Concept in Definition ABC

From the point of view of some moral and religious approaches, chastity is a virtue and consists of the moderation of carnal pleasures. In other words, it could be defined as sexual purity. In this sense, this virtue presents two approaches, one radical and the other moderate. Chastity radically understood would imply the renunciation of any sexual contact and in its moderate version it would imply the renunciation of the pleasures considered illicit.

The person who practices this virtue is someone who is chaste, a quality that has historically been valued in relation to the female sex, since the concept of chaste woman has been understood as a sign of purity.

A short historical tour

In the mythology Greek goddess Artemis practiced sexual abstinence and was therefore celibate and chaste. The myth of Artemis is normally valued as a way of understanding sex, that is, a non-promiscuous sexual inclination and based on integrity of the individual.

In the religion of Ancient Rome the Vestals were priestesses who had to be virgins and of great beauty

They practiced the vote of chastity in order to dedicate himself exclusively to sacred rituals.

From the point of view of Christianity, chastity implies that the sexual inclination must be controlled and therefore the chaste person must dominate her impulses so as not to become a slave of the pleasure carnal. From this perspective, it is logical that among the seven capitals sins lust is the antithesis of chastity.

Chastity is not a virtue that should be associated exclusively with tradition Christian, since it is also practiced in Buddhism as a way to achieve enlightenment and avoid attachment.

Chastity belt

This contraption, an iron panty that was locked and prevented sexual intercourse, was used in two ways during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance:

1) to avoid female infidelity when husbands had to be absent for a long time or

2) as a mechanism used by women to prevent violation. There are all kinds of erotic ideas and fantasies about the chastity belt.

In any case, it is an artifact that reminds us that the chastity of women has been a deeply ingrained idea throughout history.

Photos: Fotolia - BillionPhotos / aleksicze