The History of Fire Cupping: Then and Now

The Origins of Fire Cupping

Cupping is one of the oldest healing arts known to man. While we may never know who exactly created cupping we do know that it has been used for thousands of years by the ancient Egyptians as far back as 1550 B.C. and by the Greeks around 413 B.C. 


In China, it is said that cupping or “Gua-Sha” (phonetic) can be traced to the Han dynasty which came into existence in 206 B.C. Since the Han Dynasty, the art of cupping and its methods have blazed its way through Japan, the Middle East, Malaysia, Europe and the Americas. In the Muslim (or Islamic) culture cupping has not only been ingrained in their medical practices but in their religious teachings as well. In the Quran cupping is called Al- HuJamah and was brought to the Arab masses by the Muslim prophet Muhammad. It is said that the angels spoke to Muhammad and said, “Upon you is cupping (hijama), O Muhammad.

Ancient practitioners of this cupping art used items that were readily available in the treatment of their patients. In Ge Hong's ( 284-346 CE) book, “A Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies,” it outlined Gua-Sha and its practical applications. The practice is also known as jiaofa or “The Horn Technique.” According to Ge Hong cattle horns were used as the “cups” of choice and this explains how the practice got its nick name Horning. 

One of the problems with using horn, wood, and bamboo cups is the fact that they are not as durable or as light as metal ceramics and glass.  Not only were these new products able to withstand higher temperatures from what would come to be known as Huoquan Qi, or Fire Cupping without warping or becoming brittle, they were also much easier to sterilize and keep clean. This was especially important and became essential when dealing with bodily fluids (such as blood or pus) which can easily contain germs, viruses, and bacteria. All of which are easily transmit from person to person. For these reasons ceramics and glass are the most practical and readily available material used for cupping today. 
Though there are many ways for Gua-Sha to be performed, the most traditional way is called Huoquan Qi which loosely translates to “Fire Jar Qi” or “fire cupping.” Huoquan Qi is a treatment where fire is used to evacuate air in a cup while the cup is being applied to the skin. The vacuum or suction caused by the evacuated air draws the skin into the cup as well as the underlining blood and tissue .
Fire Cupping and Intimacy

While there are more modern methods of cupping that don’t require fire, couples may find that the fire adds an element of fear, excitement and an air of danger to their erotic encounter. The combination of heat and increased blood flow to erogenous zone, like the nipples, increases sensitivity while further heightening the senses. The warmth of the fire and the sucking of the cup is a primal and sexual sensation that can range from very intense to a slight pull sensation. 
BDSM and "The Art of Fire Cupping" 
I believe that cupping is one of the more obscure forms of SM play due to the fact that there is very little pain associated with it. Most would be practitioners may also assume that there is some form of specialized medical training associated with cupping because of it medicinal roots. 

Another reason for its obscurity in the erotic arena is that it is mislabeled as fire play and therefore misunderstood. My definition of fire play is: "Anytime fire or flame is placed on any portion of the body for any sexual reason or fetish purpose." However, the art of Huoquan Qi is that when it is performed correctly the fire will never touch the subject. This does not mean that the subject will not feel the heat from the flames, rather when performed correctly, fire will never make actual contact with the subject. Fire cupping is mislabeled due to the fact that most of the precautionary measures associated with this style of cupping pertain to the flame or the fire itself.  It has been my experience, that Huoquan Qi or fire cupping would be better qualified as a form of sensation play because of the variety of sensation that can be achieved with the application of a little imagination.

Up Coming Event

Author and educator Orpheus Black has been practicing and teaching the ancient art of horning, the traditional cupping method and erotic fire cupping to couples (and individuals) for more than a decade. These fun and informative classes not only outline the history and techniques involved in cupping he also guides his students through hands on applications that stimulate the mind, body and spirit.  
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