Sexual Fetishes: Definition, Examples, & Popular Types

Everyone comes up with the idea to add spice to their sexual life, and fetishism is one of the ways to do that. Some people are shy to talk about their unusual passions, but the statistics say that approximately 53% of people have tried at least one type of fetish, and a majority of them did that during adolescence.

So, if you’ve ever felt drawn to something unusual or specific, you’re in good company. At Fetish-Guru.com, we talk about this openly because curiosity shouldn’t come with shame. Let’s learn more about sexual fetishes!

What is a Fetish in Simple Terms

What is fetish? In simple words, it’s a kind of item or action that attracts much interest, causes an extremely strong devotion, and results in sexual arousal.

When people hear the word fetish, they usually associate it with sex. In reality, pleasure can also come from simply seeing the object of desire, being around it, or even imagining it. The variety of fetishes is really impressive and is calculated in thousands, so some of them can be really unexpected!

Fetish vs Kink… How are They Different?

Many people consider these words to be synonymous, but if you look at the words that define fetish and kink, you can find out that fetish is a type of kink.

A kink is a broader term that means any unconventional sexual interest or activity. It’s a sexual behavior or fantasy that goes beyond the frames of traditional sex, so kinks are always understood as unusual practices enjoyed by people. The brightest examples of kinks are bondage, roleplay, spanking, voyeurism, group play, and power exchange.

Speaking of fetish vs kink, the first one is more specific. It’s when someone has a strong, sometimes essential, erotic focus on a particular object, body part, or activity. Without it, sexual arousal might feel incomplete or less intense. So, every fetish is a kink, but not every kink is a fetish, since they don’t involve a specific object or body part being essential for arousal. Using different materials like leather can be a kink, but if the material itself is the main trigger for arousal, that’s when it’s a fetish.

How Sexual Fetishism Started

To get a clear understanding of the fetish meaning, it’s enough to take a closer look at the history of this peculiarity. The first mentions of a sexual fetish date back to the 17th century and the Portuguese word ‘feitiço’, translated as a spell or charm. In England, this word was used to describe objects or so-called amulets, which were believed by West Africans to have supernatural powers. The term was popularized by Charles de Brosses, the French writer, who used it in anthropological texts.

In the 19th century, this term acquired a much broader meaning. It was considered an object that causes irrational devotion or reverence, and this object shouldn’t have been physical only. The beginning of the 20th century made some changes to the meaning of this term, which was already explained as a sexualized desire for a separate object or body part that doesn’t play any role in the reproductive act.

Types of Unusual Fetishes Seen Around the World

Sexual fetishism is a constantly changing term that seems to expand on a daily basis. It happens thanks to the endless types of fetishes that have already appeared and never stop being discovered. In fact, you can name thousands of objects and activities people get pleasure from, but get to know the most popular fetishes that knock people down with their awkwardness:

Acrotomorphilia: arousal to amputees.
Agalmatophilia: attraction to statues.
Claustrophilia: feeling pleasant in closed spaces.
Coprophilia: passion for faeces.
Formicophilia: satisfaction from insects.
Frotteurism: arousal from touching strangers in public places.
Lithophilia: attraction to stones.
Melissaphilia: passion for bees and wasps.
Psychrophilia: being aroused by cold.
Spectrophilia: physical attraction to ghosts and mirror images.
Xylophiloila: feeling pleasant from wood.

List of Fetishes that Have Gone Mainstream

The variety of fetish examples makes it difficult to choose some for description, but there’s a list of fetishes known to almost everyone, so revive their names in your memory, too:

Podophilia: satisfaction from legs.
Zoophilia: arousal for animals.
Exhibitionism: showing your sexual body parts to others.
Autogynephilia: passion for seeing opposite gender forms.
Electrostimulation: using electricity to spice up intimacy.
Fetishism: having contact with objects that were used by the desired person.
Katoptronophilia: physical pleasure from having sex in front of mirrors.
Masochism: getting arousal through pain.
Partialism: attraction to different body parts.
Trichophilia: love for hair.
Voyeurism: spying on how others have intimacy.

Why Many Hide Their Sexual Fetishes From Partners

Many people don’t let their fetish fantasy be introduced in real life because they fear being disapproved of or misjudged. It’s possible that another person can consider even the most common fetishes something weird and dirty, so a partner is more likely to keep these strange ideas secret rather than share them.

The most common reasons that make people hide their desire for fetishes are as follows:

Fear of being rejected or disapproved;
Shame;
Inability and discomfort to start this sensitive topic;
Having potentially illegal or harmful desires;
Potential to be hurt or manipulated.

How Joining a Fetish Site Can Make Your Life More Fun

A popular fetish site can become a path to a special community where your unexpected ideas are understood and shared. When you join a platform with lots of like-minded individuals, you get a range of important benefits:

You find acceptance and support;
You explore new types, directions, experiences, and spheres of interest;
You communicate anonymously and feel secure sharing your passions;
You build relationships with personalities who have similar kinks;
You get a chance to visit special events and enter exclusive groups;
You can express your authenticity without fear of being judged;
You get a better understanding of yourself and your inner needs and desires;
You learn tips and techniques from experienced members;
You gain confidence and realize you’re not “strange”.

Exploring Your Desires is Important!

Sexual fetishism is a different world that invites new experiences and frees from the usual rules.

At Fetish-Guru.com, we believe that people who aren’t afraid of admitting the existence of fetishes have more space for personal growth and the feeling of utmost happiness and satisfaction. Don’t lose a chance to start your exclusive fetish journey and embrace your identity from new angles!