Discipline (instrument of penance)

A discipline is a small scourge (whip) used as an instrument of penance by certain members of some Christian denominations (including Roman Catholics, Anglicans,^[1] among others)^[2] in the spiritual discipline known as mortification of the flesh.

Many disciplines comprise seven cords, symbolizing the seven deadly sins and seven virtues. They also often contain three knots on each cord, representing the number of days Jesus Christ remained in the tomb after bearing the sins of humanity. Those who use the discipline often do so during the penitential season of Lent, but others use it on other occasions,^[3] and even every day.^[4]

^ Yates, Nigel (1999). Anglican Ritualism in Victorian Britain, 1830-1910. Oxford University Press. p. 60. ISBN 9780198269892. Self-flagellation with a small scourge, known as a discipline, became quite common in Tractarian circles and was practised by Gladstone among others.
^ Cite error: The named reference Rubin1994 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Yelyr, R. (16 April 2013). The Whip And The Rod - An Account Of Corporal Punishment Among All Nations And For All Purposes. Read Books Limited. p. 24. ISBN 9781473391857. The favourite time for the infliction of the discipline was during Lent, though it was administered on other occasions.
^ Yelyr, R. (16 April 2013). The Whip And The Rod - An Account Of Corporal Punishment Among All Nations And For All Purposes. Read Books Limited. p. 24. ISBN 9781473391857. And yet again there was the Bishop of Bellay, who, it was alleged, whipped his body every day to such an extent that his skin was never free from weals and bruises.

[Yates1999-1] Yates, Nigel (1999). Anglican Ritualism in Victorian Britain, 1830-1910. Oxford University Press. p. 60. ISBN 9780198269892. Self-flagellation with a small scourge, known as a discipline, became quite common in Tractarian circles and was practised by Gladstone among others.

[Rubin1994-2] Cite error: The named reference Rubin1994 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Yelyr-3] Yelyr, R. (16 April 2013). The Whip And The Rod - An Account Of Corporal Punishment Among All Nations And For All Purposes. Read Books Limited. p. 24. ISBN 9781473391857. The favourite time for the infliction of the discipline was during Lent, though it was administered on other occasions.

[Yelyr2013-4] Yelyr, R. (16 April 2013). The Whip And The Rod - An Account Of Corporal Punishment Among All Nations And For All Purposes. Read Books Limited. p. 24. ISBN 9781473391857. And yet again there was the Bishop of Bellay, who, it was alleged, whipped his body every day to such an extent that his skin was never free from weals and bruises.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]