And What It Means
The BDSM emblem has no obvious symbolism because it was created to be enigmatic. To the vanilla observer who would be put off by BDSM, it is merely an attractive piece of jewlery. Thus we can wear it freely as a friendly salute, no, or wink to other BDSMers we should happen to pass in the halways of our daily lives.
To the insider, however the Emblem is full of meaning. The three divisions represent the various threesomes of BDSM.
First of all, the three divisions of BDSM itself : B&D D&S and S&M. Secondly, the three-way creed of BDSM behavior: Safe Sane and Consensual. Thirdly, the three divisions of our community: Tops Bottoms and Switches.
It this third symbolism that gives meaning to the holes in each unit. Since BDSM is at the very least play style and its greatest a love style, the holes represent the incompleteness of any individual within the BDSM context. However ''together'' and ''whole'' individuals may be, there remains a void within them that can only be filled by a complimentry other. BDSM cannot be done alone. The resemlance to a three-way variation on the Yin-Yang symbol is not accidental. As the curved outline of the Yin and Yang represent the hazy border between where one ends and the other begins, so do the curved borders here represent the indistintive divisions between B&D D&S and S&M.
The metal and metallic colour of the medallion represents the chains or irons of BDSM servitude/ownership.
The three inner fields are black, representing a celebration of the controlled dark side of BDSM sexuality. The curved lines themselves can be seen as a stylized depiction of a lash as it swings, or even an arm in motion to deliver an erotic spanking. The all embracing circle of course, represents the overlying unity of it all and the oneness of a community that protects its own