A whip is a tool or weapon designed to strike humans or animals to exert control through pain compliance or fear of pain. They can also be used without inflicting pain, for audiovisual cues, such as in equestrianism. They are generally either a firm stick designed for direct contact, or a flexible line requiring a specialized swing. The former is easier and more precise, the latter offers longer reach and greater force. A hunting whip combines a firm stick with a flexible line.
A type of whip known as a riding crop pictured with a U.S. dollar bill for size comparison.
A leather cat o' nine tails pictured with a U.S. dollar bill for size comparison.
A set of romal reins, featuring a quirt at the end of the romal
Whip made in Silesia, Poland, made to enhance its cracking sound, used in folk Easter celebrations of Siuda Baba
The cat o' nine tails, commonly shortened to the cat, is a type of multi-tailed whip or flail. It originated as an implement for physical punishment, particularly in the Royal Navy and British Army, and as a judicial punishment in Britain and some other countries.
Nineteenth-century cat o' nine tails, 97 centimetres (38+1⁄4 in) long, composed of nine lengths (approximately 46 centimetres or 18 inches) of tarred, braided hemp with ends lashed.
Sailor being flogged with a cat-o'-nine-tails while four sailors are waiting for their turn to flog him.
