Saint Andrew's Cross

A Saint Andrew's cross is a piece of BDSM furniture with an X-shaped cross positioned diagonally. The person is held in a spread-elegled standing pose. The most recent public encounter with the St. Andrew's cross occurred when Christian Grey used it to restrain Anastasia Steele in "Fifty Shades of Grey."

The Saint Andrew's cross is a standard piece of dungeon furniture in BDSM settings. The person, facing either the front or the back, is bound at the wrists, ankles, and occasionally the waist. When facing backwards, the subject can be teased, but impact play techniques like whipping, flogging, or spanking are more frequently employed. The crosses are often cushioned with leather or vinyl to make prolonged use more pleasant.

An X-cross, diagonal cross, saltire cross, X-frame, BDSM cross, bondage cross, or kink cross are other names for a Saint Andrew's cross.

More About Saint Andrew's Cross

Because Saint Andrew was supposedly killed on this cross, making him a holy martyr, the cross is essentially a Christian symbol. It's unclear if he was indeed crucified on this kind of cross or if this is how later painters portrayed him to differentiate his crucifixion from Jesus'.

The Saint Andrew's cross is frequently found in dungeons and certain private homes in BDSM. Although Saint Andrew's crosses are available for purchase, this furniture is simple and affordable to construct, making it a popular choice for BDSM dungeons of all kinds. To make do-it-yourself furniture more straightforward and more accessible, several businesses also sell hardware kits or instructions. To guarantee the safety of the bound person, the cross must be robust and securely fastened to the wall. In addition, the same safety procedures that apply to any BDSM scene should be observed, such as using safe phrases and communicating.

Some Saint Andrew's Crosses can be made into "bondage wheels" by spinning them around a central axle.