ~ Lady

> LadynMonkey wrote:... wherever I find room inverter my other tattoos lol A heavy tattooed Lady is so hot...:D

> member_a3933509db wrote:A heavy tattooed Lady is so hot...:D I wouldn't call myself heavily tattooed but I have tops of my feet, ankles and shins/calves, wrists, inside of my forearm and some other places around my body too. Hubby likes them especially when he's worshipping my feet and works his way up!:) I do plan on expanding my back/shoulder blade tat into a half sleeve, that it going to be awesome!:) Anyone ever share pics of their Male Chastity tattoos?

Tattooed tops of women feet is so sexy and so encouraging to worship...:)

> member_a3933509db wrote:Tattooed tops of women feet is so sexy and so encouraging to worship...:) Unless the tat is Yosemite Sam or something.....

Yes sure lol

> member_e0e2087b3e wrote: > > member_a3933509db wrote:Tattooed tops of women feet is so sexy and so encouraging to worship...:) > Unless the tat is Yosemite Sam or something..... You're so right, makes them very easy to worship! No weird tattoos on my feet/legs lol he loves my big Dragon & big butterfly. I was supposed to take the deposit over for his chastity tattoo but got caught up busy so maybe next week so we can get this thing done very soon!:)

I absolutely love the commitment and permanence that getting a tattoo implies, and I hope you will share pictures of the finished product!

> member_75c78a1ec7 wrote:We were looking for some T-shirts that displayed a KH/MC theme. We found two sites that had a wide variety of pre-printed shirts and will custom make your order as well. While we were looking we saw that the different lifestyles has a discrete symbol. One that if you were aware of the lifestyle you would recognize and if you weren’t it would mean nothing. The sites have shirts that say “I’m Locked”, “I’m the key holder” etc. but, that’s a little to open for us to feel comfortable wearing out of the house. We thought that we could find one with a discrete symbol we could wear these and they might be a conversation starter. > **Does anyone know of a discrete symbol for being a KH or MC?** > If anyone is looking for t-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, tote bags, mouse pads, etc. Café . and have a good selection. You just search on your “kink”. Some links to get you started; > > > The Keyholder Luggage Tag is hilarious! ~Alex

> member_766dcd3b07 wrote:I absolutely love the commitment and permanence that getting a tattoo implies, and I hope you will share pictures of the finished product! Hubby and I got commitment tattoos about a month ago on the inside of our wrists... mine is our wedding date with a heart and his says "IB2MF" which is I Belong 2 MF (which is my initials). His new chastity one will be a lock that I sketched up & mine a key and I'd love to share a pic once we get them done!:)

Commitment tattoos are so hot... My wife and I are looking for another to ink.

Love the thread..... had been thinking about this for ages. Some great links and ideas on here. I'm wondering if simplest isn't best though? I was thinking just a padlock M or a key F. Those who know what it is about will be communicated with - those who don't might offer us locksmith work?

I took hubby's tattoo over to our artist the other day and he has an appt next Thursday to get his lock tattoo... can't wait to show you all. I'm going to be getting my key on the inside of my right forearm below my wrist I think:) very excited!

Great! It's so exciting to display those indelible marks...

> member_a3933509db wrote:Great! It's so exciting to display those indelible marks... Is that avatar your arms?

Yes they are ours. Do you like?

Just found this image from a blog posted on Key Held. I think it is very subtle but covers a lot of ground...I particularly like that it demonstrates the mental side of chastity.

> member_a3933509db wrote:Yes they are ours. Do you like? They are very nice!:)

Thank you:)

> member_60480c1e50 wrote:Just found this image from a blog posted on Key Held. I think it is very subtle but covers a lot of ground...I particularly like that it demonstrates the mental side of chastity. the blog..

Ok I decided to post this pic on the blog because I don't have anywhere that's hosts my pics... cagedmonkey went and got his tattoo done today and its on his right hip above his waistband! I love it and it's damn sexy! - it's the only post there right now! I think this is the link to the actualpost:

Got the t shirts from cafe press today. I have the black caged cock, and keyholder has little miss keyholder.... was a surprise for her. Was slightly worried she might think I was being too public / out there as that's not always her thing, but she tells she will definitely be wearing it in public, probably without a bra..... oh god!