Today we’re talking about a topic that is as old as lust itself – and yet so unknown that it can cause real surprises in your writing: figging. Maybe you’ve heard the term whispered before, between ropes, whips, and the soft click of handcuffs. Or maybe it’s completely new to you. Either way, here you’ll find everything you need to not only understand figging, but also bring it to life in your stories.

What the hell is figging?

Imagine a fresh, juicy ginger root. Not for cooking, not for tea, but cut to size, peeled, maybe even shaped into a small, smooth stick. And now imagine that stick slowly but surely sliding into a tight, moist body cavity—the anus, for example. Or, less commonly, the vagina. Sounds unusual? It is. But that’s exactly what makes it so exciting.

Figging is the practice of inserting ginger (or sometimes other pungent plants) into the body. The ginger irritates the mucous membranes. At first, you may feel only a tingling sensation, then a warming sensation, then – depending on your sensitivity – a burning, throbbing sensation that spreads in waves. It is not pain in the classic sense, but an intense, almost electrifying sensory experience. And that is precisely what makes it so fascinating for many people in the BDSM context.

Where does it come from? A little journey through time

The origins of figging are nebulous, as is often the case with practices that take place in the twilight of history. One theory traces it back to Victorian England: At that time, ginger was said to have been used as a “torture tool” for naughty maids or as a punishment for adulteresses. Is this true? Hard to say. But the image of a strict mistress ordering a trembling maid with a bright red face to bend over while she stands behind her with a stick of ginger in her hand – that’s quite a picture, isn’t it?

Literary scene I – Victorian England

London, 1887. The laundry room at St. Agnes Workhouse smells of damp wool and pungent soap suds. Five girls stand barefoot on the stone tiles, their skirts and petticoats gathered up high. Miss Hargrave, the matron, has caught them chatting and dawdling while doing the laundry – “insubordination,” she calls it, and that means public punishment.

On the table is a basket of freshly peeled ginger, the tips smooth as polished bone. “Bums out, eyes forward,” she orders. Mary, sixteen, feels her heart pounding against her ribs. The wooden ruler under Hargrave’s arm is not there for precision work.

A cold finger spreads her buttocks, then the wedge-shaped piece of ginger pushes deep into her anus. At first, there is only pressure, then a tingling burning sensation that intensifies into a blazing heat within minutes. Her muscles instinctively clench around the foreign object, but the matron knows that this only intensifies the effect. “Don’t clench, girl. If you clench your cheeks, you’ll get double.”

When the first blow with the cane falls on Mary’s buttocks, she flinches involuntarily—and with each movement, the piece of ginger rubs further against the sensitive mucous membrane. The heat and pain mix, and Mary’s knees tremble. Lizzie whimpers next to her; two others gasp sharply. The row must not move until everyone has received their blows. Those who fidget too much start all over again.

Another trail leads to Asia, where ginger has been considered a medicinal plant for thousands of years. Perhaps its arousing effect was discovered for other purposes at some point. Perhaps it was a game, an experiment, a secret passed on by word of mouth.

Today, figging is mainly known in the BDSM context. It is a practice that combines control, humiliation, and sensory overload. And that is precisely what makes it so interesting for our stories.

Literary Scene II – BDSM in the 21st Century

“Stay still.” Alex’s voice is calm, almost friendly, and that’s exactly what makes Sam nervous. She kneels naked on the bench, her upper body propped up, her hands tied behind her back. The afterglow of the spanking still burns on her skin.

Alex lifts up the prepared piece of ginger. It is smoothly peeled, the tip moist. “Old-fashioned technique,” he says quietly. “Back then, they did it to prevent movement. With us, it does exactly the opposite.”

A cold finger pulls Sam’s buttocks apart, then the piece of ginger penetrates her anus. First there is only pressure, then the heat rises—quickly, intensely, relentlessly. Her body wants to clamp down on the stimulus, hold on to it, which only increases the burning. Alex waits until her breathing quickens.

“Ten strokes,” he announces. “Every stroke—stay still. If you move, we’ll start again from one.” The first blow makes Sam flinch involuntarily, and the movement drives the burning deeper. She breathes in gasps, fighting the urge to turn away. The second blow hits even harder. She knows that Alex isn’t aiming for welts, but for that dance between discipline and loss of control—the very one that now keeps her trapped in the heat.

How does figging feel? A sensual approach

Let’s get specific. Imagine you are Lena, 28, slim, with dark curls and a penchant for black lace panties. You are kneeling on a soft carpet, your hands tied behind your back. Your partner, Markus, broad-shouldered, with a rough voice and a penchant for slow, torturous touches, stands behind you. He has already prepared the ginger: a smooth, thumb-thick stick, freshly peeled, the ends rounded.

“Breathe deeply,” he says. You feel his fingers pulling your buttocks apart. The cool air brushes over your anus, then the moist tip of the ginger. Slowly, millimeter by millimeter, he pushes it in. At first, you only feel the pressure, the unfamiliar sensation. Then it begins.

A tingling sensation, as if someone were stroking your insides with a quill. Then warmth, like a hot stone lying in your belly. And then—the burning. It’s not a sharp pain, but a pulsating, almost fluid sensation that spreads. Your muscles contract involuntarily, but the ginger stays where it is. Every movement, every breath seems to fuel the fire.

Your face is glowing. Sweat beads on your upper lip. Markus’ hand strokes your back. “Do you like that?” he whispers. You can’t answer. You can only moan.

Safety first: What you need to know

Figging is not without risk. As an author, you should know this so that your characters act realistically—and you don’t put your readers in danger.

First: Ginger must be prepared. Fresh, peeled, without sharp edges. Never dry or fibrous, otherwise it can damage the mucous membranes. A little olive oil or lubricant helps with insertion.

Second: Hygiene is everything. Ginger should only be used once. And: Anyone who figs should shower beforehand. Bacteria have no place in irritated mucous membranes.

Third: Not too long, not too deep. 10 to 20 minutes is a good guideline. Then take it out—and maybe apply a cool compress to the irritated area.

Fourth: Communication is a must. Anyone who figs needs a safeword. Those who let themselves be figged must be attentive. Redness, trembling, sweat – these are signals that are just as important in the text as they are in real life.

Figging in your story: dramaturgy and psychology

Now it gets exciting for you as an author. How do you incorporate figging so that it doesn’t seem like a cheap trick, but rather a central, sensual experience?

1. The structure: suspense through foreshadowing

Describe how the ginger is prepared. The smell that rises to the nose, sharper and earthier than usual. The knife that peels the skin. The way the character who is going to figg observes the other – with a smile that is both tender and cruel.

Example: “He placed the ginger on the cutting board. The knife flashed in the candlelight. She knew what was coming. Her mouth went dry, but between her legs she felt a moist heat that had nothing to do with fear.”

2. The execution: sensuality instead of shock

Show the physical reactions. How the muscles tense, how the breath becomes shallower, how the skin blushes. Use comparisons that your readers can relate to: like a slow fire burning from within, like an electric shock spreading in waves.

Example: “The first pressure was almost bearable. Then the tingling began, as if someone were sprinkling salt on her insides. She bit her lip until she tasted blood. His hand on her back was the only thing that reminded her of the outside world.”

3. The aftermath: intimacy and vulnerability

Figging leaves its mark—not only physically, but also emotionally. Show how the characters interact with each other afterwards. Is one of them comforted? Is she ignored? Is the experience used as a power play or as a moment of connection?

Example: “When he finally removed the ginger, she remained lying on the bed, her knees pulled up to her chest. He stroked her sweat-drenched hair. ‘Do you need water?’ he asked. She shook her head. What she needed was his hand holding hers while her body still glowed.”

Tips for your prose: How to bring figging to life

• Play with the senses: Ginger smells, tastes, burns. Describe not only the feeling, but also the smell (sharp, earthier than lemon), the taste (when it later lands on the tongue), the appearance (the smooth, moist surface of the stick).
• Use psychology: Figging is not only physically intense, but also mentally intense. Show how your characters deal with control, shame, lust, and the loss of autonomy.
• Incorporate it into the plot: Figging can be a punishment, a reward, an initiation ritual. Maybe it’s a secret that only two characters share. Maybe it’s a taboo that is being broken.

Writing Prompt: Your scene awaits

Imagine: A young woman, Elena, visits an exclusive BDSM club for the first time. She is greeted by an experienced dominant, Valeria—a woman with sharp features and a voice that sounds like liquid honey. Valeria has a special test for newcomers: Those who want to stay must be figged. Not as a punishment, but as proof of devotion.

Write the scene from Elena’s perspective. How does she feel when Valeria shows her the ginger? How does her body react when the rod slowly slides into her? And what goes through her mind when the burning begins—and Valeria whispers in her ear, “Now you belong to me.”

Have fun writing—and don’t forget: the best scenes are the ones that get under your skin. Literally.