The collar symbolizes the ownership of a submissive/slave. Ceremonies were performed with the Master/Dominant placing a collar around the neck of the person who is willing to submit to them.

In this class I will explain the 3 different commitment levels of collars that I have witnessed. While the evolution of the different collars that have come into fruition over the last couple decades.
The “consideration” collar or the Promise Ring (vanilla analogy)
The “training” collar or the Engagement Ring (analogy)
The “permanent” collar or the Wedding Ring (analogy)

The Collar around a submissive’s or slave’s neck is a symbol in the BDSM community that dates back to 1954 when author, Anne Cécile Desclos wrote a book called “L”Histoire D’O’ who referenced a leather collar that of something someone who wear while in slavery. Later several other authors adopted the symbolism of a collar as well as practitioners of BDSM. One author in particular is John Norman. He gives collars enormous significance and power, which isn’t really present in Story of O.