Generic rendering of the Triskelion as found through Google Images.

Before the 1990s, the Triskelion had more of a Celtic origin as well as other cultures. In all cases, it symbolized a cycle that had three parts or just the number three. After the 1990s, the Triskelion became a covert or quiet way for someone in the Lifestyle of BDSM to recognize a fellow denizen. Its symbolism in BDSM can mean different things:

Three roles: Top (dominant), Bottom (submissive), and Switch (someone who enjoys both roles).

Three branches: Bondage and Discipline (BD), Dominance and Submission (D/s), and Sadism and Masochism (S/M).

Three principles: Safe, Sane, and Consensual.

My purpose in this writing is not to debate or deny any of these possible symbolic meanings. I would like to describe what it means to me and why one of the rings I wear features this symbol.

For me, it represents the three roles I fulfill as a dominant: Daddy, Sir, Master. I’m not saying these are the only roles possible. These are the roles I have most often accepted within a dynamic. My experience has been that a submissive needs one or two of these three all the time.

Daddy is needed in times of compassion, tenderness, empathy, and comforting. Daddy can also be a stern authority figure that is a lot like Sir but with a slightly softer touch. The submissive doesn’t need to be Little and quite often isn’t, but still needs to know that Daddy can spank when required.

Sir is needed in more formal or stronger power exchange situations. I’ve observed several videos where the submissive begins by calling the dominant Daddy but after several spanks, paddles, or such the dominant becomes Sir. It is a natural transition, and I’ve experienced it in my interactions of a scene, play, or real-life discipline situation with a submissive. Sir takes no shit and no prisoners.

Master is the rarest of the three and doesn’t often come into play unless the submissive wishes to explore that aspect of the dynamic deeply. It cannot and should not ever be forced or even contemplated unless the desire is voiced by the submissive and NOT the dominant first. It is even more rare for an M/s dynamic to be 24/7. What I’ve experienced is that some submissives want to spend some time in this mode, but not for very long. However, some submissives have expressed a desire to extend this mode for increasingly longer periods. I’ve never experienced a 24/7 situation.

In my dynamics, I can tell where the sub’s mindspace is by how the sub refers to me. As stated above, if it’s a more tender space then I am Daddy, if it’s more formal or needing formalized ritual/rules then I become Sir, and if the headspace is deep and full submissive then I become Master/Sir. I ensure that the submissive clearly understands this process. I also reserve the right to switch my role when I feel the need to be more one way than another.

In conclusion, I would like to share one way of interpreting the Triskelion symbol as it relates to how I navigate a dynamic. Hopefully, this might be helpful to others who are curious about possibilities or different ways of approaching the power exchange dynamic. I also often refer to these three parts of me as the Unholy Trinity. 😉