Punishment: Branding

[Peter Stines]

I wonder why branding on the hip though? It isn't as visible as the back of the hand or thumb. I thought the purpose of branding was to show to the public, immediately, the punishment.

I wondered about that too. Humiliation ? Maybe but I tend to think the contact between the burned skin and the cloth was a main factor. The rubbing and abrading would be painful for a long time.
Moving around while working and daily life put pressure on the spot. And knowing that the brand would still be there for many, many years and not "fade away" probably had a psychological effect. Just my 2 cents worth

 

[Tom Hughes]

Maybe they should make physical punishment, like branding, legal again and maybe it would put a damper on these criminals today. Pain can certainly be a deterent.

 

[Peter Stines]

I'll say this much. If I saw that red hot branding iron coming towards me I'd probably confess to anything!

 

[Fairfield]

Branding was standard in colonial times--in all colonies. Hawthorne's "Scarlet Letter" describes a milder form. Clearly it wasn't much of a deterrent because the same sorts of crimes have continued.

 

[Mrs. V]

I don't even approve of branding horse/cattle. Let alone a person. Ew!

 

[Peter Stines]

I don't even approve of branding horse/cattle. Let alone a person. Ew!

They use indelible ink now. There were ear marks that included notching, upper and lower cuts, cropping, splitting and holes. Healed quickly but count me out