We explain what a fellatio is, the origin of the term and what such a practice consists of. Also, how it was considered in history until today.
What is a fellatio?
It is known as fellatio (from the Latinfellare, ‘Suck’) to an oral sex practice performed on the penis and testicles, in which they are stimulated by contact with the lips, the tongue and the entire mouth, which may or may not lead to orgasm.
It is a common practice in couple sex, although it can also be carried out by two or more persons (double fellatio), and that is usually accompanied by other forms of masturbation, either as a preliminary to penetration, or as intercourse itself.
Fellatio, together with cunnilingus (oral stimulation of the female genitalia), 69 position (simultaneous oral stimulation) or deep throat (stimulation of the penis with the throat), are the best known forms of oral sex. As a form of masturbation (self-fellation), on the other hand, it is usually rare, given the physical complications of the case.
All fellatio supposes a posture of physical passivity of the person who receives it and of activity on the part of the person who tips it, despite the fact that some of their cultural considerations may point to the contrary, sometimes interpreting it as a form of submission or subjugation towards whom performs it. When, on the other hand, the penis is actively used to penetrate the mouth, the term irrumation is used (from the Latinirrumatio).
Like all forms of oral sex, fellatio it implies risks for the Health both the person who grants it and the person who receives it, such as the transmission of venereal diseases (HIV, Herpes, HPV), although logically it does not imply any risk of pregnancy.
Fellatio in history and culture
The practice of fellatio is ancient, so much so that it appears in engravings and vessels from the classical ages, and is often referred to in various mythological accounts. In Greek antiquity, for example, the inhabitants of the island of Lesbos were famous for their talent for fellatio (hence its name: in GreekLesbiazéin means "felar").
Later there would be the change of meaning that would attribute to "lesbian" its current meaning, since in ancient Greek the name for female homosexuality was tribe ("rub").
In the Roman world, on the other hand, fellatio was common and was linked to a cultural consideration that gave power roles between whoever performed it and whoever received it. In this way, whoever received a fellatio submitted to the other (and even worse if he performed cunnilingus, considered an immoral practice), since he assumed a passive posture, associated by the Romans with weakness. Instead, whoever performed it had power over the other.
Fellatio, moreover, is present in the kamasutra and in various representations of the Hinduism early, while in the tradition Islamic and Judaic is often frowned upon, especially if it involves spilling semen.
In fact, in medieval Spain, fellatio was so morally frowned upon that even prostitutes insulted each other, accusing each other of often practicing it.
In today's world, on the other hand, fellatio is a common and widely practiced practice, very present in pornographic stories and present in the popular sexual imaginary.