CordsOfPenance Disciplines are made of sisal rope, by hand, so each individual product is unique. Our Discipline design has been extensively tested with over 10,000 strokes and holds strong. The Three Dark Days discipline is a seven fall discipline with three knots in each fall, representing the three dark days between the death of Our Lord on the cross and His resurrection. Seven falls can represent various sets of seven, depending on the direction of your contemplation: The seven deadly sins to shun, the seven last words of Our Lord from the cross, or the seven sorrows of Our Lady. With a view of what to strive and pray for, they can stand for the seven virtues in opposition to the seven deadly sins, or the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Regarding the deepening of our understanding, they can stand for the seven petitions of the Pater Noster. Standard Size = 1/4" cordage Total length: 23" Grip: approx. 5" Falls: approx. 16" Sisal disciplines are impact disciplines that do not easily break the skin. Bruising may occur depending on how vigorous the discipline is employed, and how consistently one takes to the discipline. This product is tried and tested. As a rule of thumb, we found that the impact is greater with tighter knots, but depends mostly on how much effort is involved. The sisal rope we use for our disciplines is a natural, biodegradable product, unoiled, and untreated by nasty chemicals. It is exceptionally durable and retains its strength and its knots well without requiring maintenance like oiling, waxing, or other methods of conditioning. Sisal disciplines get softer with time and use, without diminishing the impact. All our disciplines are discreetly packaged. Buy with confidence! The Discipline Defined: A discipline whip is an ancient instrument of self-discipline and penance, traditionally used during the spiritual discipline of the mortification of the flesh in order to aid sanctification. Many Christian denominations, including Anglicans, Lutherans, and Roman Catholics have used the Discipline extensively. "And when he [Jesus] had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up." John 2:15-17, KJV