Who are hetaeras and Japanese geishas? Are there any differences between them?
Attitudes towards women who sell their bodies for money have always been ambiguous. Many men both loved and hated these young women. To fulfill erotic fantasies or simply get rid of sexual tension, all it took was a few crisp bills.
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Throughout history, these types of virgins have appeared in many countries, but in modern times, many people think that something like priestesses of love sounds very poetic. Are there differences between girls for sale in different countries? Was their range of services sexual? How did they treat such workers and can their lives be called happy and carefree? All this and much more will be discussed in the next article.
Greek goddesses — Hetaera
It is in Greece that we first meet these notorious priests. They really should have been given to men for money so that they would serve in the temple of Aphrodite and receive the blessing of the goddess. This tradition applied to those who did not become priests. Before going to the altar, any girl must come to the temple of Aphrodite and sleep with the first person who presents her virginity as a gift to the goddess.
It is worth noting that the formation of priests directly requires years of training. It was not just sex, but a real art that required the girl to have flexibility and endurance in several matters.
She needed to know how to love s in many positions, her own oral, no matter the situation. In addition, she should not have children, since they should not be a burden to an experienced priest. Such “losers” were expelled from the temple in disgrace, since it was believed that after giving birth such a girl would lose her magical abilities.
In most cases, participants named free girls who love money. They were not only liberated in terms of sex, but also incredibly smart. This is despite the fact that most of them were former slaves. This happened because often well-educated girls could be captured in neighboring states waging war among themselves. There were often cases when a newly minted slave owner turned out to be less literate than herself. In this case, wise people simply sent the “prey” to the Hetero school, and then gave it to the wild ones.
The recipient was a special woman for whom many fans were willing to pay big money. Often they had patrons who protected the girl and fully provided for her. But if there were no patrons, I had to be content with ordinary clients. In Athens, in the gardens of potters, plates were kept, and admirers spoke of their desires and offered sums of money.
It is worth noting the fact that Hettles paid great attention not only to education, but also to appearance, as well as garden beds. The famous representatives of this profession were truly favorites of the public and a source of inspiration for the rulers themselves. They wore luxurious and expensive fabrics, jewelry and rode chariots through the streets. No one condemned such women and even respected them, since they brought pleasure and satisfaction not only on a physical, but also on a moral level.
The most important difference between heteros and other ministers of free love. This is a personal choice of partners. It wasn”t easy for Getter to get her place because she slept with men she liked. Especially when a woman is famous not only for her skills, but also for her incredible beauty. This is the difference between hetero- and allometrides.
Alethetrides were girls who played an instrument, entertained guests and easily agreed to intimacy for a certain amount of money.
The silent mystery of the East — Geisha
The most famous attractive, corrupt girls are, undoubtedly, geishas. Even the fact that they are so incomprehensible and seductive makes it impossible to take your eyes off them. The unique culture and traditions of the East force many to re-watch the film “Memoirs of Heishi” or re-read the book “Peach Blossom Pavilion” every time.
In these films, the priest of love appears in a completely different light. She is sensual, vulnerable, tender and at the same time incredibly strong. For a while, they could make history by their own decision, because next to such a woman there was always something powerful in this world.
Initially, the Gish were not women at all, but men. They dressed in bright clothes, applied bright makeup to their faces and entertained guests who came along with ordinary prostitutes. Geisha literally translates as “people of art.” Therefore, at the beginning of their appearance, they were not associated with vicious love. In addition, the image of a male geisha could make the evening more interesting and enjoyable, which was generally assessed positively.
Read also: Who are geishas and why are they famous throughout the world?
One of the first organizations associated with Japan is undoubtedly the geisha. Thin, graceful, rebellious and beautiful women. Respectful look.
A woman who decided to leave the geisha prostitutes, broke with her past, became a cash cow. She is the first one who made you look at this profession from a different angle. It is worth noting that geisha are not supposed to sleep with their clients. Such laws appeared a little later. This did not stop some intangible girl from spoiling the reputation of all geishas and giving herself to clients for money. But real geishas could not afford such shame.
However, the fact that geisha do not sleep for money does not change the fact that they still have sex. In many cases, the famous geisha turned out to be a danna — patron. He can become her lover or even her husband, have children with her and make them a full-fledged family. However, there was no place for love and feelings, only mutually beneficial agreements. This meant that the geisha entertained the guests with singing and dancing and served them in the tea house.
Outwardly, it is very easy to distinguish a real geisha from a simple prostitute. A real geisha”s kimono is tied at the back with a complex knot that cannot be untied without outside help. Then it is also tied with knots. Prostitutes and yujos, however, were much easier on the street. Their kimonos were tied with a simple knot at the front so that they could be quickly removed in case of intimacy. Haisha hairstyles were decorated with a single comb and pin, while yujo could be pinned with many combs and other jewelry.
Sexual relationships are a very real part of being a geisha. However, it is presented as a special formula that introduces an inexperienced student into the world of adult relationships and at the same time provides her with good starting capital. If a geiko manages to sell her mizuage (virginity) for a significant amount of money, she can pay off her debt to the geiko”s family and become completely free. At the same time, after this procedure, men who deprived the future geisha of her virginity can either not have any relationship with her, or, on the contrary, become her protector.
The attitude towards geishas has always been respectful. This is because they were incredibly smart women who knew how to relax and entertain men. They didn”t need sexual tricks to do this. The main thing was their ability to be attentive interlocutors and conduct a conversation on any topic. Geisha clients were married men who wanted female attention and could engage in flirting that was not available in married life. The Virgins of Love helped everyone forget about their problems for a while and immerse themselves in the world of art and relaxed communication.
French frivolity — courtesans
In 1804, a truly important event took place for all the servants of the Fronde of Love. Napoleon decreed that all prostitutes must be registered and required to undergo medical examination. In just five years, about 180 brothels appeared in France, where anyone could satisfy their whims at different prices.
Initially, the term prostitute has a completely neutral meaning — a courtesan. This is understandable, since this term was not at all used to designate women of “easy virtue.” These were women who associated with courtiers to strengthen their position in society and gain knowledge.
Geisha — who is it? myths and reality
However, one should not think that all prostitutes had an easy life. The term itself was offensive to all rich and powerful women. Cardinal Richelieu, for example, repeatedly accused his female political opponents of prostitution. And if the slandered woman could not find evidence to the contrary, this approach worked without problems.
There was, of course, another group of prostitutes with special privileges. They were favorites of the kings themselves, so their words influenced society. Of course, no one claims that women achieved such positions solely at the call of their hearts, but only the most resourceful and wise women approached power.
And if in their youth they managed to join the ranks of rulers, then few lived to old age. Blanche Dantilla, for example, died completely penniless and alone. This proves that the era of prostitutes was short-lived.
A striking example of how a ray of light can be seen even in the midst of darkness is the incomparable Ninon Lanclos. She became famous not only for her free choice of partners, but also for her eternal beauty. The girl refused to sacrifice herself for money and, in fact, chose a mate for herself based on ephemeral desires.
The infamous Cardinal Richelieu was refused and told that it would be given to anyone, but there was no sale. All these connections made her popular in certain circles, and her inappropriate beauty was desirable to men even at 80 years old. By the way, Ninon gave birth to three children. The last of her children was born at the age of 55. She died a wealthy woman at the age of 90, without any financial problems.
Priestess of love as an art form
In different countries and at different times there was a clear division between experienced priests and ordinary prostitutes. At first they were interesting conversationalists and educated, with an incredibly broad outlook.
All of this made them really interesting characters. It should be noted that the priests of love had more in common with educated women of art than with saleswomen.
Sure, sex was present in their lives, but it was not the bargaining chip by which they gained power over men. This proves that such young women were rather a cultural respite for all men and an opportunity to spend time in a cozy company without the obligatory element of intimacy.
Prostitutes were a simpler option that was entirely based on sex. They rarely entertain their companions with anything other than intimacy. And only a few were as skilled in this matter as the priests of love.
Their main goal is quick sex that guarantees payment. In the modern world, the reference to the priests of love refers specifically to sex, since the profession of a true “woman of art” has lost its meaning.
Only geisha retain their individuality. They still exist in a closed world that is not accessible to everyone. And this only speaks of the uniqueness of their profession, which has nothing to do with ordinary intrigue for a small reward.
