BDSM Cross 101: All About the BDSM X-Cross

No doubt you’ve been to a BDSM party, a fetish night at a club, or to someone’s kinky dungeon and seen a BDSM cross, also called St. Andrew’s Cross.

Maybe you’ve enjoyed being tied to a BDSM cross, spreadeagled, and whipped or flogged, and want to learn more about using the St. Andrew’s Cross or potentially getting one for your own dungeon or playroom.

What Is a BDSM Cross?

A BDSM cross is simply a large X-shaped piece or furniture with bondage attachments at each tip for wrists or hands and ankles/feet.

A submissive may be bound to the cross facing in or facing out. They can be bound standing, just from hands, or bound from hands and feet. Some models are conducive to being bound upside down, or in a table-top position.

Read: Bondage Restraints: 15 Types of Bondage Gear

It can be made of steel, wood, or diverse materials. It is sometimes padded for comfort and other times covered in leather for leather fetish lovers. Most commonly it is simply bare metal or sanded wood.

An X-cross is typically mounted against a wall flat or slightly leaning forward. Sometimes it is mounted against a steel framework, something along the lines of a floor mirror or an artist’s easel. It can be secured with hanging chains at the top and bottom as well.

A BDSM cross is sometimes referred to as St. Andrew’s Cross, or a saltire or saltire cross. This is because the X-shape, rather than T-shape we usually picture when we think of a cross, is the shape of the cross that St. Andrew was crucified on, according to legend.

Read: 10 BDSM Furniture Ideas for Your Home Dungeon

the edge dungeon santa cruz

5 Types of BDSM Crosses

There are a variety of styles of St. Andrew’s crosses. If you’re looking for a cross for your dungeon or playroom, you will want to consider the different mounts and styles.

1. Wall-Mounted BDSM Cross

The wall-mounted BDSM cross is the most permanent, sturdy, and secure version, best suited for long-term use in a dungeon or BDSM room where it won’t need to move around. It is also the safest BDSM cross, suitable for submissives who are chubby, muscular, or tall, as well as anyone else.

A wall mounted cross will be mounted directly from the X formation in some cases, or have an extra vertical panel.

Leaning St. Andrew’s crosses are often preferred for both comfort and versatility, and a leaning one can still be wall mounted. It will be designed in a way that allows the lower part to stand out from the wall, with a structure on the back that is mounted.

Read: BDSM Dungeon Basics: Play By the Rules

2. Freestanding BDSM Cross

It’s versatile to have a freestanding X-cross, because it can be easily moved to different parts of the room or dungeon, or pulled out and put aside as needed. It is also simpler to make if you are making your own.

A homemade or minimalist freestanding cross can be flimsy or unsafe. But freestanding St. Andrew’s crosses often come with heavy steel foundations. The sturdiest ones can be heavier and more difficult to move than the lightweight ones. They can also be very safe for different bodies or for intense BDSM.

3. Collapsible BDSM Cross

If the only submissive using the BDSM cross is very small, or if portability is an important necessity, the collapsible St. Andrew’s cross is super convenient. Lightweight and folding, this version can wrap up easily and be transported to a fetish event, another dwelling, or tucked away.

4. Bondage Wheel Cross

An elaborate piece of BDSM furniture is the bondage wheel cross, which is giant wheel with an X-cross on it, where the submissive can be secured. The wheel can turn or be tilted, according to the desired positions.

5. Over-the-Door BDSM Cross

A really versatile and simple-to-use-and-store version of the BDSM cross is the over-the-door version. It’s a series of nylon belts in an X shape with attachments for restraint.

Made of lightweight strips, along the lines of yoga straps, it’s a kink-lite version for folks who enjoy experimenting or have a playful approach that doesn’t need serious bondage. If you have different kinky lovers, keeping this on hand for spontaneous moments is easy, as the whole kit fits neatly away in a small drawer.

Read: Bondage for Beginners: How to Get Started

8 BDSM Cross Play Ideas

The St. Andrew’s cross can be used in many different BDSM or fetish scenes. It is designed for bondage and impact play like flogging and caning, but there are no limits to the number of kinky scenarios and fetish expressions.

1. Whipping

The cross is frequently used with the submissive restrained, facing the wall. This makes their buttocks easy access for the dominant lover. The St. Andrew’s cross is versatile as a kind of spanking bench!

Read: BDSM Whipping 101

2. Flogging

This goes for flogging, too, or caning, paddling, and any kind of impact play desired.

Read: Flogging for Beginners

Woman with Flogger in Her Teeth

3. Teasing and Denial

Having your sub all tied up and at your disposal is the perfect set up for erotic teasing and denial, whether light play or full-on orgasm edging and orgasm denial.

Read: Tease and Denial Games for Your Teasing Kink

4. Wax Play

Hot wax is a classic BDSM thrill and perfect when your sub is spreadeagled before you like a banquet.

Read: Literally Hot Sex: The Essentials of Wax Play

5. Sensation Play

Full-body access, front or back, allows for all kinds of sensation play, not just wax. Experiment with blindfolds, ice, tickling, biting, oils, paddles, fragrances, and more.

Read: Sensation Play Tips, Tools, and Ideas

Ice Cube in Red Lips

6. Erotic Humiliation

Subs who crave punishment, degradation, and erotic humiliation can take their medicine while secured to the BDSM cross. Subject them to the degrading tirades they crave, to nudity, cold, and to the bottom of your boots.

Read: All About Degradation Kink and How to Play

7. Penetration and Fisting

Whether the submissive is standing, upside down, or in a table-top position, penetration with fingers, toys, machines, or fisting is a popular way to play on the St. Andrew’s cross. Dildos can be used actively, or inserted vaginally or anally as part of bondage, keeping the submissive “nailed” to that cross.

8. Anal Training

Spreadeagled and bound to the BDSM cross? What a perfect opportunity for anal training. Anal training is all about getting the asshole used to being open, and being penetrated, and learning to take larger sized toys.

Read: BDSM Ideas: The BIG List of BDSM Play

Do you own a BDSM cross or used on in your kink play?

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