What is a Saint Andrew's Cross? - Definition from Kinkly

Saint Andrew's Cross

Updated: SEPTEMBER 21, 2022

Reviewed by Kinkly Staff

on October 25, 2022

A Saint Andrew's cross is a piece of BDSM furniture made up of a cross set diagonally in the shape of an X. It restrains the subject in a standing spread-eagled position. The St. Andrew's cross was most recently brought to public attention when it was used by Christian Grey to restrain Anastasia Steele in "Fifty Shades of Grey."

In a BDSM context, the Saint Andrew's cross is a popular piece of dungeon furniture. The subject is tied at his or her wrists, ankles and sometimes waist, either facing the front or the back. When facing the front, the subject can be teased, while the back-facing position is more often used for impact play like whipping, flogging or spanking. The crosses are often padded with leather or vinyl to make long-term use more comfortable.

A Saint Andrew's cross is also known as an X-cross, diagonal cross, saltire cross, X-frame, BDSM cross bondage cross or kink cross.

More About Saint Andrew's Cross

The Saint Andrew's cross is actually a Christian symbol, from the cross that Saint Andrew was said to have been crucified on, thus making him a religious martyr. It is not clear whether he was actually crucified on this type of cross, or whether later artists began depicting him this way to distinguish his crucifixion from that of Jesu

Crucifixion of St. Andrew By Juan Correa de Vivar By Juan Correa de Vivar - Galería online, Museo del Prado., Public Domain

In BDSM, the Saint Andrew's cross is a common fixture in dungeons and some private residences. Saint Andrew's crosses can be purchased, but this piece of furniture is easy and inexpensive to make, making it one of the most popular types of BDSM furniture for dungeons of all kinds. Some companies also sell instructions or hardware kits to make DIYing this type of furniture easier and more accessible. They key thing is that the cross be very sturdy and very well-affixed to the wall to ensure the bound person's safety. Beyond that, the same safety protocols used for any BDSM scene should be followed, including communication and the use of safewords.

Some Saint Andrew's Crosses can be spun around a central axle, turning them into "bondage wheels".

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