Domination & submission _ the BDSM relationship handbook ( PDFDrive )

The Gorean Collar
A pretty compelling case could be made that we all owe a great debt to John
Norman for being the originator of the notion of collaring as the Master/slave
alternative to traditional committed relationships. He was certainly largely
responsible for the popularization, if not the origination, of the concept. Our
Earthly BDSM culture may recognize only a handful of different collar types,
but on the planet Gor, a collar has dozens of practical and symbolic purposes, not
the least of which are their aesthetic qualities. In Slave Girl of Gor (1977), John
Norman wrote, “In the matter of collars, as in all things, Goreans commonly
exhibit good taste and aesthetic sense." Elsewhere in the same work, Norman
commented on the emotional utility that a collar may have for both the Master
and the slave:
“It is said, in a Gorean proverb, that a man, in his heart, desires freedom,
and that a woman, in her belly, yearns for love. The collar, in its way,
answers both needs. The man is most free, owning the slave. He may do
what he wishes with her. The woman, on the other hand, being owned, is
institutionally and helplessly subject, in her status as slave, to the
submissions of love.”
(John Norman, Slave Girl of Gor, 1977)
New slaves - particularly slaves brought to Gor from Earth - are made to
memorize the customs and cultural lore surrounding the history and purpose of
Gorean collars, and are expected to be able to recite them upon her master’s
command:
"What is the common purpose of a collar?"
"The collar has four common purposes, Master," she said,
"First, it visibly designates me as a slave, as a brand might not, should it
be covered by clothing.
Second, it impresses my slavery upon me. Thirdly, it identifies me to my
Master.
Fourthly," she said, "it makes it easier to leash me."
(John Norman, Explorers of Gor, 1979)